Antone Ranch is a private 37,000 acre working ranch in the Ochoco Mountains, approximately 30 minutes from Mitchell in Eastern Oregon. Accommodation is onsite, consisting of large and small cabins. The property can bring in their own chef to cater for your crew.
Kimberly is located at the intersection of Oregon Route 19 and 402 and the confluence of the John Day and the North Fork John Day rivers. The John Day River Trading Post is located at the intersection.
County permits required for any filming.
The Picture Gorge is located on Highway 26, and is made of basalt and consists of 17 individual layers of flood basalt, that create a spectacular southern entrance to the Sheep Rock Unit of the monument.
Filming could be done at the entrance of the Picture Gorge, although filming within the Gorge may be difficult due to falling rocks. Vehicles may not stop within the picture gorge.
Burnt Ranch Road (also known as Bridge Creek Road) leads from the Ochoco Highway in Mitchell to the Painted Hills Overlook (part of the John Day National Monument/Painted Hills division). The road itself is partial monument land, part BLM, so care must be taken with permit applications.
The road itself is a stunning drive surrounded by geological fossil formations on one side, and grasses and farm land on the other. It also winds alongside Bridge Creek.
BLM permit applications require 60 days advance notice through BLM Prineville.
John Day National Monument should be done at least 30 days in advance.
Nearest accommodation and services are in Mitchell (limited/10-15 minutes away), and wider availability in Prineville (1 hour via Hwy 26).
Located in the heart of the Ochoco Mountains, approximately 30 minutes from Prineville (accommodation and services). Privately owned, the Prairie is surrounded by U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land and is easily accessible from Prineville (thirty miles to the west) and U.S. 26 (ten miles to the northwest). According to historian Steve Lent, Big Summit Prairie received its name because of its size, which is larger than Little Summit Prairie, a smaller area twelve miles to the east. Both areas are at the summit of the Ochoco Mountains.
Big Summit Prairie is a five-by-seven-mile basin at an elevation of 4,500 feet, and is described by Stuart G. Garrett as an “unexpected meadow island in the dramatic old growth ponderosa pine forests.” Geologically, the basin was formed when soft tuff, or volcanic ash (underlain by the John Day Formation), was eroded away from the surrounding basalt.
A perfect spot for any cowboy or western productions, with vast open fields surrounded by ponderosa’s and pine. Cattle on land, and wild horses.
Particularly stunning during Fall when the Tamarack’s change color.
Permits via private owner and BLM, Prineville.
