Camping spots near Chemult, Oregon feature forest service campgrounds that range from 4,700 feet to over 7,000 feet in elevation. The Deschutes National Forest surroundings create distinct seasonal patterns with limited cell service throughout most dispersed camping areas. Forest Road access varies significantly with fall and spring conditions often creating rough, rutted terrain in many locations.
What to do
Fishing at Miller Lake: Drive about 11 miles on a dirt road past Walt Haring Sno-Park & Campground to reach Miller Lake for excellent fishing. "Lots of good fishing, kayaking and boating. Big campsites with some beachfronts," shares one camper about nearby Digit Point Campground.
OHV trails: Access a network of off-highway vehicle trails directly from the campgrounds. A visitor to Big Pines RV Park notes, "If you ride OHVs there is a trailhead connected to the Gilchrist Forest with tons of great riding and a lot of non-technical smoother dirt roads for little ones in training."
Stargazing: Take advantage of the minimal light pollution for exceptional night sky viewing. "Get in before 4pm and it's probably yours," mentions a camper about the upper areas of Mount Thielsen Wilderness, adding "If you do make it to the top, there's great views and cell service."
Cross-country skiing: During winter months, the snow-covered trails provide excellent cross-country skiing opportunities. One visitor noted, "Nice network of cross-county trails and large parking lot" at Walt Haring Sno-Park & Campground.
What campers like
Well-spaced sites: Campers consistently mention the generous spacing between sites. "This campground is huge! Well maintained restrooms with flushing toilets," reports a visitor about Broken Arrow Campground, adding that "Nice large sites with picnic tables and fire rings" make it comfortable.
Proximity to attractions: The central location between multiple destinations makes these camping spots practical bases. "Great location as it is a short drive to the North Entrance to Crater Lake," shares a Broken Arrow Campground guest.
Quiet atmosphere: Most camping areas maintain a peaceful environment even when partially full. At NF-70 Dispersed Camping, a camper reports, "I spent a Thursday night here and it was almost completely empty. I only saw one person drive down the forest road. Good cell service for T-Mobile."
Hot showers: Several established campgrounds offer well-maintained shower facilities. A Diamond Lake visitor specifically praised the "Hot shower water pressure was pretty amazing" while another mentioned the "showers and bathrooms were clean and well maintained."
What you should know
Mosquitoes: Be prepared for intense mosquito activity, particularly in early summer. A Digit Point Campground visitor warns, "Put on repellent before you get out of the car!" while a Broken Arrow Campground camper counted "22 mosquitos on my back!"
Cell service: Coverage varies dramatically between locations. NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP offers "solid T-mobile coverage" according to one visitor, while at another location a reviewer cautions, "The only knock is that cell service is very poor."
Water access: Many campgrounds lack running water, requiring advance planning. A Mount Thielsen Wilderness camper advises, "There were no frills with this campground other than the location itself. No restrooms, no running water, nothing!"
Cold nights: Even summer temperatures drop significantly after dark. A visitor to Broken Arrow Campground reports, "We found it surprisingly cool at night for it being July. Temps dropped in the the low 30's both nights."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible trails: Several campgrounds offer paved or level trails suitable for all abilities. A camper notes Broken Arrow Campground has "paved roads and parking pads" with "clean, quiet, paved level trails for miles around lake."
Reservations strategy: During peak seasons, arrive early for first-come, first-served sites. A visitor to Mazama Village Campground recommends, "We knew campsites were FCFS so we arrived by noon and formed a line. At 2pm park staff opened up and we were lucky to get a spot."
Bathroom facilities: Established campgrounds typically maintain clean facilities. A Big Pines RV Park visitor notes, "Showers are nice, old houses converted to showers. So they have more of a 'home' feel to them. Rather than the 'public shower' a lot of places have."
Wildlife viewing: The campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Chipmunks everywhere :)" reports one visitor to Broken Arrow Campground, creating entertainment for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Many campgrounds offer relatively level spots suitable for RVs. A visitor to NF-70 Dispersed Camping reports, "This specific spot and others nearby were occupied. Kept driving and in less than a mile found a spot all to ourselves. Huge site, perfectly level, in the woods."
Road conditions: Forest road access varies significantly with seasons. A reviewer cautions about Digit Point Campground, "The gravel road to get out here is very long and bumpy; you could probably make it in any vehicle, but it's arduous."
Hookup options: Some areas offer various utility connections. Big Pines RV Park includes "partial & full hookups. Wifi & cable hookups as well. Good cel coverage in area too," notes a visitor.
Dump stations: Several established campgrounds provide dump stations, though availability is seasonal. A Walt Haring Sno-Park camper mentions, "It has a dump station (seasonal) and fresh water spickets (not sure if you could hook a hose to them). The parking area sites are huge."
