Overview

Prineville Reservoir State Park is situated in Central Oregon’s scenic high desert country. It is one of Central Oregon’s popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Avid anglers enjoy fishing year round at Prineville reservoir. Other popular activities include wildlife viewing, rockhounding, boating and water sports, and camping.

Location & Information

Prineville Reservoir State Park is located about 50 miles east of Bend by car. To get there from Bend take Highway 97 north to Redmond, then Highway 126 east to Prineville. From Prineville, take SE Juniper Canyon Road to the park.

Contact Information: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, State Parks, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite C, Salem, OR 97301. Phone: 800-551-6949. Visit the website here.

Activities

• Boating and Water Sports – With no speed restrictions, Prineville Reservoir attracts many boaters. Waterskiing and wake boarding are popular summer activities on the lake.
• Fishing – Prineville Reservoir is a popular year round fishing destination in Central Oregon. Avid anglers ice fish for trout during the winter months. The waters are home to a variety of fish including rainbow trout, black crappie, and bass.
• Camping – The sunny, high desert countryside is a great place to camp. The main campground has 67 campsites and 3 cabins, and the Jasper Point campground has 30 campsites.
• Rockhounding – This part of Central Oregon is notorious for beautiful rocks including thunder eggs, agate, green jasper, and Ochoco chalcedony. Petrified wood is also plentiful.

Fun Facts

• The park has a designated swimming area with a beach. There is also a nice picnic area and a fishing pier that is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
• Wildlife native to the area include both gray and red fox, elk, lynx, deer, pronghorn antelope, and black bear. There is a designated wildlife management refuge at the northeast end of the reservoir. This part of Oregon is also a prime habitat for rattlesnakes.