Bend camping offers diverse experiences across the high desert terrain of central Oregon at 3,600 feet elevation. Summer temperatures range from 80s during the day to 40s at night, while winter brings freezing temperatures with occasional snow. Fire bans are strictly enforced across dispersed sites during peak summer months, particularly July through September.
What to do
River activities: 25 minutes from Bend: At LaPine State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and exploration along the Deschutes River. "We enjoyed our stay at the campground, there are a couple good hiking trails and the river was beautiful," notes Debbie I. The park provides access to riverside trails perfect for day hikes.
Mountain biking trails: 10 minutes from downtown: BEND FS 4610 Dispersed camping areas connect directly to mountain biking networks. "Loved these dispersed sites close to the town of Bend. Extensive mountain biking trials throughout as well," says Kaitlin B. These free sites make convenient bases for cyclists.
Breweries and food trucks: Under 1 mile away: The Camp's urban location puts you within walking distance of Bend's culinary scene. Jennifer H. shares, "Walk to anything. Walk to everything. A whole pod of Food trucks less than a mile away, breweries, outdoor adventures and super close to the sports fields."
What campers like
Proximity to town: 10-minute drive: Dispersed camping at Oregon Badlands offers free camping with surprisingly good access to services. "Close to Bend, easy to get to and find, quiet, views for miles," says Jennifer R. The location provides desert views without being far from conveniences.
Clean facilities: Individual bathrooms: Campers appreciate The Camp's attention to cleanliness and thoughtful amenities. "Awesome bathrooms (individual toilette, sink and shower, 4-5 hooks, which is great so you can hang your stuff. Pass code needed for bathrooms and laundry rooms," notes Vivi W.
Family activities: Multiple options on-site: Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver offers recreational variety for families. "My kids are helping us out with reviews for parks. Kids loved Sunriver-Bend Thousand Trails because there is bunnies, bullfrogs, mini-golf, a great little river to float on or swim in, ladderball, bingo, movies outside, and some pretty great pools!"
What you should know
Price variations: $0-$136 per night: Camping costs range dramatically from free dispersed sites to premium RV resorts. At Crown Villa RV Resort, prices can be steep: "Shocked to be presented with a bill for $136/night. The park was quite nice with lots of shade, no bugs and rich, well behaved neighbors."
Seasonal closures: Gated access: Some dispersed areas close seasonally or for forest management. One camper at Deschutes Forest NFD 4600-120 noted, "Supposedly there are 2 areas you can camp- a parking lot and various spots down the dirt path. Well, the dirt path had a gate up and was closed."
Weather challenges: Wind and dust: Desert locations can experience sudden weather changes. At Oregon Badlands Dispersed camping, "The only drawback was the dust and wind. I was sure equipment was being ripped off the top of our RV roof much of the night, and there were periods of intense dust storms."
Tips for camping with families
Look for cabin options: No tent setup: Tumalo State Park offers alternative accommodations. "We stayed in a yurt here and inside was a sign in book with a lot of fun adventures shared from other travelers. There's walk path across the street to the river and park which was fun to tube down in the summer heat."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dawn and dusk: Multiple campgrounds offer wildlife sightings. At Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver, children can spot "bunnies, bullfrogs" according to Nicole R., making mornings and evenings ideal for animal watching.
Pack for temperature swings: 40° variations: Central Oregon experiences significant day-to-night temperature drops. "It can get pretty cold!" warns Miguel C. about Tumalo State Park, emphasizing the need for warm clothing even during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose higher tiers: At Crown Villa RV Resort, site quality varies significantly by price level. "We felt very confident when we selected the bronze area...because we've stayed in Sun RV Resorts in California before...Unfortunately, Crown Villa bronze category was extremely disappointing. Now if you paid extra for platinum or gold, the spaces were absolutely gorgeous."
Access challenges: Follow specific directions: Some campgrounds have road restrictions. For Crown Villa RV Resort: "Getting here is a challenge but follow the camps directions, NOT Apple or Google (low bridge) but once here - it's worth it. Spacious shaded paved sites, lots of amenities including a free coffee bar."
Hookup placement: Check before selecting: Not all sites have convenient hookup locations. At Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver, one camper noted: "The hookup plugs were really far away though from the spot itself," requiring longer cables and hoses than standard.
