Magone Lake Campground is situated along its namesake lake in the northern reaches of Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing, swimming and hiking.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Operating hours and availability for the current season.
Upcoming seasons
Planned operating dates for future seasons to help you plan ahead.
Past seasons
Historical operating dates from previous years for reference.
Closed periods
View dates when this campground is temporarily closed during the season.
Magone Lake offers a clean and quiet group area that accommodates large gatherings comfortably. The well-maintained restrooms and provided firewood enhance the camping experience. It's a highly recommended site, just a short drive from the lake.
Campsites were nice but we made a reservation and never recieved an email with the combination to get through the gate we didn't know about. When we arrived there was no camp host to help us get in.
We ended up doubling up in spaces we could find. We filed a request for a partial refund(we paid $188 for 3 days which was much more than the spot would have cost) and never got a response back.
Our favorite camping trip each summer. The hosts are very friendly and keeping the place very clean. The bathrooms were the cleanest I have ever seen. Fishing is good. Swimming is good.
This a fine group camp with seven sites (two together). The site is gated and locked so privacy is ensured. Location is across the road from Magone campground and lake (50 acres, good depth and nice sized rainbow trout). Numerous blocked roads adjacent to group camp make for good hiking and wildlife viewing. Group camp is adjacent to sizable roadless area with good bushwhacking possibilities. Reasonably priced at $60 per night. Well maintained facility with pit toilet.
I really don’t want to share how much I like this place! Only downsides: chiselers that get into and eat the wires of your engine (day or night); either mosquitos, hornets/wasps or some other irritating but non-harmful black flying bugs, ticks, and fear that a fast-moving forest fire might force sudden evacuation. Still, honestly, if you are truly prepared to have fun in all this natural habitat, nothing compares to this place.
The Group Campsite at Magone Lake was incredible! Not only was it perfect to allow our group of friends with RV's and trailers, next to our TENT, be assured we'd all camp side-by-side, but it was also beautiful! We enjoyed the wildlife (saw several deer) and the lush, green surroundings. The privacy behind the gate (locked, if we elected to do so) protected us from traffic driving by and theft (this has happened to us in the past). It also allowed our dogs to romp and play freely, not on a leash, tied to a stake! They got to enjoy the camping experience, as well! The bathroom was clean and well stocked! The fishing was great! Limit (5) caught every day, and they were very tasty! We enjoyed the 2.7 mi hiking path around the lake, daily! We have already reserved our spot for next year! But the secret is out.... several others had already booked, as well!
The only suggestion we would like to offer is to ADD a new sign, marking the Group Campsite, that "faces" you as you drive in. Friends of ours, who came up after work, arriving after it was dark, totally missed seeing the current sign that is on the "side" of the road/car! It was a very long night for them in their car! Because there is NO cell service (you have to drive out 10 mi to connect, if necessary), they were unable to reach out to us for help! For some in our group, depending upon which navigational system you are using, this gets lost, as well, once you hit that NO service zone!
THANK YOU for making this great spot available! Friends from Bend, OR
The camp hosts couldn't be a nicer couple. I've never seen campground restrooms in such clean condition. They work around the property tirelessly and you can tell they take a lot of pride in the property. Always smiling and helpful.
Our group of 15 people loved this group site. Very private and plenty of room for every one. The lake is a 2 minutes drive away. The vault toilets were very well maintained, which is very appreciated. Please do not hesitate to book this site.
I reserved the group area for me and family and friends. So clean and quiet. Even a gate that we could knock if we chose. The restrooms were spotless and there was firewood provided all throughout the campgrounds. It was an awesome experience thank you It was an awesome experience thank you
Helpful
Location & Directions for Magone Lake
431 Patterson Bridge Rd, John Day, OR 97845 United States
From John Day, Oregon, take U.S. Highway 26 east for approximately 9 mi. At the junction of County Road 18, travel north approximately 10 mi. At Forest Road 3620, turn left and drive approximately 1 mi to Forest Road 3618. The campground is 1 mi f...
From John Day, Oregon, take U.S. Highway 26 east for approximately 9 mi. At the junction of County Road 18, travel north approximately 10 mi. At Forest Road 3620, turn left and drive approximately 1 mi to Forest Road 3618. The campground is 1 mi from the turnoff. The reservable group site is on the right, the shelter is in the day use area on the left.
From Prairie City, Oregon, take U.S. Highway 26 approximately 3 mi west. At the junction of County Road 18, travel north approximately 10 mi. Turn right on Forest Road 3620 and travel approximately 1 mi to Forest Road 3618. The campground is about 1 mi from the turnoff. The reservable group site is on the right, the shelter is in the day use area on the left.
Magone Lake is accessible via U.S. Highway 26, which is approximately 9 miles east of John Day and 3 miles west of Prairie City.
Policies & Rules
General
No hookups available.
Click here for more information on the Malheur National Forest.
Check out the forest's campground description for specific information to Fish Your National Forest.
Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
Campers and day users must bring garbage bags. This is a pack it in pack it out facility.
A $5.00 fee will be charged at the campground for each additional vehicle.
Magone Lake Campground is in a remote forest location with very limited or no mobile phone coverage.
Drinking water is available only during warmer months; water will be shut off from early to mid-October until mid to late May (specific dates required to prevent freezing depend on area temperatures).
The GROUP CAMPSITE has a locked gate to prevent those without reservations from entering the site before or during reserved periods. The lock combination is issued as a part of the reservation confirmation email. Please arrive prepared with the combination. A campground host may be available during the summer season, and the ranger district offices have the combination information available. It is the responsibility of visitors to arrive prepared to enter the group site. Thank you.
The PICNIC SHELTER has a gate that can be closed as needed, but typically remains open. If the shelter is unreserved the public may access and use this space. If there is a reservation, campground hosts or USFS staff may attend to this gate. Th picnic shelter gate does not have a combination lock. The GROUP PICNIC SHELTER IS DAY USE. No overnight camping.