Gilchrist is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Gilchrist camping trip.
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.
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 / 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.
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.
Nestled in the heart of sunny central Oregon, Tumalo rests along Oregon's spectacular Deschutes River. The campground is simultaneously close enough to the town of Bend to make an quick jaunt to the grocery store, but far enough away to escape the commotion. Its location makes it an ideal stepping stone for any type of outdoor activity you could possibly dream of: lush green golf courses, clear blue-ribbon trout steams, pristine alpine lakes, miles upon miles of challenging yet scenic hiking and mountain bike trails, and of course the Cascade Mountains are all within easy reach.
Approximately 23 full-hookup sites More than 50 tent campsites Seven yurts (two pet-friendly) Two seasonal group camping area Two seasonal group picnic areas Seasonal hiker/biker camp Showers and flush toilets Firewood and ice sales (in season) Universal Access Four campsites and one yurt are accessible to campers with disabilities.
$21 - $61 / night
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.
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.
$21 - $23 / 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.
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.
$25 - $27 / night
Diamond Peak stands as a sentinel over Odell Lake, one of the blue giants of the Deschutes National Forest. This large lake is 3562 acres, 6 miles long and 1 1/2 miles wide, and reaches a depth of 282 ft. The average depth is 132 ft. which makes it ideal habitat for lake trout (Mackinaw) and bull trout. Rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and whitefish also naturally reproduce in this lake. Odell Lake is managed as a trophy lake trout fishery and has the distinction of the last two state record lake trout being caught here. The current state record is a 40 lb 8 oz 45.5 inch long giant caught in 1984 by Kenneth Erickson. Bull trout is listed as a threatened species with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is thus closed to angling. Odell Lake also offers beautiful campsites tucked away in thick forests and some excellent wind surfing. Boats are the most effective way to fish this lake but be aware of afternoon winds; the lake can get dangerously rough. Motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed on this body of water. For boat launch information see Princess Creek Boating Site, Sunset Cove Boating Site , Trapper Creek Boating Site, Odell Lake Resort and Shelter Cove Resort.
Wyeth Campground is a small campground located along the Deschutes River just downstream from Wickiup Reservoir. Please note that there are two US Forest Service campgrounds named "Wyeth" in Oregon. This one is on the Deschutes National Forest along the Deschutes River. The other is located within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Please make sure that you choose the one you intend to stay in.
Paddling and fishing are popular activities in this area. Motorized boating is not permitted on this stretch of the Deschutes River.
Paddling and fishing are popular activities in this area. Motorized boating is not permitted on this stretch of the Deschutes River.
The Deschutes River flows north through mixed conifer forest.
Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately hundred of miles of trail. Newberry National Volcanic Monument, approxiately 45 minutes by vehicle, 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 explore Lava River Cave, the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Bywaywhich climbs 66 miles 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.
$11 - $19 / night
Never again, hovering campground hosts kept the place clean but they made us feel like we were on the watch list. Campers left the campsite and no joke, the hosts were in raking the dirt as the people were vacating.
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.
This spot was close enough to town that we could call an Uber to Hayden Homes after we set up, then Uber back when the concert finished. The main red dirt road is gorgeous with various pull offs spaced decently far apart. I saw one or two neighbors to the left and right of our spot but it was far enough that our spot felt private. Really quiet and felt remote while still accessible to town and had cell service.
Quiet camping area off 138. You come up to what looks like a county shop, but keep going to the left, and you're here. A handful of sites. We were easily able to park out jeep a ways in.
They don't allow vans but they will allow teardrops.
Hypocritical
Van campers are good campers too.
This was a lovely place to camp for the night. There were probably 10-15 campsites, and I was the only one there when I showed up. Campsites have picnic tables and fire pits and there is a pit toilet. Many trees which provide shade. Some mosquitos but not too bad. Very easy to find with the directions and it was also on GAIA GPS.
Loved these dispersed sites close to the town of Bend. Extensive mountain biking trials throughout as well.
Really awesome facility. Every site is big-rig friendly and almost perfectly level. Minimum work getting setup. The river is just feet away. Dog friendly. We especially liked the trains that occasionally tooted and roared down the opposite side on the river canyon.
There was a fair amount of shady traffic c but all was well during my night stay with my dog. Good place to crash near bend in the woods.
A nice gravel rd with no major ruts or holes. Navigable with a van all wheel drive. Drove in about a mile+to find an empty spot. Most already taken. Seems to be a mix between a mobile and a stationary group of campers. A good spot close to Bend.
I drove pretty far down this road and the further back you gp, you lost cell service and also lots of "extended stay" campers, junky trailer and one with a leather recliner next to their minivan. Somebody had hung up their laundry to dry in between two pine trees.
The road noise was LOUD.
Also some of the sites are very soft sand so be careful if you don't have a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Super super dusty. It just gets all over everything. Spent an extra hour packing up just to wipe things down. Then there is a layer of dust inside the entire vehicle that we're going to have to wipe down. I've been to lots of disbursed campsites and never had dust like this before that just sticks on everything.
And many people drive by at like 50 miles an hour and kick up huge dust clouds so be prepared for that too.
IN THE MORNING A WHITE TRUCK WITH TWO MEN DROVE BY OUR CAMP REALLY SUPER SLOW, EYEBALLING IT. I TURNED AROUND A LITTLE BIT OF THE ROAD AND THEN CAME BACK AGAIN AND THEN DROVE SLOW PAST AGAIN. REALLY UNNERVING.
Decent cell service for T-Mobile. 2-3 bars 5G (close to the entrance though. No cell service the further you drive in.)
Great land to explore and so many options to camp
Large campsite with a lot of sites in a wooded area. For me the campground was a kind of a maze, lots of different areas and lots of curves and no clear directions. It was quiet though. Hook-ups for electricity and water. Dumpstations separate, somewhere on the campsite.
Correct coordinates: 43.2558019, -122.1650183
Small forest camp right off the hwy, next to a creek and is shaded. There are at least 4 campsites, each with a fire pit/ stove, picnic table and room for a small RV (less than 25 ft). There is wifi, and a toilet near the entrance. No trash services. Pack it out.
Great and plentiful camping spots. A little crowded at the entrance but there are miles of trails to go explore on and find the perfect spot for you. About 35 minutes from Mt bachelor
I really liked my stay at this park. The bathrooms were clean and awesome. They had fire pits, everyone was friendly. I would 100% stay again!
Very clean & quiet. Convenient to Bend & Sisters. Outstanding area for so much activity, & some serious scenic overload.
Our 3rd Oregon SP on our journey, best so far.
Our GPS brought us right to the campground (CG). This was our third time staying in what we consider one of our top 5 CGs. Check-in was quick and easy. We proceeded to pull through site 49, which was plenty long enough for our 40’ fifth wheel and F450. The water and electric were centered on the pad. The sewer sat a little farther back on the pad, but that was not an issue. You can hear the river really well from site 49, and that is the major reason we chose this site. If you don't like the sound of a raging river, you would want to get a site further down or a site not on the river. We had good water pressure around 50 psi, 2 bars on Verizon, and the CG WiFi was okay. Even though there were mature trees, we got a good north shot for Starlink. Satellite could be iffy depending on your site. Sites are okay spaced, with some sites closer together than others. Our utilities side neighbor was very close, and our yard side was nearby. They have a nice laundry with 3 washers and dryers that cost $1.50 to wash/dry. There was a significant increase in train traffic from the tracks across the river as compared to our last stay. There were also some updates, such as putting in a really nice pavilion with an outdoor fireplace plus some landscaping additions. The Westfir/Oakridge area is known as the mountain biking capital of the Northwest, and there are a multitude of biking and hiking trails.
General: 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.
This is a large Forest Service campground stretching along the shores of Diamond Lake. It is difficult to do a full review of this campground as we were there at the end of the season when it was cold, windy, and rainy. There was no staff on-site, and it was only the next morning that I saw an occupied host site way at the other end of the southern part of the campground. The north end of the campground had already closed for the season, and I believe the south end closes at the end of October. Reservations are only available June through Labor Day, but we pretty much had our pick of sites on a weekday in mid-October.
The road and camper pads are paved, and a good amount of foliage between sites provides privacy.
As far as activities, there is a paved bike path that winds through the campground. In season, there is boating (there is a boat ramp in each end of the campground), and there is a fishing dock too.
In each end of the campground, there is one “nice” bathhouse that is clean, heated, well-lit, and has showers. Depending on where your site is, it may be quite a walk to get to these bathrooms. Note that showers are free but there is a donation box. I wouldn't be surprised that at some point in the future, they will require payment. Sprinkled throughout the rest of the campground are very basic bathrooms with one sink, two stalls, cold water only, no soap. It had last been cleaned three days before we were there and there was no toilet paper in the men’s bathroom closest to our site.
There is also a dump station with a donation box.
Rates are reasonable, especially if you have the senior Golden Access Pass, however, there was a note that each transaction also incurred a $3 transaction fee. Didn’t know if that was if you reserved online, used a credit card, or no matter. We included it in the envelope for a total of $14.
This is a highly recommended campground. Great spots right on the lake and it's a huge campground with tons of spots in general. Cellphone service is hit or miss depending on where you are. We found a level spot, not all spots are level. They have trash and a dump/water station.
Showers are available via a donation..campsite rates are very reasonable for amenities and location.
10 miles from Crater Lake, 1 mile from the lodge with a little store and restaurant. Restaurant was pretty darn good for the middle of nowhere. 100 years old.
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.
Site has been logged & is inaccessible/ gone. There are some spots to park a car/ pitch a tent across from where this used to be along 4790. I ended up pitching a tent in a nice grassy field along 100 with the best cell service I’ve ever had — that spot gets a 5/5!
Stayed at diamond lake for 3 days. The specific site didn’t have any reviews or pics, but took a chance on it. Our site didn’t have any shade so it was a little rough. And it was a little dirty throughly the entire campground. You could tell it’s highly used, sad that people don’t take a little more pride and leave it a little cleaner then they found it.
We have Verizon and had 1-2 bars LTE. Couldn’t make or receive calls and really couldn’t text or email.
The bathrooms were fairly clean given you are in the middle of nowhere. They showers were available, but we didn’t use them.
The camp hosts were awesome! They gave our free firewood and had free WiFi you could use.
I camped at diamond lake for the first time in about 15 years and can’t believe how rundown it has become. Most toilets in bathroom are broken. Our nearby water spigot not functioning. And lots of litter in camp site. Beautiful lake though.
We were so lucky to get a last minute spot. The bearded man with a that checked us was full of helpful information. We wanted to stay an extra night, but the camp ground was full. Amy at the front station was such a blessing to help us get another night. She went above and beyond in service. We live in Ca and very rarely see this kind of service. I was told by a friend, you will love the Oregon parks. He was so right.
Great place to camp and friendly staff
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.
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
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Gilchrist, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Gilchrist, OR is Diamond Lake with a 4.4-star rating from 58 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Gilchrist, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 glamping camping locations near Gilchrist, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
