Lava Camp Lake Campground


Area Status: Open

Located near the McKenzie Pass, the primitive Lava Camp Lake Campground is pretty spot conveniently located to multiple trails, surrounded by mountain hemlock and lodgepole pine forests. This campground offers access to the Mt. Washington and Three Sisters Wildernesses and is near the Pacific Crest Trail.

The Lava Camp Lake Trail enters Wilderness shortly after leaving the trailhead. Wilderness Permits are required for both day use and overnight stays from this trailhead. See "Permit Info" below for more details.

At a Glance

Reservations: No reservations required to camp at this campground.
Area Amenities: Picnic tables,Toilets
Fees: No recreation fee required for day use parking, but a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit is required to hike the nearby Lava Camp Lake Trail. See "Permit Info" below.
Permit Info: The Lava Camp Lake Trail, located near this campground, enters the Three Sisters Wilderness shortly after leaving the trailhead. Wilderness Permits are required.
  • Day and Overnight visitors: Central Cascades Wilderness Permit required between the Friday before Memorial Day weekend and the last Friday of September; reserve at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
    • Free, unlimited, self-issue Wilderness Permit required when visiting the Three Sisters Wilderness between last Friday in September and October 31 for both day use and overnight use (available at trailhead).
Usage: Medium
Restrictions: Wilderness restrictions apply.
  • Maps of areas where special restrictions apply: Dog leash restrictions, Camp Chambers, Green Lakes, Matthieu and Golden Lakes, Moraine Lakes, Sisters Mirror Lakes area.  
  • Motorized and mechanical equipment (including bicycles and drones) are prohibited in the Wilderness
  • Groups must be under 12 people and 12 head of stock
  • Build campfires at least 100 feet away from water
  • Pack in / Pack out!
  • “Take only pictures, leave only footprints” — please refrain from cutting, damaging, or gathering vegetation or other forest items (e.g. rocks, artifacts, etc.)
  • Please bury human waste 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from water
  • Maximum site spur length is 20 feet. 
  • The McKenzie Hwy (only access to the campground) has a maximum vehicle length of 35 feet thus limiting trailer use.
  • Vehicle traffic is prohibited beyond the snowgate (8.2 miles west of Sisters) during the winter.
Closest Towns: Sisters, Oregon
Water: No
Restroom: Vault Toilet
Passes: No recreation pass required.
Operated By: Forest Service
Information Center: Sisters Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest

General Information

Directions:

From Sisters, OR: Travel 14.6 miles west on Highway 242 (McKenzie Pass Highway).


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

No. of Sites 12 single site(s)
No. of Accessible sites None

Day Hiking

Backpacking

Amenities

Picnic tables:
Toilets: single vault toilet

Alerts & Warnings

View All Forest Alerts   

Quick Links

Related Information

Lava Camp Lake Campground

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Central Cascade Wilderness Permit Maps

Highlights

Location

 
  Latitude : 
44.26101

  Longitude : 
-121.78674

  Elevation : 
5300