Recreation


A view from Paulina Peak

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Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name Status Area Conditions
Allen Springs Campground Open Open
Allingham Campground Closed Closed
Arlies Rock/North Gateway Information Viewpoint Open Open
Aspen Day Use Area Open Open
Beach Picnic Area None None
Bear Valley Trailhead None None
Benham Falls East Day Use / Trailhead Open Open
Benham Falls West Day Use / Trailhead Open Open
Bessie Butte Trail None None
Besson Picnic Area None None
Big Cove Boat-In Campground Closed Closed 2023 Season - The Forest Service conducts in-depth hazard tree inspections of developed recreation facilities on a regular interval. Big Cove Boat-In Campground will close on September 10, 2023, to provide time to conduct inspections and remove identified hazard trees. Closing this facility a few weeks early this fall will minimize impacts to opening dates in spring 2024.
Big Eddy Trailhead Open Open
Big River Boating Site None None
Big River Campground/Big River Group Closed Closed
Black Butte Trailhead None None
Black Crater Trailhead None None
Blue Bay Boating Site None None
Blue Bay Campground Closed Closed
Boundary Springs Campground None None
Broken Top Trail None None
Broken Top Trailhead None None
Bull Bend Boating Site None None
Bull Bend Campground Closed Closed
Buttes Loop Trailhead None None
Camp II OHV Staging Area None None
Camp Sherman Campground Open Open
Candle Creek Campground Closed Closed
Chief Paulina Horse Camp Closed Closed
China Hat Campground None None
Cinder Hill Campground Closed Closed
Cold Springs Campground Closed Closed
Contorta Flat Campground Closed Closed
Contorta Point Group Campground Closed Closed
Corral Swamp Trailhead None None
Cow Meadow Campground Closed Closed
Crane Prairie Boating Site None None
Crane Prairie Campground None None
Crater Butte Trailhead None None
Crater Ditch Trailhead None None
Crescent Creek Campground Closed Closed
Crescent Lake Boat Launch None None
Crescent Lake Campground Closed Closed
Crescent Lake Guard Station Closed Closed
Crescent Lake Sno-Park Open Open
Crescent Lake Yurts Closed Closed
Crescent Ranger District Office None None
Cultus Corral Horse Camp Closed Closed
Cultus Lake Boating Site Closed Closed
Cultus Lake Campground Closed Closed 2023 Season - The Forest Service conducts in-depth hazard tree inspections of developed recreation facilities on a regular interval. Cultus Lake Campground will close on September 10, 2023, to provide time to conduct inspections and remove identified hazard trees. Closing this facility a few weeks early this fall will minimize impacts to opening dates in spring 2024.
Cultus Lake Day Use Area Closed Closed
Deer Lake Trailhead None None
Devils Lake Campground Closed Closed
Devils Lake/South Sister Trailhead None None
Dillon Falls Day Use Area Open Open
Driftwood Campground Closed Closed
Dutchman Sno-Park/Trailhead Open Open
East Davis Lake Campground Closed Closed
East Fort Rock OHV Trail System None None
East Lake Campground Closed Closed 2023 Season - The Forest Service conducts in-depth hazard tree inspections of developed recreation facilities on a regular interval. East Lake Campground will close on September 24, 2023, to provide time to conduct inspections and remove identified hazard trees. Closing this facility a few weeks early this fall will minimize impacts to opening dates in spring 2024.
Edison Butte OHV Trail System None None
Edison Butte Sno-Park/Staging Area/Trailhead Open Open 2023-2024 Winter Season: Deschutes National Forest recreation staff assessed the condition of the Edison Snow Shelter near Edison SnoPark and determined that the integrity of the structure has declined to the point it needs  to be closed for public safety this winter. The Edison Shelter is located thirteen miles west of Bend and approximately one mile from the Edison SnoPark along the Tesla Snowshoe Trail and Lightbulb Loop Nordic Ski Trail. Open snow shelters in the area include AC/DC, Kwolh and Sheridan Shelters. For questions, contact the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District at (541) 383-5300.
Elk Lake Boating Site Closed Closed
Elk Lake Campground Closed Closed
Elk Lake Guard Station None None
Elk Lake Trailhead Closed Closed
Fall River Campground Closed Closed
Fall River Guard Station Closed Closed Reservation Only
Fall River Trailhead None None
Gorge Campground Closed Closed
Graham Corral Horse Camp Closed Closed 2023 - We have experienced a loss of water at this site. The Forest Service continues to explore alternative solutions for delivering water, but please plan to provide water for your stock animals.
Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trailhead Closed Closed
Gull Point Boating Site Closed Closed Summer 2023 - Gull Point Campground and Boat Ramp will remain closed for the 2023 camping season to provide for public safety due to a large volume of identified hazard trees. The campground and boat launch are slated to reopen in 2024 once the hazard trees are removed. Visitors who have made 2023 camping reservations at Gull Point Campground will receive full refunds from Recreation.gov.
Gull Point Campground Closed Closed Summer 2023 - Gull Point Campground and Boat Ramp will remain closed for the 2023 camping season to provide for public safety due to a large volume of identified hazard trees. The campground and boat launch are slated to reopen in 2024 once the hazard trees are removed. Visitors who have made 2023 camping reservations at Gull Point Campground will receive full refunds from Recreation.gov.
Horse Butte Trailhead None None
Hosmer Lake Boating Site Closed Closed
Indian Ford Campground Closed Closed
Irish-Taylor Trailhead None None Please use caution when recreating in areas that were impacted by the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire. A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. In some cases, these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to these potential safety hazards. Be especially wary of hazard trees after rain events or during wind. When recreating in a burned area:
  • LOOK UP for upslope burned areas, snags, and exposed rocks that may fall. 
  • LOOK DOWN for debris from falling rocks, erosion – especially at road and trail edges, and ash pits (which may form from root pockets or stumps of burned trees). 
  • LOOK AROUND. Be situationally aware. Check the weather before you travel, including at higher elevations. Wind, rain, ice and snow can increase the risk of tree fall, rock fall, slides and other hazards. Flash floods and landslide risks are elevated below severely burned areas. 
  • LOOK BELOW the surface of standing water and moving water for floating logs, submerged trees and other debris, which can strike or entangle swimmers and boaters and damage other infrastructure. 
LEARN MORE about impacted trails & recreation sites. See the Willamette National Forest for their information regarding the Cedar Creek Fire burned area on the Willamette National Forest.
Jack Creek Campground Closed Closed
Jefferson Lake Trail None None
Jefferson Lake Trailhead None None
Junction Sno-Park Open Open
Kapka Sno-Park None None
Lava Butte Interpretive Site None None Pedestrian and bike access is available year round. E-bikes permitted.
  • Open Today - Oct 1st open 10:00 - 3:30 to passenger vehicles
  • Closed Oct 2nd-5th to passenger vehicles
  • Open Oct 6th – 8th open 10:00 - 3:30 to passenger vehicles
  • Closed Oct 9th until May 2024 to passenger vehicles
Lava Camp Lake Campground Closed Closed
Lava Cast Forest Day Use Interpretive Site Closed Closed
Lava Island Day Use Area Open Open
Lava Lake Boating Site Closed Closed
Lava Lake Campground Closed Closed
Lava Lands Visitor Center Closed Closed
Lava River Cave Interpretive Site Closed Closed
Lemish Lake Trailhead None None Please use caution when recreating in areas that were impacted by the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire. A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. In some cases, these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to these potential safety hazards. Be especially wary of hazard trees after rain events or during wind. When recreating in a burned area:
  • LOOK UP for upslope burned areas, snags, and exposed rocks that may fall. 
  • LOOK DOWN for debris from falling rocks, erosion – especially at road and trail edges, and ash pits (which may form from root pockets or stumps of burned trees). 
  • LOOK AROUND. Be situationally aware. Check the weather before you travel, including at higher elevations. Wind, rain, ice and snow can increase the risk of tree fall, rock fall, slides and other hazards. Flash floods and landslide risks are elevated below severely burned areas. 
  • LOOK BELOW the surface of standing water and moving water for floating logs, submerged trees and other debris, which can strike or entangle swimmers and boaters and damage other infrastructure. 
LEARN MORE about impacted trails & recreation sites. See the Willamette National Forest for their information regarding the Cedar Creek Fire burned area on the Willamette National Forest.
Link Creek Campground None None October 8, 2023 - Link Creek Campground has closed for the season. Link Creek Yurts remain open year-round.
Little Cove Boat-In Campground Closed Closed 2023 Season - The Forest Service conducts in-depth hazard tree inspections of developed recreation facilities on a regular interval. Little Cove Boat-In Campground will close on September 10, 2023, to provide time to conduct inspections and remove identified hazard trees. Closing this facility a few weeks early this fall will minimize impacts to opening dates in spring 2024.
Little Crater Boating Site None None
Little Crater Campground Closed Closed 2023 Season - The Forest Service conducts in-depth hazard tree inspections of developed recreation facilities on a regular interval. Little Crater Campground will close on September 24, 2023, to provide time to conduct inspections and remove identified hazard trees. Closing this facility a few weeks early this fall will minimize impacts to opening dates in spring 2024.
Little Crater Day Use Site None None
Little Cultus Boating Site None None
Little Cultus Campground Closed Closed
Little Cultus Lake None None
Little Fawn Boating Site Closed Closed
Little Fawn Campground Closed Closed
Little Lava Lake Boating Site None None
Little Lava Lake Campground Closed Closed
Lower Bridge Campground Open Open
Lower Canyon Creek Campground Closed Closed
Lucky Lake Trailhead None None
Mallard Marsh Campground Closed Closed
Many Lakes Trailhead None None Please use caution when recreating in areas that were impacted by the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire. A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. In some cases, these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to these potential safety hazards. Be especially wary of hazard trees after rain events or during wind. When recreating in a burned area:
  • LOOK UP for upslope burned areas, snags, and exposed rocks that may fall. 
  • LOOK DOWN for debris from falling rocks, erosion – especially at road and trail edges, and ash pits (which may form from root pockets or stumps of burned trees). 
  • LOOK AROUND. Be situationally aware. Check the weather before you travel, including at higher elevations. Wind, rain, ice and snow can increase the risk of tree fall, rock fall, slides and other hazards. Flash floods and landslide risks are elevated below severely burned areas. 
  • LOOK BELOW the surface of standing water and moving water for floating logs, submerged trees and other debris, which can strike or entangle swimmers and boaters and damage other infrastructure. 
LEARN MORE about impacted trails & recreation sites. See the Willamette National Forest for their information regarding the Cedar Creek Fire burned area on the Willamette National Forest.
McKay Crossing Campground Closed Closed
Meadow Day Use Area Open Open
Meek Lake Trail None None
Meissner Sno-Park/Trailhead Open Open
Minto Lake Trail Unreachable Unreachable BEWARE! Since 2003, Brush Creek, Minto Lake, Sugar Pine Ridge Trail and northern sections of Summit Trail have been in a "no current maintenance" condition. 
With heavy blowdown, dense brush, lack of identifiable trail surface and erosion due to B & B Fire damage, these trails are considered impassable and are not recommended.
Monty Campground Closed Closed
Newberry Group Campground Closed Closed
North Davis Boating Site Closed Closed CLOSED: This boat ramp is closed for the 2023 season due to significant hazard tree mitigation needs. The Forest Service has identified trees showing signs of future failure. In order to provide for public safety, this facility will remain closed until the hazards have been mitigated.
North Davis Creek Campground Closed Closed CLOSED: This campground is closed for the 2023 season due to significant hazard tree mitigation needs. The Forest Service has identified trees showing signs of future failure. In order to provide for public safety, this facility will remain closed until the hazards have been mitigated.
North Twin Boating Site None None
North Twin Lake Campground Closed Closed 2023 - Please help us preserve the integrity of the access road by driving slowly. The access road has recently been graded and re-graveled.
North Wickiup Boating Site None None
Odd Fellows Cabins Closed Closed
Odell Lake None None
Ogden Group Campground Closed Closed ATTENTION: The water system at this location has failed and there will be no water service at this site for the 2023 season. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Osprey Point Trailhead None None
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Cowhorn None None
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Diamond Peak None None
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Three Sister None None
Paulina Falls Day Use Area Closed Closed
Paulina Falls Trail None None
Paulina Lake Boating Site Closed Closed Summer 2023 - Hazard tree inspectors identified more than 300 hazard trees within Paulina Lake Campground and Boat Launch. Crews removed a majority of these trees last fall; however, some hazard tree removal work remains. The remaining hazard tree work will resume as soon as snow levels permit this spring. In anticipation of this work, the opening date for Paulina Lake Campground and Boat Launch will be delayed by two weeks to June 30. Visitors with camping reservations between June 16 and June 29, will receive a full refund from Recreation.gov.
Paulina Lake Campground Closed Closed Summer 2023 - Hazard tree inspectors identified more than 300 hazard trees within Paulina Lake Campground. Crews removed a majority of these trees last fall; however, some hazard tree removal work remains. The remaining hazard tree work will resume as soon as snow levels permit this spring. In anticipation of this work, the opening date for Paulina Lake Campground will be delayed by two weeks to June 30. Visitors with camping reservations between June 16 and June 29, will receive a full refund from Recreation.gov.
Paulina Lake Day Use Area Closed Closed
Paulina Peak Trailhead None None
Perry South Campground Closed Closed
Peter Skene Ogden Trailhead None None
Phil's Trailhead Open Open Current Trail Closures (July 2023) We are restoring the forest adjacent to the City of Bend to improve forest health, create a diversity of plant and wildlife habitat and to protect our communities and quality of life. Historically in Central Oregon small wildfires or insect infestations occurred creating a forested of different aged trees, underbrush, and openings, which allowed a diversity of wildlife and plants to flourish and kept forests resilient to large scale disturbances. The goal of these projects is to restore a more resilent and healthy forest.
Pine Mountain Campground None None
Pine Rest Campground Open Open
Pioneer Ford Campground Closed Closed
Point Campground Closed Closed 2023 - Closed early for the season due to the Petes Lake Fire shaded fuel break work.
Prairie Campground Closed Closed ATTENTION: The water system at this location has failed and there will be no water service at this site for the 2023 season. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Princess Creek Boat Launch None None
Princess Creek Campground Closed Closed
Pringle Falls Campground Closed Closed
Quinn Meadow Horse Camp Closed Closed
Quinn River Boating Site None None
Quinn River Campground Closed Closed
Ray Atkeson Trailhead None None
Reservoir Campground Closed Closed CLOSED: This campground is closed for the 2023 season due to significant hazard tree mitigation needs. The Forest Service has identified trees showing signs of future failure. In order to provide for public safety, this facility will remain closed until the hazards have been mitigated.
Rim Butte OHV Trail System None None
Riverside Campground Closed Closed
Road 25 OHV Staging Area None None
Road 2510 OHV Staging Area None None
Rock Creek Boating Site None None
Rock Creek Campground Closed Closed
Rosary Lakes Trailhead None None
Scout Lake Campground Closed Closed
Scout Lake Day Use Area None None
Senoj Lake Trail #14.1 None None
Sheep Bridge Boating Site None None
Sheep Bridge Campground Closed Closed
Sheep Springs Horse Camp Closed Closed
Simax Beach Picnic Area None None
Simax Group Campground Closed Closed
Sisters Cow Camp Horse Camp None None
Sisters Mirror Trailhead None None
Six Lakes Trailhead None None August 28, 2023 - Six Lakes Trail is closed due to the Petes Lake Fire burning in the Mink Lake Basin in the Three Sisters Wilderness. MORE INFO
Skyliners Sno-Park/Trailhead Open Open
Slough Day Use Area Open Open
Smiling River Campground Closed Closed
Soda Creek Campground Closed Closed
South Campground Closed Closed
South Lava OHV Staging Area None None
South Shore Campground Closed Closed
South Twin Day Use Area None None
South Twin Lake Campground Closed Closed
Sparks Lake Boating Site Closed Closed
Sparks Lake Day Use Area Closed Closed
Sparks Lake Trailhead None None
Spring Boat Launch Closed Closed
Spring Campground Closed Closed
Sun-Lava Paved Path None None
Sunset Cove Boat Launch None None October 10, 2023 - Beginning October 10, the Sunset Cove Day Use Area will temporarily close during the installation of a new CXT restroom facility within the Sunset Cove Campground. This closure is tentatively scheduled to last through the following day, October 11.
Sunset Cove Campground Closed Closed October 2023 - Beginning October 10, the Sunset Cove Day Use Area will temporarily close during the installation of a new CXT restroom facility within the Sunset Cove Campground. This closure is tentatively scheduled to last through the following day, October 11.The existing toilet will be removed from the upper loop of the Sunset Cove Campground on October 2. While the exiting toilet is being removed, the upper loop of the campground will be closed until the installation process is completed for the new CXT facility.
Sunset View Day Use Area None None October 10, 2023 - Beginning October 10, the Sunset Cove Day Use Area will temporarily close during the installation of a new CXT restroom facility within the Sunset Cove Campground. This closure is tentatively scheduled to last through the following day, October 11.
Swamp Wells Horse Camp None None
Swampy Lakes Sno-Park/Trailhead Open Open
Tam McArthur Rim Trailhead Closed Closed
Tam McArthur Trail Closed Closed
Tandy Bay Picnic Area None None
Tenino Boating Site None None
Tetherow Boat Launch None None
Three Creek Lake Campground Closed Closed
Three Creek Meadow Horse Camp Closed Closed
Todd Creek Horse Camp Closed Closed
Todd Creek Trailhead None None
Todd Lake Campground None None Wilderness permits are not required to access/use Todd Lake.

However, recreators who use the nearby Todd Lake Trail are required to acquire a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit in advance for both day use and for overnight use. See "Permit Info" below for more details.
Todd Lake Day Use Area/Trailhead Closed Closed Wilderness permits are not required to access/use Todd Lake. However, permits are required to hike the nearby Todd Lake Trail #34 or if entering the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Trapper Creek Boat Launch Closed Closed
Trapper Creek Campground Closed Closed
Tumalo Falls Day Use Area None None November 13, 2023 - Forest Service Road 4603 is closed for the season to motor vehicles. The road can still be used for non-motorized access to Tumalo Falls. The round-trip mileage from the gate to Tumalo Falls is approximately five miles.
Vista Butte Sno-Park Open Open
Wake Butte Trailhead None None
Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno-Park Open Open
West Cultus Boat-In Campground Closed Closed 2023 Season - The Forest Service conducts in-depth hazard tree inspections of developed recreation facilities on a regular interval. West Cultus Boat-In Campground will close on September 10, 2023, to provide time to conduct inspections and remove identified hazard trees. Closing this facility a few weeks early this fall will minimize impacts to opening dates in spring 2024.
West South Twin Boating Site None None
West South Twin Campground Closed Closed
Whispering Pine Horse Camp Closed Closed
Whitefish Horse Camp Closed Closed
Whychus Creek Scenic Overlook Trailhead None None
Wickiup Plains Trailhead None None
Windy Group Campground Closed Closed
Winopee Trailhead None None August 28, 2023 - The Winopee Lake Trail is partially closed due to the Petes Lake Fire burning in the Mink Lake Basin in the Three Sisters Wilderness. MORE INFO
Wyeth Boating Site None None
Wyeth Campground Closed Closed

Spotlights

Newberry National Volcanic Monument - Deschutes NF

Aerial view of Newberry Caldera In November of 1990, Newberry National Volcanic Monument was created within the boundaries of Deschutes National Forest. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, this monument provides a unique opportunity to view the Lava Lands of central Oregon. Newberry National Volcanic National Monument includes 54,000+ acres of lakes, lava flows, and spectacular geologic features in central Oregon. The highest point within the Monument is the summit Paulina Peak (7,985 ft.), showcasing views of the Cascades, Newberry Caldera and across the High Desert.

Aerial view of Lava Butte. Although commonly referred to as Newberry Crater, the "crater" is in fact a caldera formed when the overlying rocks collapse when a magma chamber is emptied. The caldera stretches across 17 square miles in the heart of the volcano. The 1,200 square mile volcano (about the size of Rhode Island) remains very active to this day. Newberry is both seismically and geothermally active. Geologists believe the caldera sits over a shallow magma body only 2 to 5 kilometers deep. Visitors see numerous cinder cones and vents (over 400 throughout the area), miles of basalt flows, as well as rhyolite flows of obsidian.

  • For up-to-date facts on Newberry Volcano, click here.
  • Read the latest version of Volcanic Vistas.
  • Enjoy this video highlighting the accessibility of Lava Lands Visitor Center!

Cascade Lakes Welcome Station

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Located just past mile post seven on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station serves as a gateway to some of the most popular trails, lakes and recreation areas on the Deschutes National Forest. The Welcome Station also offers parking and access to Phil’s and Wanoga mountain biking trails systems.

The Cascade Lakes Welcome Station provides visitors an opportunity to buy recreation passes, local maps, guidebooks and other educational materials. In addition to offering one-day recreation passes and the annual Northwest Forest Pass (good for all National Forests in Oregon and Washington), the Welcome Station also offers a number of interagency pass options.

Staffed with both Forest Service rangers and employees from Discover Your Forest, the Deschutes National Forest’s non-profit partner, the Welcome Station gives visitors the opportunity to ask questions, while learning about trail conditions and closures.

Visitors can plan their trips using a new, interactive touch screen map. They can learn more about our local wilderness areas and what they can do to help protect them while exploring the region on a giant floor map. Additional interpretive exhibits are planned and will be implemented in the coming seasons.

 

 

Alerts & Warnings

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