Camping in the Gilchrist area sits at approximately 4,500 feet elevation in central Oregon's high desert pine forest region, where summer temperatures can range from daytime highs in the 80s to overnight lows in the 40s. The best places to camp near Gilchrist, Oregon feature predominantly Ponderosa pine forest settings with camping options available primarily from late April through mid-October due to snowfall and freezing conditions during winter months. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, with occasional heavy snowfall making most forest roads inaccessible.
What to do
Mountain biking on nearby trails: LaPine State Park Campground offers beginner-friendly mountain biking opportunities with relatively flat terrain. "Very flat trails for beginner mountain biking. Geocaches, showers, but they turned off the water mid October to mid April," notes one visitor.
Fishing access at multiple lakes: At Sunset Cove Campground, anglers find good shoreline access. "The lake is gorgeous, with a lot of day time boat fishing and shore fishing. There's a jetty with a park bench and it's a perfect spot to watch the sunset," explains a camper.
OHV riding from camp: Big Pines RV Park connects directly to trail systems. One camper reports, "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."
Water activities at alpine lakes: The nearby lakes maintain cold temperatures year-round, rarely exceeding 65°F even in summer. "Nice beach area - clean clear and very cold water," describes a visitor to Crescent Lake Campground, adding that watercraft rentals are available at nearby resorts.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Crescent Lake Campground offers more natural screening between sites. "The sites are big, and more private as there are more trees. It's hard to get bigger rigs in here," explains one camper, who warns about "lots of mosquitoes and ticks especially in the early summer months."
Clean facilities: Walt Haring Sno-Park & Campground maintains accessible facilities. "Bathrooms were immaculate. Limited cell service and pretty obstructed for those with a starlink," reports a visitor who appreciated the cleanliness.
Lakeside camping options: Many campers value waterfront sites at Odell Lake Lodge & Resort Campground. "Most campsites are right on the lake, which can cause cold nights later in the season but great views. Only pit toilets are available in the campground which are well maintained but definitely needed to be emptied," notes a camper.
Dark night skies: The region offers excellent stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. "Good gazing, dark skies. Can hear Hwy 97," comments a visitor to Walt Haring Sno-Park, highlighting the balance between accessibility and natural experience.
What you should know
Water levels at reservoirs: Water drawdowns affect boat launches at some locations. "While the campground itself was nice, with spaced out sites for privacy, in August the water was so low that we went to next door South Twin Lake for boating and swimming," explains a visitor to Gull Point Campground.
Temperature fluctuations: Pack for both warm days and cold nights, especially in spring and fall. "It gets cold here at night even in the summer. Waking up by the lake is magical," shares a camper at Crescent Lake Campground.
Insect preparedness: Mosquitos are common at most sites from May through August. "Awesome little campground. We came in on motorcycles & stayed overnight in tents. Owner was friendly & very accommodating, all around nice guy," reports a visitor to Big Pines RV Park.
Wind exposure at lakeside sites: Lakeside camping comes with weather considerations. At Odell Lake Lodge & Resort Campground, "Mornings are glass, afternoons are hurricanes. Sites are smaller and better suited for tent trailers and R-Pods, tents," warns a regular visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver offers multiple recreation options. "My kids are helping us out with reviews for parks. Kids loved Sunriver-Bend Thousand Trails because there is bunnies, bullfrogs, mini-golf, a great little river to float on or swim in, ladderball, bingo, movies outside, and some pretty great pools!" reports a family camper.
Easy hiking access: For families with young children, accessible trails make outings manageable. "There are a few cool attractions we didn't know about. HUGE tree! Campsites are spread out. Pet friendly," notes a visitor to LaPine State Park.
Swimming areas with gradual entry: Diamond Lake provides family-friendly beach access. "Can't wait to swim in the morning! P.S. we came here late on a holiday weekend without a reservation and still got a cool spot!" shares an enthusiastic visitor.
Off-season camping considerations: For families camping in spring or fall, prepare for colder conditions. "This is a high desert after all. Lots of Pine trees and wildlife. Paved road and parking. Great place to bring the whole family!" advises a camper at LaPine State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing and access: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. "The individual sites are pretty spacious and have a decent amount of trees. The pools were under construction so the kiddos were disappointed," reports an RVer at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver.
Hookup considerations: Electrical service varies widely between parks. "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," notes a motorcyclist who tent camped at Big Pines RV Park.
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds offer dump stations with varying quality. "The dump stations are very tight for space and located in odd areas such that I would have had to meander through the dust and squeeze into the space," warns an RVer at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver.
Winter accessibility: For winter travelers, limited options exist. "We stayed here in the winter in our camper van and enjoyed the electrical hook up for hearing and cooking inside our van. Only one loop of the campground is open in the winter and water is turned off at the sites except for one central location," shares a winter camper at LaPine State Park.
