Dead Ox Ranch Campout 2026

Description

The Annual Dead Ox Photographer’s Campout August 13-14-15-16, 2026

Please join us August 2026 for our annual Dead Ox Ranch Photographer’s Campout at Keating, east of Baker City in Eastern Oregon where we’ll be photographing the night skies.

Each year we take over the Dead Ox Ranch and immerse ourselves in photography and fun. The event takes place during warm, dark August nights at a place that has some of the darkest skies in Oregon, and during the Perseid Meteor Shower. The workshop will be focused on night photography and getting some awesome Milky Way and meteor photos. Join us under the darkest skies of the year at the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower.

On Friday night we’ll go photograph Anthony Lakes with a view of the Milky Way behind Gunsight Mountain. On Saturday Gary will explain how to photograph and process your meteor photos before we head out to photograph the Perseids. All sunrises are voluntary due to late hours. There’s a lot to photograph at the ranch, or places close to the ranch. We’re all camping so there’s a lot of down time to relax and get to know each other. 

Our Dead Ox Campout is a great way to relax and enjoy sharing with other photographers. Gary Randall will be conducting the workshop and is available all weekend for instruction or to answer your questions.

 

• Thursday 14th – Arrive Thursday afternoon or Friday morning
• Friday 15th – Workshop starts – Casual morning while we all assemble. A brief afternoon basics workshop will be held for those interested. Evening sunset and night photography session at TO BE ANNOUNCED.
• Saturday 16th – Sunrise at the Dead Ox Ranch. Afternoon processing session for those interested. Meteor shower session from sunset to darkness.
• Sunday 17th – Workshop ends – Sunrise session followed by a Review and Q&A session. Evening sunset at the ranch and more night skies for those staying until Monday morning.
• Monday 18th – Break camp

COST:

The cost for this workshop is only $350 for camping, workshop and photo tours during the event. Also included in the price is an event T-shirt and stickers.

ABOUT THE DEAD OX RANCH

The Dead Ox is a century farm in the little settlement of Keating Oregon, about 20 minutes east of Baker City. It’s located along the way of the old Oregon Trail. The ranch is photogenic, with its white farm home and out buildings. There are various kinds of old cars and farm equipment there. Beautiful scenery surrounds the ranch. It’s a beautiful rural setting with the Wallowa Mountains in the distance. The Oxbow on the Snake River is about an hour drive, as well as the Hells Canyon Overlook. The breathtaking Anthony Lakes is an hour drive. We have a lot of options.

CAMPING

There is plenty of room for tents and an area for RV’s. THERE ARE NO RV UTILITY HOOKUPS. Be self sufficient, including water and ice. There’s a small kitchen area that we can use but be aware that it is small and others will want to use it as well. The closest store is in Baker City.

NOTE FOR RV’s

There’s a specific area for RV’s. There are no hookups for electricity or water so be prepared to be off grid.

NOTE FOR TENT CAMPERS:

Tents must be outside of the grassy yard/Common Area where activities are held.