In this article, we’ll explore everything Bend Camping. There are dozens of great campgrounds near Bend and camping in central Oregon has long been a favorite summer activity of visitors and locals alike. Let’s go enjoy the great outdoors!
Overview of Camping near Bend
Camping in central Oregon is hard to put into words, but it might be described something like this: memorable, adventurous, serene, refreshing, and scenic.
Central Oregon Campgrounds are almost always next to a lake or a river and usually offer incredible views of the special landscape in this region. Sunsets are explosions of beautiful color, and the stargazing can be some of the best around.
Campgrounds near Bend serve as a base camp for the plethora of nearby outdoor activities such as hiking, paddleboarding, swimming, boating, fishing, and mountain biking. In fact, most of the best campgrounds are located near lakes.
No matter what kind of scenery or activities you appreciate, Bend camping is sure to please. Let’s jump into the best campgrounds near Bend. We highlight the best attributes of each so you can find your favorite!
Top Campgrounds Near Bend
| Short Summary | RV Sites | Potable Water | Distance from Bend | Reservable | |
| Tumalo State Park | Close to Bend, on Deschutes River with yurts | Yes | Yes | 5 min | Yes |
| Soda Creek | Mountain views, small campground near lakes and hiking | Some | No | 40 min | Yes |
| Little Crater | In a caldera, lakeside sites with great views near hiking and hot springs | Yes | Yes | 45 min | Yes |
| Blue Bay | Lakeside sites near lodge kayak rentals and restaurant | Yes (No Hookups) | Yes | 50 min | Yes |
| Scout Lake | Small lake great for kids and picnics | No | Yes | 50 min | Yes |
| Cultus Lake | Shaded sites next to large lake, great for boating | < 30ft only | Yes | 1 hr, 5 min | Yes |
| Mallard Marsh | Pleasant campground next to great paddling and fly fishing lake | 26 ft spur length max | No | 1 hr | Yes |
| Big Cove | Boat or paddle access only on Cultus Lake | No | No | 1 hr, 5 min | Yes |
Tumalo State Park Campground – Closest to Bend
Tumalo State Park is a great campground just 5 minutes north of Bend. It sits along the banks of the Deschutes River, which provides opportunities for hiking, fishing, and swimming. The campground has a mix of campsites, including some for tents, RVs, and yurts, all of which are well-maintained and offer good amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and water spigots.
One of the standout features of Tumalo State Park is its location, which is both scenic and convenient. The campground is surrounded by towering Ponderosa pines and offers some views of the Cascade Mountains. Additionally, the town of Bend is just a short drive away, providing easy access to restaurants, shops, and all the other great things to do in Bend.
The campground is family-friendly and offers plenty of activities for kids, including a playground and a Junior Ranger program. While Tumalo State Park Campground can get busy during peak season, it is generally quiet and peaceful at night, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Overall, this is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a camping escape close to town.
Soda Creek Campground – Best for Mountain Views
Soda Creek is a small campground of 10 sites resting alongside a creek that flows into Sparks Lake, one of the most popular lakes near Bend. The main draw for Soda Creek is the views and proximity to amazing hiking and lake activities.
Sparks Lake is beautiful and great for paddling, swimming, and hanging out lakeside. The campground itself is not directly on the lake, but a short drive will bring you to the day use area with a great beach spot. The Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail is a nice short hike along the lake.
The mountain views are the main attraction at Soda Creek campground. Note there is no potable water and some of the campsites are close together and lack privacy. Of course, bugs can be bad in the spring and Sparks Lake can be low in the late summer. Otherwise, this is a great campground that is relatively close to Bend.
Little Crater Campground – Great Lakeside Camping
Located within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Little Crater Campground is located within an active volcano. Don’t let that scare you off. The only evidence of activity are historical geologic formations and a hot spring that you can soak in!
The campground is situated right next to Paulina Lake and many spots have unobstructed views of the large lake. There is ample hiking in the area including a great 7 mile loop around the lake that passes the hot springs. You can also paddle or boat to the hot springs. Motorized boats are allowed.
Overall, Little Crater campground, and the other campgrounds in the Paulina Lake area offer a range of fun activities no matter what you’re into.
Blue Bay Campground – Great Lakeside Camping
Introducing Blue Bay Campground, nestled near the breathtaking Suttle Lake. This picturesque campground offers standard sites for tents and RVs amidst a majestic mix of conifer trees. While there are no hookups available, you’ll find amenities like picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water.
Suttle Lake itself is a sparkling gem, formed by ancient glacial ice. It’s perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming, with the scenic Suttle Lake Loop Trail offering opportunities for shoreline exploration and picnicking. Anglers will delight in the diverse fish population, including kokanee, brown trout, whitefish, and crayfish.
With a range of activities available year-round, from hiking, boating, fishing, and paddling in the summer to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, Blue Bay Campground promises an unforgettable nature retreat. Plus, it is near Suttle Lodge which has a bar, restaurant, and kayak rentals.
Scout Lake Campground – Best for Young Children
Don’t overlook Scout Lake Campground, situated near Scout Lake, a small but quaint lake perfect for young kids and picnics. With just 10 sites, the tiny campground matches the lake well. Interestingly, the campground can even be rented as a whole, comfortably hosting up to 100 guests for large parties and family functions.
Scout Lake is quite small, and more like a giant natural swimming pool. This makes it an ideal swimming hole for young kids. A large day use area provides access for non-campers. There are also picnic tables and tons of beach space to stretch out. Speaking from experience, the trees are great setting up and settling into a hammock with a good book.
Importantly, note that dogs are not allowed at Scout Lake due to its small size. This lake can also become less desirable in the late summer when the water levels recede and water quality decreases. After all, there is no long-term stream in or out of Scout Lake. Therefore, your best bet is to go early or mid summer.
Cultus Lake Campground – Best for Boating
Watersports enthusiasts and high speed boaters will enjoy Cultus Lake Campground. Cultus is a large lake located just over an hour’s drive southwest of Bend. The lake actually has multiple campgrounds, but the main one described here is the only one you can drive to. Big Cove campground, described later, requires a boat to access!
Cultus Lake is great for waterskiing, wakesurfing, and other boat activities such as sailing and jet skiing. There is a walk-in boat launch located at the campground and a developed launch at the day use area.
Most of the 55 campsites are well shaded and many are right against the water. Overall, Cultus Lake Campground is best for those looking to enjoy a day on the lake in their watercraft.
Mallard Marsh Campground – Best for Paddleboarding and Kayaking
What Cultus Lake is for boating, Mallard Marsh Campground is for paddleboarding and kayaking. Mallard Marsh is located next to Hosmer Lake, which is one of the best lakes for paddle activities.
Hosmer earned this reputation because of the unique shape of the shoreline that creates lots of unique nooks and crannies perfect for exploring. Paddlers are frequently seen on this lake as a result. In fact, the lake is shaped more like a stagnant river because it is so long and skinny.
Fly fishing anglers will also find joy at Hosmer Lake. In addition, Mallard Marsh Campground is close to many great hikes nearby. If you want to enjoy a unique and exciting paddling experience, consider Mallard Marsh Campground.
Big Cove Boat in Campground – Only Accessible by Water
We had to include Big Cove Campground in this list for the boaters and paddlers that want to take their camping game to the next level. That’s right, this campground is only accessible by boat or paddle.
Located on Cultus Lake, Big Cove Campground is more than a mile and a half from the boat launch. Therefore, it is totally feasible to boat and a little more ambitious to paddle in, but it can be done.
Note that a reservation is required for this campground. There is a parking area specifically for this campground. Overall, Big Cove is a great option for those looking for a unique camping experience on a lake that allows high speed watercraft and all the fun activities that come with it.
Bonus: Lava Lake Campground – Great Lakeside Campground
Lava Lake Campground and Little Lava Lake Campground are two great lakeside camps to spend a weekend hiking, swimming, paddling and basking in the mountain views.
An all-around great lakeside escape, there also is a small store where you can buy ice, firewood, and rent boats, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Best RV Parks Near Bend
Many of the campgrounds listed above do allow RVs, however, you’ll want to check with each one to make sure. In this section, we’ll cover two options that are specifically RV parks, complete with hookups.
The Camp – Closest to Town
The Camp RV Park in Bend offers a unique accommodation experience. Located in the heart of the city, this RV park provides easy access to the best sites, dining, and entertainment in Bend. The park has a rich history, as it sits on the land where one of Bend’s first RV parks opened in the 1950s.
With plenty of RV pads available, visitors can choose from a variety of sites, each with full hookups. You can also stay in one of their clean vintage RVs or even a tiny house. Each RV is unique and they are all super cute.
Sun Outdoors Bend – Best for Amenities
Another great RV park is Sun Outdoors. This park offers spacious, full hookup sites at a reasonable rate. They are located in south Bend just a few minutes drive from downtown.
There are also a number of amenities including showers, a fitness center, a tennis court, and on-site storage. Overall, Sun Outdoors is a pleasant and reputable RV park in Bend.
When is the Best Time to Enjoy Campgrounds Near Bend?
Central Oregon is a high desert environment. That means there are extreme weather conditions. Cold, wet winters bring in heavy snowpack in the mountains that last into the spring. As a result, most campgrounds don’t open until May and close in late September.
Summers can be hot and the high elevation makes the sun feel stronger. High daytime temperatures can dip into the 30s at night, even during summer. It is important to adequately prepare for camping with sufficient gear, clothing, and water!
What Else Can You Do in Bend
Bend is full of fun stuff to do inside the town and out! The campgrounds serve as an excellent basecamp for so many awesome outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, paddling, fishing, boating, mountain biking, and more.
After a night or two of camping and adventuring, a nice restaurant or a brewery in Bend can be a welcome treat. There are also tons of fun events in Bend during the warmer months. From concerts to dining to shopping and more, there is never a dull moment in Bend.
How to Reserve a Campsite (If Required)
Reservations are required for many campgrounds in central Oregon and can be made through Recreation.gov.
Conclusion
Hopefully you found this information helpful and understand more about the best campgrounds near Bend for any occasion.
If you are visiting Bend, welcome! We hope you enjoy your time here. If you’re still in the planning stages, be sure to check out our other articles about visiting central Oregon. You also might want to know some other things to do in Bend.
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