Waterwheel RV Park near Diamond Lake offers motorhome campers full hookups with 50-amp service and views of the Williamson River. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 4,000-6,000 feet, resulting in chilly overnight temperatures even during summer months. Crater Lake RV Park in Prospect maintains year-round operations while many others close seasonally from October through April due to heavy snowfall that can exceed 44 inches annually.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Diamond Lake features some of the region's most reliable trout fishing, with easy lake access from several campgrounds. At Diamond Lake RV Park, one camper noted, "When the bite's on the fishing is amazing. Have never been skunked on this lake." The nearby South Shore Pizza Parlor offers a convenient meal option after a day on the water.
Waterfall exploration: Multiple cascades are accessible within short driving distance of rv parks near Diamond Lake, Oregon. A visitor at Umpqua's Last Resort shared, "Although some waterfalls were closed due the fires in Oregon...there are over 25 waterfalls tokette being my favorite." Many sites offer guided waterfall tours with 24-hour advance notice.
Trail access: Miles of forest paths connect directly to some campgrounds, providing opportunities for day hikes. At Broken Arrow Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "The campground sits in a nicely forested area. It's a short drive to Crater Lake National Park from the campground." Diamond Lake has a 12-mile lakeside walking/biking path with minimal elevation gain.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Restrooms and shower buildings receive regular maintenance at most established campgrounds. A camper at Big Pines RV Park reported, "Showers are nice, old houses converted to showers. So they have more of a 'home' feel to them. Rather than the 'public shower' a lot of places have." Several parks provide free hot showers with quarter-operated timers.
Privacy between sites: RV parks in the region typically offer more separation than typical commercial facilities. According to a visitor at Crater Lake RV Park, "The park itself was well maintained, nicely treed, and laid out in a way that gave privacy to the sites. This was also the quietest park I have ever stayed in, by 8:30-9:00 it was silent."
Wildlife viewing: Forested camping areas attract diverse animal species throughout the season. One camper mentioned, "Chipmunks everywhere :)" when describing their experience at Broken Arrow Campground. Bird watchers at Waterwheel RV Park documented "meadowlark, swallows, ducks, geese, finches, red-winged black birds, magpie and a pair of eagles!"
What you should know
Temperature fluctuations: Despite summer daytime warmth, nights get remarkably cold at these elevations. A Broken Arrow Campground visitor cautioned, "We stayed in Broken arrow with our Scouts in July of 2021 and found it surprisingly cool at night for it being July. Temps dropped in the the low 30's both nights we stayed at the campground."
Insect populations: Mosquitoes present significant challenges during certain periods. One camper warned, "The mosquito population was quite thick at that time if year so cooking during the daytime wasn't as fun as we would have liked." Bug activity typically decreases after mid-August at Diamond Lake.
Limited services: Many rv parks around Diamond Lake, Oregon operate with minimal amenities outside their immediate facilities. A visitor to Mazama Village Campground observed, "The camp store has limited groceries, so come prepared. I've added photos of the groceries sold, additionally there are some snack foods, camping gear, and gift items. Grocery-wise, it is equivalent to a gas station convenience store."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several rv campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas for children. A visitor at Waterwheel RV Park shared, "The camp hosts were very accommodating. The site has a nice area for dogs to run off leash. The kids loved playing in the water and the playground."
Swimming options: Diamond Lake offers supervised swimming areas during summer months. One camper mentioned, "You could rent boats and bicycles at the main resort," referring to Diamond Lake Resort's recreation facilities, which include beach access and rental equipment from late June through early September.
Evening activities: Some campgrounds provide organized events for all ages. A Crater Lake RV Park camper noted, "Park hosted live music with bonfire in the evening with hotdogs and s'more," describing one of the regular Saturday campfire gatherings that occur throughout summer.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare leveling equipment as many sites feature mild to moderate slopes. One RVer at Diamond Lake RV Park reported, "Our RV site was so poorly graded that achieving a level setup proved impossible, even with extensive adjustment. At one point, I had three wheels completely off the ground."
Loop selection: Certain campground sections offer better accommodations for larger rigs. At Casey's Riverside RV Resort, a camper observed, "River front sites are fairly uniform in size but the high 30s through mid 40s will give you the best river view plus you can really hear the rushing of the river." Most parks designate specific loops or sections for larger vehicles.
Utility positioning: RV hookup locations vary significantly between parks and sites. One visitor noted, "We were able to maneuver our 5th wheel to position it around a large shade tree so we could get our slide and awning out plus have the utilities more centered on our rig." Calling ahead for specific site dimensions helps ensure proper positioning.
