Jackman Park Campground
4.206 reviews28910 Highway 20 West, Burns District Office, Hines, OR, 97730, USA
Jackman Park Campground
$16.00 - $16.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Camping Fees are $16 per vehicle per night for a single car, truck, or RV and towed vehicle. Additional passenger vehicles are charged $5 per night....
Show more
Standard Site Fee$16.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$16.00
Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider541-573-4400BLM_OR_BU_Mail@blm.gov
About this campground
Perched high on the dramatic flanks of Steens Mountain at 7,800 feet, Jackman Park Campground offers an intimate escape into Oregon's wild high country. With just six thoughtfully spaced campsites tucked beneath whispering aspen groves, this hidden gem provides the perfect blend of solitude and natural beauty. Each site comes equipped with a picnic table and fire grate, while a modern universal access restroom ensures comfort in this remote setting. As autumn arrives, the surrounding aspens burst into a golden spectacle that draws photographers and nature lovers from across the region. The nearby Kiger Gorge Overlook, just a short drive away, rewards visitors with breathtaking views of ancient glacier-carved canyons that plunge thousands of feet below.
Jackman Park Campground primarily accommodates tent and small RV camping. Sites are first-come, first-served, and group or cabin accommodations are not available.
Historical SignificanceJackman Park sits within the remarkable Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protective Area, a landscape that tells the story of both geological drama and careful conservation. This protected area represents a unique collaboration between ranchers, environmentalists, and government agencies working together to preserve one of Oregon's most spectacular mountain ecosystems. The CMPA designation recognizes not just the area's stunning beauty, but its critical role as a refuge for rare plants and animals found nowhere else in the region.
Weather and SeasonsThe mountain's moody temperament keeps campers on their toes, with weather that can shift from brilliant sunshine to dramatic storms in mere hours. Even in the heart of summer, temperatures can plummet from pleasant daytime highs into the crisp 40s after sunset—one August camper reported reaching for extra layers as stars emerged in the clear mountain air. Summer visitors should come prepared for encounters with the local residents: buzzing mosquitoes and vigilant ticks that thrive in the warmer months. Despite these challenges, many weeks offer perfect camping conditions with crystal-clear skies and gentle mountain breezes that carry the scent of sage and wildflowers.
ElevationAt 7,800 feet above sea level, Jackman Park places visitors in a rarified world where the air is thin and crisp, and the landscape takes on an alpine character. This lofty perch means cooler temperatures year-round—a blessing during scorching valley summers but requiring warm sleeping bags even in July. The high elevation creates a unique environment where mountain meadows bloom late and brief, and where afternoon thunderstorms can build with surprising speed over the peaks.
Natural Features and SceneryThe campground emerges like a secret garden among stands of quaking aspen, their white bark glowing in the filtered sunlight and leaves dancing in the mountain breeze. Beyond this peaceful grove, the landscape opens to reveal the raw power of ancient glaciers etched into stone—massive U-shaped gorges that slice through the mountain like nature's own sculpture. Wildlife thrives here in surprising diversity: wild horses thunder across distant ridgelines, their manes flowing in the wind, while closer to camp, visitors might spot everything from chattering ground squirrels to the occasional rattlesnake sunning on warm rocks. The interplay of intimate forest camping and grand mountain vistas creates an experience that feels both sheltered and expansive.
Geological RegionThe Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protective Area encompasses one of the American West's most dramatic geological showcases. Here, massive fault-block geology has created a mountain that rises gently from the west before plunging nearly a vertical mile down its eastern face. Ancient glaciers carved deep gorges into the mountain's flanks, leaving behind a landscape of stunning contrasts: gentle meadows give way to sheer cliffs, while wild rivers rush through valleys they've carved over millennia. This remarkable diversity of habitats supports everything from desert plants at the base to alpine species near the summit, creating a vertical journey through multiple ecosystems in a single mountain.
Advertisement
Campsite details
AccessibilityA universal access restroom is available.
Sites SizeThe campsites are described as small, with some reviews noting limited space best suited for tent camping. However, site #3 is noted as fairly spacious.
Sites PrivacyPrivacy is variable. Some sites are spaced far apart, providing seclusion, while others, such as sites 4-6, are close together with less privacy.
Total Campsites6 campsites
Recommended CampsitesSites #4-6 are close together and lack privacy, while sites #1 and #2 are next to one another.
Best CampsitesSite #5 is mentioned as 'perfect' and site #3 as 'fairly spacious' in user reviews.
Reserving a campsite
Stay Limit
14 Days
Groups
Group camping is not supported at this campground.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutSix campsites spread among aspen groves; some sites are close together and offer less privacy.
Open and Closed SeasonMid-June through October
Reservation PlatformsNone; first-come, first-serve basis.
Walk-in AvailabilityEntire campground operates on a walk-up basis (6 campsites available).
Cancellation PolicyFirst-come, first-serve policy. No reservations accepted; cancellations and refunds do not apply as payment is made on-site.
Amenities available
Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
The campground offers limited recreational activities but is uniquely positioned for exploring the nearby Kiger Gorge Overlook, which features stunning views of a glacially-carved valley and a chance to spot wild horses. Hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities are notable.
Hiking
The area around the campground offers hiking opportunities, including routes to the Kiger Gorge Overlook. Specific trails are not detailed.Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing is a highlight, with a chance to see the famous herd of wild horses at the Kiger Gorge Overlook.Winter Activities
No specific winter activities are highlighted. The campground is open mid-June through October, limiting its availability during winter.Water Sports
No non-motorized water sports are available due to the lack of a nearby water body.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Campfires may be restricted due to wildfire risks.
Hazards
General hazardsTicks, mosquitos, and rattlesnakes may be present during summer months. Sudden changes in mountain weather are common.
Active alertsWildfire restrictions may be in place during certain times of the year.
Weather forecast
38
°F
Nov 25
Tuesday
Partly cloudy
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 19%
Very dry conditions, stay hydrated
Wind: 9.8 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Partly cloudy
7 day forecast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Nearest emergency services are located in Frenchglen, Crane, Fields, or Narrows, Oregon.
Good to know
Peak season datesMid-June through October
Trash and recyclingThere are no trash facilities at the campground. Visitors must pack out all trash and recycling items.
Proximity to water featuresNo water features are noted at the campground.
Common complaintsSome reviewers reported trash around campsites, crowded conditions, and small site sizes.
Campground Map
28910 Highway 20 West, Burns District Office, Hines, OR, 97730, USA
Driving directionsFrom Burns, Oregon: Travel southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen, Oregon. Continue a short distance past Frenchglen, then turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Travel approximately 19 miles before turning right into Fish Lake Campground. Jackman Park Campground is just 2 miles east of the Fish Lake Campground.
High clearance vehicles recommended on some portions of the Steens Mountain Loop. Roads leading to the campground are unpaved but reportedly well-maintained, although some reviewers mention narrow and tight road conditions.Nearby places
Frenchglen, OR (approx. 60 miles, around 1 hour)
Fields, OR
Crane, OR
Narrows, OR.
Nearby supplies
Groceries, fuel, and camping supplies are available in Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or Narrows, Oregon.
Camper Reviews
4.2
6 reviews
Jackman Park Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight Jackman Park Campground as a small, serene, and clean camping area with picturesque surroundings. However, privacy and campsite size vary, and some reviews mention trash left by previous visitors.
Review Summaries
Based on 6 reviews
What Campers Love
Clean vault toilets, scenic aspen groves, quiet atmosphere, spread-out campsites providing privacy, and proximity to Kiger Gorge Overlook.
Based on 6 reviewsCommon Concerns
Small campsite sizes, some trash left behind by earlier campers, and occasional overcrowding at peak times.
Based on 6 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
Prepare for cold nights even in summer. Carry all necessary supplies, as the nearest services are far. Pack out trash. Site #5 is highly praised for its location and spacing.
Based on 6 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Summer reviews mention ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes. Fall reviews highlight the stunning aspen foliage. Mid-August temperatures can drop to the 40s at night.
Based on 6 reviewsCamper Quotes
1. 'The cleanest vault toilet I've seen yet (and least smelly).' 2. 'Each campsite is nestled in a grove of aspen trees, has space for vehicles, tents, a fire ring, and a picnic table.' 3. 'Ticks,...
Based on 6 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Site #3 is described as spacious. Sites 4-6 and 1-2 are noted as being close to one another, reducing privacy. Site #5 is specifically praised as 'perfect.'
Based on 6 reviewsAccessibility Features
The presence of a universal access restroom is appreciated, though no reviews explicitly address other accessibility features.
Based on 6 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pets are not mentioned explicitly in the reviews or the official information.
Based on 6 reviewsLast updated November 24, 2025
Advertisement