Chickahominy Recreation Site
RV Guide
Introduction
Featuring excellent fishing opportunities and a fantastic RV-friendly campground, the Chickahominy Recreation Site is a wonderful choice for your next RV getaway. Known for being a very peaceful place, the Chickahominy Recreation Site is located on the banks of the man-made Chickahominy Reservoir in central Oregon.
The Chickahominy Recreation Site is most commonly visited by RV lovers who love fishing since the reservoir is widely regarded as being one of the best in all of Oregon. Along with fishing, visitors also enjoy having picnics by the water's edge or under one of the many picnic shelters that are available to enjoy. The terrain in and around the Chickahominy Recreation Site is very sparse with little to no shade and shelter being available apart from the picnic areas. If you are lucky you may get to see some of the local animals visiting the reservoir for a drink or see them hanging out in the rolling hills that provide a picturesque backdrop.
Although the Chickahominy Recreation Site is operated by the BLM, you will have to pay a small fee to use the campground, so no dry-camping is available. The campground is well-equipped to make your stay as enjoyable as possible and features water collection points and restrooms for your convenience. The Chickahominy Recreation Site is open all year round and peak season runs from April until October.
RV Rentals in Chickahominy Recreation Site
Transportation
Driving
Navigating your way to the Chickahominy Recreation Site is very straightforward for beginner RV drivers since it is located right off the Central Oregon Highway. There is one entrance to the site that is accessed from a highway exit and the roads within it are paved and kept in very good condition. Since this area of Oregon is flat you should have no problems driving to or from the park no matter what size rig you are taking out on the road.
Although it can seem like you are in the middle of nowhere, once you arrive at the Chickahominy Recreation Site there are some places nearby that you can visit if you need to get any last-minute supplies. These include the small town of Riley (around five miles away), Hines (around 31 miles away), and Brothers (around 58 miles away). The closest city to the Chickahominy Recreation Site is Bend, which is around 100 miles to the northwest.
During the winter time, the area can get a lot of snow, but the recreation site will usually still be open for campers and those wanting to do some ice fishing. If you are concerned about the weather conditions it is recommended that you contact the BLM office to ensure that it will be open.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Chickahominy Recreation Site
Campsites in Chickahominy Recreation Site
First-come first-served
Chickahominy Recreation Site Campground
The most popular place to stay for visitors to the Chickahominy Recreation Site is at the campground that is on the banks of the reservoir. The campground does require fees to use, but the small price to pay will be worth it to be so close to the reservoir.
There are 28 sites to choose from, all of which come with gravel pads and are suitable for RVs. A lot of the sites are pull-through, but some are back-in only. You will have a picnic table and fire ring to use during your stay and the campground-wide amenities include flush toilets and water collection points. Pets are also allowed and you will be able to get cell phone reception on most of the major networks.
All of the sites at the Chickahominy Recreation Site Campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis only and the sites with a small amount of shade are usually the ones that are taken first.
Seasonal activities in Chickahominy Recreation Site
In-Season
Fishing
By far the most popular recreational activity for visitors to the Chickahominy Recreation Site is fishing. Anglers from far and wide flock to the Chickahominy Reservoir to enjoy some of the best fishing in all of Oregon thanks to the incredible rainbow trout fishing that has been on offer since 1967.
The reservoir is stocked with trout each year, so the fishing is always fun and exciting. Depending on what time of year you visit, the water level of the reservoir may change, but fishing from a boat is doable during the peak season no matter the water level.
Boating
For RV lovers traveling with a boat, you will be happy to know that boating is allowed on the reservoir during the warmer months. There is a great concrete boat launch waiting for you to use that is near a fish cleaning station.
There are no restrictions on what boats can use the reservoir so feel free to bring a motorboat if you wish to have some fun out there. Unfortunately are no boat rentals available, so if you don't have your own you will have to rent one privately.
Picnicking
Make sure you pack some food on your journey to the Chickahominy Recreation Site as it is an awesome place for a picnic. Whether you have a large or small group the reservoir is the perfect backdrop for picnicking and there are many shelters available for you to use free of charge. The shelters are the only source of shade within the recreation area so they are popular gathering places for all who visit. These shelters can't be reserved so they are all available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Off-Season
Ice Fishing
Visiting the Chickahominy Recreation Site during the winter months but still want to throw out a line? If so, consider going ice fishing. You are permitted to go ice fishing on the Chickahominy Reservoir during the off-season, but it is important that you check the ice thickness on the lake before stepping out since it isn't regularly monitored.
There usually aren't as many people fishing during the winter in comparison to the summer months, so ice fishing can be a great way to enjoy the reservoir when the crowds are smaller.
Wildlife Viewing
Despite the majority of the landscape surrounding the Chickahominy Recreation Site being completely uncovered, there are some great wildlife viewing opportunities at dawn and dusk within the recreation site. Many animals call the area home and use the reservoir as their drinking hole, so if you are lucky you will be able to see deer, waterfowl, coyotes, and jackrabbits. Wildlife viewing can be done all year round, but remember to steer clear of any creatures that are getting a little too close for comfort.
Hiking
Remember to pack your hiking boots before departing for your adventure to the Chickahominy Recreation Site as there are many open fields that you are permitted to explore. Most of the hiking trails in the area are on flat terrain so they will be suitable for hikers of all ages and abilities.
If you are going to head out on any unmarked trails it is advised that you do so with a partner since this is wilderness.
