Priest Hole Recreation Site

NOTICE: Priest Hole Recreation Site and the roads leading to it are closed to ensure public safety during ongoing construction activities. The area will be closed until May 15, 2025 or until the closure order is rescinded. Read the closure order here.

Primitive camping opportunities exist within the Priest Hole area along the John Day Wild and Scenic River. Please help take care of this beautiful resource by using the restroom facilities, by packing out garbage including organics such as fruit peelings and nutshells, and by only driving and camping along open roads. A fire pan is required if having a campfire when fires are allowed in order keep the area pristine and attractive to others.

Know Before You Go:

• Open YEAR ROUND but the rough road can make access difficult in winter.
• ACCESSIBILITY is primitive and not easily accessible for people with disabilities.
• NO FEES for camping. A free paper permit found at kiosks is required to float the one mile section of river around Priest Hole. There is one toilet; NO potable water, trash cans or campsite amenities.
• PETS ARE ALLOWED under owner control. Watch for rattlesnakes.
• HUNTING/FISHING LICENSES ARE REQUIRED.
• Fire restrictions run June 1 – October 15 (liquid gas or propane only).
• When fire restrictions are not in place, campfires are allowed ONLY in raised, metal fire pans. Hundreds of rock fire rings are found each year, scaring the ground and creating resource damage. Please help us preserve this precious resource.
• Please bring your own fire wood. Cutting vegetation, including standing dead vegetation is not allowed. 

Point of Interest:

Priest Hole is a local favorite for fishing and swimming. Stopping here is a natural part of a visit to the Painted Hills, Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway and eastern Oregon!