RV sites near Deschutes National Forest range in elevation from 3,800 to 4,500 feet, creating diverse camping environments from high desert to pine forests. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, though several offer year-round accommodations. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below 20°F, with snow possible even in early spring and late fall.
What to do
Fish at the Metolius River: The spring-fed Metolius River near Cold Springs Resort provides excellent trout habitat. "There is a creek that runs behind most of the sites which was a nice addition... About an 8 minute walk away from the nearby general store which feels like a blast from the past. The walk to the general store includes a really beautiful bridge crossing to get across the Metolius river," notes Derek N.
Golfing opportunities: Several golf courses operate near RV parks in the region. At Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort, you'll be "About a mile from Tokatee Golf Club (rated as one of the Best Courses in Oregon)," according to Dean.
Mountain drives and viewpoints: The region offers scenic drives with remarkable viewpoints. "We made the drive up the old McKenzie cut off road to the Dee Wright observatory at the summit. It is located right in the middle of an old lava flow. This drive is not for the faint of heart," shares Dean from Holiday Farm RV Park.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Many RV parks in the area provide ample space between sites. At Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver, "The individual sites are pretty spacious and have a decent amount of trees," according to Christie U., while Tiffany B. mentions, "Overall we had a fantastic time at this TT. We stayed for a week with our family and friends. The bathrooms were always clean and the kids (mostly teens) found plenty to do with the pool, putt putt, pump track, etc."
Quality bathrooms and showers: Clean facilities stand out in camper reviews. At Deerwood RV Park, one visitor noted, "For once the laundry and showers were better then expected, the best ive seen at a park come to think of it." The park also features "very nicely laid out small campground just off the highway, but seemingly pretty quiet," according to David & Sue C.
Well-maintained grounds: RV parks in the region typically keep their facilities in excellent condition. Mitchell K. shared that Deerwood RV Park has "Well maintained, all amenities, good location, quiet... a large (guessing .75 acre) well manicured lawn in the middle with pavilion for gatherings."
What you should know
Seasonal availability impacts amenities: Some facilities limit operations during certain seasons. At Deschute County Expo RV Park, one camper noted, "The spaces are close but not as bad as some. The park is basically unattended due to staffing issues. No one was in the office for our 3 days. 16 miles from Bend so good place to explore from."
Campsite selection limitations: Some parks don't allow selection of specific sites. Tiffany B. mentioned about Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver: "Our biggest downside was that we weren't able to select sites when we booked and because the campground is so large we ended up easily being at least 1/3 mile each way from our friends."
Fire damage impacts: Some campgrounds have experienced wildfire damage. Dave B. reported about Holiday Farm RV Park: "These sites are individually owned and mostly occupied. They have some sites available to stay for a night or two. Forest fire burned part of the site and a lot of the area to the east of the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation amenities: Look for parks with built-in activities for children. "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!" shared Nicole R.
Fishing opportunities for kids: Some locations offer stocked ponds specifically for young anglers. Derek N. notes that Cold Springs Resort "is a few minutes walking distance to a stocked pond that youth can fish in."
Shared equipment availability: Some parks provide community equipment, which reduces what families need to pack. At Cold Springs Resort, "There are a handful of kids and adult bikes you can use," mentions Derek N.
Tips from RVers
Pad requirements: Some RV parks have specific requirements for stabilizing equipment. Rachel H. cautions: "ALL spots require jack pads. Having not stayed in too many parks with asphalt, this was a surprise for us. They did not mention at checkin, but we got a polite email the next morning."
Hookup locations vary: The positioning of utilities can create setup challenges. Brian P. from HooDoo's Patio RV Park noted, "Our spot was unique, the power and water were on the same side, if you back in they would be on the passenger side and the sewer didnt have a good connection so I located a nearby stump to weigh it down."
Cell service and connectivity: Internet access varies significantly between parks. Paul C. observed about Deerwood RV Park: "Wifi shows but no wifi. We used Verizon puck and worked fine," while another visitor stated, "Very limited cell signal here. Camp ground said their wifi was down, she mentioned it would be back up the next day, but it never was during our stay."
