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Best Campgrounds near Gilchrist, OR

1,187 Reviews

Camping opportunities in the Gilchrist, Oregon area include a variety of developed campgrounds and RV parks nestled among the pine forests of central Oregon. Big Pines RV Park offers tent sites alongside RV and cabin options, while nearby LaPine State Park Campground provides yurts and cabins for those seeking alternative accommodations. The region sits between Bend and Crater Lake, making it a strategic basecamp for exploring central Oregon's outdoor attractions, with most campgrounds located along Highway 97 or within 30 minutes of Gilchrist proper.

Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from April through October, due to winter snowfall and cold temperatures. One reviewer noted, "Crescent Lake is just a short drive away with great scenery and fishing," highlighting the proximity to recreational water bodies despite the inland location of many sites. For those seeking more solitude, National Forest dispersed camping can be found on forest roads, though these primitive sites lack amenities available at developed campgrounds. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage along the Highway 97 corridor and more limited service in the surrounding forest areas.

Campers frequently mention the accessibility of outdoor recreation from local campgrounds. Several camping areas provide access to OHV trail systems directly from the grounds, making them popular with off-road enthusiasts. As one visitor stated, "If you ride OHVs there is a trailhead connected to the Gilchrist Forest with tons of great riding and a lot of non-technical smoother dirt roads for little ones in training." The proximity to lakes like Crescent, Davis, and Odell represents a major draw for fishing enthusiasts, with some campgrounds situated directly on lakeshores. Most developed sites in the area feature some tree cover, providing welcome shade during summer months when daytime temperatures can climb into the 80s and 90s, though nights typically remain cool even during peak season.

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Best Camping Sites Near Gilchrist, Oregon (277)

    1. Big Pines RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Crescent, OR
    3 miles
    Website

    $46 / night

    "If you ride ohv’s there is a trailhead connected to the Gilchrist Forest with tons of great riding and a lot of non technical smoother dirt roads for little ones in training."

    "Owner was friendly & very accommodating, all around nice guy. Park was in process of expanding, adding a more RV hookups, a couple more tent sites, & hopefully another shower house."

    2. LaPine State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    La Pine, OR
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 536-2428

    $22 - $111 / night

    "Beautiful, lots of big pine trees (including the largest known documented Ponderosa Pine in Oregon!), really close to the Deschutes River just north of La Pine, about 35 mins south of Bend, Oregon."

    "Unfortunately it was during the horrible fires of the west coast and Oregon was not spared.  The smoke was thick although not as bad as previous camping locations the day before. "

    3. Sunset Cove Campground

    13 Reviews
    Crescent, OR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 323-1746

    $25 - $52 / night

    "The site we stayed at was just up the hill from the water, there were few other campers around us, and the site was well maintained."

    "A tent from a neighboring site was fairly close to our space so we built a quick fire, pitched our tents on semi-level areas, and turned in early."

    4. Crescent RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Crescent, OR
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (541) 433-2950

    5. Crescent Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Crescent, OR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 323-1746

    $27 - $31 / night

    "Not all sites are lakeside, but all have access to the beautiful view. Getting here is a little off the beaten path, so if you feel lost, you’re going the right way."

    "Booked via Recreation.gov and had a lakeside tent spot. Spots 37-38 if reserved together would be perfect for a larger group, plenty of room for multiple tents. "

    6. Diamond Lake

    62 Reviews
    Diamond Lake, OR
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 498-2531

    $16 - $27 / night

    "This campground was in a great location to go see crater lake (15 min drive or less) as well as nearby Hot Springs (30ish min drive) and waterfalls. The campground itself was wooded and very close to"

    "Access to the campground was right off hwy 138, which is a few miles from the north entrance to Crater Lake. Our 28 ft travel trailer easily fit with room to spare in our site."

    7. Gull Point Campground

    8 Reviews
    La Pine, OR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 323-1746

    $25 - $128 / night

    "Pros: The campground is nice, many vault toilets, fresh water spigot and sink drain sites, camp hosts are friendly, 1 mile drive to South twin lake, fair camping rates."

    "Spots are on the smaller side and not very private, and being near the boat ramp adds a little extra traffic. The beautiful reservoir with sandy beaches is the real draw for this campground."

    8. Odell Lake Lodge & Resort Campground

    6 Reviews
    Crescent, OR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 433-2540

    $16 - $21 / night

    "Well maintained, primitive camping next to a lodge. Most campsites are right on the lake, which can cause cold nights later in the season but great views."

    "Nice place for a couple of nights, although be forewarned... the campsite is on the east end of the lake and a very cold breeze blows across the water right at you, especially this time of year."

    9. Walt Haring Sno-Park & Campground

    10 Reviews
    Chemult, OR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 365-7001

    "nearly had the entire place to myself minus a couple travel trailers, but there’s enough room to spread out to where no one even notices each other."

    "Walt Haring Sno-Park is close to 97 but it was not crowded when I was there. Pit toilets are available I did not see any other hookups tho. Plenty of picnic tables and spots for tents."

    10. Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver

    31 Reviews
    Sunriver, OR
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "We stayed two nights, August 15 through August 17, 2019, in campsite I-9, the overnight cost was$0.00 due to our Thousand Trails membership( our site had electrical and water service)."

    "Stopped here on the way through Oregon. Campground is fairly extensive and has nice wooded sites. Onsite staff very friendly and helpful."

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Recent Camping Photos near Gilchrist, OR

344 Photos of 277 Gilchrist Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Gilchrist, OR

1187 Reviews of 277 Gilchrist Campgrounds

  • derek D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Big Pines RV Park

    Spacious and quiet site!

    Beautiful campsite! It was well lit at night. We were arriving late and didn’t know we needed to download the hip camp app when booking online. Please do so in order to receive messages from camp host. We were able to pick any open site and there was plenty of room this time of year.We called the camp host and he came out and walked us to a site that was away from others. Full hookups and bathrooms available if needed. WiFi available and campsite was safe, clean, and well kept. Worth the cost.

  • Kim M.
    Oct. 18, 2025

    LaPine State Park Campground

    Nice state park

    Great flat trails for beginner mountain biking. Geocaches, showers,but they turned off the water mid October to mid April.

    And there was barely 1 bar of 4G Verizon. I could talk and text, but for work I had to drive.

  • J
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Shelter Cove Resort & Marina

    My Favorite Campground

    Really like the customer service. I highly recommend this campground beautiful and a ton of amenities

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Contorta Flat Campground

    Surprisingly nice

    Just passing through and found this campground. Didn’t expect much, but was pleasantly surprised. Clean pit toilets. Right on Crescent Lake. Had the whole area to ourselves. Very quiet and beautiful.

  • S
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Swampy Lakes Sno-Park/Trailhead

    This is a dispersed camping site at a trailhead with a pit toilet

    Swampy Lakes Sno-Park is a winter trailhead for cross-country skiing and is used as a mountain bike trailhead in the summer. It is a paved parking area with a pit toilet. There is no water and it is fairly close to the highway. In winter it’s not advisable to camp here since campers interfere with plowing. Nearby are two Sno-Parks ( Wanoga and Kapka) which are used by snowmobilers and are better set up for winter use since the parking is in the middle of the lot and snowplows can get around overnighters.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Duncan Reservoir Campground

    Hidden gem

    Campground has about 9 sites, 3 are pull thru, @ 1 group site is by the creek. Pull thrus are on the water side; the view is gorgeous. No potable water or power, but there’s a vault toilet. The road in wasn’t bad at all.

  • Lucas D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Timpanogas Lake Campground

    Be respectful

    There are homes being built nearby, a few trucks with campers come through, but nobody puts up tents. I didnt realize this was an actual campground until I checked this app after I was here. Very beautiful if you don't mind bird poop

  • J
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Deschutes Forest NFD 4600-120 Dispersed Camping

    Quiet, peaceful, easy to find!

    Highly recommend! We came here in early Oct and it was quiet, roads were easy to access for a 25ft camper and just a quick drive from Bend. No amenities and a range of options for parking if you want to be near other people

  • Jeff B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Forest Road 960 Campsite

    Nice area, lots of spots to camp.

    Great spots with easy access to Crater Lake! We had a blast at this spot. It had ample space for the kids to play. It was pretty quiet, even with lots of other campers in the area. It was a little dusty driving through. There were some porta-potties in the area. Highly recommend for a stay, especially if you're visiting Crater Lake. Forgot to take pictures of the site, unfortunately, but the other pictures are pretty accurate.

Guide to Gilchrist

Camping near Gilchrist, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful lakes, hiking trails, and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Boating and Fishing: Many campers enjoy the water activities at Diamond Lake. One reviewer mentioned, "In season, there is boating (there is a boat ramp in each end of the campground), and there is a fishing dock too."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Paulina Lake Campground. A visitor shared, "The lake is great for fishing, hiking, and has amazing hot springs on one side."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Little Crater Campground enjoy observing local wildlife. One happy camper noted, "We so enjoyed watching the otters, the birds, and the chipmunks."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning landscapes. A reviewer at Lava Lake Campground said, "The lake was so beautiful, with nice views of Sisters and Bachelor."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. One visitor at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver mentioned, "Nice large spaces, tall trees, level, lots of bunnies and a doe and 2 grown fauns came through our site today."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean bathrooms and well-maintained campgrounds are a big plus. A camper at Broken Arrow Campground noted, "Bathrooms and showers were very clean and empty every time I went in."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in summer. A visitor at Thielsen View Campground warned, "I started to stay here... but was overwhelmed by the mosquitoes."
  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have spotty reception. One camper at LaPine State Park Campground mentioned, "My site was huge! I did not have good cell service on Verizon."
  • First-Come, First-Serve Sites: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A camper at Little Crater Campground said, "Stopped by in off season to grab a first form first serve site. Super peaceful."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Bring Activities: Kids will love the outdoor fun. One family at Paulina Lake Campground enjoyed, "The pull-through site along the lake was spacious and looked right out on the sunset."
  • Plan for Meals: Cooking can be a fun family activity. A camper at Diamond Lake mentioned, "Rates are reasonable, especially if you have the senior Golden Access Pass."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water. A visitor at Lava Lake Campground advised, "Bring your paddleboard, kayak, float to take advantage of the water."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver noted, "The only reason I did not give this park 5 stars is the lack of sewer."
  • Use Solar Panels: Many RVers find solar panels helpful. One visitor at Lava Lake Campground shared, "We used solar panels to charge the trailer batteries and had no issues."
  • Be Mindful of Amenities: Some campgrounds lack full hookups. A camper at Broken Arrow Campground mentioned, "This is a dry camping campground... you'll need a water thief or water containers if you want to fill your RV tank."

Camping near Gilchrist, Oregon, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best camping spots in Gilchrist, Oregon?

Gilchrist offers excellent camping options for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Big Pines RV Park stands out with its clean, well-maintained sites and direct access to the Gilchrist Forest trail system, making it perfect for OHV enthusiasts. For those wanting to explore beyond immediate Gilchrist, Prairie Campground provides spacious sites just off Highway 97 near Bend. LaPine State Park Campground is another excellent option in the vicinity with full amenities including water and toilets. These campgrounds offer diverse experiences from full-hookup RV sites to more rustic forest camping experiences.

What outdoor activities can you do around Gilchrist, Oregon?

The Gilchrist area is a haven for outdoor recreation throughout the year. OHV riding is popular with numerous trails in the Gilchrist Forest, including beginner-friendly dirt roads. At Diamond Lake, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking on trails surrounding the lake. North Waldo Lake offers pristine waters perfect for paddling, with hiking paths circling the lake. The region also provides excellent access to Crater Lake National Park for sightseeing and hiking. For history enthusiasts, exploring the historic Musick Guard Station in the Umpqua National Forest provides a fascinating glimpse into Oregon's mining past.

When is the best time of year to visit Gilchrist, Oregon for camping?

The optimal camping season in Gilchrist runs from late spring through early fall. Late June through September offers the most reliable weather with warm days and cool nights perfect for outdoor activities. KOA Lemolo Lake / Crater Lake North is an excellent summer destination with full hookups and lake access, though be aware that summer can be dry and dusty during drought years. Mount Thielsen Wilderness provides dispersed camping options ideal for summer exploration of Crater Lake. Winter brings heavy snowfall, closing many campgrounds and making access difficult, while spring and fall offer fewer crowds but more variable weather conditions.

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