USDA Forest Service · Oregon
South Shore Group Sites
USDA Forest Service · Oregon, United States
- Sites
- 2
- Hookups
- 2 no hookups
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- No
- Elevation
- 2,854 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Ochoco NF - FS
- Nearest town
- Prineville
- Address
- 3160 NE 3rd Street , Prineville, OR, 97754
- Phone
- 208-270-0094
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Kayaking, Picnic Tables, Swimming
About
Overview
Haystack South Shore Group Campground is the only group campground on Haystack Reservoir. Each of the two campsites holds up to 50 people. This is a year-round facility ideal for large events such as family reunions or groups of rock climbers visiting nearby Smith Rock State Park.
Natural Features:
South Shore is located in the high desert landscape with views of Mt. Jefferson as a scenic backdrop. Juniper trees and sagebrush dot the landscape. The combination of a low forest canopy and 3,000 ft. elevation make this a perfect location for stargazing at the wide open sky on clear nights. Eagles and other birds inhabit the shoreline of the lake.
Recreation:
Haystack Reservoir is a popular fishing spot for a variety of species, including kokanee, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, black crappie and brown bullhead catfish. The lake is cool, but a comfortable temperature for swimming. Motorized boating is allowed. Boat launches are located at nearby Haystack and West Shore day use areas. The surrounding national grassland also provides ample opportunities for hunting, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and riding off-highway vehicles.
Facilities:
The facility is very comfortable for group events, providing several picnic tables, campfire rings and plenty of parking. There are two group sites, Willow and Cottonwood, which are out of sight from each other. Although there is no drinking water at this facility, it is available at Haystack Campground down the road. There are no hookups. Vaulted toilets are located near both sites.
Nearby Attractions:
Smith Rock State Park, best known for its many rock climbing routes, is a short drive away.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 28° | -3° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 42° | 28° | 9° | 62° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 48° | 31° | 10° | 72° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 54° | 36° | 24° | 73° | 7 of 11 |
| May | 64° | 45° | 33° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 50° | 40° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 87° | 59° | 48° | 102° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 87° | 59° | 49° | 102° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 51° | 40° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 65° | 42° | 32° | 80° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 51° | 35° | 23° | 68° | 7 of 10 |
| December | 42° | 29° | 6° | 59° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Haystack Campground (East Shore) · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 27 sites
- The Cove Palisades State Park · Oregon State Parks · 6 mi · 264 sites
- Skull Hollow Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
- Smith Rock State Park · Oregon State Parks · 9 mi
- Steelhead Falls Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 9 mi
All public campgrounds in Oregon · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.