Best Campgrounds near Silver Lake, OR

Silver Lake in eastern Oregon is surrounded by primitive camping areas and established campgrounds managed by the Forest Service and BLM. The region includes Duncan Reservoir Campground, Silver Creek Marsh, and Fremont National Forest sites offering both tent and RV camping options. Most camping areas are situated between 4,000-5,000 feet elevation in the high desert, with several sites providing reservoir access for fishing and water recreation. Thompson Reservoir Campground and the dispersed sites near Auger Creek offer more remote experiences for those seeking solitude.

The camping season generally runs May through November, with most Forest Service facilities closing during winter months. Rough roads with washboard surfaces and potholes can make access challenging, particularly after rain when some dirt roads become impassable. Many campgrounds feature basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables, while most lack drinking water or hookups. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most sites, requiring self-sufficiency. According to one visitor at Bunyard Crossing Forest Camp, "If it rains, you most likely will be there till the road into the campsite dries out. Deep ruts in the road now, so regular cars aren't recommended."

Campers particularly value the quiet, uncrowded atmosphere at most Silver Lake area campgrounds. The region's reservoirs and lakes serve as focal points, with fishing opportunities at Thompson Reservoir and Duncan Reservoir drawing anglers. Wildlife viewing includes eagles, waterfowl, and occasional cattle grazing near campsites. Volcanic landscapes dominate the terrain, making tent placement challenging in some areas. A recent review of Duncan Reservoir noted, "Such a lovely unexpected find. Travel down a gravel road for approx 5 miles mostly smooth a few wash out spot but easy to navigate around to arrive at a sparkling oasis." Though remote, the area provides access to regional attractions including Fort Rock, Christmas Valley, and the Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge for birdwatching.

Best Camping Sites Near Silver Lake, Oregon (110)

    1. Duncan Reservoir Campground

    5 Reviews
    Silver Lake, OR
    7 miles
    +1 (541) 947-2177

    "Travel down a gravel road for approx 5 miles mostly smooth a few wash out spot but easy to navigate around to arrive to a sparkling oasis."

    "Camping next to the water, fire pits tables and pit toilets. Clean and fun to explore around the reservoir."

    3. Silver Creek Marsh

    3 Reviews
    Silver Lake, OR
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 576-2107

    "Lovely walks and hikes to be had.  Beautiful stargazing.  Clean pit toilets and clean overall campground.  There were corrals at one end for horse camping.  No cell service."

    4. Silver Lake RV

    1 Review
    Silver Lake, OR
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (541) 668-0972

    $30 / night

    "Small RV park in Silver Lake. Well maintained level sites with grass in between. Quiet. Full hookups. Bathrooms and showers are clean but could use some minor TLC. Has a laundry."

    5. Ana Reservoir RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Summer Lake, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 943-3240

    "This place has great little grassy areas next to each pull through—each one has a newly planted tree and a picnic table. The sites are level. Contrary to listing they do have 30 amp service."

    "Very close to fishing you can walk to. Cute little town"

    6. Thompson Reservoir Campground

    1 Review
    Silver Lake, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 576-2107

    "Camped three nights along with hiking the trails near by. Campground was very quiet with many open spots. Our site was very large and had a beautiful view of the reservoir."

    8. Fort Rock State Natural Area

    4 Reviews
    Fort Rock, OR
    17 miles
    Website

    "This site is about an hour away from Bend, or two hours from Lakeview Oregon."

    "This state park offers stunning views with easy access to its trails. Pveda parking, restrooms, covered picnic areas and water available by faucet near benches."

    9. BLM near Summer Lake

    1 Review
    Summer Lake, OR
    14 miles

    "Keep right to parallel the highway and you get out of sight and sound. Dirt road has potholes but we pulled 24 ftMH with tow no problem Beautiful view"

    10. Christmas Valley Base Camp

    1 Review
    Silver Lake, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 505-4826

    $40 - $250 / night

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 110 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Silver Lake, OR

248 Reviews of 110 Silver Lake Campgrounds


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

    Big Pines RV Park

    Spacious and quiet site!

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

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Duncan Reservoir Campground

    Hidden gem

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

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Summer Lake Hot Springs

    Hot springs

    Camped in a sprinter van and the people here are very nice. The hot springs are very relaxing. Nice and quiet

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Pine Mountain Campground

    Nice and quiet!!

    This time of the year, we were the only ones here. Campground was clean and well maintained! The vault toilet was clean. I would stay here again!!

  • Jill R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Ana Reservoir RV Park

    Great base camp

    This is an amazing little RV Park in the middle of North Lake Country. Super nice care taker. Clean park and well cared for. Lake County has it all if you love remote, quiet, dark places. Plus great volcanic features, birding, hot springs, star gazing and much omore. Put your phone down and look at all this place has to offer.

  • Ross F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Prairie Campground

    A nice campground

    Spacious campsites with good picnic tables and fire pits. No stunning views from the campground but still a pretty area. Mostly quiet at night, though did hear a bit of road noise… but it’s not a super busy road. The thing I liked most about this campground was the fact that there were not many people here.

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Crescent RV Park

    Rough

    Personnel very nice, the park was run down but it worked

  • A
    Aug. 24, 2025

    NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP

    Good spots by Crater lake

    Really loved this spot was nice and flat and open. Close to Crater lake and hikes. Had service and didn’t run into too many people.

  • Grace A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP

    Patchy service, cool spots

    We went here and found a decent spot but then hiked up the road more to the top and found a super cool spot. It was a little rougher road, but totally worth it.


Guide to Silver Lake

Dispersed camping near Silver Lake, Oregon offers options across public lands managed by BLM and the Fremont-Winema National Forest. Most sites sit at elevations between 4,000-5,000 feet with juniper and sagebrush dominating the landscape. Roads leading to many campsites consist of unpaved gravel and dirt surfaces that can deteriorate significantly after rainfall, particularly in spring months.

What to do

Fishing at reservoirs: Multiple reservoirs around Silver Lake provide fishing opportunities. At Thompson Reservoir Campground, campers can easily access the water. "We caught and released many fish back into lake. Bring your own water. There is a pump but it is out of order," notes a visitor who spent time paddleboarding on the reservoir.

Volcanic exploration: The area features numerous volcanic formations within driving distance of camping areas. Near Fort Rock State Natural Area, "You may view the Fort by the 0.1 mile access trail or decide to walk the entire interior trail. Map is posted in the photos. Many also decide to climb or scramble here as well."

Wildlife viewing: Birdwatching remains popular throughout the region, especially at the reservoirs. The Ana Reservoir RV Park area has "lots of little quail were hanging out in the park on my recent visit," according to one camper, who adds that "this park is very near the Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge, which is a great place for birdwatching."

What campers like

Uncrowded camping: Most camping areas near Silver Lake rarely fill, even during summer months. A camper at Silver Creek Marsh noted, "On a warm June night, it's a pleasure to have a campground like this entirely to one's self."

Lake access: The reservoirs provide water recreation opportunities not typically found in high desert regions. At Duncan Reservoir Campground, a visitor described it as "what a joy to find this hidden gem. Camping next to the water, fire pits tables and pit toilets. Clean and fun to explore around the reservoir."

Dark skies: The remote location creates exceptional stargazing conditions. A visitor to Silver Creek Marsh described their experience: "Beautiful stargazing. Clean pit toilets and clean overall campground. There were corrals at one end for horse camping. No cell service."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access roads can become problematic, especially after wet weather. For Auger Creek Dispersed, one camper warns, "This campsite is dry camping. Silver Creek may be dry, as it has been since 2021. No facilities other than a picnic table. No Cell, No WiFi, etc."

Limited services: Most camping areas lack potable water and require self-sufficiency. A camper at Thompson Reservoir Campground advised, "Bring your own water. There is a pump but it is out of order."

Seasonal timing: The camping season typically runs May through November, with accessibility best during summer months. According to one camper at BLM near Summer Lake, "Right off Hwy 31. BLM road has 2 areas marked but room for more. Keep right to parallel the highway and you get out of sight and sound."

Tips for camping with families

Pack extra water: With few reliable water sources, families need to bring adequate supplies for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. At Duncan Reservoir Campground, a visitor noted, "The campground was clean next to the water table fire-pit and pit toilets near by. A small boat launch as well. No potable water on site."

Wildlife encounters: Children may enjoy the abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. According to one camper at Duncan Reservoir, the area offers "the most peaceful reservoir full of fish and turtles and cows across the way and birds."

Day trip options: Several attractions within driving distance make good family excursions. From Christmas Valley Base Camp, families can access nearby attractions as one visitor noted it's a "cozy place great for large groups. Has everything a campground needs."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: RVers should consider site levelness when choosing camping spots. A visitor to Duncan Reservoir Campground reported, "We were in a pull-thru site along the reservoir. Not level, but okay."

Access limitations: Larger rigs may struggle on some of the rough roads. A Silver Creek Marsh visitor advised, "It was a bit of a trek down gravel roads to get here. Took it easy, though, and no problems."

Generator etiquette: Some campgrounds have noise issues from generators. At Duncan Reservoir, one camper noted, "Except for generator noise from larger rigs on both sides of our site, this free campground is quiet. Only a few campers here."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the campgrounds near Silver Lake, Oregon?

Several campgrounds are available near Silver Lake, Oregon. Deschutes NF - HWY 31 offers dispersed camping just off Highway 31 with no facilities but convenient highway access. For those seeking more remote options, Sand Springs Campground provides a quieter experience in a secluded part of Central Oregon. Additional nearby options include Thompson Reservoir Campground with basic toilet facilities, Fremont National Forest Bunyard Crossing with multiple access options, and Silver Creek Marsh. Many of these sites offer beautiful desert landscapes and serve as great basecamps for exploring the Silver Lake area, though facilities are typically minimal, so come prepared with supplies.

Can I stay at an RV park at Silver Lake, Oregon?

Yes, you can stay at an RV park in Silver Lake, Oregon. Silver Lake RV is a small, well-maintained RV park offering level sites with grass between spaces. The park provides full hookups, clean bathrooms and showers, and laundry facilities at a reasonable rate (around $30 cash). For those looking for alternatives with amenities, Ana Reservoir RV Park near Summer Lake offers reservable sites with water and toilets and can accommodate big rigs. Most RV options in this region are simple but functional, providing necessary services for travelers exploring this remote part of Oregon.

What outdoor activities are available when camping at Silver Lake, Oregon?

The Silver Lake area offers diverse outdoor activities for campers. Nearby Fort Rock State Natural Area provides hiking opportunities with gorgeous views and potential wildlife sightings. For water recreation, Summer Lake Hot Springs offers relaxing soaks in natural mineral waters on the edge of a massive salt pan. The region is perfect for stargazing due to minimal light pollution, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the high desert landscape. OHV enthusiasts can access numerous trails, particularly near the Walt Haring Sno-Park area. Fishing is popular at several nearby reservoirs, and photography opportunities are endless with the dramatic desert scenery, ancient geological formations, and stunning sunsets characteristic of Oregon's outback.