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Oregon
26

Oregon State Parks

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Oregon
Central & Eastern Region
Prineville Reservoir State Park
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PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR STATE PARK
Need a place to play? Where you can enjoy nature viewing at its finest? This is a place where those weary of hectic schedules and jangling telephones can find peace, a place where life can be pondered from a different and unique perspective. Most of all, a place carefully designed and maintained for people -- for the mother and her baby out for a Sunday drive, for the father teaching his son how to fish, for the teenager who wants to get away for a bit, for the couple on a weekend camping trip, for the grandparents who just want to take it easy for a week.

Mountain waters flow out of the Ochoco Mountain Range, joining together to form the Crooked River. This river, confined by its canyon and the Bowman Dam, forms Prineville Reservoir.

The fishing can be good anytime at Prineville Reservoir. It supports rainbow & cutthroat trout, small & largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and crayfish. The trout fishing experience is year-round, ice-fishing included in the dead of winter. Anywhere on the reservoir is suitable.

Bass, catfish, and crappie are more suited towards warmer water temperatures; May thru October. The upper reaches of the reservoir above Jasper Point and the Bear Creek tributary downstream from Prineville Reservoir State Park are known to produce fine fish. Fly fishing opportunities are best along the Crooked River above Prineville Reservoir and downstream from Bowman Dam.

For specific regulations, refer to the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.

So grab your pole and head out to Prineville. A place where, as the golden sun sinks slowly over the ridge and the fiery lake catches the last color reflections of red and green canyon walls, the silent hush of the deeply dark night ushers in the glorious canopy of a million stars; where slumber is deep and peaceful.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
 Electric Sitesyes
 Water/Electric Sitesyes
 Full Hookup Sitesyes
Camping
The text describes six camping options in and around Prineville Reservoir State Park.

The park's campground offers deluxe cabins, full-hookup sites, and tent camping with amenities like picnic tables, fire pits and restrooms.

Jasper Point Campground is a smaller site on the east side of the reservoir offering primitive facilities including vault toilets but no showers or RV hookups.

Bear Creek Cove Group Tent Site can accommodate up to 25 people for tents only; it includes water access as well as pit toilet facilities while Roberts Bay East & West Group Sites are designed specifically for larger groups (maximum capacity about 50) providing drinking water taps, flushable toilets along with easy lake access.

Crooked River Wetlands Complex just outside town provides an alternative place to set up your tent if you're interested in birdwatching or fishing opportunities during your stay at this location not directly within Prineville Reservoir State Park itself.

Lastly there is ample space provided by the park also for those who prefer traveling by recreational vehicle rather than traditional methods such as pitching a tent under open skies.
Swimming
1. Prineville Reservoir State Park offers a designated swimming area for visitors.
2. The reservoir is open to swimmers throughout the summer months.
3. Lifeguards are not on duty, so swim at your own risk.
4. Swimming areas can be found near both day-use and camping sites in the park.
5. You may also enjoy water sports like snorkeling or paddleboarding here too!
6. The clear waters of this high desert lake make it an ideal spot for cooling off during hot days.
7. Water temperatures typically range from 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit in peak season.

Boating
The park offers a variety of boating options for visitors. There are two boat ramps available, one at the day-use area and another in Jasper Point campground. Both motorized and non-motorized boats can be used on the reservoir with water skiing being popular during summer months. Fishing is also common from boats as there's an abundant supply of rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass among others species present in the waters.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in a serene reservoir setting, home to rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and catfish. Crappie is also abundant here. There's an option for shoreline or boat fishing with several ramps available around the lake area. The park offers year-round angling opportunities.


Location
Prineville Reservoir State Park is located near Prineville, Bend

Picnicking
Prineville Reservoir State Park offers picnic areas with tables and grills, perfect for family outings. Some sites have lake views.
Bicycling
Biking enthusiasts should be aware that the park offers several trails suitable for both mountain and road biking. However, it's important to note these paths can vary in difficulty level. Some are relatively flat while others have steep inclines or rocky terrain.

It is advised to wear proper safety gear when cycling due to potential hazards on certain routes. Also, remember hydration as temperatures may rise during summer months.

For those seeking a leisurely ride, consider exploring paved roads around campgrounds which offer scenic views of surrounding landscapes without challenging terrains.

On the other hand, thrill-seekers might prefer tackling off-road tracks where they'll encounter more rugged conditions but also greater rewards in terms of natural beauty.

Always respect wildlife you may come across during your rides; keep safe distances and do not disturb them unnecessarily.

Lastly, ensure bikes are well-maintained before setting out - this helps prevent unexpected breakdowns mid-trail.
Trails
1. Juniper Loop Trail: A 0.8-mile easy trail that offers scenic views of the reservoir and surrounding juniper forest.

2. Castle Rock Trail: This moderate, 3-mile round trip hike leads to a stunning viewpoint atop Castle Rock with panoramic vistas over Prineville Reservoir.

3. Owl's Roost Campground Trails: Several short trails around this campground offer gentle hikes through sagebrush flats and along the lakeshore.

4. Chimney Rock Trailhead - Lower Deschutes River Hike: An approximately 10 miles out-and-back hiking route offering beautiful river scenes; it is rated as difficult due to its length but has minimal elevation gain.

5. Jasper Point Boat Ramp Area Trails: These are several interconnected paths near the boat ramp area at Jasper point which provide great opportunities for bird watching while enjoying lake views.

6. South Shore Access Road Pathway: It's an unpaved road running parallel to south shore of reservoir providing hikers opportunity for long distance walking or biking amidst serene natural beauty.

7. BLM:managed lands Surrounding Park: The park is surrounded by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed public land where one can find numerous unmarked trails leading into high desert landscape ideal for adventurous explorers who prefer off-the-beaten-path experiences.

8. Interpretive Nature Walks: There are occasional ranger:led interpretative walks in summer months focusing on local flora, fauna & geology giving visitors deeper understanding about unique ecosystem present here.
Birding
The park offers a diverse bird population, ideal for birdwatching. Species include osprey, eagles and various waterfowl. Birders can explore the reservoir's shoreline or venture into surrounding juniper woodlands to spot more species. The area is also home to migratory birds during certain seasons.

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Area Campgrounds
Sun Rocks RV Resort
14900 SE Juniper Canyon Road
Prineville, OR
541-447-6540
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
1. Starting from downtown Prineville, head east on NE Third Street.
2. Continue straight onto SE Juniper Canyon Road and follow it for about 10 miles.
3. Turn left onto SE Davis Loop Road and continue for another mile.
4. At the intersection with NW Lamonta Road, turn right and drive south for approximately 5 miles.
5. Take a slight left onto NE O'Neil Highway/NE McKay Creek Road (Highway OR:27) towards Paulina/Mitchell/Crane Prairie Reservoirs.

At this point, you have two options depending on which entrance you prefer:
Option A - Main Entrance:
6a: Stay on OR-27 South/NW Crooked River Drive until you see signs indicating "Prineville Reservoir State Park" or "Main Entrance.".
7a: Follow these signs as they guide you into the main entrance area where parking lots can be found near various amenities within the state park.

Option B - Jasper Point Campground & Boat Ramp Entrance:
6b: After turning onto OR-27 South/NW Crooked River Drive at step #5 above,.
continue driving southward along this road without taking any turns
for around an additional 8 miles until reaching Jasper Point Campground & Boat Ramp's separate entrance signposted accordingly.

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Oregon State Parks

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