Cottonwood Pit Campground
USFS · Campground · Free
Fast facts
- Cost
- Free
- Managed by
- USFS
- Type
- Campground
- Hours
- Open 24 hours/day
- Reservations
- fs.usda.gov
- Nearest dump station
- Bull Prairie Campground · 43.3 mi
- Coordinates
- 44.3677, -119.8706
- Last verified
- September 18, 2026
About this place
As you may have guessed, this campground is located in an old gravel pit. When the excavation hit the water table and the pit was filled in with water the operations ceased and the site was abandoned. Now this campground is locally known as a swimming hole, and is also occasionally stocked with trout.
From the USFS.
Is Cottonwood Pit Campground free?
Yes. Cottonwood Pit Campground is free to use. It is managed by the USFS.
How do I get to Cottonwood Pit Campground?
From Prineville, Oregon: Travel on Highway 26 going east for 47 miles to Mitchell, Oregon. Continue east on Highway 26 for 13 miles to Forest Service Road 12, then go south on Forest Service Road 12 for 15 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 4274 and then take the 080 spur until you run into Cottonwood Pit Campground.
What are the rules at Cottonwood Pit Campground?
Size & number of trailer sites limited (no; dump station). There is a 14 day stay limit on all National Grassland and US Forest Service land including but not limited to campgrounds and other developed facilities.
Nearby
SourceData from the USFS. Last synced September 18, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.
