Save This Date for 2024!

Sunday thru Tuesday, June 16 to 18, 2024

We know, it's not a weekend, but these are the only dates available for the Ochoco Forest Camp. So come join us creek side and around the campfire and we'll see who shows up and wants to hike and where. There's no better place to get away from yourself than the Oregon Ochocos!

Weekend Getaway in the Beautiful Ochoco Mountains

Ochoco Forest Group Campground

Gentle mountains and valleys, views of the Cascade range, old-growth pines, old friends, new friends, homemade music around the campfire ... the perfect weekend in the Ochoco Mountains!

Join the Juniper Group Sierra Club for a weekend camping trip to the heart of the Ochoco National Forest. Hike, paddle on Walton Lake, or just relax and take it all in. Monday night we're planning a potluck dinner at the Pavilion’s picnic tables (photo), with grilled salmon burgers and your dishes. Then gather around the campfire to share stories and reflections on your day. Well-behaved/controlled dogs are welcome. Bring a Happy Hour nibble and potluck dish to share Monday evening, your beverages and dishware/utensils; please no disposables. If you'd like to help check-in or potluck setup/cleanup, let us know--thank you kindly!

Registration and Payment

Register by emailing us at: junipergroup.sierraclub@gmail.com. Friends of the Sierra Club are welcome in addition to Sierra Club members.

Suggested Donation: $20/person for the weekend to cover campground, food and expenses. Children under 18 free. Mail check to Juniper Group Sierra Club to us at Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas, Bend 97703. Children under 18 free. Sorry we can't process credit cards.

Important Stuff

Equipment: Bring your own tent and camping gear. Tent sites are a short walk from parking. Although the weather is usually excellent at that time of year, be prepared for rain. Walton Lake, a lovely little stream-fed lake, is a short ten minute drive from the campground so you might want a kayak or canoe. For hiking bring a day pack with the “Ten Essentials,” binoculars, camera, comfy hiking boots … you know what you need!

Location: Transportation is on your own, but we ask you to carpool as much as humanly possible as there is limited parking at the site. We will send precise directions to registered participants.

RVs: RV parking is not available at our group site. However, van camper or pickup truck camper are OK if you don't take up more than one standard size vehicle parking space. We still encourage you to carpool! If you have a larger vehicle, the group campsite won't work -- but non-electric RV campsites are available at nearby Walton Lake. If you are planning on bringing your RV, we encourage you to reserve one of these spots as soon as possible via: http://www.recreation.gov/camping/walton-lake/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=73824

Children: Children are welcome to the campout, though most hikes will be too difficult for younger children.

Dogs: Dogs are also welcome to camp if trained and quiet. However, we are asking you to tell us if you are bringing a dog so we can keep a running tally of how many dogs are coming: too many dogs in strange surroundings can make it unpleasant for all, including the dogs. In addition, if you want to bring your dog on a hike, bring a leash. Each trip leader will want to know about your dog’s training and experience before accepting it on a hike, and we may need to limit the number of dogs on any one hike for everyone's enjoyment and safety.

Other considerations: There is an outhouse and potable water on site. Cell service does not seem to work from the campground, but some carriers do seem to work a short walk away, up a hill.