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Nature
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Water
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People
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Activities

Established Camping

South Shore Suttle Lake

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from September 18, 2024 through May 26, 2025.

South Shore Suttle Lake, near Sisters, Oregon, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a beautiful lake backdrop. The campground offers spacious sites, many of which are right by the water, making it perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking.

With no electric hookups, visitors appreciate the peacefulness of the area, allowing for a true escape into nature. The campground features pit toilets and drinking water, but be prepared for a bit of a trek to the facilities. As one camper noted, “The sites are fairly large and well spaced, so you don't feel too cramped.”

For those who love to hike, there’s a scenic 3-mile trail that circles the lake, providing stunning views and a chance to spot local wildlife. The campground is also a great base for exploring nearby attractions like Tamolitch Falls and the Metolius River area.

While some campers mentioned that the first-come, first-served nature of the sites can lead to a scramble for spots, many found the experience rewarding, especially when they snagged a prime location. Whether you're fishing, hiking, or just soaking in the serene surroundings, South Shore Suttle Lake is a solid choice for your next camping adventure.

Description

National Forest

Deschutes National Forest

Overview

South Shore Campground is located along Suttle Lake, shaded by Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine. One section of the camp sits on the shoreline, while the other is nestled on a hillside. Most sites have lake views. The 3,400-foot elevation and the lake breezes make South Shore Campground a comfortable summertime destination.

Recreation

There is a boat launch available at this camp. Popular activities include power and non-motorized boating, sailing, water skiing and wind surfing. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and brown trout, and there is a fish cleaning station on-site. Hikers and mountain bikers have access to the 3.2-mile Suttle Lake Shoreline Trail.

Facilities

There is a boat launch available at this camp. Popular activities include power and non-motorized boating, sailing, water skiing and wind surfing. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and brown trout, and there is a fish cleaning station on-site. Hikers and mountain bikers have access to the 3.2-mile Suttle Lake Shoreline Trail.

Natural Features

Nestled along the Cascade Mountains, the Deschutes National Forest is one of the most popular recreation forests in the Pacific Northwest. It offers a variety of landscapes, from fields of sagebrush and hay to old-growth forests and glacier-carved volcanic peaks. Suttle Lake is a natural lake formed by glaciers. It has a forested shoreline and offers views of nearby Mt. Washington.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Sisters is about 15 miles away, offering shopping and restaurants.

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.

Fee Info

Day use fee of $5 charged at nearby Scout Lake by the USFS. Bring confirmation letter to the campground.

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Location

South Shore Suttle Lake is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Sisters, Oregon, take Highway 20/126 northwest for about 12 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 2070 toward Suttle Lake Campgrounds. Travel just less than a half-mile to the South Shore entrance on the right.

Address

P.O. BOX 249
Sisters, OR 97759

Coordinates

44.4194444 N
121.7383333 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2023

Dreamy

Loved this spot, it’s a little gem next to Sisters. There are some incredible sites available right on the water. Great for paddle boarding and kayaking. Super quiet/large site areas. Friendly hosts. Pit toilets/no showers.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Monica C., July 9, 2023
Reviewed Oct. 22, 2021

Memorable

Camping at Suttle Lake was memorable. Some of the largest camping spots I’ve encountered, with ease to add additional nights due to first come availability. The 3 mile trail around the lake is flat and enjoyable. Rentable canoes and kayaks at the lodge!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Angela W., October 22, 2021
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Angela W., October 22, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2020

Great Lake Access

This campground is a bit tough at the moment as it is all first-come first-served and sites fill up early in the week.  There were also a number of sites that were being squatted on leading into the holiday (10 days after we were there).  So empty sites with a few belongings and no people...while others were driving around hoping for an empty site.  Easy trailer/RV parking, as it's just roadside above the site.  A bit of a slope down, so don't forget your headlamp!

That aside, site 17 is fantastic.  Right on the lake, huge, great access to the water as well as the trail to the lodge.  Easy drive to the Tamolitch Falls/Blue Pool trailhead.

This lake allows motorized boats so it's not as peaceful as some others during the day.  Road noise from highway 20 is very present 24 hours per day.

Site#17
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Gayle B., August 6, 2020
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Gayle B., August 6, 2020
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Gayle B., August 6, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2020

Great Campground, Beautiful Lake

Very Large sites and plenty of room between individual sites. Vault bathrooms, docks and fish cleaning stations. Exactly what we needed to social distance. Highly recommended if you can find a spot. It pays to reserve well in advance.

  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Don H., June 20, 2020
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Don H., June 20, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 11, 2019

Suttle Lake Serenity

This is a very pretty medium-sized lake. The sites are fairly large and well spaced, so you don't feel too cramped. There's an easy 4-mile trail around the lake, right at the water's edge most of the time.

We were attending the Sisters Folk Festival, so we were mostly at our site for sleeping and breakfast. It would be a good central point for exploring the Metolius River area and for hiking.

The campground was clean and generally well-maintained. A few drawbacks: There's no electricity for RVs, so several had generators coming on and off. There are also not clearly marked paths to the vault toilets, so you feel like you're walking through other people's sites. Our site was along the rim, so we had nobody walking through.

Overall, we had a nice experience.

Site27
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Thomas B., September 11, 2019
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Thomas B., September 11, 2019
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Thomas B., September 11, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2019

Fun and Quiet

This midsized Campground was awesome for everything we needed! It was quiet (except the highway slightly in the distance) and very dark. Stars were amazing!

  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Cameron D., July 19, 2019
Reviewed May. 9, 2019

Fun

Stayed here 20 years ago. Canoe around the lake and landed some fish.

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2018

Fun for kids!

Great spot for family camping! We had spot 13, right on the lake, but the sites are actually above the lake. There was a staircase down to the trail that goes around the whole lake. My kids and I biked around the lake on the trail (a little narrow in spots, would have been a better walk or run), which was beautiful. The sites are pretty close together, but still good sized. We could see and hear neighbors on both sides, and could hear some road noise from across the lake. All in all a nice place!

  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Abbie S., August 17, 2018
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Abbie S., August 17, 2018
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Abbie S., August 17, 2018
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2017

Hot weather, cool lake

It's a great lake for fishing, skiing or just rolling around in a raft. Some spots are too close together with not enough brush between, so you're right on top of your neighbors. but the other ones are really good with lots of room for families. We normally get a spot right on the lake so we can tie the boat up there and just walk down and go. Make sure you take sunscreen and bug repellent.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Karen  K., August 31, 2017
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Karen  K., August 31, 2017
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Karen  K., August 31, 2017
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2017

Beautiful Place!

We have been going here for years, love it... it's great for family's and reunions as there is a big circle we call "the pit" where 7-8 trailers can group camp! There is water available, no electricity but hey, who needs it? With a view of the beautiful lake and an nice well kept trail which to walk around it, about 3miles and some change. First thing every morning after coffee!!

Site27, 29 and 33 great spots. 13 if you want to be lake front
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Linda C., July 4, 2017
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Linda C., July 4, 2017
  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Linda C., July 4, 2017
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2016

Suttle Lake

Great campground but you can hear the road no matter where you are camped.

  • Review photo of South Shore Suttle Lake by Brian V., June 13, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at South Shore Suttle Lake?

    Camping at South Shore Suttle Lake can cost between $26.00 and $28.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the elevation of South Shore Suttle Lake?

    South Shore Suttle Lake is located at 3444 feet.

  • What is the max vehicle length at South Shore Suttle Lake?

    South Shore Suttle Lake allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at South Shore Suttle Lake?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at South Shore Suttle Lake, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does South Shore Suttle Lake have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, South Shore Suttle Lake does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at South Shore Suttle Lake?

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

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at South Shore Suttle Lake?

    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 South Shore Suttle Lake. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at South Shore Suttle Lake, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at South Shore Suttle Lake?

    There are 37 campsites at South Shore Suttle Lake and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts