Thomas F.recommendsJuly 24, 2022
Haystack Ranch
Huge space in beautiful country
Haystack ranch is the perfect camping spot for discovering the John Day Fossil Beds. The ranch area is very large with lots of room between groups if there are more than one. The toilet had a wash basin with soap and the trash cans had fresh bags in them ready for us. Be prepared to drive up to the house for water, the ranch and the house are separated by quite a distance. Excellent hosts!
Aaron P.recommendsJuly 23, 2022
Haystack Ranch
Nice private campsite in a gorgeous location. They had a toilet with a wash station available. Only note is the water filling is only available at the house, so be prepared to have a large multi-gallon container with you, or to make multiple drives to the house (a minute or two down the road from camping) for water during your stay. Overall, had a lovely stay and will stop by again if we’re in the area.
Jordan G.recommendsJuly 7, 2022
Haystack Ranch
When we couldn't find the place, the host was very helpful tracking us down and helping us get to the campsite. It was also awesome how clear the sky was the night we stayed.
For anyone who books here in the future, Google maps seems to think the entrance is on the opposite side of the street to where it actually is. A short, long arrow points across the street to the driveway.
Padraic M.recommendsJuly 1, 2022
Haystack Ranch
Multiple great spots. Great hosts. Definitely recommend!
Alli B.recommendsJune 30, 2022
Haystack Ranch
We loved our stay here, under the big shaded tree! My husband explored their backyard, and had hopes to do more exploring but it rained on our third day. Beautiful country. The outhouse was always cleaned daily and garbage removed. We were glad to find this place and would recommend. My only regret was not purchasing some farm fresh eggs and ham.
Kathy R.recommendsJune 26, 2022
Haystack Ranch
Great place! We had a very private spot and folks were very helpful.
Jeff S.recommendsJune 23, 2022
Haystack Ranch
Great views, peaceful atmosphere
This property is really well laid out. Great views, trash cans and picnic tables at every sight. Got fresh produce, and had a great evening at the Ranch. Very close to John Day Fossil beds National Monument. Cell signal with Verizon as well. I will be back!
Jennifer K.recommendsJune 19, 2022
Haystack Ranch
The hosts are amazing. She came down to greet us. The spot was beautiful.
Sheri B.recommendsJune 5, 2022
Haystack Ranch
WOW, what a place! We were with a group of friends and there were 2 other groups on the property, but we felt secluded and undisturbed. We were allowed to explore the 500 acres. On top of one ridge we could see the acreage on one side and the John Day river meandering by on the other. Kelly was the most attentive and friendly host we've had.
Cory K.recommendsMay 31, 2022
Haystack Ranch
Wow. This place was amazing . It was so good we stayed in extra night. The place was easy to find. They had a pond full of bass. And our dogs loved it. Will definently be back
Scott B.recommendsMay 30, 2022
Haystack Ranch
They had our group in a great location with lots of space and privacy. They provided the firewood for us! Great hosts! We would definitely stay here again.
Robert G.recommendsMay 17, 2022
Haystack Ranch
Seclusion with glorious scenery
I’ve spent time in a number of Hipcamp sites but Haystack Ranch gives a unique sense of solitude and scenery that is incredible. Less than a an hour from fossil beds and painted desert, with the John Day River nearby wending its way through all of that. Kelly was a great hostess, leaving us alone but always available if we needed to contact her. They provide the best one-holer outhouse I’ve ever used. OMGosh, check this place out.
Therese F.recommendsApril 25, 2022
Haystack Ranch
We loved this idyllic location. The hosts were so thoughtful with a lovely picnic table, fire pit and even an outhouse. We loved this place for exploring John Day National Monument, fossil beds and Painted hills. Lovely.
Calvin W.recommendsMarch 25, 2022
Haystack Ranch
Very friendly hosts. Great setting with firewood at the ready. Nice, quiet setting.
Maria B.recommendsMarch 24, 2022
Haystack Ranch
The hosts were amazing!!!!! Hosts gave us water and showed us around. Their animals were fun. Especially the emus!!! What a great place to hang out. Quiet. Big area. Nice toilet. There is a picnic table. Lots of places to explore. Our dogs loved running around. Painted Hills about an hour away. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
Mae Lee B.recommendsNovember 19, 2021
Haystack Ranch
Love this place!
The host was wonderful! We arrived in the dark and had a hard time finding the entrance. The host drove to us and escorted us in. You can really tell that the host wanted to make the space more comfortable because they set up a toilet with privacy curtain, a sink with soap, a fire pit, and trashcans. We got a spot at the end of the property under a tree with a picnic table. The coolest part was waking up and seeing a cow outside of our tent. Maybe next time, we will take the soap-making class that the host offers. The location is a great jumping off point to see the 3 John Day Fossil Bed units. We will definitely be back.
Mackenzie C.recommendsNovember 8, 2021
Haystack Ranch
A great stay!!
We had a blast!!!!! Great campsite and very cool place to explore. The Emus were cool to visit with and the landscape was amazing. A great host!!!!
Russ C.recommendsOctober 1, 2021
Haystack Ranch
Night at the Haystack Ranch
Enjoyed our stay at the Haystack Ranch. Beautiful picturesque valley with scenic view of hills. Nice sites for camping (in our van). Wonderful night sky. Met Andy and Kelly and Andy led us to our site (riding his daughters e bike). Use host directions for arrival.
Preston S.recommendsAugust 23, 2021
Haystack Ranch
Awesome place! Kelly graciously waited for me on my late arrival and showed me the layout of their pristine space a little out from their main property. Picnic table, peat pooper, hand sink, and a proper tree for tent shade- all one could ask for really. Would highly recommend!
Don F.recommendsAugust 16, 2021
Haystack Ranch
Solitude, Stars and a few Turkeys
Really enjoyed my 1 nite stay, the hosts were super accomodating, showed me right to the site, which I had to myself, save for arafter of wild turkeys (4 adults + 11 juveniles) who came for a walk past the site! The far off howls of coyotes was a fitting audio track for the mag ificent showing of the Milky Way overhead. Site was clean, with a picnic table shaded by an overhanging tree, a trash can and plenty of level ground to set my tent. Would highly reccomend this spot to others!
Mc Kinsey H.recommendsJuly 8, 2021
Haystack Ranch
What a fun two days!
Kelly was there to greet me and showed me my camping spot. She had made little cookies and they were yummy! She allowed me to walk around and go to her huge pond, visit with her cattle, photograph her horses, and wander that part of her land.
When she shared that she held soap making classes, I was hooked! Good-bye Painted Hills and hello soap making! What fun it was!
Kelly made this a very eventful and memorable trip and I will certainly come here again. And again.
And did I mention the complete silence of the evening and the gorgeous dark night sky? What a delightful experience.
Tracy W.recommendsJuly 2, 2021
Haystack Ranch
Peaceful and welcoming!
Kelly is a great host, and the scenery on her ranch is spectacular. It is a working ranch, so her fields reflect that. We could hear cows in the distance. It's super quiet and a little off the beaten path. You need to look closely for the entrance to the camp, but fortunately Kelly spotted us and flagged us down. Cell phone service is super spotty, so I'm glad she saw us. We'd stay again.
Haystack Ranch
The host was very friendly. The view was beautiful. Those are the positives. I would be very careful about bringing dogs as the ground is all foxtails and will get in your dogs fur, paws and skin. The worst thing was that we have a 30 ft trailer and we were bottoming out while driving onto the property. It took us an hour to leave the property the following day, we had to crib our way out of the entrance, raising our wheels and moving a few inches at a time. They knew we had problems upon arrival, so this review would have been more positive had they tried to put some wood or some dirt down as to fill in the large depression at the entrance, so we could leave the next morning. It was not a pleasant morning needless to say.
Stephanie E.recommendsJune 20, 2021
Haystack Ranch
We really enjoyed camping at Haystack Ranch, we had plenty of space for our RV and to spread out and play games. Kelly was the best! Very friendly and inviting, we would definitely return!