Searching for a tent campsite near Deschutes National Forest? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Deschutes National Forest campsites are perfect for tent campers.
This recreation area is part of Fall Creek Lake
Cultus Lake is one of the few lakes along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway that allows high sped motorized water craft. Cultus Lake West Campground offers opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing and jet skiing, as well as, access to trails leading into the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Cultus Lake is a natural glacier-formed Lake. This is a recreational lake and is popular for water skiing, sailing, jet skiing, and boating.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation
$22 - $24 / night
Heading north from Ikenick Sno-Park, you'll have good views of Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Washington. Heading south from the sno-park, you go through second growth and older forest. The trail system includes both roads and forested trails. Good trail conditions from this lower elevation sno-park depend on lower elevation snows and big snow years. * Please follow Share the Snow guidelines in shared use areas. Map of Ikenick Sno-Park Area (pdf 787 kb) Map Legend (pdf 14 kb)
Clark Creek, located 12 miles northeast of Lowell, Oregon, is a fantastic group campground built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It features five sleeping structures with platform sleeping bunks, plus a large field to pitch tents, play baseball and volleyball or throw a Frisbee. Several hiking and biking trails, swimming areas and open fields offer fun opportunities for large groups with varied interests.
The campground offers a baseball field and horseshoe pits, and a volleyball net can be set up on the field. A few footpaths meander through the recreation area. One connects the sleeping shelters to Big Falls Creek and another links to the Ta-Wa-Si Chapel. The Fall Creek Trail Area is worth exploring, including the Clark Creek Nature Trail.
Clark Creek runs through the campground and connects with Big Fall Creek in the Willamette Valley. Willamette National Forest spans 1.6 million acres on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains.
Cultus Lake is one of the few lakes along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway that allows high sped motorized water craft. Cultus Lake West Campground offers opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing and jet skiing, as well as, access to trails leading into the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Cultus Lake is a natural glacier-formed lake. This is a recreational lake and is popular for water skiing, sailing, jet skiing, and boating.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$22 - $24 / night
In the summer months, this sparkling lake in the Cascades is a great place to fish, paddle (no motorized boats allowed), hike and mountain bike. While the clear waters might seem tempting to jump in to, the nearly freezing temperature of the lake makes it unsuitable for swimming. A picnic shelter, built by the Civilian Conservation Corp, is at the day use area near the resort. Osprey and bald eagles, and native cutthroat trout call the lake home. Non-native rainbow and brook trout are also found in the lake. The "lake born of fire," is the headwaters of the McKenzie River and was formed 3,000 years ago when lava from Sand Mountain reached the river and backed up water to form the lake. The original forest lining the riverbanks was submerged. Remnants of some of these submerged trees still stand under 120 feet of water and are visible from the trail and by boat. View more Popular Lakes & Rivers ACTIVITIES Biking Camping Fishing Hiking Picnicking
$70 - $135 / night
Adjacent to the Marion Forks Fish Hatchery, Marion Forks Campground is a great 15 site (one pull through) campground tucked away from Highway 22 and a quiet place to relax. Enjoy a 1/4 mile leisurely stroll along Marion Creek on a paved loop path through the picnic area and fish hatchery and learn about spring Chinook salmon and the history of the area. Nearby, on Forest Service Road 2255, you can find the little used trail (#3431) to Independence Rock for a short hike. If you drive further up to the end of Road 2255, you'll reach the trailhead to Marion Lake (Trail #3436) leading to the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.
Traveler
We loved our stay here. We started on site 2 but it has zero shade so they were able to give us site 8. Right on the river with the beautiful sights and sounds of that majestic McKenzie. We moved up to the upper campground to site 14 for the next couple days. Also shady with sight and sound of the river. They sites aren’t very big but have a table and fire pit. The tent sites across the river that you hike to are amazing!! I want to tent camp there!! So wooded and many have direct river access. They also have cabins to rent. The hot mineral pools were wonderful and the staff friendly. They have a small store with a few essentials but no real food available. Lovely place.
Ranger
Yukwah campground is found along hwy 22 East of Salem along the Willamette National Forest in Linn County. Most of the sites along this stretch are first come, first serve walk up sites - but you can reserve by connecting with Linn County Parks and Rec (see photo for info) for $18/night plus $5 additional vehicle fee and reservation fee. This campground has ada access camp sites and tent sites. Most of the RV sites along the Willamette National Forest can be used for tent camping. The day use area at this site is great for swimming, fishing, and possibly a small hike. I advise camping near the day use area (#3) if you have a large family or kids for larger sites and easy access. Yukwah is near wagon wheel bridge with access to trails for those wanting to hike while camping. Vault toilets are available (bring soap) - there are no showers or additional amenities. There is access to potable water at this location.
Traveler
Camped in a tent, beautiful scenery
Traveler
My wife I have been trying to go camping once a week this summer and it's been awesome. This was one of our stops! We went to the tent camp sites, I believe we picked spot 14 and were first blown away by the view. You're right on the water and overlooking the entire lake. We set up camp and the only big bummer for us the whole trip was there wasn't really a spot that we could find to avoid the huge number of ants! They didn't really bother us and our stuff but they were everywhere.
Also I'm a huge fisherman so Crane Prairie was also picked for the fishing AND the camping. But this is a very large lake so unless you have a boat the shore fishing is a challenge. I was able to pull a few off the point we were camping at but it's just so sad seeing a whole lake you cant fish because you don't have a boat.
We still had a blast, the bathrooms were conveniently located close to the tent camping but not to close. The spots were plenty far apart that if we had had company or would have been no bother.
All in all we would love to come back but the lost of other camping spots is so long its gunna be a while.
Traveler
I stopped here on my motorcycle and got one of the 4 tent sites that the park has to offer. The tent sites are at the front of the park and very close to the bathroom/shower building. The showers and bathroom were very clean and there is WiFi available to guests. The tent sites are close to the roadway so there is a lot of truck noise through the night. The tent area is flat with picnic tables. The tent sites were $20.00 + tax.
Traveler
Showers, bathrooms, and running water are available. A tent site is $21/night with 1 car allowed. Additional cars are $7/night. There aren't any tent sites secluded from yurts and RVs, so you will be hearing generators run, though people did shut them off at 10. IMO, it's expensive for a tent site in a spot where you're surrounded by glampers.
Legend
Humbug is one of our favorite campgrounds. We love the easy access to the beach and the beautiful hikes. Showers are hot and free, rangers are always friendly.
Cell service is pretty iffy here, but we manage to make it work with the cell booster.
There's a dump station and water fill, trash and recycling, water spigots throughout campground, and firewood for sale.
Tent sites in Oregon don't currently have the 25% non-resident surcharge (though I've heard that's changing soon) and there are plenty of non-hookup/tent sites that will fit RVs. There are also FHU and pull through sites.
Scout
I know this is an RV resort, but tent camping wasn’t like I expected. If you are tent camping you are relegated to the “tent area” which is ok, near the bathrooms so that’s a plus, but also just an open area you share with all other tent campers. They do have some ok amenities, like the pool and activities, so that may make up for the lack of privacy for some. Everything is fairly clean, and well kept up. All together not a bad spot, but I think next time we will find a campground more friendly to tent campers.
Guide
Not the place to take a big motorhome and no cell service but nice if you want to tent camp in the woods
Legend
Similar to nearby Princess Creek Campground, Sunset Cove Campground is part of the Deschutes National Forest and is located on Oddell Lake. They also both have docks for day-use boating, pit toilets, and generally nice, larger camp sites surrounded by trees.
Sunset Cove is a bit larger and more developed, the day use area is nicer and more accessible, and there's drinking water available. The spots on the lake at Princess Cove, however, are amazing, and I never found camp sites quite as nice at Sunset Cove.
In summary: you'll do great at either of the Deschutes National Forest campgrounds on Odell Lake. If you want slightly more developed facilities, including drinking water, go to Sunset Cove. If you want to get away from everything with an amazing spot on the water, go to Princess Creek.
Traveler
Not super geared toward tent camping, if you have an RV or trailer it may be better. Super open with sites right on top of one another.
ScoutGreat for any kind of camper or non-camper. Tents, RVs, cabins, the lodge, they have it all. Staff is friendly and the hot spring pools are wonderful. We have tent camped here and have rented a cabin and had a great experience both times.
Traveler
Beautiful lakeside camping. A light breeze during the day helps to moderate warm days. Quiet camping. This campground is best suited for RV's with fewer sites that work well for tent camping.
Legend
I have fond memories tent camping at Elk Lake as a kid. It’s where I learned to fish, swim, and love of hiking. It’s a great mountain lake with awesome views of the mountains. Highly recommend.
Guide
Beautiful spot right on the river, but all the tent sites are on a slight slant and the parking is too steep for in vehicle sleeping.
Traveler
Beautiful place right next to the lake! Wasn’t a fan of how open the sites are and the noise from the highway. We were tent camping however so your mileage may vary with a camper/trailer set up.
Traveler
Clean and quiet. Many sites along the beautiful Metolius River. A few incredible tent sites with lots of privacy. There’s no water, but campsites with water are nearby.
TravelerHad a wonderful time tent camping here with our 4 month old baby. Great place to cool off on hot summer days. Love the trail that goes around the lake!
**Might have been affected by fires in September 2020**
Scout
Picnic tables and fire pits available. Pretty good RV sites. Pretty good tent sites. Somebody even left us some wood. Other wood available in the area. Only one other camper while we were there (4-days).
Legend
Right off Hwy 126 is this dirt parking lot where camping is allowed. There is access to multiple hikes from this point.
Over night parking without permit May - Oct ok, but inside a vehicle only, no tent camping allowed per sign in winter as snowplow drivers cannot see tents as well.
No toilets or trash in this area so pack in and pack out. No cell reception.
TravelerMe and my girlfriend stayed at a tent campsite amongst many other tent/RV campers and it was great. Fire pit a picnic table and a short walk to the bathrooms. I would stay here again.
Scout
started camping at little lava lake when I was a kid with the family every summer and still do as an adult with my own family. place is absolutely gorgeous, there's hiking trails, fishing, and great people there's a lodge market at lava lake not to far away pet friendly and bathrooms tent camping or rv
Ranger
Blue Pools is a great family campground, open for walk-ins during the summer. The sites are large and versatile between RV and tent sites. There are paved paths that are great for bike rides. Some campsites require a walk in with parking nearbye.
Scout
My family and I have stayed here multiple times and have always enjoyed it. Camp hosts and rangers are always nice and helpful. Tent sites don’t have electric or water but water spickets are located around the park if needed. Clean and decent sized sites.
GuideIt was just two of us in a tent. We were put in a open lot (like a field). No trees. The nearest bathroom wasn’t even enclosed, so it was like an large outhouse. I paid way too much. I just checked the website and it’s $46 for a tent site! Man, I am Cheap!
ScoutBeautiful. About 30 min away from groceries and stores. Came in late to this campround. No reservation needed. Lucky they had a couple of tent sites open. We ended up staying an extra day. About $21 for a night with a car. Extra vehicle extra $7.
TravelerNice tent sites removed from the lodge and RV sites. Lovely walking trails and accessibility to soaking pools with hot spring water. Staff as very friendly, but the one bathroom was very dirty. They do sell firewood and ice at the checkin - which was nice.
Overall - a lovely getaway.
Tent camping near Deschutes National Forest in Oregon offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With numerous campgrounds to choose from, you'll find the perfect spot to pitch your tent and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Deschutes National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Deschutes National Forest is Cascara Campground — Fall Creek State Recreation Area with a 3.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Deschutes National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 78 tent camping locations near Deschutes National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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