Magone Lake
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.
The campground offers both a picnic shelter and overnight campsite for groups to reserve. These sites can accommodate up to 75 people each. Individual family sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.
Notifications and Alerts
Need to Know
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.
Natural Features
The campground is set in a forest of Engelmann spruce and ponderosa pine. Magone Lake covers about 50 acres and features both deep holes of up to 100 feet and shoals on the north side. Geologists believe Magone Lake was created by a landslide in the early 1800s. It is located in the southern reaches of the Malheur National Forest.
Recreation
The Magone Lake area offers swimming, fishing, hiking and mountain biking opportunities. The lake contains eastern brook and rainbow trout. A boat ramp is available on-site. Visitors also enjoy viewing wildflowers and interesting geology throughout the region.
Contact Information
Mailing
431 Patterson Bridge Rd John Day OR 97845
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 541-820-3800
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From John Day, Oregon, take U.S. Highway 26 east for approximately 9 miles. At the junction of County Road 18, travel north approximately 10 miles. At Forest Road 3620, turn left and drive approximately 1 mile to Forest Road 3618. The campground is 1 mile 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 miles west. At the junction of County Road 18, travel north approximately 10 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 3620 and travel approximately 1 mile to Forest Road 3618. The campground is about 1 mile from the turnoff. The reservable group site is on the right, the shelter is in the day use area on the left.
Available Campsites
- Site SHEL, Loop GPS, Type Group Shelter Nonelectric
- Site 01, Loop GCG, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
