Escape into nature and disconnect from your daily life with cabin camping near Gilchrist. Finding a place to cabin camp near Gilchrist is easier than ever. From secluded to easy-to-reach, these Oregon cabin rentals are perfect for any adventurer.
Meandering along most of the east shore of the mile-high Diamond Lake, this large campground boasts spectacular views of both Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen, and offers visitors abundant recreational opportunities.
At an elevation of 5,183 feet, Diamond Lake provides outdoor enthusiasts with a multitude of recreational opportunities year-round. The area offers a scenic backdrop for swimmers braving its cold, refreshing waters, and anglers casting a lines from boat or shoreline. Rainbow trout thrive in the lake, as it is stocked annually with 300,000 fingerlings. Bicyclists will enjoy riding on the 11-miles of paved trail around the lake, while hikers can head out for the day on one of many trails leaving from the area. Interpretive programs are offered on Saturday evenings at the campground amphitheater.
Explosive geologic events have shaped the distinctive landscape on the 984,602-acre Umpqua National Forest, and the area provides spectacular scenery as well as an abundance of natural and cultural resources. The translation of the word, "Umpqua," meaning "thundering waters," defines the area. High mountain lakes, heart-stopping rapids, peaceful ponds and thundering waterfalls, including the 272-foot Watson Falls on the North Umpqua Highway, are available to visitors. Several designated wilderness areas provide opportunities undisturbed solitude. Encompassing 19,100 acres, Boulder Creek Wilderness is an incredible landscape, with dense old growth forests and steep terrain that tower above Boulder Creek. The most popular area in Boulder Creek is Pine Bench. This flat area overlooking Boulder Creek is home to a grove of old growth Ponderosa pines. Diverse ecosystems support a wide range of habitat for wildlife common to the area. From eagles and owls, to salamanders and salmon, these species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.
Access to Diamond Lake is within walking distance, and boat ramps and fish cleaning stations are accessible to visitors. A nearby resort offers bicycle, boat and horse rentals as well as lodging, restaurants, a grocery store, laundry facilities and fuel. Trails for hiking and mountain biking are within 10 miles of the campground. Visitors may want to take some time to visit nearby Crater Lake National Park, the only national park in Oregon! The amazing Crater Lake area offers a glimpse into the volcanic history of the area. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), one of the world's premier National Scenic Trails, showcases some of North America's most fantastic scenery, winding its way its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington, and is accessible near the campground.
$16 - $27 / night
The park's south loop and cabins remains open year-round. Book reservations up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations are required for cabin stays.
82 full-hookup sites
47 electrical sites with water
5 rustic log cabins (2 pet-friendly; see our Pets in Parks FAQ for more info)
5 deluxe log cabins (3 pet-friendly; see our Pets in Parks FAQ for more info)
Hot showers and flush toilets
Firewood for sale
RV dump station (water turned off Oct 1- May 1)
A fenced, off-leash pet exercise area is a short walk from the campground
Universal Access: All of the deluxe cabins and one rustic cabin are accessible to campers with disabilities (winter accessibility varies)
The South Loop Campers Clubhouse is open first-come, first-served from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. This rustic 18' x 24' long building is equipped with kitchen sink, counters, tables, chairs, and a refrigerator/freezer. Heating is available.
Majestic forests, crystal-blue lakes, and steady sunshine are just a part of what makes Big Pines RV Park so very special. Join us at our RV park in Crescent, Oregon for camping at its finest. Our local area has plenty of room for outdoor play with activities like fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and mountain biking. We accommodate RV’s up to 100 feet. Come see what Central Oregon camping is all about!
$46 / night
Central Oregon is where the east face of the Cascade Range meets the high desert, among a landscape of towering volcanoes, sprawling forests, and vast lava fields. The area is considered an outdoor recreation mecca for its year-round opportunities to stay and play. A good place to begin is the High Desert Museum, which provides information and interpretive displays about the diverse landscape and wildlife found in the area. Nearby attractions include the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Lava River Cave, and Paulina Lake. Central to the area is the town of Bend, which has become notable for its assortment of craft breweries, as well as its flavorful bistros, art galleries, and local arts and crafts shops. A popular summer activity is floating down the Deschutes River, which flows right through the middle of town. The Bend–Sunriver RV Campground is situated alongside the Little Deschutes River, and located approximately 20 miles south of Bend. Visitors have access to more than 300 shady, wooded RV and tent campsites, all equipped with picnic tables and fire rings; many sites are ADA accessible. Back-in RV sites can accommodate vehicles/trailers up to 40 feet. A limited number of sites have electrical hookups, and a dump station is available onsite. The resort also features a selection of cottages, cabins and yurts. Campground amenities include water faucets, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, Wifi service, a small store and a restaurant. Pets are welcome, and the resort features a dog park. Campsites are $34–$57/night; other accommodations are $84–$169/night; reservations available. There’s plenty to inside the campground as there is outside. Onsite activities include picnic areas, a kids’ playground, game room, sports courts, mini golf, disc golf, and hiking and biking trails. There’s also a large, outdoor pool, spa, and hot tub. Fishing for salmon, whitefish, and rainbow trout can be enjoyed on the river nearby. Outside of the campground, the activity options are practically endless. Summer offers access to 100s of miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails in the Deschutes National Forest and Three Sisters Wilderness. There’s also rock climbing at Smith Rock State Park, sunning, swimming, floating, paddling, rafting and fishing on the Deschutes and Metolius Rivers, and bird and wildlife watching in several locations. Winter offers skiing and snowboarding on Mount Bachelor, in addition to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more on local trails.
Mazama Campground is open only in summer. It typically opens in June and closes in late September. The exact opening and closing dates are determined each year by the snow level in the camp sites, safety issues, and other factors. The campground is nestled in an old-growth forest at 6,000 ft. (1,829 m) in elevation. There are 214 sites each with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-resistant food locker. The concessioner, ExplorCraterLake, manages the campground. For more details go to reservations.
Located next to Odell Lake, Sunset Cove Campground is in the midst of sparkling lakes, tranquil streams and nearby scenic peaks that provide visitors with the perfect backdrop for fishing, boating, hiking and biking throughout the area.
Odell Lake also offers beautiful campsites tucked away in thick forests and some excellent opportunities for water recreation as boating, fishing and wind surfing are all popular. Boats are the most effective way to fish this lake but be aware of afternoon winds as the lake can get rough. Both motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed on this body of water.
This area offers a beautiful mix of Oregon forest types with Douglas fir, white fir, hemlock and a few ponderosa pines towering over a variety of springtime flowers. Huckleberry is common in the underbrush of the campground. Wildlife found in the area include deer, elk, pine martens, ravens, native fish and an occasional black bear. Diamond Peak stands as a sentinel over Odell Lake as one of the blue giants of the Deschutes National Forest and the most prominent peak in the nearby Diamond Peak Wilderness. At an elevation of 8,744 feet, this shield volcano formed as the entire Cascades mountain range was undergoing volcanic activity and uplift.
Campers can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres within the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest. Visitors can enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, and the unique geological landscape of Newberry National Volcanic Monument draw visitors to the region as well. It is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors can also explore the Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. A nearby resort on Odell Lake offers lodging and a general store with camping supplies, coffee, snacks and fishing licenses.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$25 - $52 / night
Crescent Lake Campground is located on a hill overlooking beautiful Crescent Lake in Deschutes National Forest. It offers visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty and recreational opportunities of the eastern Cascade Range. Crescent Lake is the first campground in the Deschutes National Forest to offer yurts in a scenic location, great for individuals and groups alike.
Crescent Lake is a prime location for boating, fishing and swimming. The Summit Lake Trail is popular among hikers and mountain bikers, offering excellent views of Diamond Peak across Crescent Lake. A boat ramp is located on-site. Visitors can take advantage of skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter months. Crescent Lake Snowpark offers a base camp for exciting winter excursions. The Summit Lake Trail is open to snowmobiling.
Cresent Lake is nestled in a glacier basin east of the towering Cascade Mountain Range. It boasts brilliant blue-green water and sandy beaches. A forest of lodgepole pine provides the backdrop to this area, with mountain hemlock, fir and spruce also in the mix. Wildlife found in the area includes deer, native fish and migratory birds.
Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres within the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest. Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, and the unique geological landscape of Newberry National Volcanic Monument draw visitors to the region as well. Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$27 - $31 / night
Cultus Lake is one of the few lakes along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway that allows high speed motorized water craft. Cultus Lake Campground offers opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing and jet skiing, as well as, access to trails leading into the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Cultus Lake Campground offers opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing and jet skiing, as well as, access to trails leading into the Three Sisters Wilderness. Campers have the option to launch their boat from a walk-in boat launch located within the campground or the more developed boat launch located within the day use area.
Cultus Lake Campground is located on the shore of Cultus Lake just a few miles off the Cascade Lakes Highway. The campground offers visitors access to boating on Cultus Lake, hiking in the Three Sisters Wilderness and exploring the rich volcanic hisotry of Central Oregon's Cascades.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$32 - $36 / night
Ranger
For us, Umpqua’s Last Resort was, well, a last resort! This was all about location for us. Close to the North Umpqua? Check. Camping Cabin? Check. Available? Check. Expensive? Nope. It worked, but there is nothing fancy about this place. It is fairly small, was definitely quiet, had lots of blackberries ready to pluck, and has a little store down the road where we were able to get what we needed. The cabin was fine, but the shower house had seen better days. Trails and creeks were accessible from the property and it is in the neighborhood for a great day rafting, fun swimmin’ holes and Crater Lake National Park. In 2015, cell reception was spotty.
Legend
Old school resort on the shores of beautiful Paulina Lake. Wonderful, small log cabin lodge with amazing food. Other log cabins to rent ranging from three people to large families with fire places, a couple right on the water.
Cabins have running water, bathrooms, cozy fireplaces, comfy couches. Resort has a boat launch and small general store for supplies, food, and bait.
The Lake itself is beautiful and the location puts you right next to all of the fun hikes, biking, trails and activities all around Paulina Lake area. Possibly also some spots for RVs.
Try the Apple Crumble and the“Knife Burger” (huge burger with steak knife stuck in it). You will not be disappointed.
ScoutI am floored by the customer service at this lodge. My friends and I visited this winter and will not be returning again after a series of issues with our stay.
After visiting, I received a brief email from Karen Brown saying that we had damaged their new table in the Bluebird cabin. Throughout this entire month, I have requested over six times for a picture, as wanted to see what damage she was referring to. I have called and emailed and talked with other staff to please see the damage, and I never heard back. They charged me the labor and damage without even letting me see what it looked like.
Additionally, we had some lights not working, smoke detectors chirping, and a large container of diesel, which was unmarked, resting right near the wood burning stove. We did not realize this until one of the employees had to come to help us out with the stove, as there were no directions, and let us know how dangerous it was that it was sitting right there. We felt pretty alarmed, as we hadn't moved the container upon our arrival and we did not know it was diesel as the container had nothing written on it.
I have stayed up in the crater for three years now and have used Paulina Lake's cabins for two of them. I'm feeling pretty put out by our latest visit there particularly with this charge and lack of information given to us upon our arrival. I loved visiting here, but I will not be doing so anymore.
Ranger
Stayed in one of the cabins, it was clean and made a nice getaway for a couple days.
Bathrooms are a long walk in the middle of the night so I should have chosen a cabin with a bathroom, my mistake.
Campground sites are tightly packed and lack privacy. If you like to take nice long walks there are hiking paths as well as the paved roads in the campground.
Guide
If you want to be on a beautiful lake but not have to worry about setting up camp this is the place Cultus lake resort rents cabins, all water sport rentals, firewood, great store, and a cafe call ahead the book up fast
Legend
Campground review
Mazama village campground is located just inside the south entrance to Crater lake national park, about 5 or so miles from the rim.
Mazama village is a very large campground with cabins, a motor lodge and 7 loops with about 30 sites per loop. Each loop has flushing toilets and running water in the gender specific restrooms, and water bibs as well. Each site has a bear box, fire pit, table, and some have RV power hookups. They don't seem to have dish water troughs though.
What I found strange was the check-in process. I made reservations months in advance, but when I arrived; it wasn't a specific site I reserved, but a chance to choose a site. Sites are allocated by RV and tents; by size. There is only one loop, E that is specifically for smaller tents, so I was forced to choose from only 5 sites. I was able to luck out and find a decent site with shade and some privacy, as it was hot and dry and a lot of the sites did not offer much for privacy.
Upon entering the campgrounds you find the Annie creek restaurant and gift shop, I had chili and cornbread for dinner and wasn't too impressed with it for the price. There is also a general store, fuel pump, laundry mat and pay showers. You can also make bookings for tours and other activities at the general store.
Crater lake itself was amazing and there were tons of hikes and activites to take advantage of around the rim. It is a drive though, getting from the campground to points of interest on the rim, luckily the vistor center is the first thing you come across as you head up the west rim drive. There they also have a little gift shop and info on the national park.
On my last night in the campground I was exhausting my options for hikes and had been trying to find the nearby Annie creek trail. I ended up walking through the campgrounds and found the trail head behind the amplitheter; that happens to hold church service on Sunday. The trail was pretty sweet, it is a 2 mi. loop and either direction you start it's quite a drop into the gorge to a creek oasis running through the middle. It was quite a treat to find as the sun was going down on my final night.
All said, it was an okay campground not the best I've stayed in, but I made the most of it and had an amazing time visiting my own states national park; Crater lake.
Product review
As a Ranger for The Dyrt I get the chance to test and review outdoor gear from time to time. This is my testing and review for the Baltoro 65 ruck sack from https://www.gregorypacks.com/
Let me start by saying this pack is AWESOME! I have never been able to afford such a quality pack in the past and have always had an inexpensive pack. I am amazed at the difference in quality when it comes to a true backpacking pack made by a reputable company.
I have always been a big guy and after hurting my knee many years ago, I never found the inspiration to start real backpacking. For the past 10 years I have been building my gear box and moving more toward lighter and more quality gear. With the help of TheDyrt and Gregory as well as other fine outdoor companies; I have finally rounded out my gear especially with this pack being the final touch. I now feel I have the confidence, gear, and with growing experince to tackle harder, longer and steeper treks.
I received this pack just before my road trip to Crater lake. I tested it a few times before my departure and then many times while on the way to the park. I kept if full, around 40+ lbs. on all hikes, including 11 mi. on the Diamond view lake trail, Rosary lakes PCT section trail and the Howlock mtn. trail at Diamond lake. Then to top off the week; 5 mi. up Mt. Scott at Crater Lake. I was amazed at how good it felt and how well it handled the weight. It was real nice with all the adjustments that can be made, to make it fit me perfectly and make it actually comforable to carry.
Other features I like include:The zipper front that allows you access to the main ruck sack compartment w/o having to open the top. This way you can get to items on the bottom of the pack without having to remove the others on top. Another feature is the removable water bladder holder that can be used as a daypack/hydration pack when you don't want to take your full pack on a small jaunt. I also like the water botlle holder that is stowable and has a shockcord(like the trekking pole holders) that helps keep the bottle from falling out.
The quality of this pack is unreal, the ripstop holds up to branches, the zippers are strong with good loop pulls. All the materials used seem to be of high quality and were put together very well. I look forward to many adventures with this pack as I feel it will last me quite a while. It will help motivate me to go further and tackle harder, longer trails and stay out for more nights now that I can carry everything I need and with such ease.
I highly recommend this pack to anyone and everyone, I don't know what else someone could ask for from a backpack. Great job Gregory!
GuideWhen we Stayed: January, Thursday-Saturday
The Cabins: we stayed in a deluxe cabin. It had a full bathroom and kitchenette - I've stayed in other state park campgrounds and this was the biggest cabin I've stayed in!
Location: beautiful wooded park with a trail along the river. On a morning walk I saw a herd of elk cross the river and run behind the cabins! The cabin area was large and private but I didn't explore the rest of the park since it was the middle of winter when we were there.
Dog Friendly: huge off leash fenced park that's a bit of a walk or quick drive from the main campsites.
TravelerThis was a quick overnight stay. Extra star for the pretty snow.
Literally no issues. Stayed in a cabin with electricity and a working heater. They had a air purifying system installed into each cabin to meet COVID needs.
Cabin clean, two double beds. Bring your own bedding.
Small table and two chairs.
Fantastic wide porch with long bench to sit on watch the stairs.
Site came with pic nic table and firepit.
Dogs romping, walking and hiking around the snow.
Roads were pretty easy to get through, and clear signage.
Clean bathrooms.
No issues with checking in or out.
RangerWe really enjoyed our stay. We opted to rent a cabin due to snow and we're so happy we did. Cabin was heated making our stay very cozy. Rangers/camp hosts were super helpful. Easy access to various trails within the park.
We were able to get cell coverage in most of the park.
GuideI discovered this lodge and its cabins when exploring Paulina Lake. It’s right on Paulina Lake with beautiful views, tons of fishing, and hiking/snowmobiling. It appears they rent boats for fishing when they are open. The lodge and its cabins were closed at the time I was there (COVID?).
If I were to return I would consider this place for its views, solitude, and easy access to lots of hiking.
ScoutThe Cabin is perfectly fine, but don’t expect any frills. No cell service or WiFi. No tv. No fridge. The water is hot. Note that this“cabin” is actually four different hotel rooms that all walls. You are not in a quaint cabin in the woods. You are in a bare bones hotel room with thin walls and no amenities. There is a picnic table outside but no real lounge area despite being in the middle of a gorgeous national park.
I ended up in this cabin because the system that manages the reservations screwed up. I booked and RV site 6 months ago and was called two weeks before and told that they overbooked. The only way to accommodate me was to have me stay in one site for one night and then move to a different site for 8 nights. However the 8 night site turned out to be too short for my RV when I showed up there(I was always up front about the length of my rig). I was told the only thing open for the length of my stay was a cabin and were told to park the RV in the cabin parking lot and stay in the cabin.
Things that occurred over the course of 9 days:
Housekeeping knocking on my door at 730am on a Saturday provide service while I was asleep. They typically knocked on my door 2-3 times per day to ask when I was leaving.
running out of toilet paper and having to walk 3/4 mile to the camp store to get more(there is no phone in the room and no service)
the power going out
and my favorite, getting home from dinner at 10pm to find that our keys had been deactivated because“they thought we were leaving that day” and having to drive up to the crater rim(30 min round trip) to get new keys because the camp store closes at 9pm
The campground advertised laundry but the laundry is broken with no timeline to fix.
All in all, I just wanted what I paid for, a campsite with electric that fit my RV. Not a weird parking lot spot and a half-baked hotel room.
Unfortunately this campground is the only game in town. Good luck with your visit to crater lake.
Legend
Another very popular resort, this one is on the shores of East Lake. Rustic cabins built between the 1940s and 1960s, but quaint and cozy, most with toilets and showers and close to the shoreline. Prices vary between cabins.
A boat launch is available. Nice beach to put in for kayaks, sups. Cafe at the small lodge with good food and snacks plus a general store for supplies. RV spots available across the road.
Another beautiful location to use as a base to explore throughout Paulina/East lake area. Very popular in the summer.
Legend
We didn't actually stay here, but walked through it while hiking around the lake.
Looked like nice, very foresty surroundings, right on the water. 3 separate sites, and they were nicely separated.
This is a beautiful area, cooler than lower elevation. We came up here to get away from the heat. Mosquitoes around the lake, the closer to the water the more mosquitoes.
No cell reception.
There's a nice day camp area nearby, a store with ice cream and rentals and such. Fun place to bring family and kids.
TravelerVery nice cabins and well maintained restaurant. Also have boats and other fun water equipment to rent at a fair price. If you dont want to pitch the tent this is for you!
Guide
Quiet and beautiful views across the lake. You can kayak, fish, sail, and swim. The Lodge has seasonal entertainment along with good food and atmosphere. If you don't have a RV and don't want to sleep on the ground they also have cabins to rent.
Ranger
Diamond Lake, true to it's name, hugs the water with incredible, clear mountain views. There is a lovely lodge that's been part of the resort since it was founded almost a hundred years ago. There is a full service restaurant with breakfast lunch and dinner. Be sure to ask your server if the game meat burgers are in-- whether it's buffalo, boar, or elk depends on the season.
There is also an adorable bar upstairs with fun vintage styling and aquarium. They offer a full selection of craft beer and liquor and a big fire place that they light up in the fall and winter. That's in addition to another small downstairs bar where you can get a different selection of beer and beverages, overlooking a lawn with Adirondack chairs. You can enjoy your drink or a snack while gazing at the lake and the snow-capped peaks in front of you.
Kayak and other boat rentals are available, and the kids will love the bumper car boats near the dock. There is a well stocked general store. All of this is convenient to the cabins and motel-style rooms, which are quite popular. Tent and RV sites are available, too. There are also guided events for the whole family. Lots to do, plenty of creature comforts, and gorgeous views. Plus you are super close to Crater Lake and Umpqua Hotsprings.
LegendWith a general store, boat launch, beach and restaurant, this quaint little "resort" is a small collection of 1960s cabins along a simple gravel parking lot/road and most either on or with a view of the lake. If you want to swim, fish, boat and hang out with family and let the kiddos run all over and get sunburned and tired, this is a pretty fun, rustic place to do so.
Rates run from the low $100s for a studio up to the high $200s for a cabin that will sleep 8 or larger. It's also a popular place for people to swing by and eat/meet up so plenty of traffic coming and going.
No TVs/wifi etc. for those who care. There's also an RV area across the street run by the same resort that is relatively new. We saw a few tent sites as well but didn't inquire about them.
LegendWith the Deschutes River meandering through this campground, a forest of ponderosa pines, miles and miles of bike, horse and hiking trails, plus the largest ponderosa pine in the Oregon, LaPine State Park is a great place to go camping.
North Loop is best for tents and small RVs. (Only 20 amp). South and Central are better for big rigs. They also have cabins.
Showers are hot and clean. The river is right there! Don't miss the hike to Fall River Falls where the water is so clear, you can see the trout just hanging out by the shore.
At 4,000 feet, nights are cold and days clear and bright. The night sky is amazing. Lots to do in the area, or just hang out in the park.
AT&T service is better than Verizon, but both will work at various places in the park.
LegendGeneral: Located just across the street from the North Umpqua River, there is a mix of:•
* petite RV sites (RVs up to 20’ with FHU 20-30 amp- 3)
* deluxe RV sites (RVs up to 29’ with FHU 30-50 amp- 5)
* Super RV sites (RVs up to 60’ with FHU 50 amp- 7)
* glamping tents (7)
* cabins with heat and A/C(4)
* a cottage
* a tiny home
* camper
* retro bunkhouse
* retro RV
Site Quality: We were in a deluxe RV site that had a level gravel camper pad, electric hookup, fire ring, and picnic table. Unlike most RV parks, there was a decent amount of foliage between most sites to provide a measure of privacy.
Bath/Shower House: Two toilets, two sinks, and two showers. Clean but limited privacy for the toilets with just a curtain. Bench and hooks are outside of showers with no other separation so there is a lack of privacy there as well (did not use the shower so I cannot comment on how well it worked, although they looked nice).
Activities/Amenities:
* Guided and Self-guided hiking tours
* Guided and self-guided mountain bike tours
* a full-day waterfall tour ($75 pp, with 24-hour advance notice)
* whitewater rafting tours
* Stream and river fishing holes
* Fly fishing and hunting
* Kayak rentals on Toketee Lake (We had hoped to do this, but the weather had other plans)
* Wi-Fi is available for $2.99 per 24-hour period per device but it was flaky at best
* There is a store with ice, firewood, food, beer, and wine, apparel, propane, diesel, and gasoline, rafts, and sleds.
We arrived later than planned (just before dark) and it was cold and rainy the next day so we were not able to take advantage of the many nearby recreation activities but the staff recommended a nearby waterfall hike that we could do in inclement weather. We would definitely consider returning during better weather.
Scout
Love this place the owner is very helpful with anything you may need, very clean and all sites are in perfect condition. 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. Crescent Lake is just a short drive away with great scenery and fishing. I highly recommend this place.
GuideIf I had to choose my favorite time of year to camp at Diamond Lake I guess it would have to be Winter.
For many years my family rented a cabin a year in advance and we stayed there from December 23- January 2 with a very large group of our friends.
It was totally luxurious!
You can also rent a hotel room there.
Going down the inner tube slide was a blast, also hanging out in the lodge getting warmed by the fire.
They also have a huge market on site - almost like a mini Department store. You can buy warm clothing and other supplies there.
Fishing is kind of a big deal at Diamond also- which we did as a family.
I remember riding a snow mobile to this Pizza Chalet and getting hot pizza in the middle of nowhere!!
Such a cool place. Definitely going there this winter to play in the snow ❄️ ⛄️
I better reserve now !!!!
Legend
A campground with full hookups, clean bathrooms& showers& access to a very nice lake. Off the beaten path-you're camping in the pines of South Central Oregon. Yes, it's dry& dusty, but it's summer& they're in a drought. We were in site 28, which is by the bathroom. Convenient for us, since we have no shower in our trailer. Laundry has 2 washers& 2 dryers, both worked while we were there. There's cabins for rent as well.
The tent sites by the lake looked outstanding! If I was tent camping I'd totally want one. There's also some tent sites at the main campground facing the woods. This is an old fashioned campground. There's no jumping pillows. Swimming is done in the lake. The kids camping next to us entertained themselves. There's a boat ramp, fishing& a very small camp store.
When they say you're "away from it all", that means stock up on supplies BEFORE you get to your campsite. There's restaurants at Crater Lake& I think Diamond Lake.
The worst thing I can say about this campground is that I hated the tokens. The girl who registered me told me the reason & I understand it. The tokens for the showers are free to registered campers & given out every day for the asking. This campground sits alongside a Forest Service campground within easy walking distance. No showers or laundry there. Maybe a business opportunity for the KOA? $5 for a shower for the unregistered & stinky? I wish there was a way though to insert the tokens INSIDE your shower so you don't have to trot back to your shower wrapped in a towel!
My husband & I liked this campground very much. I would recommend it if visiting Crater Lake& the surrounding National Forests.
Ranger
Campground close to lake. Plenty of sites. Camp Store within walking distance w restaurant as well. Water recreation rental available as well. Nice hikes available including one around the lake!
TravelerQuiet, wooded campground. No hookups. Vault bathrooms. Great areas for kids to play, lots of access to water via boat ramps or jetty or shoreline spots to sit. Close to Crescent lake where there are fun water rentals to enjoy on the lake and a great restaurant. Mosquitos weren’t bad in July.
Traveler
Typical drive through RV campground. Sites located between main highway and lake edge. There is some distance between sites and each has a pretty good view of the water. Hiking / biking path around lake gives you access to a pizza parlor and Diamond Lake lodge with swimming and boat rentals. Great for bike riding.
GuideBeautiful!
Fire pit, picnic table, showers, flush toilets and large campsites.
Really good balance of privacy and community.
Bikes and Boat Rentals nearby as well as a small general store and restaurant.
Short drive to Crater Lake National Park.
Note: I recommend getting a site near the water if you can. The Forest is very buddy but better by the water.
LegendBesides being the only National Park in the state of Oregon, Crater Lake is an amazing stop along the PCT. On our month long trek across Oregon, my husband, dog, and I made sure that we spent at least one day here. The best part was that we had friends join us for a great time. There are a variety of camping options available including paid, reserved site camping for tents, trailers, or RVs, private cabins, as well as a separate area for hikers and bikers (bicyclists) who do not have a motor vehicle. It definitely fills up quickly in the summertime so be sure to reserve early as you may not have any luck with day-of walkups. The campground is about 2 miles from the PCT intersection so you can either walk along the road or try your luck at hitchhiking in.
The campground is located right inside the park and has a nice base area. There is a formal restaurant with gift shop in one building then about 100 yards away is a second building with a general store, showers/bathrooms/laundry, and camping check-in. The second building is where hikers pick up their resupply packages so there are always a bunch of them hanging around outside. The general store has pretty much everything you may need and there is a free water refill station right outside so be sure to bring fill up containers as I don't believe they sell individual bottles of water. This is also where you can catch a trolley up to the crater.
The actual camp sites are divided into numbered loops and when you reserve you don't reserve individual spots. You get your spot once you check in (and the person who actually make the reservation is the only person who can check in) so it is a mix of first come, first served and reserved camping. In any case, my friend got a great spot that was near a bath house (flushing toilets but the showers were locked). Since it is a big campground, it would take about 5 minutes to walk from our site to the general store (near the only spot for wi-fi which is paid only).
Our site was tent only and allowed for two cars. You could easily fit 2 (if not one more) tents in the spot. It was well equipped with a table, fire pit, and bear box all in good condition. There were a lot of trees which allowed for hammocks and provided some privacy between the spots. The mosquitoes weren't horrible but they were definitely a nuisance, especially at dawn and dusk, so be sure to bring your deet or other bug repellent if staying in July or early season.
Overall, the camp ground is definitely worth the cost and it gives you great access to one of Oregon's gems.
Cabin camping near Gilchrist, Oregon offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, allowing visitors to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing the comforts of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Gilchrist, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Gilchrist, OR is Diamond Lake with a 4.4-star rating from 59 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Gilchrist, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 cabin camping locations near Gilchrist, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring