Christmas Valley, OR is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Christmas Valley. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Christmas Valley camping trip.
Featuring panoramic views of the lava flows, cinder cones, and the desert landscape of the Fort Rock and Christmas Valley area of central Oregon, the Green Mountain Campground offers a remote camping experience perfect for photography, solitude and stargazing. Whether using it as a basecamp for exploring nearby attractions like Crack-in-the-Ground and the Four Craters Lava Field, or simply seeking an out-of-the-way site with stunning sunrises and sunsets, visitors willing to brave its rough access road will not be disappointed.
Open Season Green Mountain Campground is open YEAR ROUND. Four-wheel Drive Vehicles Recommended. Access is via rugged dirt roads that may be impassable at times. 6 primitive campsites with picnic tables and fire grates; first come, first serve. Vault Restroom. No Drinking Water available. Pack Out Your Trash. The Nearest Services are in the nearby towns of Christmas Valley Oregon. BLM___s Crack-in-the-Ground Trailhead located nearby.
There is an active fire lookout atop nearby Green Mountain that is staffed from June through October.
A 20 acre retreat in Oregons Outback with many historical sites around. Bring your group or family or work team we can help with team building and couple strengthening.
Within 30 minutes a few of many attractions are Fort Rock, Oregons famous Crack in the Ground, 11,000 acres of sand dunes, several hot springs including a natural geiser.
$15 - $25 / night
Situated on the edge of the beautiful Paulina Lake, Little Crater Campground is conveniently located within Newberry National Monument. Visitors to this area are taken aback by the incredible views this area has to offer, highlighting volcanic landscapes intermixed with diverse forests, typical of central Oregon. Popular for both its geological significance and multitude of recreational activities, Little Crater Campground is ideal for individual and family camping excursions. If you are visiting Oregon with the aim of getting the best camping experience, this might be it. Offering campsites next to Paulina Lake, activities available at this campground include hiking, bird watching, bicycling, sightseeing and access to nearby trails. For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159
The unique location of Little Crater Campground offers visitors opportunities to hike shoreline trails and alpine vistas. Visitors can also take advantage of time on the lake, boating, kayaking, swimming and fishing. For anglers, this lake offers fantastic fishing opportunities. Spanning a surface area of 1,531 acres, the lake supports rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon. In September, the outlet of Paulina Lake may be choked with Kokanee moving to spawn in Paulina Creek.
Paulina Lake is located within the collapsed calder of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, this caldera encircles the basins of Paulina Lake and its twin, East Lake. Neither lake receives water from an inlet or stream - instead both rely on rain, snowmelt and hot springs for water. Paulina Creek flows from the lake and has chiseled a narrow gorge through the caldera's west wall creating a remarkable twin waterfall. Thermal vents and hot springs along the lake's northeast edge help create a highly productive ecosystem. The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support a variety of wildlife, including porcupine, bighorn sheep, deer, bats native fish, migratory birds and even the occasional black bear.
Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can explore the Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet (1,588 m) in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 323-1746.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$18 - $29 / night
Paulina Lake Campground is located 6,350 ft. above sea level in the caldera of Newberry Volcano, on the edge of the beautiful Paulina Lake. Conveniently located within Newberry National Monument, visitors to this area are taken aback by the incredible views this has to offer, highlighting volcanic landscapes intermixed with diverse forests, typical of central Oregon. Popular for both its geological significance and multitude of recreational activities, Paulina Lake Campground is ideal for individual and family camping excursions. For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159
The unique location of Paulina Lake Campground offers visitors opportunities to hike shoreline trails and alpine vistas. Visitors can also take advantage of time on the lake, boating, kayaking and fishing.For anglers, this lake offers fantastic fishing opportunities. Spanning a surface area of 1,531 acres, the lake supports rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon. In September, the outlet of Paulina Lake may be choked with Kokanee moving to spawn in Paulina Creek.
Paulina Lake is located within the collapsed crater, or "caldera" of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, this caldera encircles the basins of Paulina Lake, and its twin, East Lake. Neither lake receives water from an inlet stream, but instead, rely on rain, snowmelt and hot springs for water. Paulina Creek drains the lake and has chiseled a narrow gorge through the caldera's west wall creating a remarkable twin waterfall. Thermal vents and hot springs along the lake's northeast edge help create a highly productive ecosystem. Wetlands, diverse forests, and rocky slopes near the campground provide a necessary habitat for shorebirds, porcupine, deer, bats and the occasional black bear.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 323-1746.
Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can explore the Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet (1,588 m) in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. A rustic lodge near the campground, operating under a special use permit from the Deschutes National Forest, offers visitors lodging, last minute essentials and a cafe.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$27 - $29 / night
$30 - $40 / night
East side of the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District on the Deschutes National Forest. ACTIVITIES Biking Camping Hiking Horseback Riding Off Highway Vehicle Recreational Vehicles Wildlife Viewing Horse Camping
Crack-in-the-Ground is an ancient volcanic fissure over 2 miles long and up to 70 feet deep. Normally, fissures like this one are filled with soil and rock by the processes of erosion and sedimentation. However, because it is located in such an arid region, very little filling has occurred and Crack-in-the-Ground exists today nearly as it did shortly after its formation thousands of years ago. An established 2 mile trail along the fissure’s bottom offers a unique hike, where the temperature can be as much as twenty degrees cooler than at the surface. Know Before You Go: Open Season Crack-in-the-Ground is open YEAR ROUND. Trail Difficulty is moderate, with a 70’ elevation gain and sand and rock surface. Universal Access Restroom available. No Drinking Water available. Trail Open to foot travel only. Motor Vehicles, Mountain Bikes, and Equestrians are PROHIBITED. Access is via rugged dirt roads that may be impassable at times. Four-wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended. Facilities at the Green Mountain facilities include 6 designated campsites, a vault toilet, picnic tables, and fire grates. This is a primitive campground so please pack out all of your trash. The fire lookout atop Green Mountain is manned from June through October. The nearest services are in Christmas Valley, Oregon. Point of Interest: A trail along the fissure's bottom allows for visitors to hike the crack’s length - and cool off, due to a temperature up to twenty degrees lower than the surface. ADA Access: Restroom
$20 - $250 / night
A 20 acre retreat in Oregons Outback with many historical sites around. Bring your group or family or work team we can help with team building and couple strengthening.
Within 30 minutes a few of many attractions are Fort Rock, Oregons famous Crack in the Ground, 11,000 acres of sand dunes, several hot springs including a natural geiser.
$15 - $25 / night
Situated on the edge of the beautiful Paulina Lake, Little Crater Campground is conveniently located within Newberry National Monument. Visitors to this area are taken aback by the incredible views this area has to offer, highlighting volcanic landscapes intermixed with diverse forests, typical of central Oregon. Popular for both its geological significance and multitude of recreational activities, Little Crater Campground is ideal for individual and family camping excursions. If you are visiting Oregon with the aim of getting the best camping experience, this might be it. Offering campsites next to Paulina Lake, activities available at this campground include hiking, bird watching, bicycling, sightseeing and access to nearby trails. For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159
The unique location of Little Crater Campground offers visitors opportunities to hike shoreline trails and alpine vistas. Visitors can also take advantage of time on the lake, boating, kayaking, swimming and fishing. For anglers, this lake offers fantastic fishing opportunities. Spanning a surface area of 1,531 acres, the lake supports rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon. In September, the outlet of Paulina Lake may be choked with Kokanee moving to spawn in Paulina Creek.
Paulina Lake is located within the collapsed calder of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, this caldera encircles the basins of Paulina Lake and its twin, East Lake. Neither lake receives water from an inlet or stream - instead both rely on rain, snowmelt and hot springs for water. Paulina Creek flows from the lake and has chiseled a narrow gorge through the caldera's west wall creating a remarkable twin waterfall. Thermal vents and hot springs along the lake's northeast edge help create a highly productive ecosystem. The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support a variety of wildlife, including porcupine, bighorn sheep, deer, bats native fish, migratory birds and even the occasional black bear.
Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can explore the Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet (1,588 m) in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 323-1746.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$18 - $29 / night
Paulina Lake Campground is located 6,350 ft. above sea level in the caldera of Newberry Volcano, on the edge of the beautiful Paulina Lake. Conveniently located within Newberry National Monument, visitors to this area are taken aback by the incredible views this has to offer, highlighting volcanic landscapes intermixed with diverse forests, typical of central Oregon. Popular for both its geological significance and multitude of recreational activities, Paulina Lake Campground is ideal for individual and family camping excursions. For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159
The unique location of Paulina Lake Campground offers visitors opportunities to hike shoreline trails and alpine vistas. Visitors can also take advantage of time on the lake, boating, kayaking and fishing.For anglers, this lake offers fantastic fishing opportunities. Spanning a surface area of 1,531 acres, the lake supports rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon. In September, the outlet of Paulina Lake may be choked with Kokanee moving to spawn in Paulina Creek.
Paulina Lake is located within the collapsed crater, or "caldera" of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, this caldera encircles the basins of Paulina Lake, and its twin, East Lake. Neither lake receives water from an inlet stream, but instead, rely on rain, snowmelt and hot springs for water. Paulina Creek drains the lake and has chiseled a narrow gorge through the caldera's west wall creating a remarkable twin waterfall. Thermal vents and hot springs along the lake's northeast edge help create a highly productive ecosystem. Wetlands, diverse forests, and rocky slopes near the campground provide a necessary habitat for shorebirds, porcupine, deer, bats and the occasional black bear.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 323-1746.
Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can explore the Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet (1,588 m) in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. A rustic lodge near the campground, operating under a special use permit from the Deschutes National Forest, offers visitors lodging, last minute essentials and a cafe.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$27 - $29 / night
East side of the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District on the Deschutes National Forest. ACTIVITIES Biking Camping Hiking Horseback Riding Off Highway Vehicle Recreational Vehicles Wildlife Viewing Horse Camping
Legend
Camping at Juniper Camp is free. Easy access to the sand dunes; somewhat rough road into nearby Lost Forest. Best access is from the west. One porta-potty for the whole area; pretty nasty, so best to bring your own toilet system. No designated campsites; set up camp anywhere. This is a popular OHV area. If you are into quiet, wilderness camping, this area is not for you. Very noisy, and you may have to tolerate drunken and behavior, and loud music at night. However, if you are into OHV adventuring, this appears to be a good area to explore on OHVs. Finding a level site for your rig may be challenging, but it's possible. Tent camping is definitely possible. Not enough trees together for hammock camping. No water. Some sporadic T-Mobile service, but good AT&T service.
Legend
Free. Nice location. Except for generator noise from larger rigs on both sides of our site, this free campground is quiet. Only a few campers here. Sites are not numbered. Picnic areas are mixed in. There are a handful of sites. We were in a pull-thru site along the reservoir. Not level, but okay. Clean picnic table & metal firering on site. Gravel campground road & site driveways. The single vault toilet is stocked & reasonably clean. Several cows were grazing in the area. Some waterfowl on the reservoir. Access to campground from Highway 31 is on a wide & well maintained gravel road. There were a few folks bank fishing. Volcanic rock is everywhere; may make tent camping in some spots hard. Didn't see opportunities for hammock camping. Did not see hiking trails. This was a good campground for an overnight stay. Convenient to Highway 31. T-Mobile LTE service. No AT&T cell service.
Guide
Went to top of paulinas peak and the small fires looked to be over 30 miles away. At least there is a public laundry and shower coin operated.
GuideGot restrictions here, although its good if you want to bike or atv. Theres toilets and picknick table with fire pit, but no water source. Requires a permit to park and no camping outside of parking lot.
GuideA quiet dry cold night. A vault toilet and some space to spread out.
Scout
Was by myself on motorcycle. Clear directions, plenty of tables, leveled spaces for tent. Gets cold at night.
Road here was a graded packed dirt, so a but bumpy but 2WD would make it no problem. Enjoyed my stay
Guide
Great, sandy site right on the water, with trees to your back, adding a layer of privacy. Fire ban was in effect but watching the lake during the sunset was a beautiful way to spend our time. Pit toilet was in walking distance and well maintained.
Guide
Strongly advise 4x4 to get up there, stayed outside the hut and surprisingly a lot of flys. Perfect star gazing spot.
ScoutGood campground in a remote part of Central Oregon. Despite being right next to OHV trails, we were the only ones there. Just me, the boys, and the flies.
GuideCamped three nights along with hiking the trails near by. Campground was very quiet with many open spots. Our site was very large and had a beautiful view of the reservoir. We had two eagles that were hanging out in a tree right next to us. It was a real treat to watch the eagles for a few days. I brought my paddle board and enjoyed the peaceful reservoir. The wind does pick up every afternoon so secure your tent. Fishing was amazing and we caught and released many fish back into lake. Bring your own water. There is a pump but it is out of order. We definitely will be coming back. All the near by hiking trails were amazing. Four days on the trails and we didn’t see a sole.
Guide
Along the Oregon Outback cycling route, there are few options for anything but rugged bush camping in this area. The roads are dusty and the scenery beautiful.
Driving into Fort Rock, I saw the sign for RV Park but it was not on any map or service. I went into the bar at the Waterin’ Hole and asked if they had a spot. $35 a night with a 30 amp shore power. No bathroom, but a rather nasty porta-potty. The bar serves bar food and cold drinks. Simple solutions, never a bad thing.
Guide
No frill Forest Service campground in the Fremont-Winemaker National Forest. On a warm June night, it’s a pleasure to have a campground like this entirely to one’s self.
Guide
I stayed here on the first night of the Oregon Outback. It is a very small simple designated camping area with a very clean pit toilet and a few picnic tables but nothing else.
A few loggers and Forest service trucks passed on the road, but mostly traffic was cyclists.
Listened to birds and coyotes and enjoyed being under the canopy of stars. Great little spot.
TravelerI camped on the rim of the hole with my daughter. While we had a good time, and there weren't very many other people around, we arrived after June 1 during a dry year, meaning no campfire. The temperature during the day was around 85, and pretty comfortable, but at night it dropped down to around 40. We were pretty cold since we had counted on a campfire. As for the Hole in the Ground, it is pretty cool, and you can walk the trails down into it and back up. Typical high desert semi forested terrain, decent roads, but bring a map, it's a hole, and therefore not visible until you're right up on it. Our map showed the power poles that run nearby, as well as the railroad tracks. We used those to orient ourselves so as to not get lost. There are no services here, so if you need something, you'd better bring it. We liked it, and will return.
ScoutSuitable for overnight or longer stay.
Some road noise during day
No Campfires - Wildfire Danger
May be blocked by snow in winter
Guide
Beautiful spot in the desert the pool and soaking pools are amazing camping was clean everyone super chill incredible views they are fixing and adding new changing areas in the pool area
Legend
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.
TravelerStopped by in off season to grab a first form first serve site. Super peaceful. Was pretty luck to get a place as it was mostly booked. Great Lake front camping sites. A bunch of trails. Will visit again for sure!
TravelerBeen camping here for a week at a time for 20 years, during the summers. Fire about 10+ years ago took out the outhouse. If it rains, you most likely will be there till the road into the campsite dries out. Deep ruts in the road now, so regular cars aren't recommended.
Two campsites, but Forest Service says 3. One site has no shade in the middle of the day. Other site has a picnic table, but it may or may not be in usable shape.
No services of any kind - cell, WiFi, RV hookups, etc. You can be there for several days and not see anyone.
TravelerThis campsite is dry camping. Silver Creek may be dry, as it has been since 2021. No facilities other than a picnic table. No Cell, No WiFi, etc. If you like totally 'being away from it all,' this is your place, if you can get there.
Ranger
Quiet little campground with a creek running through it. Follow it through the campsite and you’ll find a secret waterfall! Would be a solid launching point for exploring Newberry Caldera.
Ranger
Nice little campground, I was there on a Tuesday night so it was nice and quiet but I was told it gets a bit roudy on the weekend. Good but spotty service with Verizon. Dump station, laundry, showers, and ice for sale. Laundry is open to the public. Showers are open to non-guests for $5. Nice little lake/pond is walking distance. They seem to cater to fishermen. Not much privacy between sites but large enough to accommodate larger RVs.
Guide
Plenty of alright pull offs along the road, drove for a bit and found a quarry you could drive to the top of. Wild fire fighters came up to track the fires. ATVers in the middle of the night & people shooting in bottom of quarry - scawy
LegendWe truly enjoyed our stay here. Had a site reserved that we couldn't really fit in to. Got lucky that our 3 nights were available in a waterfront site and we were allowed to move.
Felt like plenty of space between sites. The pull through site along the lake was spacious and looked right out on the sunset. We so enjoyed watching the otters, the birds and the chipmunks. Even the fishermen!
Had a great hike just off the campground to the top of the ridge. and a nice drive up to Paulina Peak.
Very peaceful stay on the lake. September was perfect. Chilly nights and warm days.
LegendWe were headed to Thompson Creek reservoir, but opted for this lovely little FS campground. We had the place to ourselves the first night and another camper came in for the 2nd. Easy pull-through site, pretty level and fit both rigs. Otherwise plenty of room between sites.
It was a bit of a trek down gravel roads to get here. Took it easy, though, and no problems.
Lovely walks and hikes to be had. Beautiful stargazing. Clean pit toilets and clean overall campground. There were corrals at one end for horse camping. No cell service. (in 2020)
4 stars only because of the sometimes-washboard road to get here.
From here we visited Crack in the ground, Cowboy Dinner Tree, The Sand Dunes, Fort Rock and Christmas Valley.
ScoutThe nicest hosts, the cleanest grounds. Best place to stop. chill and have the best time.
Legend
We didn't actually stay here, but walked through it while hiking around the lake.
Looked like nice, very foresty surroundings, right on the water. 3 separate sites, and they were nicely separated.
This is a beautiful area, cooler than lower elevation. We came up here to get away from the heat. Mosquitoes around the lake, the closer to the water the more mosquitoes.
No cell reception.
There's a nice day camp area nearby, a store with ice cream and rentals and such. Fun place to bring family and kids.
Camping near Christmas Valley, Oregon, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking for hot springs or serene lakes, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Christmas Valley, Oregon, is a fantastic way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot waiting for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Christmas Valley, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Christmas Valley, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 80 campgrounds and RV parks near Christmas Valley, OR and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Christmas Valley, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Christmas Valley, OR is Green Mountain Campground with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Christmas Valley, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Christmas Valley, OR.
What parks are near Christmas Valley, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Christmas Valley, OR that allow camping, notably Fremont-Winema National Forest and Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland.
