Cabin camping near Cloverdale, Oregon sits within the high desert region of Central Oregon at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 feet. The area experiences dramatic temperature shifts, with summer days reaching 90°F but dropping to the 40s at night. Winter cabin stays require preparation for temperatures that can drop well below freezing, with occasional snowfall making access challenging from November through March.
What to do
Water recreation at Lake Billy Chinook: The Cove Palisades State Park offers cabin options near the impressive canyon with three rivers that form Billy Chinook Lake. "There are three places to launch a boat - Lower Deschutes, Upper Deschutes and Crooked River. The Marina also rents boat moorages, boats, water toys, and Houseboats," notes Patti S. at Deschutes River Campground.
Clear Lake activities: Rent row boats at Coldwater Cove Campground for a unique water experience. "Clear Lake is absolutely gorgeous with its crystal clear water. Not ideal for swimming as the temperatures sit around 50 degrees year-round, but non-motorized boats are welcome," explains Ariel C. The underwater petrified forest makes this a standout destination.
Mini golf and recreation: Several cabin locations provide on-site activities. "They have a nice blend of family activities but also plenty of quiet time. All the amenities make it a great place to stay for a few days," says Karissa J. about the recreation options at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver.
What campers like
Proximity to Sisters: Cabin rentals offer convenient access to nearby towns. "We stayed in a yurt here and inside was a sign in book with a lot of fun adventures shared from other travelers. There's walk path across the street to the river and park which was fun to tube down in the summer heat," reports Nicole R. about her stay at Tumalo State Park.
Lakeside locations: Cabins with water views rank highly among visitors. "We got last min reservations for this campground and fell in love with it! Our spot was by the road and I was worried it would be noisy, but it wasn't bad and never heard a car at night," shares Heather P. about her experience at Blue Bay Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the upkeep of cabins and amenities. "Very well kept and popular RV park in-between bend and sisters. Asphalt pads for RVs... excellent bathrooms, showers, playground, putt putt golf course and, in the back, there's a very pretty lake," describes Brian C. about his experience.
What you should know
Temperature variations: The high desert climate means significant day-to-night temperature swings. "I had a great time, but make sure to bring warm clothes though--it can get pretty cold!" advises Miguel C. about Tumalo State Park.
Reservation timing: Most cabin locations require advance planning. "The campground is a very popular one so reservations have to be made months in advance. I booked exactly 6 months before and all of the lake side spots were gone," explains Ashley B.
Limited cooking facilities: Cabin accommodations near Cloverdale vary widely in kitchen amenities. "We stayed in the Blue Bay campground and thoroughly enjoyed our time. Each campsite was well designed and organized. The campsites adjacent to the lake are particularly unique with the views and lake access," says Greg E. about the Link Creek Campground facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Bring entertainment: Evening activities help when camping with children. "They put on a power point for the kids about local animals. There were multiple day use areas to swim at just a two minute drive from there," mentions Troy B. about educational activities at Cove Palisades.
Choose sites with amenities: Some locations offer better family facilities than others. "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. about Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver.
Consider noise factors: Campgrounds vary in noise levels and quiet enforcement. "This is a very convenient, family-oriented campground. The camp hosts take 'quiet time' very seriously," notes Sara R. about Tumalo State Park's atmosphere.
Tips for RVers
Site selection matters: RV cabins near Cloverdale have varying site quality. "Our site was level, only needed 2 inch lift to level left side. The campground is at an elevation of 4150 ft. Access to the campground was right off S. Century Drive, about 3 miles from hwy 97," explains Jeff C. from his Thousand Trails experience.
Services and hookups: Check cabin amenities before booking. "The Camp is a small camping spot near Town. Everything is super clean and taken care of. It's not that 'romantic' as it's just next to the main road, in between other motels," notes Hilde H. about The Camp in Bend.
Winter accessibility: Some cabin camping locations have seasonal closures or limited winter access. "Website says limited opening June 9, 2020," reported Greg Y. about Tumalo during COVID, but this reflects the seasonal nature of many facilities in the area that reduce operations during winter months.
