Barnhouse Campground

It was a little nerving pulling an rv up the narrow logging road and thought, “what have we got ourselves into?” But then we arrived and soon discovered this was our favorite and most peaceful campground ever. We were the only ones in the campground. We toured John Day units the next day, when we arrived back that evening, there were several sites that were full.
High enough in the pines to get cell service, but zero cell when you drop down to the highway.
Late September is logging season and you could hear the chain saws going at 6am, but it wasn’t obnoxious. They typically stopped around 1pm. Could hear the cows on free range property, but they couldn’t get into the grounds since there was a 4-strand bob-wire fence surrounding perimeter.

Stayed at site next to Trail head. Very clean pit toilet, fire rings and tables. Only had a handful of folks come and go. Super quite and centrally located between John day fossil beds painted hills unit and sheep rock units that we went to. We hit a bizarre time I guess cause it snowed for a bit one morning but didn't stick and day turned out gorgeous. Not sure if this would be good for big rigs. We have US cell and no service

We wanted a nice boondocking site near the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and Barnhouse delivers! It’s 4 miles and 1300 feet higher than the nearby US 26 up a narrow but paved road so it feels very remote. However we did get great service with AT&T and okay with Verizon (T-Mobile reported 4 bars but my modem never got an IP address).

There are 6 - 8 sites (some could be doubles) most of which can accommodate an RV. Several would have worked for our 25’ Airstream. OHVs are prohibited so it’s super quiet!

We arrived on a Tuesday bout 4:00 pm and the campground was deserted so we had our pick of sites. The site we picked was pretty level and well shaded with a lovely view of the forest. During our 2 day stay there were only 2 other sites occupied. It’s very peaceful with the only sounds being the gentle afternoon breeze and the birds.

It’s located almost exactly half way between the Painted Hills unit and the Sheep Rock unit of John Day Fossil Beds so it was perfect for visiting both during our layover day.

We’ll definitely be back!

Only a few sites in this little campground that is 4.5 miles up a forest service road off of State hwy 26. You don't often find a free campground with tables, fire pits, a vault toilet, At&t cell service and a hiking trail. The campground roads are packed gravel and dirt, the forest service road is paved. The sites are not numbered but we stayed in the fourth site. The parking area is not very level in this site but it is a good distance from other sites. We did meet another camper who said that he has seen a cougar on the hiking trail so be cautious especially with pets and children. There is no garbage service so pack it in and pack it out.

We stayed here in early May 2021. There are lots of beautiful trees. There were no mosquitoes. There was a picnic table and fire pit, and plenty of room. The website states no RVs over 25 feet and I would agree with that. The vault toilet was just okay, no toilet paper. There was a great hiking trail from the campground through forest and meadows, with some small creeks. Small ding on the site quality because it would be muddy if it rained.

These sites were not numbered, the only amenity is an outhouse, about five sites, most of which had at least one picnic table and a firepit. Since there were three families/camp vehicles we chose the biggest site with two tables and plenty of parking.

There is also a great trailhead at the back of the campground, beautiful trail - not a loop - 2.5 miles and 10 miles for nonmotorized only.

We saw elk, deer and antelope, as well as a few chipmunks. Searched for morel mushrooms - found a few, but it was a bit early in the season to find many.