Amy Z.
Scout
ScoutChristmas Valley Camping and RV Park
Great spot
Great spot for cost effective camping just a few minutes from fort rock
Dog-Friendly Camping near Fort Rock, OR
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Fort Rock State Natural Area permits pets on leashes throughout the park's hiking trails and day-use areas. Rockhorse Park at Horse Ranch, located in Fort Rock, offers full hookup RV sites and tent camping with pet-friendly accommodations including picnic tables and fire rings. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Fort Rock, Oregon. Deschutes National Forest lands near Highway 31 provide dispersed camping options where pets can accompany their owners on both drive-in and walk-in sites. Christmas Valley Base Camp welcomes pets at their tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping accommodations with amenities including showers, electric hookups, and picnic tables. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard leash requirements and request that owners clean up after their pets.
The 7-mile loop trail around Paulina Lake offers excellent pet exercise opportunities with stunning views at every corner. Dogs can enjoy the trail which remains relatively flat and accessible for most fitness levels. Several campgrounds in the region feature designated pet exercise areas, including LaPine State Park's large fenced dog park where pets can run off-leash. The park's family-friendly atmosphere includes trails along the Deschutes River where visitors have spotted elk crossing. During summer months, the Fort Rock area experiences high temperatures and dusty conditions, making morning or evening walks more comfortable for pets. Nearby attractions like Crack in the Ground, the Sand Dunes, and Fort Rock itself provide additional exploration opportunities where leashed pets are welcome on most trails. Campers should pack extra water for pets as many dispersed camping areas lack drinking water facilities.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Fort Rock (110)
1. Fort Rock State Natural Area
"This site is about an hour away from Bend, or two hours from Lakeview Oregon."
"This state park offers stunning views with easy access to its trails. Pveda parking, restrooms, covered picnic areas and water available by faucet near benches."
2. Rockhorse Park at Horse Ranch
3. Deschutes NF - HWY 31
4. Little Crater Campground
"Small campground along the edge of the lake; every spot has a beautiful view of the mountains and the lake, and has quick access to the water."
"It’s tucked up against a hill and surrounded by trees, so it was easy to find shade throughout the day."
from $27 - $29 / night
Check Availability5. Hole In The Ground
6. Hole-in-the-Ground at Fort Rock
7. Paulina Lake Campground
"Beautiful family + four-legged friendly campsite right on the lake. I stayed at site #56 which was great b/c it is away from the main road and right next to the Paulina lake loop trail."
"Campground Review About 25 miles south of Bend, Oregon, Paulina and East Lakes are twin calderas located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument area of the Deschutes National Forest that have"
from $27 - $29 / night
Check Availability8. Silver Lake RV
"Small RV park in Silver Lake. Well maintained level sites with grass in between. Quiet. Full hookups. Bathrooms and showers are clean but could use some minor TLC. Has a laundry."
from $30 / night
Check Availability9. Christmas Valley Base Camp
from $40 - $250 / night
Check Availability10. LaPine State Park Campground
"If you head west from the loops and past the pet exercise area there’s a dusty (of course) road that will take you to the river."
"Gorgeous desert views, wildlife, plantlife and trails. Perfect camping area for pets and families."
from $29 - $151 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 4 min from Bend, OR
- 2 hrs 27 min from Eugene, OR
- 2 hrs 48 min from Medford, OR
- 3 hrs 14 min from Grants Pass, OR
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Fort Rock, OR
66 Photos of 110 Fort Rock Campgrounds
Nicolaus N.
Crack-In-The-Ground
Sarah S.
Little Crater Campground
Audrey M.
Mckay Crossing Campground
Eldon S.
La Pine, Oregon
Lesa H.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument - Deschutes NF
MickandKarla W.
Big Pines RV Park
Hayden B.
LaPine State Park Campground
Christie U.
Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver
Traci B.
Walt Haring Sno-Park & Campground
Justin L.
Dispersed Rock Quary
Ashley B.
Big River Campground
Craig J.
Fall River Campground
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Fort Rock, OR
542 Reviews of 110 Fort Rock Campgrounds
- Mark S.
TravelerLaPine State Park Campground
Pretty neat park.
First, the only two negatives, both very minor. Very dusty. Dust everywhere. Expect dust...everywhere. The road in the North Loop is for whatever reason bumpy with those regular bumps that just get annoying very quickly. That’s it, negatives over. Campsites are well spaced apart. Trees everywhere! If you head west from the loops and past the pet exercise area there’s a dusty (of course) road that will take you to the river. A great place to put your floaties/kayaks in and float down to the day use area. Also that same put in spot is nice for stargazing. I got a great pic of the comet! My family loved the trails for biking. We never got around to seeing the big tree, but maybe next time. Bathrooms and showers are clean and warm. Lots of cool local activities nearby as well like Twin Lakes and Fort Rock. Hole in the Ground was awesome too.
- L
Leland
GuideThe Waterin’ Hole RV Park
Simple accommodations in a remote area
Along the Oregon Outback cycling route, there are few options for anything but rugged bush camping in this area. The roads are dusty and the scenery beautiful.
Driving into Fort Rock, I saw the sign for RV Park but it was not on any map or service. I went into the bar at the Waterin’ Hole and asked if they had a spot. $35 a night with a 30 amp shore power. No bathroom, but a rather nasty porta-potty. The bar serves bar food and cold drinks. Simple solutions, never a bad thing.
Kelly H.
LegendSilver Creek Marsh
Quiet and peaceful
We were headed to Thompson Creek reservoir, but opted for this lovely little FS campground. We had the place to ourselves the first night and another camper came in for the 2nd. Easy pull-through site, pretty level and fit both rigs. Otherwise plenty of room between sites.
It was a bit of a trek down gravel roads to get here. Took it easy, though, and no problems.
Lovely walks and hikes to be had. Beautiful stargazing. Clean pit toilets and clean overall campground. There were corrals at one end for horse camping. No cell service. (in 2020)
4 stars only because of the sometimes-washboard road to get here.
From here we visited Crack in the ground, Cowboy Dinner Tree, The Sand Dunes, Fort Rock and Christmas Valley.
- MMark O.Guide
Cabin Lake Campground
Quiet in a dispersed Ponderosa old-growth forest with historic structures
It tuns out that this is the historic Fort Rock Ranger District headquarters site, started in the 1920s but built-out by the CCC in the early 1930s. Eight buildings remain, all listed on the historic register, but in need of maintenance. After WWII a campground with 19 sites was added, that include potable water and bathrooms. The FS downgraded the facility in the 1970s to a guard station, and then abandoned in 2002, leaving the buildings and inerds like a time warp, and ripping out the water and bathroom infrastructure. You now have a wonderful, safe, clean no-charge/free camping area open year round.
- SSEAN E.Guide
Big Pines RV Park
Great rv park
Mostly pull through sites. Nice bathrooms. Super nice and helpful staff. Better than avg wifi with an option for unlimited. I don't feel packed in. Dog park. No wood fires. Adequate tree cover but not completely enveloped. Level sites. Cable tv. Very clean and well kept park.
Bosn E.Guidebend rv park
New RV Park In Bend
The correct name for this new park is Bend RV Resort. I think this park is not yet a year old at this time. It's located just off Hwy 97 and Murphy Road, near the Brookwood Plaza. All pads are either concrete or paved asphalt. Some of the sites have gas fire pits, some have fenced 'paw patios' , and some have neither. There is a very nice common area building that includes laundry, fitness room, small store, pickleball courts, a non-heated swimming pool, and a hot tub. There is also an off lease dog park. The park is very near many Bend attractions; however, there is a lot of road noise from Murphy Road and Hwy 97. If you want quiet, then I suggest getting one of the sites in the middle and away from Murphy Road. The park is very clean as it's new.
- ccasey R.Scout
LaPine State Park Campground
A high desert must campground
Gorgeous desert views, wildlife, plantlife and trails. Perfect camping area for pets and families. Bring plenty of sunscreen, shade options, water bottles to refill at nearby water stations and bug repellent. Evenings are super cold!!
- LLindy B.Traveler
Cascade Meadows RV Resort
Great campsite!
This is a really clean, pleasant site Can hear the train. Bathrooms are beautifuly updated an clean!! We rode in late and was not a problem welcomed us like family! Tent site was rustic and had a spigot near by! Plenty of sites for a group. Pet friendly. Grass at RV sites.
Guide to Fort Rock
Dispersed camping opportunities flourish in the high desert landscape surrounding Fort Rock, Oregon, where elevations typically range between 4,300-4,500 feet. The volcanic features, sage plains, and juniper forests create distinctive camping conditions with significant temperature variations—summer days can reach 90°F while nights often drop below 45°F. Water sources are scarce throughout the Fort Rock basin, requiring campers to pack in adequate supplies for both humans and pets.
What to do
Volcanic exploration: 1-mile trails inside Fort Rock State Natural Area provide access to this 200-foot-tall tuff ring. "The 0.1 mile access hike to the rim provides access, but you can also continue to the interior trail of just over 1 mile. Some also climb the rocks or scramble up to the top for a view," notes reviewer Nicolaus N.
Visit unique geological features: The Hole In The Ground crater lies about 10 miles northwest of Fort Rock. "You can walk the trails down into it and back up. Typical high desert semi forested terrain, decent roads, but bring a map, it's a hole, and therefore not visible until you're right up on it," explains Rick A.
Lakeside recreation: Paulina Lake offers numerous water activities with easy shore access. "The 7-mile loop around the lake was stunning with views at every corner. The trail was lined with beautiful obsidian. Hike in about 3.5 miles and you'll be able to soak in the hot springs and take a dip in the lake," shares Amanda W.
What campers like
Private sites with lake views: At Little Crater Campground, campers appreciate the lakefront positioning. "Small campground along the edge of the lake; every spot has a beautiful view of the mountains and the lake, and has quick access to the water. Spots on the eastern side of the campground are bordered by a steep hill or thickly forested area, great for providing morning shade," reports Rhiannon S.
Pet-friendly environment: Dog friendly campgrounds near Fort Rock include East Lake Campground where visitors enjoy the accessible terrain. "I tent camped here for 4 days with my family and 3 dogs in September during labor day weekend. It was a nice really decent size campsite with plenty of space and privacy from the surrounding campsites," mentions Shannon C.
Rustic amenities: Dispersed camping along Highway 31 provides basic overnight options. "There are several places just off Hwy 31 where camping is available. There will be highway noise, no facilities of any kind, and patchy cell service," reports Michael and Karen M.
What you should know
Limited water availability: Most dispersed sites require self-sufficiency. At Rockhorse Park at Horse Ranch, one of the few spots with full facilities, campers find "the nicest hosts, the cleanest grounds. Best place to stop, chill and have the best time," according to Robyn S.
Weather extremes: High desert climate means preparation is essential. "Because East Lake Campground is 6500 feet in elevation the nights were very cold, from 44 to 31 degrees but normally the days were in the morning windy and about 62 degrees," notes Robert D.
Campfire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans affect camping experiences. "We arrived after June 1 during a dry year, meaning no campfire. The temperature during the day was around 85, and pretty comfortable, but at night it dropped down to around 40. We were pretty cold since we had counted on a campfire," cautions Rick A.
Tips for camping with families
Water-based fun: East Lake Campground offers accessible swimming areas. "East lake is our favorite of the two lakes on newberry volcano. The campsites are nice and big, bathrooms are ok, and it has a better swimming area for kids and family then paulina does," recommends Christi C.
Early reservations: Popular spots fill quickly during summer months. "This is one of the more popular campgrounds, it is often full due to its popularity," warns Brian C. about East Lake Campground.
Pet-friendly accommodations: Paulina Lake Campground welcomes four-legged family members. "Beautiful family + four-legged friendly campsite right on the lake. I stayed at site #56 which was great because it is away from the main road and right next to the Paulina lake loop trail," shares Amanda W.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When choosing spots at Paulina Lake Campground, note that "most of the sites are pull-through, which makes it nice, but if you are not 'lakeside' you'll probably have to go the wrong way to get your camper door facing your site," advises Gayle B.
Generator considerations: Noise can impact camping experience. "The only negative experience was the irritating noise from the RV generators all night long," notes Shannon C. about East Lake Campground.
Elevation awareness: Higher elevation campgrounds present challenges. "East Lake also had 1 boat launch but the water was very low, some 40 feet down from the edge of the bank to the water. Most Sites on the lake side has pull-thru that were about 50 feet long. Some back-in sites were only 35 feet," explains Robert D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Fort Rock, OR?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fort Rock, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fort Rock, OR is Fort Rock State Natural Area with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
Fort Rock, OR?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fort Rock, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 110 dog-friendly camping locations near Fort Rock, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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