Meandering along most of the east shore of the mile-high Diamond Lake, this large campground boasts spectacular views of both Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen, and offers visitors abundant recreational opportunities.
Recreation
At an elevation of 5,183 feet, Diamond Lake provides outdoor enthusiasts with a multitude of recreational opportunities year-round. The area offers a scenic backdrop for swimmers braving its cold, refreshing waters, and anglers casting a lines from boat or shoreline. Rainbow trout thrive in the lake, as it is stocked annually with 300,000 fingerlings. Bicyclists will enjoy riding on the 11-miles of paved trail around the lake, while hikers can head out for the day on one of many trails leaving from the area. Interpretive programs are offered on Saturday evenings at the campground amphitheater.
Facilities
This large campground has 238 sites, including double and standard sites, able to accommodate tents, RVs and trailers; 189 sites are reservable, and the rest are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Sites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, grills, drinking water and flush toilets. Access to Diamond Lake is within walking distance, and boat ramps and fish cleaning stations are accessible to visitors. The gatehouse is staffed daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and campground hosts are on-site to answer questions.
Natural Features
Explosive geologic events have shaped the distinctive landscape on the 984,602-acre Umpqua National Forest, and the area provides spectacular scenery as well as an abundance of natural and cultural resources. The translation of the word, "Umpqua," meaning "thundering waters," defines the area. High mountain lakes, heart-stopping rapids, peaceful ponds and thundering waterfalls, including the 272-foot Watson Falls on the North Umpqua Highway, are available to visitors. Several designated wilderness areas provide opportunities undisturbed solitude. Encompassing 19,100 acres, Boulder Creek Wilderness is an incredible landscape, with dense old growth forests and steep terrain that tower above Boulder Creek. The most popular area in Boulder Creek is Pine Bench. This flat area overlooking Boulder Creek is home to a grove of old growth Ponderosa pines. Diverse ecosystems support a wide range of habitat for wildlife common to the area. From eagles and owls, to salamanders and salmon, these species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.
Nearby Attractions
Access to Diamond Lake is within walking distance, and boat ramps and fish cleaning stations are accessible to visitors. A nearby resort offers bicycle, boat and horse rentals as well as lodging, restaurants, a grocery store, laundry facilities and fuel. Trails for hiking and mountain biking are within 10 miles of the campground. Visitors may want to take some time to visit nearby Crater Lake National Park, the only national park in Oregon! The amazing Crater Lake area offers a glimpse into the volcanic history of the area. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), one of the world's premier National Scenic Trails, showcases some of North America's most fantastic scenery, winding its way its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington, and is accessible near the campground.
ADA Access: N
We stayed one night on August 17 through August 18, 2019, in campsite A5, the overnight cost was$24, there was no electrical or water service). The site was level, only needed 2 inch lift to level left side. The campground is at an elevation of 5180 ft.
Access to the campground was right off hwy 138, which is a few miles from the north entrance to Crater Lake. Our 28 ft travel trailer easily fit with room to spare in our site. Once we enter the campground, the asphalt pavement surrounds the campsites as we drove directly to our campsite, each campsite pad also asphalt. Weather was sunny upper 80's, the nights low 40's.
This is a very quite campground, there was no noise from main road entering the campground. Activities we enjoyed at the campground to keep busy was hiking and moutain biking. The restroom was a couple spaced down from our campsite. The free showers were also easy to find and had great water pressure. The lake is very nice, smooth water and a few mosquitos, but not that bad.
My wife and I enjoyed the campground, we will stay again next time we travel to Crater Lake, Oregon.
Two weekends after Labor Day we arrived without reservations at the campground where we enjoyed a lakeside site. This is a beautifully located, well maintained campground. Hot showers are available on an honor system; donate for the time under the spray.
Some of the campsites are on an incline which would not be good for tent camping.
It has toilets and showers nearby the campsites as well as water spigots. It also has easy access to the lake fo swimming.
camping was good. the lake is close to most of the camp sites so it is easy to go kayaking. Crater Lake National Park is only about a 20 minutes drive…the only thing bring bug spray
Tons of bugs. Beautiful mountain and sunset views. There's a store close, bathrooms, fishing and a restaurant.
What more can you ask for.m? Clear waters, spectacular Mountain Views. Swimming, hiking, camping, fishing, the possibilities are endless. Fill the tank, and hit the road
Diamond Lake, true to it's name, hugs the water with incredible, clear mountain views. There is a lovely lodge that's been part of the resort since it was founded almost a hundred years ago. There is a full service restaurant with breakfast lunch and dinner. Be sure to ask your server if the game meat burgers are in-- whether it's buffalo, boar, or elk depends on the season.
There is also an adorable bar upstairs with fun vintage styling and aquarium. They offer a full selection of craft beer and liquor and a big fire place that they light up in the fall and winter. That's in addition to another small downstairs bar where you can get a different selection of beer and beverages, overlooking a lawn with Adirondack chairs. You can enjoy your drink or a snack while gazing at the lake and the snow-capped peaks in front of you.
Kayak and other boat rentals are available, and the kids will love the bumper car boats near the dock. There is a well stocked general store. All of this is convenient to the cabins and motel-style rooms, which are quite popular. Tent and RV sites are available, too. There are also guided events for the whole family. Lots to do, plenty of creature comforts, and gorgeous views. Plus you are super close to Crater Lake and Umpqua Hotsprings.
I was on a solo road trip this last week and was searching for campsites near Crater Lake and I stumbled upon Diamond Lake. I really like how they have two loops dedicated to first come first serve, thats pretty cool. I got a spot right along the water, bugs weren't bad, and the sunset was amazing that night. The camp staff are super inviting and are pretty awesome! I had an amazing night at the campsite.
The surrounding area is great for recreation, bring your bike and cycle the loop that goes around the entire lake. You get mountain views the entire time. There are loads of hiking, ask the camp staff for trail maps. There is apparently great fishing but I didn't have fishing license.
There are so many sites here, that you could almost get lost. We almost gave up finding the camp host it was so big. We found a site along the lake, looking at the mountain. You could tell the people prior to us were slobs. There was garbage all over and they had their own bathroom spot in the woods adjacent to the site even though the bathroom was a short walk. There were a lot of black flying bugs around which swarmed our site and made doing anything nearly impossible.