Photo by Richard Bacon
Wake up next to one of the region’s pristine alpine lakes this summer.
Let’s get this out of the way first. There are no bad places for an evening paddle in Central Oregon—at least none that we know of. But some places just seem to have been made for slipping your canoe, kayak or paddleboard into the water at sunset and gliding across the surface as the evening glow embraces the fading day. Whether you are after world-class fishing, hot springs or just seeking a slice of solitude, there is a shore-side campsite waiting for you in Central Oregon. Here are some of our favorite destinations based on whatever floats your boat.
Lava and Little Lava Lake
The source of the Deschutes River, Little Lava Lake is one of more than half a dozen waterbodies on the Cascades Lakes Highway, southwest of Bend. A small campground with fifteen spaces is well maintained, but also heavily used. Those who do get a spot have prime access to paddling on this alpine lake that offers views of Mount Bachelor and other nearby peaks. The adjacent Lava Lake Campground offers additional camping and access to the larger of the two lakes, which is known for its excellent trout fishing.
Where: Lave Lake Campground
Driving time from Bend: About one hour
Open: Late May through mid-September
Details: 44 tent and RV/trailer sites (reservable and walk-up), including some on the water. Boat ramp, firewood, drinking water, flush toilets, picnic area and parking area at the campground.
Recreation: Fishing, swimming, paddling, hiking
Waldo Lake
Located between Bend and Eugene, Waldo Lake is one of Oregon’s largest lakes and one of the clearest in the Northwest, with visibility up to 100 feet below the surface on a calm day. A ban on gasoline motors and a speed limit of ten miles per hour for electric motors makes this lake a serene destination. Three campgrounds serve visitors, most of whom tend to wait until after the mosquito season peaks in June and early July before visiting. A popular singletrack mountain bike trail circumscribes that lake making this a popular spot for pedalers as well as paddlers.
Where: North Waldo, Islet and Shadow Bay campgrounds
Driving time from Bend: About two hours
Open: Late June through early October
Details: 3 developed campgrounds with 200 sites, vault toilets and drinking water around the lake and 55 dispersed sites (walk-up only)
Recreation: Swimming, paddling, boating with electric motors and under 10 m.p.h, hiking, mountain biking
Hosmer Lake
Not far from Lave and Little Lava Lake is Hosmer Lake, another paddler’s paradise with a small campground that makes a great basecamp for a weekend near the water. Veteran paddlers know that the way to experience Hosmer is by crossing the main lake and entering a serpentine channel that connects to an upper lake where visitors can drift against a dramatic backdrop of nearby Mount Bachelor.
Where: South and Mallard Marsh campgrounds
Driving time from Bend: About one hour
Open: Late May through mid-September
Details: 23 tent and RV/trailer sites. Pit toilets are on site, but no drinking water
Recreation: Fishing, paddling, hiking
East Lake and Paulina Lake
The Newberry National Volcanic Monument boasts two resorts and a bevy of recreation in the most unlikely of places: the belly of a dormant volcano. Paulina Lake offers multiple campgrounds as well as resort cabin and boat rentals and a shot at trophy brown trout (the previous state record was caught here). On the opposite side of the caldera, East Lake has camping along the southern and eastern shore. A large pumice beach at Cinder Butte Campground is a popular destination for families and offers access to the lake and its abundant trout and kokanee salmon. Undeveloped hot springs can be found on the shores of both lakes, including a popular soaking spot just a short walk from the East Lake Resort.
Where: Paulina Lake Campground, Little Crater Campground, East Lake Campground
Driving time from Bend: About one hour
Open: Late May through mid-September (check website for specific dates each year)
Details: Tent and RV/trailer sites, including some on the water. Boat ramp, firewood, drinking water, flush toilets, picnic area and parking area at the campground.
Recreation: Fishing, swimming, paddling, hiking, mountain biking
