These amazing campgrounds near Bend Oregon are perfect to enjoy the natural beauty of central Oregon high desert this summer!
Within a two-hour drive, there are dozens of places to camp near Bend Oregon with sparkling lakes, mountain views, and incredible outdoor access.
As central Oregon locals, we love these Bend Oregon campgrounds. In this article, we’ve gathered our knowledge on our 15 favorite campgrounds near Bend to help you plan your Bend Oregon camping adventure.
Let’s dive into the best campgrounds near Bend Oregon!
Camping Near Bend Oregon: Overview
Campgrounds near Bend Oregon provide a much-appreciated immersion in the beautiful natural landscapes of the central Oregon high desert.
Camping close to Bend Oregon offers access to some of the best natural areas in the state, including the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Smith Rock State Park. and the John Day Fossil Beds.
Overnight stays at campgrounds near Bend serve as a base camp for exploring some of the best lakes, hikes, hot springs, caves, and other outdoor activities in the region.
Most of the places to camp near Bend are USFS campgrounds and state park campgrounds, suitable for tent, trailer, and RV camping (check campsite size limits).
All of these campgrounds are located at rivers and lakes great for camping near Bend, providing great access to water activities.
We’ll also cover some great private resorts with campsites, cabins, yurts, and other accommodation options with more amenities.
Finally, we’ll discuss Bend Oregon dispersed camping options, which can be nice to save some money and enjoy more solitude.
Before we get into the best Bend Oregon camping, lets cover some essential planning considerations.
Reservations, Permits, and Planning
Important: Most of the USFS campgrounds near Bend require reservations, which are typically done through Recreation.gov.
Be proactive: You can usually reserve campsites months in advance (often starting in May). The best campgrounds near Bend become reserved quickly for summer weekends.
It’s a good idea to know when reservations open for your desired dates and campground and set a reminder on your calendar.
Local Tip: Typically, you can reserve campsites at state park campgrounds USFS campgrounds on a 6-month rolling window.
Some campgrounds do have first come first serve sites, which allow for more spontaneous adventures.
Seasonal Considerations, Weather, & Road Closures
The central Oregon high desert climate can be both pleasant and harsh. It’s important to plan appropriately for weather conditions based on the time of year you go camping near Bend.
| Season | Pros | Cons |
| Spring | Wildflowers. Snow on mountains. | Bugs. Variable weather. Lingering snow. |
| Summer | Warm temperatures. | Most crowds. Wildfire smoke. Can be hot. |
| Fall | Colorful foliage. No snow on trails. | Variable weather. |
| Winter | Less crowds. Winter activities. | Cold weather. Closures. |
Keep in mind what elevation you will be camping at and pack accordingly based on the weather forecast. The temperature can swing dramatically between highs and lows in central Oregon.
Our favorite weather forecast: Click the location of your campground near Bend on the map on this NOAA forecast.
For the most up-to-date wildfire information, the best resource is Watch Duty.
To check road closures (important for early or late season camping), go to ODOT’s Trip Check and this Deschutes County webpage.
Best Campgrounds Near Bend Oregon
The table below shows 15 of the best Bend Oregon campgrounds with a two-hour drive. We’ll cover each of these options for camping near Bend Oregon in more detail later.
Click on the name of the campground to learn more including reservations and availability.
| Campground Near Bend | Travel Time from Bend | Great for |
| Tumalo State Park | 15 min | Proximity to Bend and Tumalo. Riverside hang out areas and trails. |
| La Pine State Park | 30 min | Riverside trails. Cabins. Open year round. |
| Elk Lake | 40 min | Swimming and paddling at Elk Lake. Proximity to Elk Lake Resort amenities. Mountain views. |
| Little Crater | 45 min | Lakeside sites. Swimming. Paddling. Hiking. Fishing. Newberry National Volcanic Monument. |
| Skull Hollow | 45 min | Proximity to Smith Rock State Park. Hiking. Rock climbing. |
| Lava Lake | 50 min | Large sites. Access to Lava Lake. Proximity to Lava Lake Resort amenities. Mountain views. |
| Blue Bay | 50 min | Lake activities. Proximity to Suttle Lake Resort. |
| Crane Prairie | 50 min | Lake activities. Fishing. Wildlife viewing. |
| The Cove Palisade State Park | 50 min | Boating. Hiking. |
| Cultus Lake | 1 hr | Lake activities. High speed boating. Proximity to Cultus Lake Resort. |
| Big Lake | 1 hr | Lakeside sites. Lake activities. Mountain views. |
| Driftwood | 1 hr | Lakeside sites. Beach area. Lake activities. Hiking. |
| Coldwater Cove | 1 hr 15 min | Lake activities. Hiking. Proximity to Clear Lake Resort. |
| Ochoco Divide | 1 hr 20 min | Proximity to Painted Hills and John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. |
| Shadow Bay | 2 hrs | Lake activities. Hiking. |
Best Camping Near Bend: Map
The map below shows our favorite places to camp near Bend mentioned in this article, including USFS campgrounds, state park campgrounds, private resort campgrounds, RV parks, and dispersed camping.
You can expand the map to view it full size in a new window.
Tumalo State Park Campground
Tumalo State Park is a great campground just 15 minutes north of downtown Bend, located next to the Deschutes River.
Its riverside location provides great opportunities for hiking, swimming, and fishing. In addition, there are great picnic areas and beaches to hang out at.
We love the easy access a great segment of the Deschutes River Trail, which heads south for about 1.5 miles to Riley Ranch Nature Reserve.
The campground has a mix of campsites, including some for tents, RVs, and yurts. There are hot showers!
This is one of the few places to camp near Bend in the winter as some sites are open year-round.
Overall, Tumalo State Park is a great Bend campground that provides access to nature while still being close enough to town to enjoy all the great things to do in Bend.
How to book: Reserve sites up to 6 months in advance at this Oregon State Parks webpage.
La Pine State Park Campground
La Pine State Park, also located on the Deschutes River, has a great campground just 30 minutes south of Bend.
Similar to Tumalo State Park, La Pine State Park provides access to river side hiking trails, mountain biking trails, swimming, paddling, and fishing.
A unique characteristic of this park is the oldest Ponderosa Pine tree in Oregon, which is accessible via a short, paved trail.
This large park has lots of campsites with full hookups, cabins, and hot showers. Some sites and cabins are available year-round.
Local tip: Renting one of these heated cabins in the winter is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while still being cozy.
This campground near Bend is well situated for access to outdoor areas like the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
In our opinion, it’s a great base camp for a long weekend full of adventures during the day and hanging out at camp during mornings and evenings.
Overall, La Pine State Park is a great place for camping near Bend during summer or winter!
Elk Lake Campground
Elk Lake is along the beautiful Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway about 40 minutes from Bend.
One of has 3 USFS campgrounds at Elk Lake, we think Elk Lake Campground is the best because of the lake access and proximity to Elk Lake Resort amenities.
Elk Lake is one of the most popular lakes near Bend because of the accessibility, mountain views, swimming, beach areas, paddleboarding, and fishing.
In addition, Elk Lake Resort has a restaurant, watercraft rentals, and other convenient amenities.
Local tip: While there is a beach area at Elk Lake Campground, you can also check out the Sunset View Day Use Area on the east side of the lake and the Beach Picnic Day Use Area on the south side of Elk Lake (which has the best mountain views).
Also, there is a nice hiking trail along the south and east sides of Elk Lake which has some great views.
Learn more in our full article about Elk Lake Oregon.
Little Crater Campground
Located about 50 minutes from Bend, Little Crater Campground is situated along shoreline of Paulina Lake in the beautiful Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Little Crater Campground has amazing lake access with many of the sites just steps from the water with great lake views.
Paulina Lake is perfect for paddleboarding, swimming, boating, fishing, or just lounging on the shoreline.
In addition, Little Crater Campground is close to Paulina Lake Lodge, which has great amenities like a restaurant, small store, and watercraft rentals.
When you’re not enjoying the lake, there are dozens of hiking trails with great views in this area that showcase the unique volcanic geology of this area.
Local tip: Don’t miss the Paulina Peak Viewpoint (which you can hike or drive to) and Paulina Falls (which is an easy stop).
Overall, Little Crater Campground is one of our favorite lakeside campgrounds near Bend hands down!
Learn more about this area in our articles about Paulina Lake and the stunning Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Skull Hollow Campground
A lesser-known spot for camping near Bend Oregon, Skull Hollow Campground is located close to the iconic Smith Rock State Park.
Keep in mind: This is one of the few campgrounds near Bend that is not near a body of water. Also, there is not a lot of shade.
For these reasons, this campground is better for cooler temperatures in late spring and early fall. This campground is typically open between March 15 and November 15.
The main draw of Skull Hollow is the proximity to Smith Rock State Park which has incredible rock climbing, hiking trails, and sightseeing opportunities.
In our opinion, Smith Rock is one of the must-visit destinations in central Oregon and Skull Hollow is a great base camp for enjoying Smith Rock.
Because of the exposure, Skull Hollow is great for sunsets and stargazing!
Local tip: There are some dispersed camping options near Skull Hollow as well, but the roads can be pretty rough.
Lava Lake Campground
Lava Lake Campground is on the shoreline of the beautiful Lava Lake about 50 minutes from Bend.
Lava Lake is a fairly large lake with some excellent mountain views, a campground, boating (including a boat ramp) and fishing, and a shoreline hiking trail.
In addition, Lava Lake Resort is within walking distance of Lava Lake Campground which has a small store and watercraft rentals. They also have campsites at Lava Lake Resort.
Our favorite part about Lava Lake Campground is the short walk from your campsite to see the lake and mountain views. It’s a great spot for sunrise and sunset.
Though Lava Lake doesn’t have a great beach area, there is a boat ramp, and you can still find some good swimming spots.
Overall, Lava Lake Campground is great for a relaxing weekend taking in lakeside views, boating, hiking, and perhaps fishing.
Local tip: Little Lava Lake is right next to Lava Lake and has a campground of its own that is great as well, but a bit further from Lava Lake Resort amenities.
Blue Bay Campground
Blue Bay Campground is situated along the southern shoreline of Suttle Lake, about 50 minutes from Bend.
Suttle Lake is a calm and relaxing, medium-sized lake that is great for swimming, paddleboarding, fishing, boating, and just enjoying the lake.
One of the main benefits of Blue Bay Campground is the proximity to Suttle Lake Lodge, which has watercraft rentals, a great restaurant called the Boat House, and other convenient amenities.
Local tip: You have to take advantage of the Boat House at Suttle Lake Lodge if you camp at Suttle Lake. They do a great breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a scenic location.
Another great plus of Suttle Lake is the scenic Suttle Lake Loop Trail which goes about 4 miles around the lake and is perfect for a relaxing hike or a run.
Craine Prairie Campground
Situated on the shoreline of Craine Prairie Reservoir along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Craine Prairie Campground is located about 45 minutes from Bend.
Craine Prairie Campground offers access to lake activities, great mountain views, and amenities of Craine Prairie Resort.
Swimming, paddleboarding, boating, and fishing are popular at Craine Prairie Reservoir, as well as bird watching and wildlife viewing.
A short walk away, Craine Prairie Resort offers great amenities like watercraft rentals, a small store with fair prices, and hot coffee.
In addition, the resort offers cabins, campsites (with RV hookups), and unique accommodations like a yurt, teepee, and an airstream.
Keep in mind: Cell service is limited in this area so plan to be disconnected.
Overall, Craine Prairie Campground is a solid spot for camping near Bend that everyone can enjoy!
The Cove Palisades State Park Campground
Located on Lake Billy Chinook about 45 minutes from Bend, the Cove Palisades State Park is a great place for camping near Bend Oregon.
The main draw is Lake Billy Chinook, which is a large lake at the intersection of Crooked River and the Deschutes River, two mighty rivers in central Oregon.
There are two campgrounds at the Cove Palisades State Park. The Crooked River Campground has both seasonal and year-round sites and is located on the hillside.
The Deschutes River Campground only has seasonal sites (May through September) and is located close to the water.
Lake Billy Chinook is known for swimming, paddling, fishing, and boating. You can rent boats at Cove Palisades Resort and Marina, which also has cabins for rent.
In addition, there are some great viewpoints and hiking trails that showcase the beautiful scenery of the area. One of the best hikes is the Tam-a-lau Trail.
Overall, camping at the Cove Palisades State Park is great for everyone but especially boaters.
Cultus Lake Campground
Situated on the east side of Cultus Lake, the Cultus Lake Campground is about an hour from Bend.
While Cultus Lake is great for fishing, paddling, swimming, and lakeside lounging, one of the main draws is high speed boating activities.
In addition, the campground is a short distance from Cultus Lake Resort, which has convenient amenities watercraft rentals, a restaurant, a small store, and cabins.
Another plus is a great hiking trail on the north side of the lake, which connects to a larger network of trails.
Local tip: If you’re up for an adventure, you can actually boat-in camp at Cultus Lake’s Big Cove Campground.
Overall, Cultus Lake is a great spot for camping near Bend for the whole family, especially if you enjoy high speed boating.
Big Lake Campground
Located about 1 hour from Bend, Big Lake Campground is one of the more undiscovered places to camp near Bend.
Situated on the north side of Big Lake, this campground offers amazing views of Mt. Washington to the south.
In fact, some of the sites are right on the lake and have great mountain views!
Big Lake Campground offers easy access to lake activities like swimming, paddleboarding, boating, fishing and shoreline lounging.
Note that high speed boating is allowed on this lake and there is a boat ramp near the campground.
In addition, there are some great hikes nearby like the Patjens Lakes Loop Trail.
Overall, Big Lake Campground provides an excellent experience for camping near Bend with great lake activities and lesser-known mountain views.
Driftwood Campground
About an hour from Bend, Driftwood Campground is situated on the north side of Three Creek Lake, close to Broken Top Mountain.
Driftwood Campground has about 20 campsites, many of which have views of the lake and are just steps from the water.
One of our favorite things about Three Creek Lake is the large amount of beach space and easy lake access.
Besides the access to lake activities like swimming and paddling, Driftwood Campground has some excellent hiking nearby.
In fact, one of the best hikes in central Oregon, the Tam McArthur Rim Trail, starts nearby Driftwood Campground.
Local tip: the Three Creek Lake Store and Marina has a small store and offers watercraft rentals which is an added convenience.
Overall, Driftwood Campground is a great choice for camping near Bend if you want lake activities and hiking.
Coldwater Cove Campground
Located on the shoreline of the stunning Clear Lake in Oregon, the Coldwater Cove Campground is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Bend.
Coldwater Cove is hands down one of the best campgrounds near Bend Oregon for lake activities and nearby hiking opportunities.
First and foremost, Clear Lake is clean and clear with a blue-green color that will wow you. Also, the lake is surrounded by lush forest and rugged lava flows.
The natural beauty of Clear Lake makes is ideal for paddling and swimming. Thankfully, motorboats are not permitted, which preserves the tranquility of this small lake.
As a nice plus, Clear Lake Resort has cabins, yurts, a restaurant, and watercraft rentals.
Local tip: there is a beautiful five-mile hike around the lake that is well worth doing.
In addition, there are lots of other great hikes within a short drive like Sahalie Falls, Koosah Falls, and Blue Pool.
Overall, Coldwater Cove Campground is an amazing campground near Bend perfect for people who love lakes, waterfalls, and hiking!
Ochoco Divide Campground
Located about an hour and 20 minutes from Bend, the Ochoco Divide Campground is one of only two campgrounds on this list that is not on a lake or a river.
Rather, its nestled in a beautiful pine forest with towering Ponderosa Pines and pleasant grass meadows along highway 26, which is northeast of Bend.
One of the main draws of this campground near Bend is the proximity to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, home of the iconic Painted Hills.
In general, this area has much less crowds than campgrounds in the Cascade Mountain Range, which can offer amazing solitude.
Furthermore, you can access the lesser-visited Ochoco National Forest, which offers hiking, hunting, mountain biking, and road biking.
Local tip: Further from major towns and cities, this area is great for stargazing if you can choose a clear night.
Shallow Bay Campground
Located about two hours from Bend, Shadow Bay Campground is situated on the shoreline of Waldo Lake, one of the clearest lakes in Oregon.
The main draw of Shallow Bay Campground are the activities at Waldo Lake, which is perfect for swimming and paddling.
In fact, we consider Waldo Lake to be one of the best places to paddleboard near Bend because of the crystal-clear water, unique shoreline, and islands you can explore.
When you’re not hanging out on the lake, you can enjoy lots of great hiking and mountain biking trails nearby.
Keep in mind: There is a 10 mile per hour speed limit for boats and no gasoline motors are allowed.
Be aware: There have been fires on the north side of the lake in recent years, so do some research if you have plans to do any hikes there.
Overall, Waldo Lake has amazing lake activities and Shallow Bay Campground is a perfect base camp!
Dispersed Camping Near Bend Oregon
Bend Oregon dispersed camping is possible on some USFS and BLM lands and is a great way to get more solitude and save money.
We love to take advantage of these spots for free camping near Bend Oregon, but keep in mind there are no amenities, and you must leave no trace and pack out your trash.
Before you go, learn the rules about dispersed camping Bend Oregon on this USFS webpage.
Also, we like to use this BLM National Data Map to see land management and ensure we stay on USFS and BLM land while dispersed camping.
These are just a handful of the best spots for dispersed camping near Bend Oregon.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Located about 40 minutes south of Bend, the epic Newberry National Volcanic Monument is technically an active volcano that showcases iconic lava-influenced geology in central Oregon.
Drive south from Bend on Highway 97. Turn left onto Paulina Lake Road. There’s lots of USFS forest roads and land here the highway and the Newberry Caldera which has Paulina Lake and East Lake.
Local tip: Don’t miss the viewpoint from Paulina Peak!
Skyliner Road
Head west of Bend onto Skyliner Road. Take a right onto NF-4606 or a left onto NF-4610 or one of the other forest roads.
This area is about 20 minutes from downtown Bend and provides access to great hiking and mountain biking.
Lakeside Resorts Near Bend
These lakeside resorts near Bend are a great way to take advantage of extra amenities like watercraft rentals, restaurants, and of course overnight accommodation.
They typically have lodging like cabins and yurts and some even have their own campgrounds.
| Lakeside Resort | Travel Time from Bend |
| Suttle Lake Lodge | 50 minutes |
| Elk Lake Resort | 45 minutes |
| Paulina Lake Lodge | 50 minutes |
| East Lake Resort | 55 minutes |
| Lava Lake Resort | 50 minutes |
| Crane Prairie Resort | 50 minutes |
| Twin Lake Resort | 50 minutes |
| Cultus Lake Resort | 1 hour |
| Cove Palisades Resort | 1 hour 10 minutes |
Each of these lakeside resorts near Bend are unique! Some are more rustic, and others are up scale, but all are a great way to enjoy the great outdoors in central Oregon.
Want even more options? Learn more in our full article about places to stay in Bend Oregon.
Best RV Parks Near Bend
Many of the campgrounds near Bend do have sites that accommodate campers and RVs. However, these are the best Bend RV parks that include sites and hookups specifically for RVs.
Sun Outdoors Bend – Best Overall RV Park in Bend
Situated 10 minutes south of downtown Bend, Sun Outdoors Bend (formerly Crown Villa RV Resort) is a top-rated park known for its quality amenities, including spacious sites, full hookups, showers, a fitness center, a hot tub, a tennis court, and on-site storage.
Guests can enjoy the scenic surroundings, proximity to downtown Bend, and easy access to outdoor activities.
The Camp RV Park Bend
The Camp RV Park in Bend offers a unique accommodation experience. Located less than 5 minutes from downtown, this RV park is a combination of RV sites and a sort of vintage trailer hotel.
The park has a rich history, as it sits on the land where one of Bend’s first RV parks opened in the 1950s.
Bend Sunriver Thousand Trails
Thousand Trails Bend/Sunriver RV Campground is 25 minutes south of Bend near the popular vacation destination of Sunriver. In addition to full hookup RV sites, this large park offers cabins, yurts, and tent sites.
Guests have access to a ton of amenities including a store, minigolf, pickleball and tennis courts, basketball courts, a playground, volleyball, and nature trails.
Learn more in our full guide to RV parks near Bend Oregon.
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! If you’re still in the planning stages, be sure to check out our other articles about central Oregon. You also might want to know some other things to do in Bend.
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