Best Glamping near Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland

Tumalo State Park gets only 3 stars from me because it was hot and crowded. Since its only 4 miles North of popular Bend, Oregon, its a convenient stop... but what I consider "pit stop camping," on my way to quieter destinations. They have good campground amenities for this: flush toilets, running water, showers. Its a pretty location, near many fun outdoor activities near and in Bend, but the sites were too crowded together for my taste. Note that, as in most of Oregon in high summer, open flames and camp fires are prohibited. It is a Red Flag zone, meaning there is a high danger of wildfires. In fact, as of last week (late July, 2018) you could see the smoke from several fires in the surrounding forests.

We booked site 30, which is up a hill away from the water with a few other sites (27, 28, 29). The site was rated for 32 feet and we were able to comfortably fit our 31 foot trailer and long bed truck. We did have to pull in way too close to the fire pit to make this work but there is a burn ban so we would not have been using it anyway. It would have been nice to know that we were up a hill since we have a toddler, but it wasn’t a huge deal.

The trailer took up the vast majority of the level space available at the site, but otherwise it would be a nice space for a tent and chairs around the fire.

Be aware that the wind picks up around noon and goes super strong until after you go to bed. It’s great for not getting any mosquito bites but it is not a mild breeze!

The lodge staff weren’t overly helpful but not hostile either. I’m sure they are understaffed and annoyed by tourists just like everyone else. They had live music Saturday night and we would have loved to go if our little one wasn’t asleep.

The area has so many hikes and bike trails so close by that you could spend weeks there and not get bored.

Generations of campers have stayed here, and if you have little ones, no doubt they'll want to continue the tradition. The park has experienced many improvements since the landslide transformed and closed it many years ago. Available to rent now are yomes (yurt domes) with bunkbeds and inexpensive lake view cabins with AC and heat. A swimming hole, playground and amphitheatre delight little campers, and a store/restaurant/rental business delight adults who run out of ice, beer, fishing tackle, or other necessities. Kayaks, paddle boards and other water sport equipment is available for rent. The lake is long and deep with Kokanee, Rainbow Trout and Bull Trout, but you'll need to make sure you purchase an Indian permit (available at the store) if you want to fish for them. Take a trolling boat up the narrows to the back of Round Butte Dam in the morning and rev up the engine for a mile of skiing area near Pelton Dam to cool off in the afternoon. This is a PGE park with on-site camp hosts and regular visits from the local law enforcement. You'll feel safe camping here solo or with your children. Quiet time is politely enforced. There is a community kitchen available for cooking or washing dishes and clean flush toilets and shower facilities are on site. Electrical hookups abound, even if you are tenting, you can bring an extension cord to recharge, light, or cool off your campsite.

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.