Terrebonne sits at an elevation of approximately 2,600 feet in Oregon's high desert, with surrounding volcanic features including Smith Rock State Park. RV sites near Terrebonne, Oregon experience dramatic temperature swings between day and night, especially during summer months when daytime temperatures can reach 90°F before dropping to the 40s after sunset. Most RV parks in the region remain open year-round with varying levels of seasonal amenities.
What to do
Hiking at Smith Rock State Park: Located minutes from Terrebonne camping areas, Smith Rock offers miles of trails ranging from the challenging Misery Ridge loop to gentle riverside paths. "The campground is a very peaceful campsite, with tall ponderosa pines everywhere. There are some nice amenities as well and you aren't too far from town, but definitely not walking distance or really biking distance for that matter," notes one visitor to Crown Villa RV Resort.
Fishing opportunities: The region provides access to multiple fishing spots within short driving distance. "Good fishing off dock and near the campground," writes a camper about Lake Simtustus RV Park, which offers both dock fishing and boat access to Lake Simtustus. Nearby Crooked River also provides trout fishing opportunities.
Golf courses: Several campgrounds offer proximity to golf courses and country club facilities. "There is a golf resort next bye and not many trees so you feel quite exposed," notes one camper about their experience at Crooked River Ranch. For families, one visitor to Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort appreciated "nice spaces with pavement and full hookups. Catch and release fishing at the on-site pond for trout the size of steelhead."
What campers like
Accessibility to multiple towns: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring Central Oregon. "Close to Sunriver (~10 min) and Bend (~20 min) making an afternoon in town, a river float, or snagging groceries easy," reports a camper at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver. This strategic location allows campers to experience multiple communities.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility maintenance as a key factor. "Squeaky-clean RV park in excellent repair. Close to everything in the cute town of Prineville, on a scenic road bike route, across the street from the Crooked River and Rimrock Park with an elaborate frisbee golf course," writes a visitor to Crook County RV Park.
Scenic overlooks: Several campgrounds feature canyon or mountain viewpoints. "RV's back up against the canyon rim and have a beautiful backdrop. 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)," describes a camper at Crooked River Ranch.
What you should know
Seasonal activity restrictions: During summer months, fire bans may limit outdoor cooking options. "We visited during the Covid lockdown. (They weren't issuing tribal fishing licenses," notes a camper at Lake Simtustus RV Park, highlighting how seasonal regulations can impact planned activities.
Reservation requirements: Most RV sites near Terrebonne require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Our biggest downside was that we weren't able to select sites when we booked and because the campground is so large we ended up easily being at least 1/3 mile each way from our friends," mentions a camper at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver.
Site variations: The quality of sites often varies significantly within the same campground. "If you are bringing an RV or travel trailer, I recommend bringing blocks for your stabilizers as some of the sites have a decent slope to them," advises a camper about Crooked River Ranch. At Deschute County Expo RV Park, a visitor notes "The spaces are close but not as bad as some. The park is basically unattented due to staffing issues. No one was in the office for our 3 days."
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities. "The individual sites are pretty spacious and have a decent amount of trees. The pools were under construction so the kiddos were disappointed," shares a family at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver, which offers "mini-golf, a pump track" and other activities.
Fishing spots for children: Several locations offer dedicated fishing areas for young anglers. "Across the street is a family park with a children's fishing pond that is stocked with rainbow trout for anyone 17 and under," notes a visitor to Crook County RV Park.
Safety considerations: Campgrounds with canyon views require supervision. "Be sure to keep your dogs on a leash due to the cliffs and possible critters," warns a camper at Crooked River Ranch regarding their canyon-side trail, which they describe as "hike at your own risk as it does go near the cliffs plus they state rattle snakes."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Many RVers recommend checking site orientation for the best experience. "Looking at the campground as a whole, loop D, 5-14 are actually pull throughs but the map does not show that. There was a fire road that runs behind these sites that makes them pull throughs and quite easy to get into," advises an RVer about Crooked River Ranch.
Utility placement: The location of hookups can impact your camping experience. "The hookup plugs were really far away though from the spot itself," notes an RVer at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver. At Deschute County Expo RV Park, a camper appreciated that "It has paved roads and concrete level pads with full hookups."
Space considerations: Site spacing varies widely between and within campgrounds. "Site 11 is perfect for those who prefer to be near a spa-like bath house in an RV park. Heated floors, huge showers," recommends a first-time RV park visitor at Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort, who added, "We were RV park virgins and this intro will set a high bar for our future travels!"
