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Clyde Holliday
Overview
Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site offers a tranquil oasis in the high desert of Eastern Oregon. Situated along the banks of the John Day River, this well-maintained park is known for its lush cottonwood canopy and manicured lawns. It provides a peaceful atmosphere for travelers seeking a break from the road, blending the natural beauty of Grant County with the reliable convenience of Oregon state park facilities. The park serves as a verdant refuge where the sound of the river replaces the noise of the highway.
Location & Surroundings
Located just off Highway 26 near Mount Vernon, the park sits at the base of the Strawberry Mountains. The surrounding landscape features a striking contrast between the emerald-green river corridor and the rugged, arid hillsides of the high desert. The John Day River flows directly past the campground, offering a soothing soundtrack and easy access to the water's edge. This strategic location makes it a perfect gateway for those exploring the geological wonders of the central Oregon interior.
Amenities & Park Features
RVers will find spacious, level sites equipped with water and electric hookups. While there are no sewer connections at the individual sites, the park offers a clean and easily accessible sanitary dump station for guest use. The grounds include well-maintained restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. Additional features that enhance the stay include:
- Paved pads and parking areas for easy leveling.
- Seasonal authentic teepees available for a unique overnight experience.
- An outdoor amphitheater for interpretive programs.
- Large, shaded picnic areas perfect for group gatherings.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Nature lovers should not miss the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, specifically the Sheep Rock Unit, which is a scenic drive away. Fishing enthusiasts can cast a line in the river for steelhead or trout depending on the season. Nearby, the town of John Day hosts the historic Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region's cultural history. For those seeking more rigorous activity, the nearby Strawberry Mountain Wilderness provides miles of trails leading to pristine alpine lakes.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for nature enthusiasts and photographers who appreciate the wildlife and dramatic lighting found in the high desert. It is particularly well-suited for family road trippers looking for a safe, grassy environment where children can play under the shade of mature trees. Because of its serene environment and easy highway access, it is also a favorite for long-distance travelers who want a high-quality, riverfront rest stop that feels like a hidden sanctuary.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
BBT Tresidder
What a beautiful park! It’s 10/7 as I write this and fall is here. The grounds are lovely with many trees for shade and green grass all around. Everything is clean and the sites are long with a very good distance apart from each other. I understand that new paving was put in earlier this summer and it shows. Our site, and it looks like all, are perfectly level and contain a picnic table and fire pit with a grate for cooking. The restrooms and showers are the best I’ve seen in any state park, clean, everything works, and sufficient for this size park. We enjoyed the walking trail along the John Day River and saw others out on it walking their dogs. We paid $40 for our site that includes water & electric hook-up and will dump our grey & black tanks when we leave and refill our water tank. We plan to return when we have more days to explore the area!
D C
Great riverfront stop with nice grass and picnic areas. Dog-friendly on a leash. Parking for RVs is nice and clean. Restrooms are clean. Helpful staff. I have not camped there, but they do have shower facilities in the RV park, and you can buy a shower for a fee. Great walking trails that go along the river and about 1 or 1.5 miles back to a fishing pond. In summer, have bug spray; mosquitoes are crazy. Good bird watching if you walk back to the pond there is a river hawk on its perch. Woodpeckers, geese, ducks, red winged black bird doves. Very peaceful and nice walk. There are potty bags for your dog if.you walk them.
Tanja Holtzhausen
A real little oasis in the summer heat, well kept with green lawns and sparkling bathrooms with hot showers. Great overnight stop. Road was nearby and quite busy but calmed later in the evening.
Jackie Weir
Beautiful campground. It was clean, green, and quiet. It was HOT while we were there, and we enjoyed wading in the river and catching crawdads. It's about a mile walk to the fishing pond, or you can exit the campground and drive over. We caught several good-sized large mouth bass, more bluegill than we could count. The surprises were a 9" black crappie and a big fat bullfrog! The kids had a great time.
Destiny Johnston
Beautiful park with free showers on the John Day river. Green and quiet. Very large spaces. No playground. Dog friendly. There is also a great day use area if you are just passing through and want to have a picnic and play in the water.
