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Established Camping

Prairie Campground

Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Our facility is experiencing a temporary water outage. Please bring all the water youll need for your visit, including drinking water.

Our facility is experiencing a temporary water outage. Please bring all the water youll need for your visit, including drinking water.

Prairie Campground, near La Pine, Oregon, offers a straightforward camping experience that’s perfect for those looking to unwind in nature. With a focus on simplicity, this spot features basic amenities like drinking water and vault toilets, making it a solid choice for campers who appreciate the essentials without the frills.

The campground is known for its clean and quiet atmosphere, with friendly hosts ready to assist you. Many visitors have enjoyed the spacious sites that overlook meadows and a meandering stream, providing a peaceful backdrop for your stay. One camper noted, “The right place to get lost in Nature,” highlighting the serene environment that surrounds you.

If you’re up for some exploration, Prairie Campground is conveniently located near the Newberry Volcanic Monument and High Desert Museum. There’s also a lovely walking path along the creek just down the hill, perfect for a leisurely stroll or a quick nature escape.

While some campers mentioned the dusty terrain, the overall vibe is welcoming and relaxed, making it a great spot for both tent and RV camping. Whether you’re passing through or planning a longer stay, Prairie Campground is a solid pick for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

Description

National Forest

Deschutes National Forest

Overview

This primitive campground offers campers the chance to enjoy the beauty of the Deschutes National Forest For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159

Recreation

Boating, swimming and fishing are popular activities enjoyed by visitors during spring, summer and fall months, while skiing and snowmobiling are popular during the winter. Anglers have the opportunity to fish in the surrounding clear, cold lakes and streams for abundant salmon and trout. Hikers and backpackers have access to a variety of trails in the area, including several in Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The Crater Rim Trail is a favorite high country trail, boasting vast stretches of forest, deserts, and mountains extending from all sides of the trail. Nearby Peter Skene Ogden National Recreation Trail parallels Paulina Creek, passing several waterfalls along the way, as it ascends 8.5 miles to the spectacular Paulina Lake.

Natural Features

With Paulina Creek nearby this facility is surrounded by ample foliage with numerous trees shading the campground. Its close proximity to both Paulina Lake and East Lake also allow campers access to nearby boating and fishing.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is also nearby for campers to explore. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (541) 323-1746.

Charges & Cancellations

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

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Location

Prairie Campground is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Bend, OR: Travel about 23.5 miles south on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road) to the Prairie campground sign. Follow the short paved road to the campground entrance. From LaPine, OR: Travel about 6.8 miles north on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road) to the Prairie campground sign. Follow the short paved road to the campground entrance.

Coordinates

43.7261028 N
121.4232417 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 26, 2022

Basic Camp Site

$16 per night. No hookups. No water during my visit.

Site2
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2021

A Diamond in the Rough

A no frills camping experience: cell service (AT&T) is adequate, there is drinking water and vault toilets, and ample sunshine for solar if you’re setup for it.

There’s a beautiful walk along the creek just down the hill from the campsites that you can make a loop out of. Close to the Newberry Volcanic Monument, High Desert Museum, and Sunriver/Bend.

Site10
Month of VisitAugust
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Prairie Campground by Amanda and Blaine K., August 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Prairie Campground by Amanda and Blaine K., August 29, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Clean & Quiet

Small US Forest CG. Host Pat was friendly & helpful. Some spots are close. Easy commute to see Newberry Volcanic Monument.

Site7
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Prairie Campground by Jan H., August 1, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 3, 2020

A tad dusty, but good.

Nothing fancy. Sites are rather dusty, but that’s just how the terrain is. Kind and helpful manager on site. Would stay again.

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2018

Convenient and Spacious 🌾

Day 3 - Pacific North Quest (Tumalo Mountain)

Prairie campground was a welcome find just off of Highway 97, just outside of Bend. After a late start and long drive from Crater Lake, this was a great spot right off of the road and just a few miles outside of Bend.

The lots are spacious and sit just above a meadows with and meandering stream through it. Despite being right off of the highway, there wasn’t much road noise, although some early morning construction nearby was less than ideal. However, the fresh water to fill up our water bottles / jugs and a nice, open campsite made this a solid find.

From here, we ventured past Bend to ski Tumalo Mountain, a popular local backcountry zone located just across from Mt. Bachelor.

Check out the three other campgrounds we visited on our Pacific North Quest summer ski touring trip (Jackson F. Kimball State Park, Smith Rock State Park, and Trillium Lake), and download the Snowledge App to see some incredible photos, along with touring stats and maps from each mission.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Prairie Campground by Eric L., June 5, 2018
  • Review photo of Prairie Campground by Eric L., June 5, 2018
  • Review photo of Prairie Campground by Eric L., June 5, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Prairie Campground?

    Camping at Prairie Campground can cost between $14.00 and $25.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Prairie Campground?

    Prairie Campground allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Prairie Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Prairie Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Prairie Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Prairie Campground does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Prairie Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Prairie Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Prairie Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Prairie Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Prairie Campground?

    There are 17 campsites at Prairie Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts