Crook County between Reservoir, Canyon, and History

Water landscapes, a river canyon, road and cycling routes, and local history give a trip through Crook County a range of distinct highlights. Prineville Reservoir is 15 miles long, covers 3,000 acres, and has 43 miles of shoreline. Length, area, and shoreline describe different aspects of the same body of water and give a concrete sense of scale for this waterscape.

Prineville Reservoir: Water and Night Skies

Prineville Reservoir State Park is designated a certified International Dark Sky Park. This adds a distinct aspect to the waterside landscape, separate from daytime activities. The park has 22 full-hookup sites available year-round, 22 electric sites with water, 23 campsites with water nearby, and five deluxe cabins. If you plan to stay at one of these sites or in a cabin, check current availability before your trip.

Rainbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and crayfish are found in Prineville Reservoir. Fishing is available there year-round.

Crooked River: Canyon, History, and Activities

The canyon walls of the Crooked River reveal about 50 million years of geological history. All three sections of the river were designated Wild and Scenic Rivers on October 28, 1988. Year-round recreational activities along the Crooked River include fishing, hiking, backpacking, camping, wildlife and nature viewing, whitewater boating, picnicking, swimming, hunting, and photography. The landscape, outdoor pursuits, and waterside activities offer distinct ways to experience the river area.

Routes in the area also differ by mode of transport and course. A 43-mile section of State Highway 27 runs south from Prineville to State Highway 20; this includes the section near Chimney Rock. This section is designated a BLM Back Country Byway. The Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway, by contrast, is a 37-mile out-and-back route. It starts in downtown Prineville and leads into the Crooked River Canyon. The stated distances and starting points help distinguish the road route from the cycling route without combining them into a single route.

Ochoco Reservoir and a Changing Landscape

At the eastern end of Ochoco Reservoir, near Mill Creek, shallow mudflats form in spring when water levels are high, attracting wading birds. Water levels are one of the conditions that shape this seasonal habitat. Ochoco Lake Park provides a place to launch boats onto Ochoco Reservoir; water levels can affect launching. If a boating trip is part of your plans, take this condition into account.

Crook County is a major rockhounding area in Oregon. Volcanic activity enabled the formation of thunder eggs and jasper; petrified wood recalls an earlier forested landscape in and around Prineville. In the western part of Ochoco National Forest, in the Mill Creek Wilderness, and in the surrounding forest, opportunities for fishing and backpacking are available. Conditions for these activities in the Mill Creek Wilderness may vary.

Rodeo and Regional History

The Crooked River Roundup takes place each year in June and July at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville. The program includes a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo and pari-mutuel horse racing. Event dates may change, so it’s worth checking them before your trip.

The Bowman Museum is housed in a two-story former Crook County bank building constructed in 1910. The building’s former use and its present-day function as a museum come together here. The museum also hosts historical tours. Together, the rodeo and the museum offer two distinct ways to experience regional culture: an annual event and historical topics explored by the museum through its tours.

Explore more destinations: Powell Butte, Prineville, Clatsop, Benton, Sherman, Umatilla, Morrow County, Lane.

For the main travel overview: Oregon.