The Alder Springs region sits in the high desert terrain of Central Oregon, where elevation ranges between 2,500-3,500 feet producing dramatic temperature swings from day to night. Camping near Alder Springs offers access to the Deschutes, Crooked, and Metolius river watersheds with their distinctive canyon formations. Several campgrounds remain open year-round despite seasonal temperature extremes that can dip below freezing at night even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking the Tam-a-lau Trail: Access this moderate 7-mile trail at The Cove Palisades State Park for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. "Very peaceful campground with great hiking and recreation. There is a great hike, the Tam-A-Lau trail, that goes right from the campsite," notes Christian about Deschutes River Campground.
Fishing on Lake Billy Chinook: The lake holds rainbow trout, kokanee, and bull trout, but requires an Indian permit available for purchase at local stores. Troy M. from Pelton Park Campground mentions, "They offer Tent sites, Yurts, cabins, large RV spaces with full or partial hookups, boat rental, store, cafe, fish cleaning station, group shelter with electricity and electric cooking stoves."
Swimming in designated lakes: While some lakes prohibit swimming, others welcome it. "Head Lake is nearby (within 5 minutes of the store) and has a dock, large rocks to sit on and is a wonderful swimming lake. There are also over 25 lakes in the scenic area to hike to and swim in," explains Dan J. about the lakes near Olallie Lake Resort.
Winter snowshoeing: Several areas offer winter recreation opportunities. "There is also snow-shoeing here in the winter, but don't underestimate the sloped road you have to get down (and back-up) to get to the lake in the first place!" warns Raphaela H. about Trillium Lake.
What campers like
Canyon views from campsites: Many sites offer dramatic vistas overlooking river canyons. "RV's back up against the canyon rim and have a beautiful backdrop," shares Kelsey G. about Crooked River Ranch, adding "There's a nice walking trail (Matt's Trail) that takes you around the campground along the canyon edge (level: easy)."
Quiet, undeveloped river access: Some locations offer more secluded river experiences. Lisa K. says of Trout Creek Campground, "You can sit by the river in the shade of an ancient juniper and watch the wild horses from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation collect at the watering hole while dipping your feet in the icy rushing water."
Community amenities in some parks: Certain campgrounds feature unexpected amenities. At Redmond - Central Oregon KOA, according to Julie P., "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."
Fishing lakes with restricted motors: Many campers appreciate the quiet fishing environment. "Olallie Lake is stocked with rainbow trout and brood trout. They rent row boats for trolling. Motor boats are not allowed (which is nice)," notes Dan J. about recreation options at Olallie Lake Resort.
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. "The last ten miles, or so, of the road are pretty rough. Most reasonable cars should be able to make it but I'd suggest a 4x4," advises Dan J. about accessing Olallie Lake Resort for yurt camping near Alder Springs, Oregon.
Seasonal operation schedules: While some campgrounds operate year-round, many have limited seasons. Jennifer R. notes about Deschutes River Campground, "Steep and curving roads to get there, but a great little campground near the water. Only open mid May to mid September."
Varying water levels: Lakes can have significantly different water levels depending on season. "The lake was low when we were there," mentions Alicia F. about Clear Lake, while another camper notes about a different lake, "When we arrived there in August the 'lake' was more of a river."
Specific fire restrictions: Fire policies vary by location and season. Kelsey G. points out about Crooked River Ranch, "No wood or charcoal fires. Only propane grills," which is important information for meal planning.
Tips for camping with families
Pack quarter rolls for showers: Some campgrounds require coins for facilities. "My only issue was the bathrooms were clean and great but you needed quarters to take a shower. I don't carry quarters and usually only use them for laundry but add the shower fee to that it was easily 6-8$ in quarters," warns Sarah R. about Crooked River Ranch.
Consider pet restrictions for swimming areas: Not all recreation areas allow dogs. Troy B. notes about Deschutes River Campground, "They don't allow dogs at the 'beaches' which sucks because that's the only place kids can comfortably swim."
Attend ranger programs: Educational opportunities exist at many parks. Troy B. explains, "They put on a power point for the kids about local animals," making for an enriching family experience at Deschutes River Campground.
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific facilities for children. Kristina G. from Pelton Park Campground explains, "The park is very family-friendly, with easy physical access to restrooms, the docks and playground equipment. Pet-friendly too, stocked poo bags, poles by restrooms to hold leashes and a small fenced-in area to let the dogs run and play."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Bring equipment to level your RV at certain campgrounds. "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 Darren N. about Crooked River Ranch.
Limited clearance access: Some roads have height restrictions. When visiting Trout Creek Campground, be aware of the "14' clearance tunnel you need to pass through that limits some RVs" as mentioned by Lisa K.
RV site orientation options: Consider site orientation when booking. At Crooked River Ranch, MickandKarla W. discovered, "When we got there the people in 13 had pulled in the wrong direction, so if we pulled in the right way we would step out our door into their picnic table," adding "a lot of campers pull-in the opposite direction so their back window faces the picturesque mountains."
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer full hookup options during specific seasons. Patti S. notes about Tumalo State Park Campground, "Wonderful Oregon State Park. Very small park with FHU's!"
