Best Glamping near Deschutes National Forest

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.

A few miles from La Pine, this 5-site campground sits along the Deschutes River in the Deschutes National Forest. The campground is pretty bare-bones in terms of basic amenities; there is no tap water available and there are two pit-toilets. There is also no cell service. However, the campground does provide great access to the river and even has a cement boat ramp for easy access.

Each campsite has a picnic table, a fire pit, provided firewood (at least when I was there), either a pull-through or back-in parking space, and a view of the river. If you make a reservation (which are required for at least 2021), the camp manager will post this on the site marker so that your site isn’t taken by another party. The campsites themselves are somewhat dusty/sandy, but are otherwise clean. Sites 1-2 and 4-5 are right next to each other, whereas site 3 is probably the best site for privacy.

One more thing to consider if you are staying in a vehicle is that not all of the sites have flat parking spaces. I was able to make something work with my van in site 1, but site 2 would have been unpleasant for sleeping in a van. Sites 4 and 5 seemed to have the flattest parking.

Link Creek, Suttle Lake has a unique explosion of camp sites all around. We happen to be on the west side of the lake with a handful of friends while our other handful went glamping in one of the several cabins on the east side. Day to day, we had a blast swimming, boating and creating trails of floaties (this was not a hiking trip). We rode canoes on the lake and didn't feel like the canoe/boat relationship hit heads. Our one complaint about the west side is the stinky toilets but has any campsite made non-stinky toilets? Hardly something reasonable to complain about. If you love lodging or pitching a tent. Suttle Lake has tons of trails and lake fun. Fishing on the east side is better than the west. I talked to a few fishing shops and friends to find that out. We took advantage of the lodge and restaurant for our friends birthday. We managed to pack in pinatas, rentals of all types of flotation devices, full bar, delicious food and friendly staff. We're only hoping we can get a spot for next year before it sells out!

Happy Camping!

-Wisher

Stayed in Yurt #2 in the Yurt village on Fathers Day weekend. There was also a fishing tournament this weekend, so the park was completely full. The Yurt Village stayed very quite. Most noise was the Trucks/Boat coming and leaving the boat ramp which is about 400yds away. 

Yurt #2 & 3 are deluxe yurts. All this means is you get a larger deck and propane firepit. To use the firepit you need to bring your own propane, large 20lb style. The Yurts have solar lights inside and out, not sure how long they run, but they lasted us a weekend with conservative use. There is 2 pit style bathrooms in the yurt village. Bathrooms are located at the parking lot.

The yurt village is a ways from the RV/Tent sites. Not a quick or easy walk. 

Parking at the yurt village is a little walk from #2 and #3. Best to bring a wagon or such to help transport. Its about 100yd walk each way. 

There are 3 beds, one full side bottom with a twin bunk on top and one full size futon. There is a dining table and 4 chairs. There is no running water, bring your own water. I saw a fountain near the parking lot, but did not test it. 

While it says no pets, one other yurt had two well behaved dogs. The park knew and didnt stop them, so make your own decision with your pets but dont ruin it for others please.

Weather was pretty good for us. No mosquitoes, though lots of nats but able to sit outside all day without being bothered too much.

There are two Devil’s lake campground. This one in particular is along the subalpine Devil’s Lake of central Oregon (NOT the beach) - sorry, no yurts, cabins, or marketplaces here.

It’s pretty amazing, though, as long as you plan for it! There are no drive-up sites, they’re all walk-ins. This is the access point for local trails like the PCT and South Sister summit trail.

Just a day at the lake is great though! I’ve spent a lot of time scrambling around this area and camping at Devil’s lake. Definitely worth it for a slightly more “rustic” adventure!