95% (71 reviews)
Swim, boat, ski, and hike your way through this sunny Central Oregon expanse.
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Top-rated campgrounds near Deschutes National Forest
The best camping near Deschutes National Forest guide
Overview
About
On the eastern side of the Cascade Mountain Range in Central Oregon, the Deschutes National Forest is made up of 1.8 million acres of trails, mountains, and waterways. It's home to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, comprising lava flows and caves, as well as three National Scenic Byways and segments of the National Wild and Scenic River System. The forest also features many of Oregon’s prettiest rivers and lakes—including the crystalline Cascade Lakes—as well as Mt. Bachelor, one of the most popular ski resorts in the state.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for jet-skiing: Cultus Lake Campground sits on one of the few lakes where motorized watersports are allowed.
- Best for backwoods biking: Indian Ford Campground offers direct access to forested biking and hiking trails.
- Best for boating: Trapper Creek Campground has direct access to Odell Lake and a boat ramp.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- You can book campsites up to six months in advance through the Forest Service website. Reservations go live each day at 7am Pacific Time. Cabins, in particular, book up fast and are sometimes reserved immediately upon being made available.
- If you’re looking for a first-come, first-served (FCFS) spot, try to arrive by Thursday to avoid the weekend rush.
- Consider alternative campgrounds. If you’re having difficulty securing a reservation through the Forest Service, look into nearby Hipcamps or try your luck with FCFS camping on BLM land.
When to go
The Deschutes National Forest does not have one distinct climate, and while the western parts of the forest tend to get a lot of rainfall much of the year, other parts are hotter with less precipitation. As a general rule of thumb, July and August are the best months to visit. This is the one time of year in Oregon when rain is not regularly on the forecast and the weather is usually warm enough for boating and swimming.
Know before you go
- Cell service can be spotty in parts of the forest. Download offline maps before you head out of range.
- Bans on campfires and even camping stoves are common during the summer months. Make sure to check ahead and be prepared to change up your meal plans accordingly.
- There are five protected wilderness areas in the Deschutes National Forest. These areas are off limits to motorized vehicles, but can be visited on day hikes or overnight backpacking trips. To visit, you'll need to secure a permit ahead of time.
95%
71 ratings · 29 reviews
Recommends
· May 2025
Nice and close to town horse campground
25 ft campervan · With pets · Group trip ·
Sisters Cow Camp Horse Camp
Great campground for people with horses. Corrals are nice. Sites are primitive. Approximately 1/3rd of a mile off of paved road, rest is gravel and red rock road.
Please don’t camp here with side by sides or anything motorized other than your pull vehicle. Spooking horses is not cool.
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Matt M.
2 months on Hipcamp
August 2022
Just a quick FYI To “HipCampers” or people New to horse camping… The state does not have funding to “Maintain” ALL TRAILS or Campgrounds to your standards. There are multiple Volunteer groups throughout the state that take time out of their lives to do trail clearing & maintenance for the horse camps to keep them open to the best of their ability spending personal funds & getting donations to do so… Instead of Complaining about not having full access… why not try and step up to the plate and help out. Even on a small scale while you are there. You should not expect everything to be FREE and Perfect every time you go riding. Join groups and enjoy the people and working from horseback.
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Dea Anna J.
2 years on Hipcamp
June 2021
Tent camped here during the week of June 21, 2021, and the mosquitoes were awful. (We thought June would be early enough, but were unlucky.) The mosquitoes were bad all day, not just at dawn and dusk.
Also, it looked like there might be blue-green algae here, and also at nearby Lucky Lake, so since we were uncertain, we didn't let the dogs go in at either lake. "When in doubt, stay out!”
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Amanda M.
4 years on Hipcamp
August 2020
You should have a reservation its pretty popular
Joel T.
4 years on Hipcamp
June 2019
June 30, 2019. We just returned early from horse camping at Quinn Meadow Horse Camp because all the trails were blocked by fallen trees. Apparently the State of Oregon feels no accountability to visitors to either repair the trails or warn visitors that all the trails are useless for riding due to downed trees. Very frustrating!!! ☹️
Tom S.
6 years on Hipcamp
April 2019
I camped here for a couple days during mid July, Its free, right next to the PCT trail which is why we camped here to take my 3 grandkids on a 3 day backpack along the trail. It was fairly quiet with all sites full and we had a bit of privacy. A few skeeters out at evening, but not bad, the lake is very inviting!
Joni L.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2019
Nice camping
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Steven S.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2018
The high desert means extreme differences in temperature from day to night. We camped here in July and it was sunny and warm during the day, but the dog's water froze over during the night! Bring layers!
Nicole L.
2 reviews
May 2018
A beautiful place! Just have gone for the day a couple of times but worth the trip!
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Kalei T.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2018
One of many stops along the Cascade Lakes Highway to swim and kayak. Clear blue water and alpine views.
Emily S.
3 reviews
Recommends
· November 2017
This place is close to one of the most beautiful caves I've ever seen - Skylight Caves. They are hard to get to but so worth it! Go between 8 am 10 am to see the light illuminate the cave.
Caitlin F.
42 reviews
Recommends
· November 2017
Bring a light raft so you can enjoy fishing from a boat on this beautiful Cascade Lake! Feel free to reach out for any fishing tips! There are parking, and pass fees required in this area!
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Joe L.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2017
Bug Spray. Bring lots of bug spray.
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Joe L.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2017
Great Fly Fishing! Reach out for any fishing tips!
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Joe L.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2017
Chilly lake. Bring extra warm stuff.
Shaneesa A.
7 years on Hipcamp
September 2016
This is a great spot for tent camping! There's not much privacy in between the spaces, but the view you get with the waterfront spots is worth it! Beware, the drive down there isn't the most fun. Much of the roads are washboard roads, so our travel trailer didn't enjoy it too much. Also a good spot if you like water sports. Great for kayaking, boating, canoe, paddle board. And just swimming! If I go back I won't risk the trailer again.
Krysta W.
8 years on Hipcamp
August 2016
While this cg is serene, clean and easy to access, I was deeply disappointed that my tent and tarp were stolen. I had hoped the rangers had merely broken down my camp thinking it was abandoned while I was away for a couple hours, but after contacting them they said it was instead stolen, also noting they have had more thefts lately. It was an expensive family tent and shameful to steal shelter. How can we enjoy camping now if we have to lock up the entire camp every time we go on a hike???
Nicole P.
8 years on Hipcamp
May 2016
We loooooved this campground. It's not too big and the sites are spacious and private. Plenty of shade. There's a trail that leaves from the campground, or there are several just a short drive away. Hood River is about a 15 minute drive away, as is a state park where you can get a shower for $2/person (and load up on water). When we were there, there was no water at the campground due to contamination, although the flush toilets still worked. Easy to gather firewood and berries.
Tamara M.
9 years on Hipcamp
April 2016
We stayed here in the off-season which was lovely as it was fairly quiet and relaxed. The campground is great for families; the kids fished and we enjoyed the small hiking trail that runs around the lake. The campground was mostly quiet; however, be prepared for a moderate amount of road noise (including semi truck air brakes) from the highway on the far side of the lake.
We lucked out and scored coveted site #9, which is perfect for two families (as it's a double site). It's on the end so has more privacy than the others but is also right on the water with boat tie-ups. Sites #10-14 are also waterside but are more open and exposed. There will be some foot traffic from the nearby lakeside walking trail but for us it wasn't obtrusive.
Sonja J.
2 reviews
February 2016
Such a great site. Half the campground sites are on the highway side and the other half is facing Odell Lake - we're talking view of the lake, steps from the lake, right by the lake! If you have a kayak or little boat even better. It wasn't busy either when we went in end of August. Sites are big enough you feel separate from your neighbors. No running water, bathroom is what you'd expect but nothing beats the sites right on the water.
Joe+Kathrina M.
5 reviews
October 2015
Wonderful spot -- where almost every camp site is lakeside! Each site is equipped with a fire ring, picnic table and parking. During the summer this is a popular spot, with lots of families. I went in the Fall (October) and it was practically empty as the services had terminated. Still just so lovely -- temp drops at night and the water was too cold for swimming (but in warmer temps, this is a lovely lake swim). Wonderful spot.
Natala M.
2 reviews
October 2015
This site is right on Paulina Creek which is perfect for a quick dunk! A 7 mile hiking trail to the falls and Paulina Lake leaves right from camp.
Anna V.
10 years on Hipcamp
October 2015
This campground is situated right next to the lake but shaded beneath the trees. Not a ton of privacy between sites but also not very busy! It is a .5 mile walk to the falls and the Paulina Lake loop makes for a great running trail. Sunriver is only 35 minutes away if you need any quick amenities, or drop in on Bend (fantastic town) which is about 1 hour north.
Anna V.
10 years on Hipcamp
August 2015
There is a path to the marsh kayak ramp between campsites 14 and 15, so people walk through the area regularly. All sites seem to have reasonable shade coverage.
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Annie W.
9 years on Hipcamp
August 2015
Beautiful! No problems navigating the dirt road in 23ft RV -spots still available at 6pm. Widely spaced out sites, plenty of tree coverage, VERY dusty. Left $10 payment in the envelope slot, next day the camp worker told us the payment wasn't there. Stolen?!!
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Alison H.
9 years on Hipcamp
June 2015
Big and open camp spots, also warm water and can be a popular place to swim.
Makenzie A.
10 years on Hipcamp
June 2015
This is the trailhead for South Sister so if your camping beware that hikers come in at all hours of the night so don't be alarmed if you see people looking for campsites late at night or people who are sleeping in their car.
Makenzie A.
10 years on Hipcamp
June 2015
Great Lake for paddle boarding, the lake itself is super shallow and only gets to nine feet deep.
Makenzie A.
10 years on Hipcamp
May 2015
The "resort" at Elk Lake offers campsites, cabins, a boat launch, dock & a restaurant (try the Eggs Benedict). The classic vintage cabins range from $140-$200 a night which seemed steep for a shack with mice crawling in the walls. I'd probably camp next time.
Tally G.
10 years on Hipcamp
Top national forests near Deschutes National Forest
Top points of interest near Deschutes National Forest
- Deschutes National Forest