Crook County: Reservoirs, Rivers, and Special Discoveries
Accommodation in Crook County
Crook County combines expansive bodies of water, impressive river landscapes, and a remarkable regional history. Prineville Reservoir is 15 miles long, covers 3,000 acres, and has 43 miles of shoreline. Together with the Crooked River, Ochoco Reservoir, and the landscapes around Prineville, this creates a destination where you can combine wildlife observation, active days, and cultural discoveries.
Reservoirs and the Crooked River
Prineville Reservoir State Park is designated as a certified International Dark Sky Park. Anyone who wants to consider the night sky alongside days by the water when planning their trip will find a special thematic focus here. Prineville Reservoir is home to rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, and crayfish, among other species; fishing is possible there year-round.
The Crooked River also shapes the character of the county. All three sections of the river were designated a Wild and Scenic River on October 28, 1988. Its canyon walls reveal approximately 50 million years of geological history. Along the river, there are year-round opportunities for fishing, hiking, backpacking, camping, wildlife and nature observation, whitewater boating, picnicking, swimming, hunting, and photography. This allows you to plan your days around different interests without limiting the trip's thematic focus to just one activity.
Routes for Active and Scenic Days
For a drive through the landscape, a 43-mile section of State Highway 27 is designated: it runs south from Prineville to State Highway 20 and includes the section near Chimney Rock. This route is designated as a BLM Back Country Byway. Cyclists can plan the Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway, a 37-mile round-trip route that begins in downtown Prineville and leads into the Crooked River Canyon.
In the western part of the Ochoco National Forest, Mill Creek Wilderness and the surrounding forest offer opportunities for fishing and backpacking. At the eastern end of Ochoco Reservoir, shallow mudflats form near Mill Creek during periods of high water in spring, attracting wading birds. Ochoco Lake Park also provides a boat launch on Ochoco Reservoir.
Culture, History, and Regional Highlights
The Crooked River Roundup takes place every year in June and July at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville. The program includes a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo and pari-mutuel horse racing. The Bowman Museum offers another perspective on the region's history. It is located in a two-story former Crook County bank building constructed in 1910 and organizes historical excursions.
Crook County is considered an important 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. These geological themes add another way to get to know the county alongside its river and reservoir landscapes.
Which Accommodation Suits Your Trip?
When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home in Crook County, it is worth first determining the type of travel rhythm you want. Fishing, water activities, and nature observation lead to a different daily schedule than a trip focused on canyon scenery, cycling, historical excursions, or the Crooked River Roundup. If you want to combine several interests, compare the location of each accommodation with your personal selection of excursions and take the routes and places mentioned into account.
For stays with a particular focus on Prineville Reservoir State Park, the park offers 22 full-hookup sites year-round, 22 electrical sites with water connections, 23 tent sites with water nearby, and five deluxe cabins. The offering at the state park should be distinguished from searching for a vacation rental or vacation home in the county. For further orientation in the area, you can also discover Powell Butte and Prineville.
For the overarching travel overview: Oregon.
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