When the Bowman Dam went online in 1961, it created Prineville Reservoir on the Crooked River near the Ochoco Mountains. Today, that manmade lake is home to the bustling Prineville Reservoir State Park.
The reservoir covers more than 3,000 acres and is 15 miles long—providing plenty of sun-kissed fun in Central Oregon’s high desert. Anglers flock to the lake all year long to fish for rainbow trout, catfish, bass, and more; a fish-cleaning station is available between spring and early fall, and seasonal docks provide access when water levels allow.
Along those lines: Boating is a popular activity at the lake. Rentals aren’t available on-site—but guided kayak tours, led by Oregon State Parks team members, take paddlers around the lake almost every weekend throughout the summer. Each tour dives into the park’s geology, local history, ecology, and more; register in advance via the Prineville Reservoir State Park website.
Wherever you go around the park, watch for eagles, mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and other species of wildlife that call the area home.
If you’re staying the night, you’ll find nearly 70 tent and RV sites—some with full hookups—as well as five well-appointed log cabins. Campers enjoy flush toilets, hot showers, and on-site sales of firewood and ice. For a quieter experience, seasonal camping is available at nearby Jasper Point—home to 28 sites and one cabin. Both sit a short walk from the shores of Prineville Reservoir.
Open Season
Prineville Reservoir State Park, which provides the easiest and most convenient access to the lake, is open year-round.
Dog Friendly and/or Leash Rules
Leashed dogs are permitted, and dogs are permitted off-leash in the pet-friendly cabin.
Best time to visit
May-Oct.
Don’t Miss
Take a guided kayak tour with an Oregon State Parks ranger for an educational look at the wildlife, geology, history, and ecology of Prineville Reservoir.
Fees or Pass Needed
Sites at Prineville Reservoir State Park cost $20-53 per night, and log cabins at the park cost $95-130 per night. There is no day-use fee to visit Prineville Reservoir State Park.
Restrictions
A license is required for fishing and can be purchased at MyODFW.com. Many of the park’s facilities close in winter, including Jasper Point campground, boat ramps, and the fish-cleaning station. Two campsites and two cabins are accessible to wheelchair users.
Activities
Paddling Water Sports
Boating
Camping
Hiking
Parking
Lakeside parking is available in the day-use area at Prineville Reservoir State Park.
Directions
Prineville Reservoir State Park, which offers the most facilities and easiest access to its namesake lake, is about 16 miles south of Prineville via SE Juniper Canyon Road.
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Your Ultimate Guide to Prineville Reservoir
Prineville Reservoir sits where the high-desert terrain and grassy farmland of Central Oregon meets the foothills of the rolling Ochoco Mountains. A 3,000-acre, human-made lake snaking its way through dusty landscapes, forests of gnarled juniper, and dramatic rock formations; there’s nowhere else quite like it in Central Oregon, and the natural wonders at the reservoir’s shore bring thousands of visitors to the area every year.
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Top State Parks to Visit in Central Oregon
A trip to Central Oregon is usually one with ample time spent in the great outdoors. From the expansive high desert landscape to the Deschutes National Forest and all the rivers, lakes and sometimes volcanos in between, Central Oregon is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. What better way to explore the region than to take a tour of the local state parks? To get started, check out these six state parks to get an idea of what Central Oregon is all about.