Billy Fields Campground

At a glanceFree campsite

Free Camping

About this campsite

Free camping at Billy Fields Campground.

What this place offers

Accommodation Types

Free Camping

Location

Billy Fields Campground•OR

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

TUE☀️

23° / 7°

💧 1%

WED☁️

21° / 9°

💧 1%

THU☁️

23° / 11°

💧 1%

FRI☁️

25° / 11°

—

SAT☁️

26° / 10°

—

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

43.6 km away

Canyon Meadows Campground

Free camping at Canyon Meadows Campground.

10.0 km away

Murderers Creek Guard Station

Overview Murderer's Creek Guard Station is in the heart of the Malheur National Forest, in central Oregon. It makes an excellent base camp for back country recreating, and is a cozy retreat for a couple and a fun opportunity to imagine the life of the early day forest rangers. The historic guard station is one of the oldest standing buildings in the forest. The cabin contains some modern amenities and can be accessed by vehicle. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Viewing wildlife and birds is popular in the area, as is hunting not far from the facility. Guests can hike area trails, explore the Cedar Grove Botanical Area and fish Murderer's Creek and South Fork John Day, though area creeks run dry toward summer's end. Facilities The one-room "studio" cabin is equipped with a futon that folds down into a full (double) bed. It has a table and chairs, a propane cook stove, propane refrigerator and propane heater inside the cabin. Basic cooking pots, utensils and tableware are also provided. There is a garage building and room to park an RV in the adjacent driveway. A newer style vault toilet is located outside. Guests will need to bring water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as bedding, flashlights or a lantern for emergencies, a first aid kit, towels, garbage bags and dish soap, among other necessities. Guests will need to clean the cabin and carry out all trash before leaving. No pets allowed in the Guard Station. Natural Features The guard station is located approximately 32 miles from the town of John Day. It sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet. The facility was built in 1913 and was originally used as a fire guard station. It was in use by Forest Service officials until the late 1990s. Murderer's Creek, a small creek that runs east and west along the southern base of Aldrich Mountain, is nearby the cabin. The guard station is surrounded by open meadows and timbered areas of ponderosa pine and mixed conifer. Abundant wildflowers dot the Cedar Grove Botanical Area, a 26-acre cedar grove on the northeast slope of Aldrich Mountain. The area is known for its wild horses, which coexist with mule deer, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, bear, cougar, and myriad smaller forest animals. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 575-3000.

18.1 km away

DEER CREEK GUARD STATION CABIN

Overview Deer Creek Guard Station is located approximately 31 miles from the town of John Day, in central Oregon. It is in a beautiful, quiet location, off the beaten path. From sunup to sundown, the cabin affords opportunities for adventure in exploring, viewing wildlife, or just relaxing and enjoying the wonders of nature all around. The cabin is larger than some, is furnished and offers many comforts. It can be accessed by vehicle. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Big game hunting is popular in the area, as well as fishing on Deer Creek and South Fork John Day River. Anglers might watch for,Mid-Columbia River Steelhead and redband trout, among others in the area. Guests can also enjoy hiking and horseback riding on a variety of trails in the area. Facilities The rustic cabin has a living room/sleeping area, a small bedroom and a kitchen. The living/sleeping area is equipped with a propane fireplace for heat, a couch, chair and end tables. A Murphy bed is located in the living/sleeping area for additional sleeping space and can be put away during the day. In the dining area is a full futon bed and table with four chairs. In a small room just off the dining area is a log bunk bed that can sleep two comfortably. The cabin can accommodate up to six people. The kitchen is equipped with a propane cook stove and propane refrigerator, ample counter space, pots, pans, plates, bowls, cups and flatware. The entire cabin is lit with propane lights. An accessible vault toilet is located near the guard station. A picnic table and campfire ring are situated next to the perennial creek that runs through the facility grounds. Any water taken from an outdoor source should be boiled or treated prior to consumption. Stream water gets scarce during mid-August. Firewood can be collected from the surrounding area. Guests should bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as bedding (linens, blankets, pillows and/or sleeping bags), flashlights or a lantern for emergencies, a first aid kit, towels, garbage bags and dish soap. Guests will need to clean the facility and carry out all trash prior to leaving. No pets allowed in the Guard Station Natural Features The three-room cabin was built in 1956 and was originally used as a work station by fireguards. Before satellite surveillance systems, fireguards were the smoke chasers who rushed to sites of reported smoke and tried to extinguish the flames. Douglas fir and ponderosa pine trees dot the broad, flat expanse surrounding the cabin, which sits at an elevation of 5,100 feet. Deer Creek runs through the area nearby. In the spring and summer, guests enjoy abundant wildflowers and wildlife in the area, including wild horses, elk, black bears, deer and wild turkeys and other species of birds. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 575-3000.