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Back Side of Painted Hills Camping

96%
·
· Mitchell, Wheeler, Oregon
320 acres hosted by Bonnie L.
1 RV/tent site
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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%
72 ratings · 60 reviews
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Jessica M.recommends
August 26, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
Recommend for those traveling light
We loved the solitude and the views. The space had a bbq, composting toilet, a fire pit, briquettes, a picnic table, and the hosts even left 5 gallons of water. Everything we needed really. Only about 20 minutes to the painted hills- though getting to the campsite would not be possible without a 4wheel drive vehicle. Great directions from the host, would recommend for those traveling light with the right equipment.
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Jamie S.recommends
August 24, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
Great location
This is a fantastic location and beautiful. We made it up fine in our Subaru crosstrek with a small trailer but probably wouldn’t attempt it again. I’d recommend a truck instead. Very private and peaceful. Thank you for having us!
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Mirjam K.recommends
August 18, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
Great place, lots of space, we loved camping at this place. What a milkyway under the dark sky. Everything was there: a nice very clean outhouse, picnic table and a spot for a selfstanding tent. We would love to come again and bring much more time then. We checked in very late and the directions were really good and clear.
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Jason W.recommends
August 14, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
Went there to star gaze and watch the meteor shower. Did not disappoint. I was only there for a night but would have loved to have hiked the land. Would come back
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Sarah A.recommends
July 20, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
Stunning spot
Stunning spot from which to explore John Day Fossil Bed. So peaceful and quiet overlooking the most beautiful view and the star gazing at night was unmatched! Fun, quirky little town with brewery for end of day beers at the end of a hot day very close by!
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Riley E.recommends
July 15, 2024
Back Side of Painted Hills Camping
Beautiful camping experience!
We had a wonderful experience tent camping on Bonnie's beautiful property. The view was incredible - especially at sunrise and sunset. In the summertime, there is not very much shade until about 7:00 PM - so I'd recommend bringing something to create extra shade or planning your day so you are at camp when there's shade. Bonnie was communicative and gave us good directions - we had no problem finding or getting to the campsite. We were in the area to see the Painted Hills, which were just a 25 minute drive from the site. Would also recommend swinging by the town of Mitchell for a beer at Tiger Town. Overall a great experience. Highly recommend!
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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