Muleshoe Campground

Facility · Oregon ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Prineville Central Oregon Field Office (Bureau of Land Management OR) · Open Access

1,702 ft
Elevation
View of John Day River from Muleshoe Campground

Located just off of the sleepy John Day Highway, this campground offers 8 primitive campsites and an unimproved boat launch accessing the John Day River. The ancient river canyon weaves through the area providing spectacular views with ever-changing light and shadows in the early morning and late evening hours. A picturesque grove of ponderosa pine trees lines a section of the riverbank opposite the campground and the site itself has a large, solitary pine prominently situated. The surrounding layer cake geology is exposed in various peekaboo angles from the campground.

Know Before You Go

  • Open year-round
  • Six drive-in campsites; two walk-to campsites.
  • All campsites are available on a first come, first served basis; no reservations are available.
  • Two wheelchair accessible vault toilets.
  • No utility hookups or potable water are available
  • No garbage service - please pack out your trash
  • An annual fire closure is in effect from June 1 through October 15. Prohibited acts include building, igniting, maintaining, attending, using, tending, or being within 20 feet of a campfire, charcoal fire, or any other type of open flame; smoking, except while in non-public buildings, closed vehicles, in boats on the water, or while standing in the water.

Point of Interest

Although located along State highway 19 the sights and sounds of the John Day River dominate over any road noise making it easy to forget the highway is even there. Bring a book as there's no cell phone coverage here.

Getting there

From Spray, Oregon: Drive 10.5 miles west along State Highway 19/207. The campground is on the left side of the highway.

44.80732, -119.96704 · 44°48'26.4"N 119°58'1.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in1.31.10.81.51.51.10.30.40.51.01.41.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

$5 per night per campsite; $2 for each additional vehicle over the first vehicle, excluding towed vehicles

Stay limit: 14 days

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Muleshoe Campground

Can you reserve a site at Muleshoe Campground?
No. Muleshoe Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
How long can you stay at Muleshoe Campground?
14 days

Camping near Muleshoe Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.