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The Deschutes River Valley surrounding Redmond, Oregon contains a mix of campgrounds and dispersed camping areas suited to tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin or glamping options. Within 30 minutes of town, campers can access Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground, a free dispersed camping area, or Deschute County Expo RV Park with full hookups and concrete pads. The camping landscape includes multiple accommodation types from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks, with several locations offering cabin rentals and glamping options. Notable camping clusters exist near Smith Rock State Park, along the Crooked River, and throughout the surrounding high desert terrain. Camping near Redmond provides excellent access to outdoor recreation with over 300 campsites available across the region.
Road conditions and seasonal factors significantly impact camping experiences in the region. Many campgrounds remain open year-round due to the high desert climate, though winter brings colder temperatures and occasional snow. "We stayed here twice with a short gap between our 2 times. Comfortable park, very clean. Big rig friendly especially in the center areas without trees," noted one visitor about the Deschute County Expo RV Park. Travelers should plan for limited shade at many sites, as the high desert environment features sparse tree cover except in riverside locations. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better connectivity at established campgrounds closer to Redmond and Bend.
Camping near water receives particular attention in visitor reviews. The nearby Deschutes and Crooked Rivers provide popular access points, with several campgrounds positioned to take advantage of these waterways. Public lands surrounding Redmond contain numerous dispersed camping opportunities on Bureau of Land Management property, particularly east of town near Terrebonne. According to one camper, "There's a bunch of BLM land here... The sunsets were awesome. Only concern was a bit of trash and broken glass. Otherwise, it was a great spot to stay while visiting the Smith Rock Valley and Redmond area." Many sites serve as convenient base camps for exploring regional attractions including Smith Rock State Park, known for rock climbing, Steelhead Falls for hiking, and numerous mountain biking trails throughout the area.
"This is one of our favorite campgrounds in Oregon. We did have a harder time backing in our 35ft trailer due to the more narrow road but over all wasn’t that bad."
"Very solid, typical Oregon state campground."
from $32 - $128 / night
Check Availability"Day 4 - Pacific North Quest (South Sister) This classic Eastern Oregon gem is located just north of Bend on the Crooked River."
"Smith Rock always surprises me- here you are, driving through the farmlands of Central Oregon and BAM. There is Smith, rising out of the ground."
from $8 / night
Check Availability"There are a lot of trails nearby! Hiking, Bike and atv trails. There is also access to the "road" that leads to the top of Grey Butte."
"Great spot to camp with a quick drive to Smith Rock. We had fun hiking many of the trails within the area. Several TH right next to campground. Very quiet and peaceful campground."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Close to;the town of Redmond and Bend. No trees or grass and sites are fairly close. Clean bathrooms and showers. Big rig friendly"
"This is one of the best stops if you are visiting Redmond or the Bend, OR area"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Stopped here in Redmond to do some fantastic climbing in Smith’s Rock State Park. Clean pit bathroom and clean sites. Little to no trash on the trails to the falls themselves."
"There aren't a ton of free camping options near Redmond. This is a great option. Only 2-3 spots for vans/small RVs. The other spots are clearly for tent camping."
"There is an on site pool and outdoor gathering place, a general store, propane vending, a dog walking path and large property behind the park to take pets with a reminder to clean up and pack it out."
"From the put-put golf course near the check-in, to the store and the lovely lake, this is a great place for kids as well as adults."
from $43 - $78 / night
Check Availability"The campground is very clean and right on the west edge of Sisters, Oregon. Very good location, right near the highway, but easy walking into all the fine shops in Sisters."
"The campground is in Sisters, OR., which is a great little town in Central Oregon, a jumping off location for lots of outdoor activities."
from $25 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Driving around Oregon for a few days, we dropped our tent in the grasslands in early March."
"We followed our RV GPS and WAZE, which agreed until we got near the state park. We checked out the confirmation email, which stated to follow the signs."
from $32 - $53 / night
Check Availability"Again with most of our trip in Central Oregon, late August/early September, it was very smoky."
"Cove Palisades State Park is one of my favorite Central Oregon destinations. Lake Billy Chinook is simply stunning, and there is a great hike, the Tam-A-Lau trail, that goes right from the campsite."
from $31 - $56 / night
Check Availability"Quite a ways from Redmond for shopping or restaurants, but a really pretty setting."
"Redmond/Central Oregon KOA is such a beautiful place to come and camp. The views are incredible, and is one of the reasons why I really enjoy this place."
TravelerVery peaceful with plenty of room between campsites, actually cannot see the next campsite over! Vault toilets are clean. Camp Host is EXCELLENT. Do not follow Apple Maps to this campground…watch for the signs on the road instead. Apple Maps has you going way past and turning the wrong way.
TravelerI've been here a few times and loved it. Now I'm going back to camp for a few days. It's perfect. May of 2026 - hardly any mosquitos compared to the rest of the area. No one else there and plenty of space when I was there. Hopefully its the same today when I go back. I'm sure its busy during the summer but its a dream right now
GuideThis is a lovely state park that is well manicured. We have a Transit van, but boon dock. There were not RV sites available so we got a tent site. The site was very tidy. The bathrooms were immaculate. We only stayed the night. Rangers do patrol the area routinely (about every 30 minutes). The park was a very calm place to be while we were there (1 day). Definitely would return. If you use satellite, some sites have trees while others have a bit more clear sky. Also, the bathrooms are very walk-able from many of the tent sites as the site is compact. Would definitely camp here again.
GuideAdding a more balanced take after staying here overnight.
We’ve seen a few very positive reviews of this area, but our experience landed somewhere more in the middle — honestly leaning a bit rough around the edges.
The site felt somewhat grungy and under-maintained in places, with scattered belongings that made it seem like a few long-term or semi-permanent campers may be using it. There was also enough trash that I ended up picking some up just out of respect for the area.
In terms of layout and access:
We were in the off-season, and even then there were still several people dispersed throughout the area. Driving through, we also noticed multiple pullouts near the road and closer to the Lava Lands Visitor Center that looked like people were camping in informally — though I’m not sure what the actual rules are there when the visitor center is open vs. closed seasonally.
Location-wise, it’s basically right off the highway. That means:
For us, it worked as a simple overnight stop, but it didn’t feel like a place to settle in. I wouldn’t choose it for a campfire evening or anything slow-paced. With a kid, it also didn’t quite feel like the most comfortable or secure environment for lingering beyond a night’s sleep.
Good for transit. Not really a destination.
ScoutThis site is right by Newberry Volcanic National Monument, South of Bend . It is easily accessed from northbound 97. If you are southbound, you’ll have to double back. It is a pine-wooded area with lots of pretty level sites. Dirt road is in relatively good shape.
TravelerStayed one night early season on first come first serve basis so we had the entire campground to ourselves. The water is supposed to be turned on “sometime this week” (I assume that’s around May 22 when reservations begin). A shower can be had at the resort across the highway. Buy a token at the store for $3–that gets you 4 minutes. Good reasonably priced meal in the cafe (right now it’s closed Monday & Tuesdays). Clean well stocked vault toilets. Some sites are on the water and are an extra $2. Really enjoyed the birds, deer wandering through and watching the squirrels….be squirrels. Overall, yes I would stay here again (a little dusty).
ScoutI used the dyrt app to find free camping near clear lake. I found this spot. I had a 30 foot trailer with me. Approximately 1/2 mile up the road from the main parking lot, to the right, there is a cut out that easily fits two 30 foot trailers. We were there for on May 8th and maybe heard 1 car driving by. Very quiet spot. Would definitely recommend.
GuideNot overcrowded, I was alone almost the whole week. However it’s not as clean as some reviews say. Seems to be a bit of a dumping ground. I had to clean up my campsite from previous campers.
GuideElk Horn is really beautiful place to camp at. Camp sites are very clean and the camp host is on top of everything. They only have toilets no showers. It’s a first come first serve. There is no reservations. The river is really nice and cold. And what’s really cool is that area has extremely large rocks where people can jump off of. It’s pretty deep. Just need to be safe about it. I recommend everyone to go check that campground out also. Me and my family love camping. But we also love to free camp a lot better. Elkhorn has really great prices for there sites. I recommend that everyone come and check this little peace of paradise out.
Redmond's high desert climate sits at 3,077 feet elevation, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Summer temperatures reach 85-90°F with cool nights dropping to 40-50°F, while spring and fall bring more moderate temperatures with occasional frost. Most camping options near Redmond, OR are located along river corridors or within 30 minutes of town, providing access to both water activities and desert terrain.
Hiking at Smith Rock: Just 10 miles north of Redmond at Smith Rock State Park Campground, trails range from easy riverside paths to challenging climbs. "The hiking is fantastic and the climbing is world-renown," notes Kristin G. The park includes a walk-in bivouac area for tents with hot showers.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple areas for casting lines exist in the region. At Deschutes River Campground in The Cove Palisades, "Lake Billy Chinook is simply stunning, and there is a great hike, the Tam-A-Lau trail, that goes right from the campsite," according to one camper. The lake offers brown trout, rainbow trout, and kokanee fishing.
Waterfall exploration: A half-mile easy hike leads to Steelhead Falls from the Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground. One visitor reports, "Half mile easy hike to the waterfall but the trail keeps going another Half-ish mile for a slightly longer walk. Lots of fishermen and folks walking the trail in the morning." The free BLM campground provides basic amenities with vault toilets.
Night sky viewing: The high desert's clear air and minimal light pollution create excellent stargazing conditions. At Steelhead Falls, campers enjoy "flat sites far enough away from each other for privacy even though the terrain is pretty open... had great view of the night sky."
Access to urban amenities: Camping near Redmond provides proximity to towns for supplies and entertainment. At Tumalo State Park Campground, one camper appreciated being "close to Costco, Trader Joe's, etc for shopping. Enjoyed the Deschutes Brewery tour and High Desert Museum!" The park offers full hookups, showers, and riverside access.
Variety of water activities: Lakes and rivers provide cooling recreation during hot summer months. At Crooked River Campground, visitors can enjoy "Lake Billy Chinook which lies at the confluence of the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius rivers." One camper notes it's "a great spot for watercraft. Was semi crowded in July. Has a shallow swimming area surrounded by wood docks to protect swimmers from the wake."
Limited shade at most sites: The high desert environment means sparse tree cover except at specific campgrounds. At Skull Hollow Campground, one camper mentioned, "Gorgeous campground. Very little shade, I'd imagine it's miserably hot in the summer."
Fire restrictions vary seasonally: Wildfire risk often leads to fire bans during summer months. At Smith Rock State Park, "No campfires because of previous forest fires. Sleep, then get out and enjoy the hike or climbing," notes Michael Y. Always check current restrictions before arrival.
Water access points limited: Not all campgrounds have water access despite proximity to rivers. At Steelhead Falls, "Even if you walk to the river it's about a 100ft drop down to it," according to one review. Similarly, some riverside sites may require steep descents to reach water.
Reservation requirements vary: Many established campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. Tumalo State Park requires booking through ReserveAmerica.com, while sites like Steelhead Falls operate on first-come, first-served basis. As one visitor noted, "We were there mid week and didn't have trouble getting a spot, but it sounds like it's busier on the weekends."
Playgrounds and recreation: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly amenities. Crooked River Campground at The Cove Palisades "is a great spot for families. Plenty of room to play outdoor games and it has a neat outdoor amphitheater," according to Jill T.
Swimming spots with safety features: Designated swimming areas provide safer water play options. At Crooked River Campground, there's "a shallow swimming area surrounded by wood docks to protect swimmers from the wake."
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs enhance children's camping experience. One camper at Crooked River mentioned, "Very good ranger program, and a nice outdoor amphitheater." These programs typically occur during summer months and include wildlife presentations.
Activity options beyond hiking: Campgrounds like Redmond/Central Oregon KOA provide additional entertainment. "They have a pool (which was always crowded), and they also have a place where you can rent bikes and petal-kart rentals. My family and I did this one morning and had an absolute blast," writes Julie P.
Concrete pad availability: For level parking and stability, several campgrounds offer paved sites. At Deschute County Expo RV Park, "Each single site is $15 for one vehicle or RV, and $7 for an additional vehicle. Cash/check only." One RVer noted, "With over a hundred concrete spaces, each with a grill, picnic table, water, sewer, and electric. But there's more! Fantastic showers, laundry and friendly staff."
Big rig accessibility: Many campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. At Tumalo State Park, one camper advised, "Must book on ReserveAmerica.com. Drove around to select potential sites then confirmed open and booked online. Well paved streets and campsites."
Dump station locations: Not all parks have onsite dump stations. A camper at Tumalo State Park noted, "If have tent site, nearest dump station is CampingWorld... only a few miles away at north side of Bend. Dump station list provided at entry gate is outdated."
Power options: Hookup types vary by campground. At Skull Hollow, there are no hookups available, while Tumalo State Park offers electric service but limited full-hookup sites. For complete services, Deschute County Expo RV Park provides "Industrial strength camp ground. Asphalt and gravel. Few trees and some of those are dead."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find tent camping sites near Redmond, Oregon?
Yes, there are several tent camping options near Redmond. Skull Hollow Campground near Terrebonne offers drive-in tent sites with basic amenities like vault toilets in a desert setting. For a free option, Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground provides primitive tent sites with access to hiking trails and a beautiful waterfall, though be prepared as the vault toilets can be in rough condition. These sites are particularly popular with rock climbers visiting nearby Smith Rock State Park. For tent campers seeking more amenities, consider Coldwater Cove Campground by Clear Lake, which offers a gorgeous setting with crystal-clear water and easy access for non-motorized boats, though swimming is limited due to the consistently cold water temperatures.
What are the best campgrounds in Redmond, Oregon?
The best campgrounds near Redmond offer convenient access to local attractions and quality amenities. Redmond - Central Oregon KOA stands out with its beautiful setting offering spectacular views of the Cascade Range including Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson. This campground features pull-through spaces with full hookups, fire pits, an outdoor pool, playground, and well-stocked store. For those looking to explore natural wonders, Deschutes River Campground — The Cove Palisades State Park is centrally located for adventures to Peter Skene State Park and Smith Rock State Park. Though slightly farther from town, these campgrounds provide the perfect balance of comfort and access to Central Oregon's outdoor attractions.
Are there camping options with electric hookups near Redmond?
Deschute County Expo RV Park is an excellent option for electric hookups near Redmond. This fairground site features over a hundred concrete spaces, each with full hookups including water, sewer, and electricity. The park offers paved roads, level concrete pads, picnic tables, and grills. Despite being a fairground location, it's exceptionally well-maintained with fantastic showers, laundry facilities, and friendly staff. For those preferring a more traditional camping atmosphere with hookups, Cottonwood RV Park provides electric services in a location conveniently close to Smith Rock State Park. This park is known for its exceptionally clean facilities including gym-quality showers, restrooms, and laundry amenities, all within a short walk from each campsite.
Are there dog-friendly camping options near Redmond, Oregon?
Yes, there are several dog-friendly camping options near Redmond. Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground is a great free option that welcomes pets and offers access to hiking trails perfect for walking your dog. The campground has a few spots suitable for vans or small RVs, with the majority designated for tent camping. For those seeking more amenities, Indian Ford Campground near Sisters is another pet-friendly option with decent sized sites and nice tree coverage. When camping with dogs in the Redmond area, remember to keep pets leashed in designated areas, pack waste bags, and be mindful of wildlife and other campers.
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