When Will the Bivy Campground at Smith Rock State Park Re-open? Here's What We Know.
April 30, 2021
We are asked daily (sometimes hourly) when the Bivy Campground will re-open at Smith Rock. Like most other areas where social distancing can be an issue during a pandemic—it’s complicated. “But it’s outdoors,” we are asked, “what’s the big deal?” Well, if you haven’t been to the Bivy while camping sites are dispersed, communal areas such as the cooking area, sink clean-up, phone charging station, etc. are not, and only half the country is vaccinated at this time. But again, as SmithRock.com is independent of the state system, we don’t make the decisions at Smith Rock State Park. We get our information from park management, as reported below. What follows are some ways we may be able to help, however.
The latest from Park Manager Matt Davey:
“Right now, Oregon State Parks is allowing re-opening of group sites and hiker-biker sites, which the bivouac is sort of a combination of those two. Here is a snippet of the press release regarding the opening of those sites:
Group size limits will be temporarily reduced to 25 visitors for each open area, which is a change to the 50-200 visitor limit based on normal site capacity. The group limit is part of the overall Oregon Health Authority and Center for Disease Control guidelines to lessen the spread of COVID-19 and our commitment to help local communities during the pandemic.
“Summer is quickly approaching and we want to give visitors plenty of time to plan their group events,” says Jason Resch, Communications manager for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. “Although we can’t open all group areas in all parks and the lower group limits isn’t what we are used to, we ask for your patience as we move forward.”
Reducing the Bivouac to a 25 person limit is not realistic, so we will continue to wait for the capacity limit to raise before we re-open it.”
“We are waiting for Deschutes County to drop back from the high/extreme risk category, and then reassess an opening date. It’s all very tentative, and no date has been set. We are not planning an extended closure either. Our staff has the Bivy Campground ready to be opened at a reduced capacity once the decision is made, and showers will be limited to registered campers only.”
OK, we get it, not exactly a projection on re-opening. We thought we step in and help with some alternatives, as the structure of these other nearby campgrounds doesn’t face the co-mingling of parties.
ALTERNATIVE CAMPING SOLUTIONS WITHIN 10-35 MINUTE DRIVES OF SMITH ROCK STATE PARK:
Want to make a reservation? Try these:
Tumalo State Park Campground: 23 miles south of Smith Rock State Park
Part of the campground is open year-round. Book sites up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com.
23 full-hookup sites
54 tent sites (water is shut off to spigots in the winter)
Seven yurts (two pet-friendly) RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Two seasonal group camping areas (seasonal)
Seasonal hiker/biker camp CLOSED
Showers LIMITED HOURS
Flush toilets
Firewood sales
Universal Access: Four campsites and one yurt are accessible to campers with disabilities.
The Cove Palisades State Park Campground: 24 miles northwest of Smith Rock State Park
The park offers two seasonal campgrounds. Deschutes River Campground is located in the canyon down the road from two swimming and boating areas along the Lower Deschutes River arm of Lake Billy Chinook. High above the canyon near the park entrance is the Crooked River Campground.
Expect reduced service levels due to Covid-19.
They are accepting reservations up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Crooked River Campground (E Loop)
91 electrical sites with water
Flush toilets and hot showers
Deschutes River Campground (A, B, C Loops)
Open seasonally (mid-May through mid-Sep)
A and C Loop: 87 full hookup sites
B Loop: 93 tent sites with water nearby
Flush toilets and hot showers
Extra vehicles: Each campsite fee includes parking for one vehicle and a tow vehicle. Campers may have a total of two vehicles per site; extra vehicle is $7 per night. Additional vehicles may not be allowed in the park overnight.
Deluxe Cabins
Three deluxe cabins are located near the marina with lake views. One is pet-friendly. Cabins are open seasonally and can be reserved through the Cove Palisades Resort.
Other Facilities
3 group tent sites overlook the Crooked River arm of the lake (25 people max in each site) CLOSE FOR WINTER
21 reservable boat moorages at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com
RV dump station (E Loop)
Marine pump-out station CLOSES FOR WINTER
Fenced, off-leash pet exercise area is in Deschutes Campground
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: 18 miles Northeast of smith rock State Park
Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, but not less than 1 day in advance.
To make a reservation call 1-877-444-6777 or visit http://www.recreation.gov.
Area Amenities:
Interpretive Site
Boat ramp
Tent camping
Camping trailer
Picnic tables
Drinking water at one water fill station
Vault Toilets
Camping per site per night: $15.00 for first vehicle and $6.00 for each additional vehicle.
Day Use fee: $5/vehicle or group
Restrictions:
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.
Closest Towns:
Madras, Oregon or Prineville, Oregon
Passes:
Camping: 50% discount for single site camping only with any of these passes: Interagency Senior, Interagency Access, Golden Age, or Golden Access.
Day use: Concessionaire (Aud and Di) season day use pass only is accepted.
Operated By:
Aud & Di Campground Services (208) 270-0094
Information Center:
Crooked River National Grassland
274 SW 4th Street
Madras, Oregon 97741
(541) 416-6640
JUST WANT THE BASICS?
skull hollow campground: 8 miles Northeast of smith rock state park
This is a First Come, First Served facility. NO DRINKING WATER
70 standard campsites
No hook-ups or dumping facilities
1 wooden picnic table and 1 combination fire ring/grill per campsite
3 vault outhouses for the campground
1 informational signboard
On-site campground host
Per night, per site fee: $10 for individual sites and $20 for double size sites.A single site allows 1 vehicle and 6 people.
A double site allows 2 vehicles and 12 people. Any other vehicles more than 2 on a double site or more than 1 on a single site are subject to a $5 extra vehicle fee.
One trailer or boat in tow is allowed as part of the first vehicle.
Double sites normally have 2 tables in them
Restrictions:
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. Additionally, the general area outside Skull Hollow campground is CLOSED to camping and fires within a ¼ mile of the road from the junction of FS 5710 and Lone Pine Road to the junction of FS 5710 and FS 5720.
Closest Towns:
Madras, Oregon or Prineville, Oregon
Passes:
50% discount for single site camping with any of these passes: Interagency Senior, Interagency Access, Golden Age, or Golden Access.
Operated By:
Aud & Di Campground Operations (208) 270-0094
Information Center:
Crooked River National Grassland
274 SW 4th Street
Madras, OR 97741 (541) 416-6640
JUST WANT DISPERSED FOREST SERVICE CAMPING?
GO HERE and check out the rules
Great options to be sure. While we all appreciate the convenience of the Bivy, sit tight for a bit longer. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s slated to reopen. Follow us on Facebook to be alerted.