Ochoco forest and Prineville Reservoir
Prineville sits between the high desert and the Ochoco Mountains. Two public land managers keep the current details for the outdoors around the city.
Ochoco National Forest
The Forest Service says Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland span nearly one million acres of forests, grasslands and rocky river canyons in Central Oregon. The Supervisor's Office is at 3160 NE 3rd Street in Prineville. Visitors can hike and camp, and some recreation sites charge a day-use fee. The forest's page posts fire danger levels, alerts and closures, so check it before you go. It also has pages on camping and cabins, hiking and recreation passes.
Prineville Reservoir State Park
Oregon State Parks describes the park as a reservoir formed by Bowman Dam on the Crooked River. Bowman Dam was built between 1958 and 1961 as part of the Crooked River Federal Reclamation Project, which had irrigation, flood control and fish and wildlife goals. The reservoir is about 15 miles long, covers roughly 3,000 acres and has about 43 miles of shoreline.
Other facts from the park page:
- The park is a certified International Dark Sky Park.
- The main campground has 22 full-hookup sites, 22 electrical sites with water and 23 tent sites, with five deluxe log cabins. Jasper Point has 28 first-come, first-served electrical sites and one reservable cabin.
- There are five official boat ramps, most usable from about Memorial Day to Labor Day depending on water levels. Houseboats are not allowed. Other power boats, personal watercraft, sailboats and kayaks are permitted.
- The page noted that moorage was closed for the season because of low water, with the reservoir at 28 percent on September 2, 2026.
Water levels, closures and fire restrictions change often. Read the park page before you go.