Skull Hollow
{{Infobox park
| name = Skull Hollow
| image =
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| type = Campground
| location = Central Oregon; around Deschutes County's northeastern border with Crook County
| nearest_city = Terrebonne (unincorporated community) Madras or Prineville (cities)
| coordinates = {{coord|44.396115|-121.065189|region:US-OR}}
| area =
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| operator = Aud & Di Campground Operations
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| open = March 15 – October 31
| terrain = High Desert
| etymology = Human remains left over from the Snake War
}}
Skull Hollow is a small campground in the Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland. It is located in Central Oregon east of Terrebonne, Oregon and often used as a campground for people who are visiting Smith Rock State Park.{{cite web|title=Skull Hollow Campground|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ochoco/recarea/?recid=39154|website=United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service|publisher=US Government|accessdate=18 December 2017}}
History
{{Main|Snake War}}
Skull Hollow is named after the number of human skulls found in the area.{{cite web|title=HISTORY OF CROOK COUNTY PASSING EVENTS—1843 TO 1889.|url=http://www.genealogytrails.com/ore/crook/misc/history.html|website=Genealogy Trails History Group|accessdate=27 October 2017}} The skulls were found as part of a massacre between settlers and Native Americans in the area under the leadership of Chief Paulina in the winter of 1864. Soldiers found the remains of some 200 people, 40 burned-out wagons and the personal effects of those murdered.{{cite web|title=WE LIKE KNOWING MORE ABOUT LORE OF THE AREA. WE THOUGHT YOU MIGHT TOO.|url=https://smithrock.com/lore|website=Smith Rock|accessdate=27 October 2017}}
Geography
Skull Hollow is a High Desert area.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mollymchugh.com/skull-hollow-campground-near-smith-rock-state-park/ |title=Skull Hollow Campground Near Smith Rock State Park |last=McHugh |first=Molly |date=2013-08-29 |website=Molly McHugh |language=en-US |access-date=2017-12-19}} It is 3,120 feet above sea level.
== Camping ==
It is a campground with limited amenities and has 76 spots for cars and tents{{cite web|title=SKULL HOLLOW CAMPGROUND|url=https://smithrock.com/skull-hollow-campground|website=www.smithrock.com|publisher=smithrock.com|accessdate=26 October 2017}} with a $15/night charge single sites $30/night double sites, $7/night extra vehicles per night. Amenities include tent camping, camping trailer, picnic tables, fire pits, toilets, parking, and cycling accessibility{{Cite web |url=http://www.campgroundsoregon.com/oregon_campgrounds/skull_hollow_campground.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128201602/http://www.campgroundsoregon.com/oregon_campgrounds/skull_hollow_campground.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |title=Skull Hollow Campground :: Campgrounds Oregon |date=July 15, 2013 |website=www.campgroundsoregon.com |access-date=2017-12-19}} no potable water onsite but the hosts sell wood. Or you can get potable water at nearby Smith Rock or Haystack campground.{{Cite web |url=https://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/oregon/camping/skull-hollow-campground |title=Skull Hollow Campground |website=Outdoor Project |language=en |access-date=2017-12-18}}
Hiking
There is the Skull Hollow Trailhead located at the campground.{{cite web|title=Skull Hollow Trailhead|url=https://trailwiki.org/trailhead/skull-hollow-trailhead|website=www.trailwiki.org|publisher=Trail Wiki|accessdate=26 October 2017}}{{unreliable source?|date=December 2017}} The trailhead is northwest of the campground on Forest Service Road 5710. The trail gives access to the Cole Loop Trail. This trail junctions with the Warner Loop Trail and, further on, the Gray Butte Trail. During the spring and later fall, the Gray Butte Trail can become muddy to the point of impassable for hikers and mountain bikers.