Prineville Reservoir State Park

Scenic beauty, camping and water recreation are at their finest at this high desert park. Mountain waters flowing out of the Ochoco Mountain Range join to form the Crooked River. The river, confined by its canyon and the Bowman Dam, forms the 15-mile long, 3,000-acre Prineville Reservoir.  The park comprises the main day-use area and campground, the Jasper Point boat ramp and campground, and numerous drive-in and boat-in primitive campsites along the 43-mile shoreline.

The stars truly shine brighter here, earning the park a rare designation as a certified International Dark Sky Park. The certification recognizes the exceptional quality of the park's night skies as well as the park's efforts to install responsible lighting that minimizes light pollution.

If you're staying the night, check the park calendar on site for scheduled night sky programs. Are you coming in for the evening only? Please print, complete and place the Stargazing Permit on your vehicle dash when you're viewing the stars after hours in the designated day-use area.

The main day-use area has a boat ramp as well as a roped-off swimming area, accessible fishing pier and fish cleaning station; 32 boat moorages are available. Boat launching is also available at Jasper Point and the US Bureau of Reclamation's Crook County, Powderhouse Cove, and Roberts Bay East boat ramps. To escape the crowds and see more wildlife, drive east on a dirt road that follows the northeast shoreline for 6 miles to Combs Flat Road. This portion of the lake is more shallow and narrow, and the shoreline is mudflat, meadow, or willow shrubland. 

Fishing is excellent anytime; the lake supports rainbow trout, small and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and crayfish. Fish for trout year-round by boat or from shore; the biggest fish are known to bite during the winter months.  Bass, catfish and crappie fishing is best between May and October. For information, see the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing report.

Drive an electric vehicle?

EV charging stations will be available soon at the main day-use parking area. Learn more

Year-round Camping

Book reservations for the main campground up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com.

• 22 full-hookup sites
• 22 electrical sites with water
• 23 tent sites with water nearby
• Five deluxe log cabins (one pet-friendly)
• Flush toilets and hot showers
• Firewood and ice for sale
• Universal Access: Two campsites and two cabins are accessible to campers with disabilities.

Seasonal Camping at Jasper Point

Located 3 miles east of the main campground, Jasper Point is a small, quiet loop with 28 electrical sites that are first-come, first-served, and one reservable cabin. A lakeside trail connects the two campgrounds. 

Know Before You Go

• Some boat ramps on the reservoir may close when water levels are low. Visit the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation website for current water levels and boat ramp elevations.
• Campfire restrictions are often in place during the summer months.