Dispersed Camping — Ochoco National Forest Walton Lake Road Area

The Ochoco National Forest north of Prineville offers solid dispersed camping along Forest Road 22 and its spurs heading toward Walton Lake. Tall ponderosa pine, open understory, and real quiet. Sites are pull-offs along the road — no signs, no kiosks, just flat ground among trees. This is the kind of camp that works as a base for running the Mill Creek Wilderness edges or staging into the Lookout Mountain area. Bring everything in, pack everything out.

Access is via FR 22 off US-26 east of Prineville — about 16 miles of paved road transitioning to maintained gravel. Most stock high-clearance rigs handle it fine. Snow lingers into late spring above 5,000 feet, and fire restrictions are common July through September. No water on-site — tank up in Prineville before you roll.

Ponderosa pines and zero crowds in the Ochocos.