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Back Side of Painted Hills Camping

96%
·
· Mitchell, Wheeler, Oregon
320 acres hosted by Bonnie L.
1 Vehicle/Tent site
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Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Bonnie is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
This 320 acre plot of land on which you can hike anywhere has been in our family since 1993. Large, graveled spot for tents or two vehicles with excellent view for miles and miles and night star gazing. Primitive outhouse. Juniper forest with sage brush... basically high desert vegetation. We only allow one reservation per night, although there is lodging (reserved) at the log home almost out of sight up above you. You can arrange vehicles or tents to not be in view or block any view from house way above. 320 acres to hike and roam. Mitchell is 10 miles away with well stocked grocery and feed store, restaurants, small brewery, and tire shop. We give directions fairly quickly. Road is wide, but steep at top. 4 wheel drive is recommended. Very close to the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National monument, Ochoco National Forest is seven miles. John Day River for swimming, rafting about 20 minutes. If you can book, it means you can drive on up with out contacting us.  As you drive in if at night, you will see a light on the outhouse.This graveled spot with outhouse for tents or two vehicles with excellent view for miles and miles and night star gazing. This site is not for large RVs. Small units such as Scamps or Pick up campers are fine. Juniper forest with sage brush... basically high desert vegetation. We only allow one reservation per night, although there is lodging (reserved) at the log home almost out of sight up above you. 320 acres to hike and roam. Mitchell is 10 miles away with well stocked grocery and feed store, restaurants, small brewery and tire shop. We give directions immediately and are on ranch for emergencies, questions, etc. Dirt Road is wide, but steep at top. 4 wheel drive is recommended. Very Close to the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National monument, Ochoco National Forest is seven miles. John Day River for swimming, rafting about 20 minutes. If you can book, it means you can drive on up with out contacting us. Booking should give you address. Stay to the right after leaving hwy 26 and go through green gate. Up one mile, stop at cattle guard, ease forward. Ranch house is straight ahead on up hill; but you want to look to the right. Take that drive way to camp site. As you drive in if at night, you will see a light on the outhouse at the site itself also. To star gaze, cover light with a blue rag inside composting toilet. Pat, Camp Manager, usually has cleanup up the toilet area and leaves potted water with a pump. Larry and Scooby, homeowners goats will try to greet you, but they stay in a side pasture.
Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Natural features
Desert
Canyon
Mountainous
96%
81 Ratings · 69 reviews
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Brittany R.recommends
October 29, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
We loved staying here. The view was stunning and the howling coyotes at night were really cool! There was plenty of space for our 2 tents. The drive up to the spot was steep at points but manageable in an AWD.
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Peter C.recommends
October 21, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
As advertised, the road is steep getting there but the campsite, tranquility, and scenery are more than worth it! Amazing starlit night and sunrise to greet us in the morning. Definitely coming back and for more than just a night.
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Bruce B.recommends
October 20, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
Excellent campsite!
Nice, quiet place with great scenery that is close to the John Day Fossil Beds. The road in is steep and bumpy, but not terrible. That said, Bonnie's recommendation of 4WD or all wheel drive is prudent and I was glad to have 4WD. The reservation page says that the max vehicle length is only 17'. If you've got a larger vehicle, check with Bonnie and see what she thinks. She answers emails quickly and provides full information. FWIW, my truck is a 1 ton, 4-door, 8' box, with a camper on it and it fit fine.
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Mary M.recommends
October 9, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
Don’t be afraid of the road!
What a beautiful spot! Lovely views, pretty easily accessible. Some of the reviews made me a bit nervous but found it to be relatively easy to access both to/from with my Volvo XC60 and tear drop trailer. Nice to have a compostable toilet to use! Wil definitely visit again.
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Mila J.recommends
September 30, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
Wonderful place
Awesome place to stay! Tons of roaming space on the campgrounds if you’re tenting or RVing. The road is really not bad at all. It’s only a mil of gravel and if you drive carefully, you’ll be totally fine! No major potholes or crazy situation. I have a RAV4 all wheel drive which is a wimp in most circumstances and doesn’t have very high clearance. It’s been majorly damaged on hiking trails, but this was a breeze. I came in at 11:45pm and was still met with so much kindness and direction. Would stay here again!
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Karl B.recommends
September 27, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
I enjoyed the quiet relaxing environment and exploring the trails.
Location
Mitchell, Wheeler, Oregon, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, Nüümü (Northern Paiute), Tenino, and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Bonnie L.

Joined in April 2019
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