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Best Tent Camping near Bend, OR

1,287 Reviews

Tent camping options surrounding Bend, Oregon range from established sites to dispersed locations on public lands. Meissner Sno-Park serves as a base for tent camping with vault toilets available, while dispersed areas like Badlands Rock Camping and FS Rd 1514 offer more primitive experiences without amenities. Smith Rock State Park Campground provides walk-in tent sites with more developed facilities including showers and drinking water.

Most primitive tent sites around Bend lack amenities, requiring campers to pack in water and pack out waste. Sites typically consist of cleared dirt or gravel areas with minimal improvements. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry summer months. Vault toilets are available at some locations like the Upper Three Creek Sno-Park, but most dispersed areas have no facilities whatsoever. One camper noted that "it can get pretty dusty when the wind picks up" at dispersed sites near Sisters, highlighting the need for secure tent stakes and proper site selection.

Backcountry tent camping near Bend offers varying levels of solitude depending on season and proximity to town. Areas east of Bend in the Badlands provide desert landscapes with juniper trees and sagebrush surroundings. According to reviews on The Dyrt, "sites may be somewhat exposed" but typically offer quiet experiences with minimal noise. Winter campers should prepare for significantly colder temperatures at higher elevations, as visitors have reported unexpected snowfall even in March. The dispersed camping areas off Forest Service roads west of Sisters provide mountain views and flat terrain suitable for tent setups, serving as excellent bases for hiking, mountain biking, or snowshoeing depending on the season.

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Best Tent Sites Near Bend, Oregon (79)

    1. Smith Rock State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Terrebonne, OR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 548-7501

    $8 / night

    "The Climber's Bivouac is a walk-in campground located on a rim next to the Crooked River right in the heart of Smith Rock State Park."

    "Walk-in site (the Bivy) is chill. walk-in, pitch tent, done. Yeah you have a lot of neighbors, but people are nice and the price is right ($8 per night for up to two weeks)."

    2. Dispersed Rock Quary

    7 Reviews
    Sunriver, OR
    14 miles

    "One of the few places near Bend that was actually open for disperse camping in the winter. We stayed in a nice sight just across from the quarry, right by the turn around area."

    "Plenty of areas to set up camp with an RV or tent, but obviously you won't run into any other amenities."

    3. Badlands Rock Camping

    7 Reviews
    Bend, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "This is about 20 minutes east of Bend Oregon. You have a number of options here. Right off the road there is a lot where I saw an RV camped. I’m sure there would be some road noise there."

    "Woke up to a beautiful sunrise and fire in the fire ring with wood another camper had left. The perfect pit stop going into the city!"

    4. Meissner Sno-Park/Trailhead

    3 Reviews
    Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 383-5300

    "There is dispersed camping around the area. We found a site that was shaded by trees with no neighbors."

    "Luckily we already had an Oregon sno-park permit so we were able to put it to good use in this area."

    5. Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Terrebonne, OR
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "No water or vault toilets, only by the day-use area/trailhead. We camped on SW Steelhead Falls Dr."

    "The sites on the West side, nearest the river are "walk in" but if you're able-bodied it's a short distance to lug gear. Nothing difficult or time consuming."

    6. Harrington Loop Rd - Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Cloverdale, OR
    16 miles
    Website

    "There are fire rings at some sites. Plenty of room for a larger 5th wheel as well. It can get pretty dusty though when the wind picks up."

    "Plenty of places to park and car camp or set up a tent. Lights from a nearby building keep most of the area somewhat visible, but not enough to disturb you while you sleep."

    7. FS Rd 1514 Dispersed camping

    3 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    18 miles

    "We spent some time driving around the Sisters area looking for a spot with a view.  Found a beauty!  The area is large enough for several rigs, including large ones. "

    "Great view of the mountains with access to other view points. Only issue is the provided GPS coordinate isn't correct. It send me close by but down a long awful gravel road."

    8. Swampy Lakes Sno-Park/Trailhead

    1 Review
    Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 383-5300

    9. Palisades Campground

    7 Reviews
    Prineville, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "They have good spacing and require very little leveling.  Many are pull through, a few back in.  I camped before Memorial Day, so it was very quiet. "

    "Sites are well spaced, many with excellent access and views of the river a few feet away. Cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen. Can barely hear the few cars that do go by."

    10. Upper Three Creek Sno-Park

    1 Review
    Sisters, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 549-7700

    "This is a large lot with access to trails. Came here during the summer so there was no snow, and the lodge was closed. But it’s a good quick stopover place with bathrooms available."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Bend, OR

32 Photos of 79 Bend Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Bend, OR

1287 Reviews of 79 Bend Campgrounds

  • Robert D.
    Sep. 30, 2023

    East Lake Campground

    A great camping spot by the lake.

    Our first time here at East Lake Campground in the last week of September 2023 just 1 day before the park closed for the season. Because East Lake Campground is 6500 feet in elevation the nights were very cold, from 44 to 31 degrees but normally the days were in the morning windy and about 62*. The camp has 29 sites and NO hookups.

    There is flush toilets, NO showers, but had drinking water. East Lake also had 1 boat launch but the water was very low, some 40' down from the edge of the bank to the water. Great fishing and a great place for kayaks. Each site has a picnic table and fireplace. Most Sites on the lake side has pull-thru that were about 50' long. Some back-in sites were only 35'. Very quite campground and not too close to each others camp site. We camped at East Lake Campground in a Travel Trailer.

    Restrooms Flush toilets, faucet water. No hookups, No electric, No water hookup, No sewer hookup. You can fill your water tank FREE at the ($10) Dump Station so you don't have the weight in your rig. Dog-friendliness Lots of space to run and play.

  • Rick L.
    Feb. 13, 2018

    Odell Lake Lodge & Resort Campground

    Cold Spring and a Great Hike

    I've been to Odell twice but always seem to pick a weekend with weather that makes you want to stay in your sleeping bag!

    The campsites at Odell are a little on the smaller side and may not have the trees your looking for to hang a hammock. Not that you should if you're camping any time earlier than July!

    The southeast side of Odell can be subject to cold winds coming off the lake, so be sure to keep that rain fly up on your tent and a fleece handy. If you're feeling a little too chilly, the resort keeps a fire burning in the den.

    There are plenty of snowshoe trails around Odell as well as some hiking trails in the Diamond Peak wilderness that also connect to the PCT. The trail we took did give us a bit of elevation gain and later some nice views of the smaller peaks in the area.

    If you're planning to camp here, bring warm clothing and rain gear! It may be a bit chilly, but the nice hikes in the area make it all the more worth it to get up and get moving.

  • Mavrick S.
    Oct. 5, 2019

    Scott Lake Campground

    Stunning!

    So when I first found this campground I wasn't sure what to expect being as reviews and info were sparse so I'll do me best to sum it up. Things to know that arent stated. It is free may require NW forest pass. It's a drive, hike, bike and walk in. I didn't see any spots big enough for RV but there is space to park that isn't officially a site.

    Location: Beautiful sits about 5,000 feet right off McKenzie Pass Road (closed from November to June)

    Sites: I saw 6 drive in with fire ring, picnic table also 2 vault toilets.... There's more walk/ hike in but we had to much gear to do that.

    Directions: Very easy to find spots all along lake and Google maps took us right to spots.

    Activities: Great! Had a kayak/boat launch also had the Scott Mountain TH right there within 1/4 walking distance on dirt road. It seems that a forest fire was pretty recent ontop but the grounds seemed kind of untouched

    Warnings: This was my first time up this pass. Elevation is very high which means incremental weather. Aka woke up in October with snow which happened to us.

    Overall 5 stars must visit. We will be coming back next year when less snow and road reopens

  • Karma S.
    Aug. 19, 2018

    Crane Prairie Campground

    beautiful views! dispersed camping

    beautiful views of the cascade mountains, gorgeous reservoir. free camping. dispersed, first come first serve. no amenities. LEAVE NO TRACE!!!!

    road is a bit rough but I made it in with a Honda Accord though I wouldn’t recommend for low clearance vehicles.

    fire rings available during burn seasons. plenty of fire wood. please do not burn during no burn/dry seasons. the forest is very dry!

    bring plenty of water during the summer it’s very hot and dry. you can probably drink the reservoir water if you bring a good filter.

  • Pat S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Little Crater Campground

    Right on Paulina Lake

    This CG is right on Paulina lake in the middle of Newberry Crater. There are 50 sites along the shoreline. They all have the standard picnic table and fire ring. We had the first site on the left as you enter the CG. It had a great view of the lake and surrounding ridgeline and Paulina Peak. It also allows for a wonderful sunset.

    The campground is generally crowded. The sites are decent but you will have other campers relatively close, The CG is easily accessed by foot, car or boat. It does have a boat ramp. RV's / Campers can get into most sites. There are 5 Vault toilets, drinking water, no showers, no hook ups. each site is in close walking distance to the lake. The CG is accessible to various trails in the area including the Big Obsidian Flow trail. A bonus hike should be taken to the Paulina Lake hot springs on the north side of the lake. You can also get to the hot springs by boat.

  • Brandie W.
    May. 13, 2019

    North Davis Creek Campground

    Nice lake to kayak on

    Campground is a more rustic/primitive camping experience. It does accommodate small to mid -size rv but there is no hookups. Drinking water faucets, vault toilets, picnic tables, and firepits are the only available services. Quiet and flat lake for kayak,canoe, and fishing. Nice beach area for kids to play. Close to Crane Prairie Resort if you need supplies or showers.

  • A
    Mar. 22, 2021

    Dispersed Rock Quary

    Nice Site

    One of the few places near Bend that was actually open for disperse camping in the winter. We stayed in a nice sight just across from the quarry, right by the turn around area. It was great for tent camping. Just beware that this is higher elevation and colder than Bend. We were unexpectedly snowed on in March! Also beware that some people use the quarry as a shooting range in the mornings, about 8am (safe distance away), but it's a good alarm if you're not already awake!

  • Kayko S.
    Jul. 14, 2016

    Allen Springs Campground

    Beautiful River Location in a rustic campground

    There are several National Park owned campgrounds along the Metolius River this one might be the the prettiest view in my opinion. It's on a bend in the river and still 20 minutes to the town of Sisters.

    If you would like to be closer to town the Allingham Campground on the river is only 10 minutes to town. The sites at Allingham are more suited for RV's and trailers if you are traveling big. Allen Springs has some easy pull in car camping spots and some walk in tent sites. It's located on a bend in the river so the view of the river is stunning. We even saw painters set up along the river to capture it's beauty.

    The campground itself is somewhat primitive like other National park sites. Pit toilets but no water.

  • Thomas B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Deschutes River Overlook Dispersed Camping

    Handy Stopping Point

    We kind of stumbled into this free spot while heading to a more formal campground near Pelton Dam. As the daylight faded I spotted a pullout/turnaround area which then led to a rather private loop with a great view of the Deschutes River and Lake Simtustus. I had to confirm with the Dyrt BLM map overlay, but I was glad to find myself on public land. It’s not really a place I’d choose to spend more than one night, since it doesn’t really connect to any trails or walking areas, but it was a handy en-route overnight spot, complete with a nice view and bright sunset. It’s only a few miles off Rt. 26, following signs to Pelton Dam. There was plenty of room to turn around my 26’ skoolie. However, I didn’t really see a good place for a tent, but I didn’t look very hard. There were signs of previous users, including a fire ring (which I didn’t use). Since it was the eve of Earth Day, I did collect a bagful of empty cans and trash. Leave no trace, people!

Guide to Bend

Bend, Oregon, is a fantastic destination for tent camping, offering a variety of scenic spots surrounded by nature. Whether you're looking for amenities or a more rustic experience, there's something for everyone.

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Tips for tent camping near Bend

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bend, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bend, OR is Smith Rock State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 36 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Bend, OR?

TheDyrt.com has all 79 tent camping locations near Bend, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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