Cabin accommodations near Deschutes National Forest range from primitive structures to fully-equipped rentals at elevations between 3,900 and 5,500 feet. The area experiences temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, even in summer months. Winter cabin rentals require advance planning as many forest service roads close with seasonal snowfall.
What to do
Fishing access: Clear Lake offers exceptional fishing opportunities with visibility up to 35 feet deep. "There is a petrified forest under the water from the way the lake was formed by a volcanic eruption. Quite a trail thru the lava field," notes a visitor at Coldwater Cove Campground.
Winter cabins: During colder months, LaPine State Park cabins remain open when tent camping becomes impractical. "We stayed here in the winter in our camper van and enjoyed the electrical hook up for heating 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 camper.
River proximity: Most cabins along the McKenzie River corridor provide direct water access. A visitor at Olallie Campground describes the setting: "Love watching the American dippers 'dip' under this Bombay sapphire colored McKenzie River. The bottom loop spots are to die for!"
What campers like
Private sites: Many campers value separation between cabins, especially at Coldwater Cove. "There is a decent amount of space and vegetation between sites, so you don't feel too crowded," one reviewer mentions, adding that despite being "right off a highway, it's easily accessible, but isn't near the road so traffic noise isn't bad."
Natural features: Volcanic landscapes surround many cabin areas, creating distinctive settings. At River Bend County Park, cabins offer "direct access to the south santiam river for swimming and fishing. Close to Foster reservoir for lake activities."
Year-round options: Cabin availability throughout all seasons attracts visitors when tent camping becomes impractical. "Very clean campground with all of the amenities/accommodations you'd expect. The lake itself is gorgeous with turquoise-blue water - imagine the Caribbean meets the PNW," notes a reviewer at Coldwater Cove Campground.
What you should know
Water concerns: Some locations have unreliable drinking water. A visitor at Olallie Campground reports: "The 'potable' water was very iffy. When I stayed there the water was a gross yellow and the test results hadn't come back for it. Honestly I wouldn't have drank it no matter what the test results said! Not to mention it's a hand pump so if you're solo, bring a bucket."
Bathroom distance: Consider cabin location relative to facilities. At Tumalo State Park, a visitor noted: "Bathrooms are a long walk in the middle of the night so I should have chosen a cabin with a bathroom, my mistake."
Cell coverage: Most forest service cabins lack connectivity. "There's no cell phone reception at all in that whole area so this is truly a place to disconnect," reports a camper at Olallie Campground. Similar conditions exist at most remote cabin locations.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several locations offer dedicated recreation options. A visitor to Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort shares: "They have a nice mini golf course. Each space has a nice green lawn and fire ring. Facilities also include a store, pool, and hot tub."
Safety considerations: Cabin proximity to water requires supervision. "The upper loop that we camped at is right next to the highway, and we heard road noise throughout the day and night. The lower loop is on the McKenzie River, which we could hear rushing by and it gave a nice amount of white noise," notes a family at Olallie Campground.
Playground access: Some locations feature dedicated play areas. At Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver, families appreciate that "the kids (mostly teens) found plenty to do with the pool, putt putt, pump track, etc."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement when booking cabins with RV access. A visitor to Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver notes: "The hookup plugs were really far away though from the spot itself."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require advance planning. "It got pretty chilly at night. I never found a camp host. Be sure to bring firewood as there was none for sale in the campground," advises an RVer at Olallie Campground.
Dump station access: Limited facilities exist at cabin locations. "River Bend Campground is a very nice park close to home. The showers were clean, and there's a nice spot to walk down to the river," according to one reviewer, who appreciated the available dump station.
