Barnhouse

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Barnhouse is a National Forest campground near Mitchell, Oregon.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Mitchell, Oregon

Managed by: National Forest
Max RV length: 25 ft

Barnhouse sits inside Ochoco National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Barnhouse Trail (#813): The trailhead for Barnhouse Trail (#813) is in the northwest corner of the campground, set among large ponderosa pines a few miles off US 26. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by: National Forest
Reservations: None, first-come
Fee: Free

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Max RV length: 25 ft

✓ Toilets
✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Stay limit: 14 days

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation: 4,932 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T: 4G LTE; 5G mapped about 0.4 mi away
T-Mobile: No coverage mapped
Verizon: 4G LTE and 5G (7/1 Mbps)

Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

44.4731, -119.9358 in Wheeler. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Barnhouse?

No. Barnhouse is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.

How much does it cost to camp at Barnhouse?

Camping at Barnhouse is free.

Is there drinking water at Barnhouse?

No. Barnhouse has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.

How long can you stay at Barnhouse?

The stay limit at Barnhouse is 14 days.

Is there cell service at Barnhouse?

Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from AT&T and Verizon and 5G from Verizon at Barnhouse. It shows none from T-Mobile. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.

Who manages Barnhouse?

Barnhouse is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Barnhouse

First-come Cottonwood Mitchell · National Forest First-come Cottonwood Pit Mitchell · National Forest First-come Big Spring Mitchell · National Forest First-come Scotts Camp Mitchell · National Forest

More campgrounds: camping near Mitchell and campgrounds in Wheeler.

Sources

apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-28
broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27
fs.usda.gov (stayLimit, dumpStation, maxRvLengthFt, fee, toilets, water, notableFeature), accessed 2026-09-29

First-come, first-served Free

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