U.S. Forest Service · Ochoco National Forest · Oregon

Wildcat Campground and Day Use Area

This quiet and cool forested campground is one of the more popular fee campgrounds on the Ochoco National Forest because it is relatively close to town, yet provides an escape from the intense desert heat in the summer months. It is located near Mill Creek Wilderness and gives campers opportunities to see old growth dependent species, such as the pileated woodpecker, and hike the Twin Pillars non-motorized trail. Twin Pillars Trailhead is located adjacent to the campground providing access to Mill Creek Wilderness and Twin Pillars Trail (#832).

Open nowFirst-come, first-servedFrom $20 per nightTents only

More like this: first-come in Oregon · tent only in Oregon

3fires
active
Bench · 40 mi away · 67,071 acres
2 more within 50 miles
Incident details ↓

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
Fees$20 single campsite/ $10 extra vehicle fee. $50 group site.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusOpen
SeasonMay 15 to October 15
ForestOchoco National Forest
Fees$20 single campsite/ $10 extra vehicle fee. $50 group site.
RulesNo motorized vehicles or bicycles are permitted in Wilderness areas. There is a 14 day stay limit on all National Grassland and US Forest Service land including but not limited to campgrounds and other developed facilities.

Ochoco National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Wildcat Campground and Day Use Area30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.06 inches of precipitation, 1.8 inches of snowFebruary: 0.80 inches of precipitation, 3.2 inches of snowMarch: 0.91 inches of precipitation, 0.9 inches of snowApril: 0.76 inches of precipitation, 0.3 inches of snowMay: 1.38 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 0.85 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 0.40 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.36 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 0.31 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 0.95 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 1.22 inches of precipitation, 1.1 inches of snowDecember: 1.33 inches of precipitation, 1.5 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 34.1°F averageFebruary: 37.0°F averageMarch: 41.9°F averageApril: 46.7°F averageMay: 54.5°F averageJune: 60.5°F averageJuly: 68.0°F averageAugust: 67.1°F averageSeptember: 60.5°F averageOctober: 49.7°F averageNovember: 40.0°F averageDecember: 32.9°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Prineville, 16 miles from the campground at 2,876 feet, station USC00356883 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 10 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 9 inches a year on the same inches scale. The shaded span is the published season, May 15 to October 15.

Getting there

Coordinates44.4400° N, 120.5800° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Bench

    40 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained

  • Prescribed
    Tule Rx

    42 mi from the campground · 300 acres

  • Prescribed
    Muddy Run Rx

    50 mi from the campground · 152 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

RV sales & serviceRV sales & service ↗15.7 mi
Outdoor gearPrepper Up ↗16.7 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗22.5 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Worth a stop

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • under 0.1 mi
    Twin Pillars Spur
    0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.2 mi
    Twin Pillars ↗
    8.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.1 mi
    Wildcat ↗
    8.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.4 mi
    Belknap
    2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 2.8 mi
    Steins Pillar
    1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 3.1 mi
    Green Mountain OHV ↗
    8.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Ochoco National Forest.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

Guidebooks for Oregon

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Wildcat Campground and Day Use Area?

No. Wildcat Campground and Day Use Area is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.

Source: Forest Service

How much does it cost to camp at Wildcat Campground and Day Use Area?

$20 single campsite/ $10 extra vehicle fee. $50 group site.

Source: Forest Service

Is Wildcat Campground and Day Use Area open right now?

Open as of Oct 26, 2026. Season May 15 to October 15.

Source: Forest Service status

Can I bring an RV to Wildcat Campground and Day Use Area?

Wildcat Campground and Day Use Area is listed for tents only.

Source: Forest Service

What if Wildcat Campground and Day Use Area is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are White Rock Campground (2.1 mi, first-come), Dry Creek Horse Camp (4.6 mi, first-come), and Bingham Springs Campground (5.7 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby