Walton Lake

Campground · Oregon · 32 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Ochoco National Forest (NF) · Open Access

32
Bookable sites
70 ft
Max rig length
up to 35
People per site
5,201 ft
Elevation
Walton Lake
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

Walton Lake Campground may be the best-known location in the Ochoco National Forest, offering a serene setting among old-growth Ponderosa pine and mountain meadows. Most sites offer sweeping lake views.

Recreation

Visitors can choose to spend their vacation relaxing by fishing on the shore of Walton Lake, or swimming and paddling in the water. There is a swimming beach, fishing pier and boat ramp for small self powered craft, and the lake is stocked with rainbow trout.
There are also many trails nearby for those who would like to explore on foot or mountain bike. This includes the 7.5-mile multi-use Round Mountain Trail as well as the 1-mile Walton Lake Trail, which offers many scenic views around the lake.

Facilities

There are paved parking spurs, picnic tables and fire rings with grills at each single site. The campistes resiside on the South Side best for large RV's while the North side is best for car and tent camping. Vault toilets are available in both sections of the camp, and a solar powered water pump for drinking water is located in the south shore section. Look for water signs to guide you located near the entrance.
There are two group sites that have three tables and a fire ring at each. These sites can accommodate three to four RVs, and there are several tent pitching spots available.
There are accessible accomodating campsites and vault toilets in the south shore section of the camp though everyone is welcome to rent them. 

Natural Features

Walton Lake is a blue sparkling jewel hidden within the dense forest. A small dam impounds spring-fed water that seeps from surrounding sloped meadows. Fishing is a favorite activity while hiking is very popular as is simply enjoying a picnic at the lake.
Aspen and tall willows add habitat diversity to make this place especially attractive to wildlife. This is a place to find white-headed woodpecker, belted kingfisher, spotted sandpiper, cinnamon teal, American coot, Steller's jay, yellow-headed blackbird and Brewer's blackbird.

Nearby Attractions

For visitors seeking a bit of civilization, the city of Prineville is nearby. There are opportunities to shop, dine out, golf, attend events and visit the localmuseum. For those wanting to explore the Ochoco National Forest, Lookout Mt and Round Mt are great places to hike and Mt bike. Wild flowers are abundant at the Big Summit Prairie where occasional antelope, elk and deer are sometimes seen. 

The facts

  • 32 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 70 ft
  • Up to 35 people per site
  • Loops: AREA WALTON LAKE

Site types

  • 24 Standard Nonelectric
  • 6 Tent Only Nonelectric
  • 2 Group Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

32 campsites at Walton Lake

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
002AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
003AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
004AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
005AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
006AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
007AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
008AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
009AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
010AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
011AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
012AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
013AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
014AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
015AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
016AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
017AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
018AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
019AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft6 🐾
020AREA WALTON LAKETent Only NonelectricPull ThroughPaved24 ft6 🐾
021AREA WALTON LAKETent Only NonelectricPull ThroughPaved24 ft6 🐾
022AREA WALTON LAKETent Only NonelectricPull ThroughPaved24 ft6 🐾
023AREA WALTON LAKETent Only NonelectricPull ThroughPaved24 ft6 🐾
024AREA WALTON LAKETent Only NonelectricPull ThroughPaved24 ft6 🐾
025AREA WALTON LAKETent Only NonelectricPull ThroughPaved24 ft6 🐾
026AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved24 ft6 🐾
027AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved24 ft6 🐾
028AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved24 ft6 🐾
029AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved24 ft6 🐾
030AREA WALTON LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved16 ft6 🐾
Large Group SiteAREA WALTON LAKEGroup Standard Nonelectric—Gravel70 ft35 🐾
Small Group Site AREA WALTON LAKEGroup Standard Nonelectric—Paved70 ft35 🐾

Getting there

From Prineville, Oregon, take Highway 26 east for 16 miles. Turn right at the junction to Walton Lake and Big Summit Prairie (County Road 23) and travel 9 miles to Forest Service Road 22. Turn left and proceed approximately 7 miles to Walton Lake. The campground will be on the left.

44.43306, -120.33667 · 44°25'59.0"N 120°20'12.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in4.22.92.92.72.41.50.70.70.81.83.34.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Walton Lake

Can you reserve a site at Walton Lake?
Yes, Walton Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Walton Lake have?
32 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Walton Lake?
70 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Walton Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Walton Lake.
Are campfires allowed at Walton Lake?
Campfires are allowed at Walton Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Walton Lake also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Walton Lake's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Weekday : $75 weekdays
  • Weekends : $125 weekends group site.

Restrictions:

  • No horses are permitted in the campground. ATVs are not allowed on or off campground roads. Only non-motorized watercrafts are welcome in the lake. Firearms and bow and arrow devices may not be used within the campground. There is a 14 day stay limit on all National Grassland and US Forest Service l

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Walton Lake

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.