Glamping options close to Chemult, Oregon offer visitors comfortable camping experiences at elevations between 4,000-4,800 feet in the Deschutes National Forest. The region experiences significant temperature swings between day and night, with summer days reaching the 80s but dropping to 40°F after sunset. Most upscale camping facilities operate seasonally from late May through September due to heavy winter snowfall.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Campers at LaPine State Park Campground enjoy easy trail access directly from campgrounds. "Great flat trails for beginner mountain biking. Geocaches, showers, but they turned off the water mid October to mid April," notes a visitor who appreciates the recreational options.
Winter activities: The area transforms during colder months with opportunities for snow sports. "We stayed here in the winter in our camper van and enjoyed the electrical hook up for hearing and cooking inside our van. Only one loop of the campground is open in the winter and water is turned off at the sites except for one central location," reports a winter visitor to LaPine State Park.
Evening stargazing: Dark skies at Summit Lake Campground provide exceptional nighttime viewing. A camper shares, "Very peaceful location, breathtaking views, and great kayaking and SUP." The remote location limits light pollution, making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.
What campers like
Private beach areas: Lakeside sites at Sunset Cove Campground offer direct water access. "We were directly on the water which was amazing!! Our site was ok, they had recently cut down a large shrub? There was a lot of debris, sticks, and stumps that you had to walk through in order to get to our fire pit and picnic table," one visitor noted about their waterfront experience.
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms at Crescent Lake Campground. "Camp host is awesome (Summer of 2020) and bathrooms (outhouses) are cleaned every morning. Potable water available all over the campground," shares a camper who appreciated the maintenance standards.
Last-minute availability: Several campgrounds offer non-reservation sites for spontaneous trips. "We came on Sunday with no reservations and found a spot. Only $16 per night! Cell service is decent with around 10-16 Mbps. I have Verizon and Att," reports a Diamond Lake visitor who secured a spot without planning ahead.
What you should know
High elevation effects: The region's higher altitude means significant temperature drops after sunset, even in summer. "It gets cold here at night even in the summer. Waking up by the lake is magical. It was foggy last time we were there and all you could see was one sail boat silhouetted on the lake," shares a visitor to Crescent Lake.
Insect preparation: Bug activity peaks in early summer near water sources. "The only complaint we had was the mosquitos. We used an entire bottle of bug spray and I still walked away with dozens of welts. We built a fire that seemed to push the mosquitos out but drew in the noseeums," warns a Thielson Forest Camp visitor.
Road conditions: Some of the more remote glamping options near Chemult require careful driving. A Summit Lake visitor advises, "We drove in from I-5 through Oakridge Highway 58 to FS Road 21 to FS Road 2154 to FS Road 398. Total distance once you get off Highway 58 and onto FS Road 21 is approximately 40 miles."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple recreation options: Families appreciate areas with diverse activities. "Hiking. Fishing. Exploring. There's a few cool attractions we didn't know about. HUGE tree! Campsites are spread out. Pet friendly," reports a LaPine State Park visitor describing family-friendly features.
Lake swimming access: Look for sites with gradual water entry for safer swimming with children. "This campground has beautiful lake views, access to bathrooms and showers, and ice cream and firewood just a walk or bike ride away! The only complaint I have is there's a lot of mosquitoes," notes a Diamond Lake camper.
Site selection for privacy: Families often prefer more secluded spots. "The sites by the lake appeared to be much larger than the ones further up the hill. Thankfully we had two sites because on the map, it looked like both sites had a pull through area for cars, but the first one had 'parking' which was just an enlarged shoulder," advises a visitor about site selection at Diamond Lake.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup information: Most luxury glamping sites near Chemult offer partial hookups only. "We stayed in one of the cabins, it was clean and made a nice getaway for a couple days. Bathrooms are a long walk in the middle of the night so I should have chosen a cabin with bathroom," advises a visitor to Millsite Forest Dispersed Camping.
Clearance considerations: RV travelers should note road conditions to more remote glamping locations. "Lost creek campground is a really great campground. It's a little bit out of the way and the road leading up to it is a small gravel road that has some serious potholes, but we had no trouble getting there in our car," shares a visitor describing access challenges.
Seasonal limitations: Winter access is restricted at most glamping sites. "Cozy place great for large groups. Has every thing a campground needs," notes a visitor to Christmas Valley Base Camp, one of the few facilities offering year-round access with heated accommodations.
