We enjoyed the weekend NOG at Silver Falls State Park. After the gathering we proceeded to Cove Palisades State Campground by the Billy Chinook Reservoir. We spent several days there relaxing and hiking the Tam A Lau trail on the Peninsula between the Crooked and Deschutes River. A very beautiful hike with all the spring flowers blooming.
We then drove to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. We hiked all three segments of the unit; the Clarno Unit, the 'Island in Time' trail in the Blue Basin Area at the Sheep Rock Unit and most of the trails in the Painted Hills unit.
We found three campgrounds between the Clarno Unit and the Sheep Rock Unit. The nicest campground was at the Shelton Wayside with electric and water for $10/night. We filled up with water at Shelton Wayside and camped at the BLM Muleshoe Rec Site on the John Day River for $2.50/night (over 62). A beautiful site, but no electric or water. This site is probably very crowded in the summer. It looks like it is used by rafters. During the summer period we would opt for the Shelton Wayside Campground. There is one other campground just above Shelton Wayside, Bear Hollow County Park. This park is also 10/night.
After leaving the Painted Desert we camped outside of Prineville at Ochoco Lake County Park. Cost $16/night with no hook-ups. A nice shaded park with views of the lake. The park is a bit noisy from passing traffic, but it was nice having a place to stay after hiking all day.
The next day we drove onto La Pine State Park. One of our favorite places to camp and hike. We caught the last two days of reduced rates for the off peak season. Summer rates are $22/night with full hook ups. Hiking in this area by the Deschutes and
Fall Rivers is very peacefull and relaxing. The pine trees are beautiful.