Tumalo State Park Campground sits at 3,260 feet elevation in the high desert of Central Oregon, where summer temperatures can reach the 90s and winter nights often drop below freezing. The campground's location along the Tumalo River positions it between the volcanic Cascade Range to the west and the desert plateau to the east. Juniper trees and sagebrush populate the surrounding terrain, providing minimal shade during hot summer days.
What to do
Mountain biking on nearby trails: Access extensive trail networks directly from BEND FS 4610 Dispersed camping area. "Extensive mountain biking trials throughout as well," notes Kaitlin B. This dispersed camping option puts you minutes from Bend's renowned single-track.
Hiking Matt's Trail: Walk along canyon views at Crooked River Ranch. "There's a nice walking trail (Matt's Trail) that takes you around the campground along the canyon edge (level: easy). There's also a BLM trail (Crooked River Trail) you can access from the campground that takes you down to the water," explains Kelsey G.
Paddle boarding and boating: Launch from The Cove Palisades State Park where the marina rents equipment and has moorage. "There are 3 places to launch a boat - Lower Deschutes, Upper Deschutes and Crooked River. The Marina also rents boat moorages, boats, water toys, and Houseboats," shares Patti S.
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at multiple spots within 30 minutes of downtown Bend. LaPine State Park offers river access for anglers, while Prineville Reservoir provides both bank and boat fishing. "They have the best fishing dock and cleaning station that I have yet to see. We had great luck catching many crappie here which made great fish tacos for our Camp dinner," reports Kelly N.
What campers like
Off-grid camping with services: Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver balances wilderness with amenities. "We enjoyed the campground, we will stay again next time we are in the area. Activities we enjoyed at the campground to keep busy was frisbee golf, mini-golf, a nice swimming pool and restroom with showers within a few minutes of our site," shares Jeff C.
Convenient location for supplies: Easy access to provisions makes extended stays comfortable. "Close to Sunriver (~10 min) and Bend (~20 min) making an afternoon in town, a river float, or snagging groceries easy," notes Tiffany B. about Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver.
Modern bathroom facilities: Clean facilities enhance the glamping experience across multiple sites. At Deschutes County Expo RV Park, "A nice place to stay! Everything was clean. The washers and dryers use cards, no coins. As a woman solo traveler, I felt safe and secure. Even pulling in at 1AM," says Soph W.
Dark sky viewing: Prineville Reservoir offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. "This is also a dark sky park and if the moon is not bright the stars are amazing," explains Amy B. The clear high desert air and minimal light pollution create ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
Limited shade at many sites: Central Oregon's high desert climate means sparse tree cover. At Cascade Meadows RV Resort, a visitor noted, "The one thing that you should be aware of, is there is very little shade." Plan accordingly with sun protection during summer months.
Seasonal access limitations: Some campgrounds operate on restricted schedules. Devils Lake Campground near Bend is only open "June to October" according to its listing, while other dispersed options may become inaccessible during winter months.
Water management: Despite riverside locations, many sites require conservation. "It is very dry and dusty but it is the high desert after all," notes Brandie W. about LaPine State Park. Bring extra water for dry camping areas.
Reservation requirements: Popular glamping options fill quickly, especially during summer. "Must book on ReserveAmerica.com. Drove around to select potential sites then confirmed open and booked online," advises Leonard H.
Tips for camping with families
Junior Ranger opportunities: LaPine State Park Campground offers educational programs for children. "We stayed in one of the cabins, it was clean and made a nice getaway for a couple days," shares Patricia N. The park's interpretive programs run throughout summer.
Swimming access considerations: Look for designated swimming areas with safety features. At The Cove Palisades State Park, "They put on a power point for the kids about local animals. There were multiple day use areas to swim at just a two minute drive from there," explains Troy B.
Pet restrictions at beaches: Many water access points limit dogs. "They don't allow dogs at the 'beaches' which sucks because that's the only place kids can comfortably swim," notes Troy B. about The Cove Palisades.
Campground-based activities: Some sites offer built-in entertainment. At Thousand Trails, "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!" shares Nicole R.
Tips from RVers
Temperature fluctuations: Prepare for wide daily temperature swings. At Devils Lake Campground, Miguel C. advises, "Make sure to bring warm clothes though--it can get pretty cold!" Even summer nights can drop into the 40s at higher elevations.
Dusty conditions: Many campsites have minimal ground cover. At FS 4610 Dispersed, one camper warned, "Super super dusty. It just gets all over everything. Spent an extra hour packing up just to wipe things down." Bring tarps and cleaning supplies.
Site selection strategy: Research specific campsite characteristics before booking. "The sites are close but not as bad as some. 16 miles from Bend so good place to explore from," notes Charles A. about Deschutes County Expo RV Park.
Early booking essential: Secure glamping near Bend, Oregon well in advance. "We stayed here for 6 days. The individual sites are pretty spacious and have a decent amount of trees," reports Christie U., though many popular sites book months ahead.
