Top photo: View of the reservoir from the campground.
By chance, we found a small campground about a mile from the highway. It will definitely work for a one-nighter.
Antelope Reservoir - BLM Campground, near Jordan Valley, OR: Sites not numbered (4 RV sites total) - This site: dry camping. Campground Notes: no water available • vault toilets • lake access • 4,330’ elevation. September 26th - 27th. Miles traveled: 1️⃣0️⃣5️⃣ (tap on mileage to see route & elevation change).
Pros:
• Non-reservable sites.
• Free
• Clean vault toilets
• New fire pits
Cons:
• noneOverall Experience:
Although the water level in the reservoir was extremely low, we saw three coyotes hunting below the campground, white pelicans on the reservoir, and sandhill cranes arriving in the evening & leaving in the morning.
The Antelope Reservoir is a small reservoir located just west of the town of Jordan Valley, Oregon, near the border with Idaho. The reservoir and surrounding area are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a primitive campground and recreation area.
Antelope Reservoir Campground
The Antelope Reservoir Campground is a basic, no-frills campground with just 4 campsites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, but there is no potable water available on-site. The campground has vault toilets but no other amenities. Reviewers describe it as a "primitive BLM campground" that is "nothing special" - just a dirt parking area with some basic facilities. However, the natural setting around the reservoir is reported to be quite scenic, with abundant wildlife like birds that campers enjoy observing.
Location
The campground is located just south of US Highway 20, about 10 miles west of the town of Jordan Valley. Jordan Valley is a small, remote town in eastern Oregon with a population of around 200 people. It sits in a high desert region near the border with Idaho, about 50 miles south of the Owyhee River.
History and Recreation
Jordan Valley has a long history dating back to the 19th century, when it was first settled by ranchers and farmers. The town grew up around the local ranching and agricultural industries, which remain important to the local economy today. However, Jordan Valley has also become known as a destination for outdoor recreation, with the Antelope Reservoir, Succor Creek, and other natural areas nearby offering opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, and other activities.
Landscape and Wildlife
Visitors to the Antelope Reservoir Campground and Jordan Valley area will find a remote, rugged landscape characteristic of the high desert regions of eastern Oregon. The terrain is dominated by sagebrush, juniper trees, and rocky outcroppings, with the Owyhee Mountains visible in the distance. Wildlife like pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and a variety of birds can often be spotted in the area.
Other Camping Options
While the Antelope Reservoir Campground itself is quite basic, there are a number of other camping and recreation options in the Jordan Valley area:
- The nearby Succor Creek Reservoir offers additional dispersed camping sites
- The Antelope Flat Reservoir Campground managed by the US Forest Service provides a more developed campground setting
- The town of Jordan Valley also has a small RV park and other lodging options for those looking for more amenities.
Overall, the Antelope Reservoir Campground provides a simple, no-frills camping experience in a remote and scenic part of eastern Oregon. While not offering many modern conveniences, the campground allows visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the high desert landscape and wildlife around the reservoir. For those seeking a more rustic outdoor getaway, the Antelope Reservoir is a suitable option, especially when combined with the other recreation opportunities in the Jordan Valley area.
