Powell Butte sits at approximately 3,200 feet elevation in Central Oregon's high desert, where summer temperatures can reach the 90s and winter nights often drop below freezing. RV campgrounds near Powell Butte offer varying levels of shade, with most sites featuring gravel or paved pads rather than natural surfaces. Cell service typically strengthens closer to Bend and weakens in canyon areas.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Simtustus RV Park offers access to quality fishing directly from the property. "Fishing was great and employees were amazing," notes one visitor to Lake Simtustus RV Park. The park provides boat slips and equipment rentals including pontoon boats and kayaks for water activities.
Golfing access: Several campgrounds provide proximity to golf courses, particularly in the Sisters area. "Golf for Mom and Dad," mentions a camper at Crooked River Ranch, which offers on-site golfing alongside canyon views. The campground includes a pool for additional recreation after a day on the course.
Local trails: Explore hiking paths directly from campgrounds in the region. "There's a nice walking trail (Matt's Trail) that takes you around the campground along the canyon edge (level: easy). There's also a BLM trail (Crooked River Trail) you can access from the campground that takes you down to the water (level: moderate to hard)," reports a visitor to Crooked River Ranch.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds throughout the region maintain high cleanliness standards. A visitor to Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort notes, "Heated floors, huge showers. Fantastic," regarding their bathroom facilities. Another camper describes the resort as having "Nicely spaced camp sites, and clean restrooms."
Fishing options: Many visitors appreciate the fishing opportunities at area lakes and rivers. At Lake Simtustus RV Park, one camper mentioned it has a "Good small dock and spot to camp. Good fishing off dock and near the campground." The park's proximity to water makes it particularly appealing for anglers.
Family amenities: RV parks in the region often include features specifically for families. A visitor to Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver reports, "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!"
What you should know
Reservation needs: Many RV campgrounds near Powell Butte fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "We were traveling and getting near the end of our day when we called to see if this RV spot had anything for us. Everything around is full. There is a special exhibit nearby that people travel to. We felt fortunate to be able to find a spot," explains a visitor to Deschute County Expo RV Park.
Site variations: Campground quality can vary significantly by site number or loop within the same park. "Stayed in 27 one night and 9 another night. 27 is jammed in with a gravel lawn. 1-10 are the only sites that have a fair sized grass lawn," reports a camper at Deschute County Expo RV Park. This insight helps campers select optimal locations.
Price considerations: RV parks in the region range significantly in price based on amenities and location. One visitor to Deschute County Expo RV Park titled their review "Expensive but worth it," noting "Well cared for campground and nice facilities. Full hook up." Meanwhile, another camper observed that Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver provides "Very inexpensive compared to other campgrounds nearby."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer pool access for children. A visitor to Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort notes, "Very happy with this RV spot. Nice staff, clean, flat pull through spacious spots. Great amenities, with wonderful bathroom/shower facilities." Swimming pools provide entertainment for children after exploring the area.
Wildlife viewing: Kids enjoy observing local wildlife at many campgrounds. A camper at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver mentions, "Kids loved Sunriver-Bend Thousand Trails because there is bunnies, bullfrogs," making nature observation an accessible activity directly from camp.
Activity variety: Look for campgrounds with multiple built-in entertainment options. "They have a nice blend of family activities but also plenty of quiet time. All the amenities make it a great place to stay for a few days," notes a visitor at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver, highlighting the balance between recreation and relaxation opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your specific site carefully when making reservations at Crown Villa RV Resort. "We felt very confident when we selected the bronze area in Crown Villa Bend RV Resort because we've stayed in Sun RV Resorts in California before and they were well maintained. Unfortunately, Crown Villa bronze category was extremely disappointing. Now if you paid extra for platinum or gold, the spaces were absolutely gorgeous and well maintained."
Hookup locations: At some campgrounds, the placement of hookups can affect your experience. "I will say that if the hookup was on the other side of the site I'd have had a much better view," mentions a visitor to Lake Simtustus RV Park regarding site orientation issues.
Wi-Fi access: Internet connectivity varies significantly among RV parks. At Lake Simtustus RV Park, a camper reported "Very good wi-fi" while a visitor to Scandia RV Park mentioned having connectivity challenges. For remote workers, researching internet reliability beforehand remains important.
