Central Oregon's high desert landscape near Brothers features diverse glamping and camping options across varying elevations from 3,700 to 4,300 feet. The region experiences wide temperature fluctuations with summer days reaching 90°F and nights dropping to 40°F, making layered clothing essential. Winter visitors encounter freezing temperatures and occasional snow, particularly at higher elevations near Paulina Lake and East Lake.
What to do
Stargazing at night skies: Prineville Reservoir State Park offers exceptional dark sky viewing opportunities away from city light pollution. "This is also a dark sky park and if the moon is not bright the stars are amazing. There is a hike you can take along the shore of the reservoir - 4 miles out and back," notes Amy B. from Prineville Reservoir Main Campground.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities across the region. At Bend-Sunriver Thousand Trails, campers report diverse wildlife sightings. "We had deer out back, pikas & pretty yellow birds with redheads," shares B M. during their East Lake stay.
Educational programs: Several campgrounds offer seasonal ranger-led activities. "The educational programs are outstanding! The amenities are well cared for and the surroundings are incredible!" writes Rayne C. about Prineville Reservoir State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Ochoco Lake provides excellent fishing access with specialized facilities. "Nice place to launch a boat and fish or tube. Has an amazingly helpful fish cleaning space! Can even catch fish off the bay," reports Sarah W.
What campers like
Hot springs access: Natural hot springs near Paulina Lake offer unique relaxation spots. Visitors can hike to these geothermal features for a warming soak, especially welcome during cooler months.
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and showers rank high in camper satisfaction. "Very good restrooms and showers. Very quiet at night. Some minor background road noise beginning around 7am," reports Leonard H. about Tumalo State Park Campground.
Spacious campsites: Many locations provide adequate space between sites. At LaPine State Park Campground, "the back sites are very spacious. Pull through sites offer little privacy and some of those are awkward to situate your RV," advises Jeff M.
Grassy areas: Several campgrounds maintain grass areas for activities. "We love going to Prineville Reservoir State Park because it isn't too big- lots of grassy spaces, great boating and beach area," shares Lesa H.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak summer months. "Must book on ReserveAmerica.com. Drove around to select potential sites then confirmed open and booked online," explains Leonard H. about Tumalo State Park.
Temperature variations: Significant day-to-night temperature swings occur year-round. "I go every spring and get a spot overlooking the lake/reservoir. It is very dry and dusty but it is the high desert after all," notes Amy B. about Prineville.
Road conditions: Some access roads can be challenging. At Ochoco Lake County Park, visitors should note that "road noise is SO bad" according to Lucci L., while Kelly N. warns about Prineville Reservoir: "Make sure to look at a map before headed out because GPS will take you on a dirt road adventure to your campsite."
Water levels: Lake and reservoir levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting water activities. "Lake is pretty when full," notes Brad E. about Ochoco Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Designated swimming zones provide safer water access for children. "The swim area is marked and dogs are not allowed in that area so you don't have to worry about dog messes where your kiddos are walking barefoot and swimming," explains Lesa H. about Prineville Reservoir.
Activity options: Multiple recreation choices keep all ages engaged. "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.
Site selection: Choose locations based on bathroom proximity when camping with children. At BEND FS 4610 Dispersed, "there are miles of trails to go explore on and find the perfect spot for you," advises Connor H., making it suitable for families who want more space.
Safety considerations: Check for specific hazards at each location. "Super dusty. It just gets all over everything. Spent an extra hour packing up just to wipe things down," warns Chelsie about dispersed camping areas, which might affect children with respiratory sensitivities.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the region. At Deschute County Expo RV Park, "Fantastic showers, laundry and friendly staff. This is one of the best stops if you are visiting Redmond or the Bend, OR area," according to Lee O.
Site leveling needs: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. "The site was level, only needed 2 inch lift to level left side," reports Jeff C. about Bend-Sunriver Thousand Trails.
Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal. "They have no dump station on site," warns Bri about Cascade Meadows RV Resort, while Leonard H. notes about Tumalo: "If have tent site, nearest dump station is CampingWorld... only a few miles away at north side of Bend."
Parking configurations: Site layouts vary significantly between campgrounds. "The individual sites are pretty spacious and have a decent amount of trees," notes Christie U. about Bend-Sunriver, while at Deschute County Expo RV Park, "people insist on parking their vehicles in front of their rigs instead of the parking areas, making it difficult to maneuver around the loops," according to Mimi.
Traveler
