Little Lava Lake

Star0.15
45 reviews
Little Lava Lake

Quick Facts

4,740 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

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Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Deschutes National Forest site

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Little Lava Lake
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Boat ramp and a day use area at Little Lava Lake are available for a fee. Specific fees are not listed in the provided material.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

0.15

Mixed Reviews

Based on 45 reviews

Most mentioned

privacyquietspacioushiking

"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing a quiet, peaceful campground with beautiful lake and mountain scenery. Campers appreciate the spacious, well-separated sites, good access to the water for kayaks/boats, and generally clean pit toilets, with only a few minor complaints about bathroom odor, algae, and occasional noise from other visitors."

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About Little Lava Lake

Nestled among towering lodgepole pines along the celebrated Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, Little Lava Lake Campground offers an idyllic lakeside retreat in Central Oregon's high country. Whether you're casting a line into crystal-clear waters, paddling along the peaceful shoreline, or simply relaxing where the Deschutes River begins its journey, this campground delivers an authentic mountain lake experience with sites tucked into the forest and perched right along the water's edge.
The campground offers developed campsites primarily beneath lodgepole pines, with some sites located along the lakeshore and the Deschutes River. Specific site-type classifications (tent, RV, group sites, cabins, glamping) are not stated.
ElevationPerched at 4,740 feet on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range, the campground enjoys a refreshing mountain climate where cool, pine-scented air and starlit nights create the perfect escape from lower elevation heat.
Natural Features and SceneryLittle Lava Lake spreads across 130 acres of pristine mountain water, its shallow depths reaching just 20 feet at the deepest point—perfect for families and paddlers seeking calm, approachable waters. Ancient lava flows have left their mark here, with dramatic outcroppings rising between stands of mature pines while cattails and bull rushes sway along the shoreline, creating habitat for wildlife and adding to the lake's serene beauty. The campground's position on the eastern Cascade slopes at 4,740 feet provides a stunning backdrop of forested ridges and ever-changing light, where morning mist rises off the lake and evening alpenglow paints the surrounding peaks.
Geological RegionSituated on the volcanic eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range in Central Oregon's lake country, this campground lies along the renowned Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, a route that winds through some of the region's most spectacular alpine and subalpine terrain shaped by ancient volcanic activity.
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Campsite details

Sites SizeSites are mostly shaded under lodgepole pine canopy; some sites are lakeshore or riverfront.
Sites PrivacyMany sites are forested which provides shade and some privacy; specific site separation not described.
Total Campsitesnull campsites
Recommended CampsitesMost campsites are beneath lodgepole pine canopy; choose lakeshore or Deschutes River sites for closer water access. A boat ramp and day-use area are available on the lake.

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutCampsites are predominantly under lodgepole pine canopy with some sites along the lakeshore and the Deschutes River.
Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov Contact Center (Recreation.gov)
Cancellation PolicyOnce your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Activities you can enjoy

Recreation opportunities include fishing, paddling/boating, swimming and hiking. The lake and surrounding Deschutes National Forest trail network and nearby attractions support day use and water-based recreation.
Hiking
Hiking opportunities are available in the surrounding Deschutes National Forest and along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway; the forested setting and nearby wilderness areas provide access to extensive trails.
Fishing
Little Lava Lake is 130 acres with a maximum depth of 20 feet and supports planted Rainbow trout, some Brook trout, and self-sustaining Whitefish and Tui Chub. Acceptable angling methods include bait, lures, flies, still fishing and trolling.
Swimming
Swimming is listed as one of the recreational opportunities on Little Lava Lake.
Boating
A boat ramp is available at Little Lava Lake and paddling is explicitly mentioned as a recreational opportunity; day-use facilities support water access (fee applies).
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards


Weather at Little Lava Lake

41
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 4.6 mph
Overcast

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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresCampground sits on Little Lava Lake (130 acres) with some campsites along the lakeshore and along the Deschutes River; a boat ramp is present.

Campground Map

Little Lava Lake
Driving directionsFrom Bend, travel 38.4 miles southwest on Cascade Lakes Hwy (46), then 0.7 miles east on Forest Road 4600 500, and then 0.4 miles east on Forest Road 4600 520.
Accessible via Cascade Lakes Highway (Highway 46) with final travel on Forest Roads 4600 500 and 4600 520.
Nearby places
Bend, OR — 38.4 miles (as described in driving directions).
Nearby supplies
A nearby resort on Lava Lake offers lodging and a limited selection of groceries.

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.2
45 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Little Lava Lake has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing a quiet, peaceful campground with beautiful lake and mountain scenery. Campers appreciate the spacious, well-separated sites, good access to the water for kayaks/boats, and generally clean pit toilets, with only a few minor complaints about bathroom odor, algae, and occasional noise from other visitors.
Review Summaries
Based on 45 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the tranquil, quiet atmosphere and lack of generators, especially at sites near the lake. The lake itself is praised as beautiful, green-colored, and great for kayaking, paddling, and...
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Based on 45 reviews

Common Concerns

A recurring issue is bathroom quality: while pit toilets are described as generally clean, several reviewers note strong odors, and one mentions a particularly bad smell near site 5. A few reviewers...
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Based on 45 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reviewers suggest choosing lakeside sites such as #12 or the double/multi site #9 if you want direct water access for kayaks and nice views. Be prepared for pit toilets (no flush) and occasional...
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Based on 45 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Several August reviews note the lake can be mucky or heavily covered with algae during hot weather, affecting swimming and some boating enjoyment. An October review mentions strong bathroom odors and...
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Based on 45 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Quiet. THANK THE GREAT CAMPING GODS THERE WERE NO GENERATORS IN USE, SO BEAUTIFULLY QUIET." "Little Lava Lake campground is small and each site is large and spaced away from any adjoining sites....
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Based on 45 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 12 is repeatedly highlighted as one of the closest to the lake, with a lake view and easy walk to launch a kayak, and is described as quiet when neighbors aren’t using generators. Site 9-Multi...
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Based on 45 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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