How much does camping cost at Lava Lake Campground?

Camping fees at Lava Lake Campground are $28 - $58/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Lava Lake Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Lava Lake Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Lava Lake Campground before I book?

Yes! Lava Lake Campground has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Lava Lake Campground?

Lava Lake Campground is open May 15 to October 16. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Lava Lake Campground?

Yes, Lava Lake Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Lava Lake Campground have?

Lava Lake Campground has 44 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Lava Lake Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lava Lake Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Lava Lake Campground?

Lava Lake Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Lava Lake Campground

4.16

284 reviews

63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR, 97701, USA

Top 20% in ORSpring

C+Report Card

Summer Destination

Featured in:Pet-Friendly Campgrounds Oregon

Quick Facts

4,740 ft

Price

$28 - $58/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

44 campsites

Season

Open season begins M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Deschutes National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,740 ft

Price

$28 - $58/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

44 campsites

Season

Open season begins M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Deschutes National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Lava Lake Campground

$28.00 - $58.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $34.70 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $56.00 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $28.00 (+$2.00 holiday); TENT ONLY...

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

541-323-1746

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR, 97701, USA

Lava Lake Campground

63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR, 97701, USA

Nearby places

Bend (38.4 miles, approximately 40 minutes driving).

Weather at Lava Lake Campground

Best Time to Camp at Lava Lake Campground

Best season: fall. Early fall (late September–early October) delivers the best combination of calm, cool weather and low crowds — daytime highs typically range from the low 50s to mid 60s°F with crisp nights dipping into the 30s. Water is still warm enough for boating and fishing, the volcanic landscape and pine forests take on rich late-season colors, and trails are quieter for hiking and mountain biking. Expect fewer people than summer weekends, excellent trout fishing, and easier access to lakes along the Casc Peak months: September, October, August, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 20% in OR

Early-season visits give fresher lake water and cooler temps; campground opens late May for season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to October 16. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season begins May 23 and closes September 27 for reservable sites. Adjusted period for first-come-first-serve sites runs through October 18.

About Lava Lake Campground

Lava Lake Campground sits in the Deschutes National Forest near Bend, offering views of Mount Bachelor, South Sister, and Broken Top from its lakeside setting. Operated by the Deschutes National Forest, this mid-sized campground provides tent and RV sites with amenities including showers, a dump station, and a camp store. Visitors fish, boat, and hike the surrounding volcanic landscape and pine forests during the seasonal operating window.

Lava Lake Campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, with some accommodating trailers. The campground also has tent-only sites and a few double sites for larger groups.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Early fall (late September–early October) delivers the best combination of calm, cool weather and low crowds — daytime highs typically range from the low 50s to mid 60s°F with crisp nights dipping into the 30s. Water is still warm enough for boating and fishing, the volcanic landscape and pine forests take on rich late-season colors, and trails are quieter for hiking and mountain biking. Expect fewer people than summer weekends, excellent trout fishing, and easier access to lakes along the Casc Peak months: September, October, August, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation4740 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryAncient lava flows create natural sculptures throughout the campground, where mature pines have reclaimed volcanic soil. Bullrushes line the lake's edge, and the surrounding forest shows central Oregon's volcanic history in sharp relief. Mount Bachelor, South Sister, and Broken Top dominate the view to the west. The lake supports boating and fishing, though seasonal algae blooms sometimes color the water green. At this elevation, the landscape blends alpine and high desert ecosystems. Pine forests meet lava rock meets open water.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no hotel-style lodging, but campers can rent boats and access additional facilities at the nearby Lava Lake Resort.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay of 14 days per visit
maximum 28 days annually.

Guests Allowed Per Site

One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per single tent site. Two RVs with tow vehicles per double site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov website and app.

AccessibilityLimited accessibility due to the natural terrain and sparse tree coverage in some areas. Vault toilets and drinking water facilities are available, but clear accessibility features are not explicitly mentioned.

Site SizeCampsites are described as spacious, with some large enough to accommodate RVs and trailers.

PrivacyVaries by site; some are well-spaced with good privacy, while others are close together and less secluded.

Total Campsites44 campsites

Recommended SitesConsider a site surrounded by trees for privacy (e.g., Site 31). For lake access, Site 37 is recommended.

Best CampsitesSite 37 gets consistent mentions for water views and proximity to the lake. Look for sites on the outer loops if you want more spacing. The campground layout clusters some sites tightly together while others sit farther apart among the pines and lava rock.

Need help booking Lava Lake Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Lava Lake Campground offers a scenic, waterfront camping experience with 44 sites that include options for both tent camping and small RVs or trailers. Amenities include a day-use area, a boat ramp, campfire rings, and picnic tables. A camp store, showers, and a dump station are available at the nearby Lava Lake Resort. While there are vault toilets on-site, flush toilets are not mentioned. Potable water is available in multiple locations, although some reviews highlight inconsistency in water availability. Accessibility may be limited due to sparse tree coverage in some areas, and some sites offer better privacy than others.

Showers

Potable water

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Lava Lake Campground

Lava Lake Campground offers a range of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, and scenic drives. The lake provides opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and wildlife viewing. Nearby attractions like Little Lava Lake and Hosmer Lake expand the range of outdoor activities.

Hiking4.0/5

Several trails accessible directly from campground, including routes to Little Lava Lake and volcanic terrain.

Boating4.0/5

Has a boat ramp; boating, paddleboarding and canoeing are commonly done from the lake.

Water Sports4.0/5

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Volcanic features, lakeshore vistas, prominent peaks and wildlife create many photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not mentioned, but vault toilets are available on-site.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

284 reviews

Satisfactory

Lava Lake Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight the campground's beautiful scenery, lake access, and recreational activities. However, issues such as algae blooms, mosquitoes, and maintenance problems are common complaints.

Review Summaries

Based on 284 reviews

What Campers Love

Users frequently praise the scenic setting, spacious sites, and access to recreational activities. "Fantastic campground hosts - informative, friendly, and the spaces were spotless" and "Beautiful...

Based on 284 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include algae blooms affecting water activities, mosquitoes, and inconsistent maintenance of vault toilets. Some reviewers also criticized the lack of potable water and noisy or...

Based on 284 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #037 is noted for its lake views, while Site #035 is described as spacious with good shade. Tent-only sites like #018 offer proximity to trails but are less private.

Based on 284 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring mosquito repellent, and consider visiting earlier in the season to avoid algae blooms. Campers also recommend bringing extra water and being prepared for cold nights, even during summer.

Based on 284 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer sees high activity, with mosquito issues and algae blooms frequently mentioned. Early-season visits offer fresher lake water and cooler temperatures, while late-season visits can be chilly but...

Based on 284 reviews

Camper Quotes

"We couldn’t stay due to the heavy smoke out there unfortunately!" "Pot water was surprisingly good," and "We loved our campsite spot (#26)."

Based on 284 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific accessibility reviews are provided, but general comments about site spacing and terrain suggest limited accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Based on 284 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but reviews do not specifically address pet-friendly features. One user mentioned keeping their dog safe during kayaking trips.

Based on 284 reviews

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Lava Lake Campground

$28.00 - $58.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $34.70 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $56.00 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $28.00 (+$2.00 holiday); TENT ONLY...

No campsite fee categories listed.