How much does camping cost at Cultus Lake Campground?

Camping fees at Cultus Lake Campground range from $21-$24.83/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

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

Cultus 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 Cultus Lake Campground before I book?

Yes! Cultus Lake Campground has 7 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 Cultus Lake Campground?

Cultus Lake Campground is open May 22 to October 09. 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 Cultus Lake Campground?

Cultus Lake Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Cultus Lake Campground have?

Cultus Lake Campground has 55 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cultus Lake Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cultus 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 Cultus Lake Campground?

Cultus Lake Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cultus Lake Campground?

Popular activities at Cultus Lake Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cultus Lake Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Cultus Lake Campground?

Fire policies at Cultus Lake Campground: Fire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.31

129 reviews

63095 DESCHUTES MARKET ROAD, BEND, OR 97701, USA

SwimmingSummer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,741 ft

Price

$21 - $24.83/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

55 campsites

Season

Open May 23, 2025, t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on US Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,741 ft

Price

$21 - $24.83/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

55 campsites

Season

Open May 23, 2025, t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on US Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Cultus Lake Campground

$21.00 - $24.83 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $22.83 (+$2.00 holiday); PREMIUM SITE: $22.83 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $21.00 (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov...

No paid 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

Cultus Lake Campground

63095 DESCHUTES MARKET ROAD, BEND, OR 97701, USA

Weather at Cultus Lake Campground

Current alerts(10)

Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is prohibited.
Click here for more information about Deschutes National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests.
During your time in Central Oregon, you can find wildfire, prescribed fire and smoke information at centraloregonfire.org

Best Time to Camp at Cultus Lake Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers warm, lake-friendly weather (daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F, nights often dropping to the 40s–50s°F) and the fullest range of on-water recreation — swimming, paddling, waterskiing, and boating are at their peak. The campground is open for reservations from late May through late September, so campsites are reliably available if you book early; expect busy weekends and higher daytime traffic on the Cascade Lakes Byway. Be prepared for evening chill, mosquitoes at Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall is quieter with fewer visitors per seasonal notes and reviews, making it pleasant for visits.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to October 09. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 23, 2025, through September 27, 2025, for reservations. Switches to first-come, first-served late September through October. Closed late October through May.

About Cultus Lake Campground

Cultus Lake Campground sits in mid-elevation forest within Deschutes National Forest, about an hour's drive from Bend. This US Forest Service campground offers tent and RV sites on the shores of a crystal-clear lake popular for swimming, paddling, waterskiing, and fishing. Helpful camp hosts and spacious sites make it a family-friendly base for summer lake recreation and forest trail access.

Cultus Lake Campground offers a mix of camping accommodations primarily for tents, trailers, and RVs (maximum length: 30 feet).

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers warm, lake-friendly weather (daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F, nights often dropping to the 40s–50s°F) and the fullest range of on-water recreation — swimming, paddling, waterskiing, and boating are at their peak. The campground is open for reservations from late May through late September, so campsites are reliably available if you book early; expect busy weekends and higher daytime traffic on the Cascade Lakes Byway. Be prepared for evening chill, mosquitoes at Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation4741 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 4,741 feet elevation along Cultus Lake's forested shoreline, surrounded by Douglas fir and ponderosa pine. Views stretch across the water toward the Three Sisters Wilderness and its volcanic peaks. The lake itself is crystal clear, fed by snowmelt and surrounded by the kind of dense forest that reclaimed ancient lava flows over millennia. Sites near the water offer direct lake access, though the shoreline varies. Some lakefront spots are uneven and cramped, while others back in the trees provide more space and shade.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not provide hotel-style lodging. However, Cultus Lake Lodge nearby offers a restaurant, provisions, and boat rentals.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum 14 consecutive nights per visit. Maximum 28 nights per year.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Number not specified.

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 through Recreation.gov online or via the contact center.

Site SizeCampsites are noted for their varied sizes. Many are spacious and well-shaded, while some lakefront sites are small and uneven. As one user noted, "The lake-side sites are for small trailers and campers, very unlevel.

PrivacyPrivacy varies. Some sites offer excellent spacing and tree coverage, such as Site 020, praised for its "lots of space between sites." Others are criticized for being cramped and poorly laid out, like Site 002 in Loop 1.

Total Campsites55 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 044 is noted for being unlevel; waterfront sites are popular but better suited for small trailers; sites on Loop 2 generally have larger spaces; sites near the boat launch are noisier.

Best CampsitesSite 020 gets praise for spacing and privacy. Sites 001, 043, 045, and 053 appear frequently in positive reviews. Avoid Site 002 in Loop 1, which reviewers call cramped and poorly laid out. Lakefront sites run small and uneven, better suited for small trailers than larger rigs.

Need help booking Cultus Lake Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Cultus Lake Campground offers 55 campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs under 30 feet. Larger RVs are discouraged due to narrow roads and smaller site sizes. "The majority of campsites are well-shaded by the tree canopy with many sites offering water-front access." Amenities include picnic tables, fire pits at each site, vault toilets, a boat ramp, and lake access. User reviews highlight a mix of feedback on the facilities, with some praising cleanliness and site spacing, and others criticizing poorly maintained bathrooms and site leveling. There is no indication of showers or potable water on-site.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Cultus Lake Campground is ideal for water-based recreation. Activities include waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing, jet skiing, hiking, and exploring nearby wilderness trails. A walk-in boat launch is available within the campground. These activities make it a family-friendly destination, with users frequently praising the "crystal clear lake" and opportunities for kayaking, boating, and paddleboarding.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available. The campground uses vault toilets, which some reviewers described as clean and well-maintained, while others found them in poor condition.

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).

Fire PolicyFire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection and recycling stations are available on-site.

Cell CoverageUser reviews indicate limited to no cell phone service at Cultus Lake Campground. One camper noted, "Cell service for Xfinity was non-existent," while others found coverage only at the nearby Cultus Lake Resort for certain providers like Verizon and AT&T.

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

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

129 reviews

Recommended

Cultus Lake Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are highly polarized. Positive reviewers praised the clean and spacious sites, beautiful lake views, and accommodating camp hosts. Negative reviews cited issues such as noisy neighbors, unclean vault toilets, and poor site layouts.

Review Summaries

Based on 129 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 129 reviews.

Site 004Loved
Site 004: Spacious, quiet, and well-spaced from neighbors.
Site 002Mentioned
Site 002: Cramped layout and limited privacy.
Site 044Mentioned
Site 044: Unlevel for RVs but decent for tents.
Site 041Issues noted
Site 041: Ideal for families but uneven terrain.

What Campers Love

Praise for camp hosts being "helpful and attentive," spacious campsites, and the "beautiful, crystal clear lake." Some users highlighted family-friendly swimming areas and overall cleanliness.

Based on 129 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include "disgusting" vault toilets, loud parties during quiet hours, unresponsive management for refunds, and overcrowded boat ramps.

Based on 129 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring bug spray for mosquitoes, arrive early for better site selection, and prepare for limited cell service. Permits are required for wilderness hikes.

Based on 129 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews commonly praise water activities and family-friendly amenities but note mosquito presence. Fall reviews suggest quieter conditions with fewer visitors.

Based on 129 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The lake is beautiful and campground was very good." "Vault toilets were well kept." "Noisy night with loud parties." "Mosquitoes were out in force, bring spray." "Beautiful lake! The campsite had...

Based on 129 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The campground is pet-friendly. Pets must be leashed and cleaned up after. Users appreciated the dog-friendly ambiance.

Based on 129 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want affordable lakefront camping with on-water recreation and don't mind seasonal availability.

Skip if

You need guaranteed quiet hours enforcement or consistently pristine restroom facilities.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

Cultus Lake Boat In - Little Cove Campground

0.0

(4)

Cultus Lake Boat In - Little Cove Campground

Deschutes National Forest

Cultus Lake Boat In - Little Cove Campground sits on the shore of Cultus Lake in Deschutes National Forest, accessible only by boat. Operated by the Forest Service, this primitive campground offers fire rings and picnic tables at a handful of lakeside sites. Campers come for fishing, hiking, and boating in a mid-elevation forest setting.