Harney County offers a variety of different environments for campers, from the pine forests in the north to the desert plains, to the unique terrain of Steens Mountain, with its high lakes, deep gorges, and broad vista.

Following is a list of the more popular campgrounds or rest spots in or near Harney County, but there are also vast tracts of public land where the visitor may set up his own camp for the night or for the week.

About 80% of Harney County is publicly owned, but be sure to check the status of any land you plan to camp on. Check with the Bureau of Land Management  (541) 573-4400, or the U.S. Forest Service in Hines, (541) 573-4300.

• Malheur Field Station.  On Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles south of Burns. Nine trailer rentals, bedding furnished. 250 dormitory beds, bedding furnished, showers. On space available basis. Call (541) 493-2629 for fees and availability or visit their website www.malheurfieldstation.org.
   

• Frenchglen Wayside State Park at Frenchglen. Open March 1 through December 1. Primitive, one vault toilet, picnic tables, historical Frenchglen Hotel, restaurant and Mercantile nearby.
   

• Page Springs. Located 3 miles east of Frenchglen off the Steens Loop Road. Thirty-six campsites bordering the Blitzen River. Campground hosts on duty during summer season. Facilities: toilets, drinking water, garbage service, fire rings, tables.
  Open year around, services and fees May to October. Contact BLM for fee information (541) 573-4400.
   

• Jackman Park.  Located 19 miles east of Frenchglen on Steens Loop Road, two miles east of Fish lake campground at elevation of 7,600 feet. Six campsites. Facilities: toilets, drinking water, garbage service, fire rings, tables. Open June-November depending on snow conditions. Contact BLM for fee information, call  (541) 573-4400.
   

• Fish Lake.  Located 17 miles east of Frenchglen on Steens Loop Road at altitude of 7,400 feet. Twenty-three campsites, eight picnic sites. Facilities: drinking water, fire rings, toilets, garbage service, boat ramp and dock (no motors allowed). No trailer hookups, showers, or electricity. Normally open June-November, depending on snow. Contact BLM for fee information at (541) 573-4400.
   

• Mann Lake.  Located 96 miles southeast of Burns on the east side of Steens Mountain, primitive camping available, vault toilets, boat ramp, no drinking water. Contact BLM for fee information at (541) 573-4400.
   

• South Steens Campground. From Frenchglen, take state highway 205 south ten miles to South Steens Loop road, travel east 18 miles, elevation of 5,300 feet. Twenty-one family campsites, 15 equestrian campsites. Facilities: toilets, drinking water, fire rings, garbage service, tables, group camping area, equestrian side also has hitching bars at each site. Normally open May-November, depending on snow. Contact BLM for fee information at (541) 573-4400.
   

• Idlewild. Located 17 miles north of Burns on Highway 395, turn right off highway, sign posted. Twenty-five campsites, sixteen picnic sites, fireplaces, firewood, water, and vault toilets. No trailer hookups, no showers, no electricity, and no garbage disposal. Fee (drinking water is piped in). Contact the Forest Service for fee information at (541) 573-4300.
   

• Lake Creek Camp.  Located 20 miles east of Seneca in Grant County. Eight A-Frame cabins with cots and mattresses, can hold as many as 90 campers. Large lodge with full service kitchen, dining space and meeting room for 100. Toilets and showers. Electricity by generator. Reservations accepted year-round for May 31 through October 30 camping season. Call (541) 573-7498 for fee information and reservations.
   

• Chickahominy. Located 5 miles west of Riley just off U.S. Highway 20. Eighteen camp units. Facilities: sun shelters, picnic tables, toilets, drinking water, garbage service, fire rings, boat ramp. No trailer hookups, showers, or electricity. Open May through October . Contact BLM for more information at (541) 573-4400.
   

• Buck Springs.  Located 45 miles west of Burns off Highway 20, eleven miles northeast of Riley on County Road 49 and Forest Roads 45 and 45e. Eight campsites, water, toilets, fireplaces, and firewood. Contact the Forest Service for more information at (541) 573-4300.
   

• Falls Camp.  Located 33 miles northwest of Burns. North of Burns take County Road 127 to Forest Road 43, junction for Allison Guard Station, Delintment Lake, and Paulina, turn left on Forest Road 43. Travel 8 miles to Forest Road 4300-050. Follow signs to campground. 6 campsites, four picnic sites, fireplaces, firewood, water, and vault toilets. No trailer hookups, showers, or electricity. Contact the Forest Service for fee information (541) 573-4300.
   

• Emigrant Creek.  Located 35 miles northwest of Burns in the Ochoco National Forest. North of Burns take County Road 127 to Forest Road 43, junction for Allison Guard Station, Delintment Lake, and Paulina, turn left on Forest Road 43. Travel 9.75 miles, turn left on Forest Road 4340 to Forest Road 4340-050. Travel this road into the campground. Seven campsites, vault toilets, fireplaces, day use picnic area, and firewood. No trailer hookups, showers, or electricity. No water. No dump. Contact the Forest Service for fee information (541) 573-4300.
   

• Yellowjacket Lake.  Located 35 miles northwest of Burns. Turn right on County Road 127, then take Forest Road 47 to 37 and follow signs in the Malheur National Forest.  Twenty campsites, boat ramp, water, pit toilets, fireplaces, firewood. No trailer hookups, showers, electricity, or garbage disposal.  There are no designated picnic sites, though there are many suitable sites for a picnic. No fees at this time. Open May through November. Contact the Forest Service for more information at (541) 573-4300.
   

• Delintment Lake.  Located 45 miles northwest of Burns in the Ochoco National Forest. From Burns, go north on County Road 127. Travel 12 miles to Forest Road 41. Turn left on Forest Road 41 and travel 26.5 miles to junction, turn left and follow signs for 5 miles to campground. Twenty-nine campsites, plus four group camping sites. Twelve picnic sites, water, fireplaces, firewood, vault toilets, and boat ramp, 6 campsites are for tents only.  No trailer hookups, showers, or electricity. Contact the Forest Service for more information at (541) 573-4300.