A wide-angle view of Oregon's Magone Lake, near John Day, Oregon. Enormous pine trees overshadow the walking path that encircles the lake.

Written by Mod Fam on August 3, 2019

Best Camping in Oregon: Clyde Holliday State Park

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The Best Camping in Oregon: Clyde Holliday State Park and Eastern Oregon

Some of the best camping in Oregon is a long way away from the coast and the I-5 corridor. You may be surprised to find the high desert oasis of Clyde Holliday State Park, a campground and day-use area near John Day, Mt. Vernon, and Magone Lake. There’s a reason we’re featuring Clyde Holliday as one of Oregon’s best camping spots, because it’s beautiful and close to scenic Lake Magone, Prairie City, and more. And nearby John Day contains the interpretive center and museum of Kam Wah Chung & Company, the best-preserved site in the United States documenting Chinese Immigrant lives in the American West during the 19th and 20th Centuries. Keep reading to see just why we consider this part of Eastern Oregon some of the best camping in Oregon.

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The Best Camping in Oregon: Clyde Holliday State Park and the John Day River

Best Camping in Oregon: Camp in the shade along the John Day River

Clyde Holliday is one of our favorite Oregon State Parks because it is one of the shadiest spots along the John Day River. The camp host and staff work hard to make sure the grounds are well-watered and green, despite heavy use of the campground and day-use area during the hot summer months. The campground sits along Highway 26 at the banks of the John Day River. A walking path leads along the river, where you can dip your toes and watch hundreds of small-to-medium crayfish swim out of the way.

Pro Tips for Clyde Holiday State Park:

Clyde Holliday does not take advance reservations for its 31 tent- and trailer campsites. If you can arrive before noon or during the work week, you will most likely be able to secure a site.
Sites 11 and 13 are our picks for the best combination of shade, river access, and distance from the highway and restroom facilities. There really are no bad sites, but these are our two favorites.
You can reserve either of the two large tipis (or teepees) online through the Oregon State Parks’ Reserve America website, as early as 9 months before your visit.
Visit the Oregon State Parks site for Clyde Holliday for updates and information about the park.
Bring a towel! Between the river nearby and the clean, comfortable showers and bathrooms at the center of the campground, you’ll find all the comforts of home at Clyde Holliday State Park.
The park sells firewood for $5 per two cubic feet. This is a great deal compared with bundles you find at many supermarkets and stores around the state. And don’t worry; if you’re not sure how much 2 cubic feet is, the park provides a handy rolling cart built to that size that you can simply fill and roll to your site.
If no sites are available as walk-up sites, the park does have a group camp/overflow area, so be sure to ask about that area if all the sites are full.
Ask the camp host about area attractions, like those we share here and others. We didn’t make it up to the Strawberry Lakes this trip, but there are many day hikes and other activities close by. John Day is building its brand new outdoor water park, skate park, and playground, for example. And you’ll learn where to get Dayville’s famous pies and other local favorites.

Clyde Holliday State Park sits along the shady banks of the John Day River, near Mt. Vernon, Oregon, and a short drive from Lake Magone. This image shows two young sisters playing in the grass and shade of large trees at the State Park campground.

Best Camping in Oregon: Catch Crawdads (Crayfish) in the John Day River

There’s no shortage of crayfish in the John Day River (what we grew up near the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon, calling crawdads). At first, the girls were a little skittish as they quickly darted underwater and swam away. But when they realized the crawdads wouldn’t attack, the girls became more brave, picking a few up to examine them before letting them go again. The best camping in Oregon must have some good catch-and-release, whether it’s trout or crayfish. And Clyde Holliday doesn’t disappoint in that regard.

Best Camping in Oregon: Build a Fire and Sleep in a Tipi

The State Park not only manages 31 campsites; it also rents out two large tipis for overnight camping, complete with secure entrances and large mattresses. You can actually reserve the tipis (also spelled “teepees”) online at the Oregon State Parks’ Reserve America site. The mattresses look like a combination of queen and full-size beds, and have a thick vinyl exterior, so you can throw your sleeping bag or bedding right on top. The tipis get pretty hot when hit by direct sun, but they are designed to allow an upward draft to cool off at night.

This image shows the sun hitting green leaves during sunset at Oregon's Clyde Holliday State Park campground along the John Day River. — The sun sets over the shady campground at Clyde Holliday State Park

This image shows the red and orange flame of a campfire at Oregon's Clyde Holliday State Park campground along the John Day River. — Fire and flame at Clyde Holliday State Park (not safe for these tipis!)

The Best Camping in Oregon: Prairie City to Unity, Oregon and Beyond

Walk Through Historical Prairie City, Oregon

We’ve visited a number of rural, Western towns lately (like West Yellowstone, Montana, and others). Prairie City is, by far, our favorite. The town sits between John Day and the mountain passes that lead up through the Malheur National Forest and then the Wallowa-Witman National Forest before descending to the fertile agricultural valleys of Eastern Oregon and Southwestern Idaho. Prairie City has remained small but thriving, unlike too many other small towns dotting the Western states.

A view of the locomotive mural on the side of the Hotel Prairie in Prairie City, Oregon. The mural, painted on the old brick building, sits in front of a green sign for 'Main Street'. — The original Main Street, USA – Historic Prairie City

A view of the old Western facades and commercial buildings in Prairie City, Oregon. This image shows a dentist's office and nearby restaurants.

The drive through town along the highway passes a vibrant downtown core with restaurants, shops, and a fantastic playground a block away, near the forest service offices and other official buildings. The food is great, the antiques are collectible, and there’s enough charm in Prairie City to go around. If you’re not in a hurry, set up camp nearby and take some time to wander the streets and check out the Prairie City Antiques shops (both of them) before you go. And swap a book or two at the Little Free Library, just outside of town to the East.

A view of the main highway through Prairie City, Oregon. Old Western buildings and facades line the historic town's main street. — Highway 26 passes through Historic Prairie City on the way to John Day

A young girl holds up several books from the Little Free Library book exchange in Prairie City, Oregon. — Historic Prairie City’s book exchange, on the outskirts of town

Visit Prairie City Antiques, High-Quality Collectors’ Shops

If we’ve been to a lot of rural, Western towns, we’ve also been to a lot of antique shops. Small town antique shops can be hit-or-miss, whether it’s Eastern Oregon or the East Coast of New Zealand. Prairie City’s antique shop (and its warehouse displays for sale down the street) is one of the best we’ve ever seen. The collection is carefully selected and curated, with a focus on collectible, high-quality pieces. And the prices are very reasonable; a 3-foot high hand-crank phonograph with speakers and turntable was priced at just $325, for instance. If you don’t stop for food or gas or a free book exchange, stop in Prairie City just for the antiques. Click here to view their website and check their hours and current items for sale.

A view of the sign for the Prairie City Antiques warehouse in Prairie City, Oregon. This image shows one of the antique dealer's two storefronts in town.

Slightly rusted antique wagon and tractor wheels sit in front of the Prairie City Antiques warehouse in Prairie City, Oregon. This image shows one of the antique dealer's two shops in town.

An antique slot machine inside the Prairie City Antiques shop in Prairie City, Oregon.

Drive Through Rural Unity and Vail, Oregon

We drove about four hours from Boise to Clyde Holliday State Park, driving through Vail, Unity, and Prairie City, Oregon both ways. But we’ve been driving this route for years, visiting family in Central Oregon during the holidays and summers ever since I moved to Idaho for college years ago. Highway 20 through Juntura and Burns is faster, but you can’t beat the scenery of the Blue Mountains and the charming rural towns that line the route. Stop in Unity for gas and a bite to eat, and don’t miss the Oregon History display documenting the Historic Eldorado Ditch in Unity and the stories of the armed disputes over water and water rights in the area. The Malheur National Forest and Wallowa-Witman National Forest separate Prairie City from Unity and Vail to the East. And it’s a beautiful drive between them all.

A view of the mountains near Prairie City, Oregon. The Malheur National Forest and Wallowa-Witman National Forest separate Prairie City from Unity and Vail to the East. — Mountains outside Prairie City

The roof and cupola on a large red barn near John Day, Oregon. You can view countless classic barns on the drive from John Day to Prairie City, Oregon.

A large red barn near John Day, Oregon. You can view countless classic barns on the drive from John Day to Prairie City, Oregon. — A classic red barn near John Day, Oregon

A large brown barn and fields near John Day, Oregon. You can view countless classic barns on the drive from John Day to Prairie City, Oregon.

I’ve been driving this road for 20+ years, and I’ve always thought the barns along this route are a slice of Americana. From big, red barns to sleek, functional stables, Highway 26 from Prairie City to Prineville has a little bit of everything rural and agricultural. (If you’re a big a fan of rural scenes, click here to check out our free, downloadable stock images of barns and other rural landscapes).