Paddlers, anglers, and cyclists all find reason to base camp at Blue Bay, which sits on the shore of Suttle Lake in Deschutes National Forest. A 3.6-mile trail loops the entire lake and runs directly past the sites, with the water on one side and the campground on the other. Canoes, kayaks, and bikes can be rented nearby at the Suttle Lake Boathouse and Lodge, which also gives campers access to a small deli and camp store when the cooking gets old.
Blue Bay is the smallest of three campgrounds on Suttle Lake. Sites are generally spacious, with large fire pits equipped with hinged grills, and most have views across the water. Reviewers consistently single out sites 1 through 11 as the strongest in the camp, with the lakeside spots offering the most direct water access. The campground runs two loops: sites 1 through 17 are reservable, while sites 19 through 25 are walk-up only. "Campsites are spacious and most have lovely views of the lake," notes Gayle M., who also points out that the Suttle Lake Lodge is nearby for additional amenities. Mosquitoes are a consistent presence across reviews, so bug repellent is worth packing.
Highway 20 runs along the opposite shore, and the sound carries across the water. It functions more like background white noise than a disruptive intrusion for most campers, but light sleepers should factor this in. The campground sits at a slightly higher elevation than the lake, and some sites require a short walk down to the water's edge. South Shore is the closest neighboring campground, roughly a quarter mile west, for those considering alternatives on the same lake.
Reservations fill quickly here. Ashley B. notes that booking six months out left all lakeside sites already taken. The season runs mid-May through late September, and RVs up to 50 feet are accommodated, though the horseshoe-shaped driveway on at least one site makes pull-through maneuvering tight. Firewood bundles are available on-site but cost more than in Camp Sherman, so stocking up before arrival can save money.
Description
Overview
Blue Bay Campground is situated in a diverse forest of pine and fir on the south shore of Suttle Lake in Deschutes National Forest. Its proximity to high alpine lakes, lush forests and towering peaks in nearby wilderness areas make it a popular destination for individual and group camping excursions.
Recreation
Popular activities in the area include hiking, fishing and motorized boating in the summer months, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.Numerous non-motorized trails can be accessed from the campground and in the surrounding area. The 3.2-mile Suttle Lake Loop Trail meanders through the developed recreation areas on Suttle Lake. The trail follows the wooded shoreline of the lake, providing opportunities for fishing or picnicking along the way.For fishing, boats are most commonly used on Suttle Lake. Float tubes are adequate, and wading is possible in some areas. A few areas are fishable from shore. The lake sustains an excellent population of naturally reproducing kokanee, brown trout, whitefish and crayfish.The campground has a shallow boat ramp area, and most campsites have easy access to the waterfront. Motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed on Suttle Lake.
Facilities
Blue Bay Campground offers standard sites that accommodate both tents and RVs, but no hookups are available. Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.
Natural Features
Suttle Lake is surrounded by mixed conifer forest. Its waters are deep and clear, formed in a terminal moraine, deposited by glacial ice about 25,000 years ago. Lake Creek flows eastward from Suttle Lake to the Metolius River. The clear, cold Metolius flows north from headwater springs through diverse coniferous forests and a volcanic landscape with extinct volcanoes, cinder cones, calderas and ancient lava flows.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors can explore wilderness areas, lakes, reservoirs, wild and scenic rivers and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres within the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest.
Fee Info
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires. Generators with an approved spark arrestor and fires or stoves that use liquid petroleum (LPG) fuels are permitted.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBlue Bay is located in Oregon near Camp Sherman
Public CampgroundDirections
From Sisters, travel approximately 13 miles northwest on Highway 20/126. Turn left onto Forest Road 2070 (Suttle Lake Campgrounds). Travel just less than 1/2-mile to Blue Bay entrance on the right.
Address
PO BOX 249
Sisters, OR 97759
Coordinates
44.42 N
121.7319444 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 9/12/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 9/12/26
AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 9/12/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 9/12/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 9/12/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 9/12/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 40 min from Bend, OR
- 1 hr 37 min from Albany, OR
- 1 hr 39 min from Eugene, OR
- 1 hr 59 min from Salem, OR
