Little Crater Day Use Site

Facility · Oregon ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Newberry Caldera Geothermal Area (Geothermal Area) · Restricted Access

6,344 ft
Elevation

Paulina Lake is located within the caldera of Newberry Volcano.  This collapsed crater or caldera is the result of more than 500,000 years of volcanic activity.  This lake relies on rain, snowmelt, and hot springs for water.

This boat ramp is on the southeast side of Paulina Lake and is adjacent to a campground and also offers picnicking opportunities, trailhead access to the Little Crater Trail and a shallow boat launch (no docks).

Recreation Fee Site: Parking at this site requires a recreation pass. Passes are NOT available at this site, but can be purchased from Forest Service offices or vendors. Please check here for more information about recreation passes and where they can be purchased.

Acceptable passes include:

  • $5 Day Pass
  • Northwest Forest Pass
  • Interagency Annual Pass
  • Interagency Senior Pass (America the Beautiful, Golden Age)
  • Interagency Access Pass
  • Interagency Military Pass
  • Every Kid in a Park Pass
  • Northwest Forest ePass

The facts

  • Season: Tentative Opening: June 13, 2025 – October 19, 2025 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026

Recreation.gov's own page

Getting there

From Bend, OR: Travel 23 miles south on Highway 97 then turn left onto County Road 21 and head east for 15 miles.

43.70855, -121.24520 · 43°42'30.8"N 121°14'42.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 84°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F404350576572848376624638
Low °F202124253337414034282419
Precip in2.91.91.51.21.71.10.50.60.81.42.43.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 15.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Little Crater Day Use Site

Can you reserve a site at Little Crater Day Use Site?
No. Little Crater Day Use Site is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Also listed by

Little Crater Day Use Site also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Little Crater Day Use Site's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Single Campsite Rate: $27/night
  • One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00
  • NOTE : Holders of a Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes are entitled to the following discounts on expanded amenity recreation fees: - A 50 percent discount on the fee for a single camping unit. This discount does not apply to use of a cabin, lookout, double camping u
  • Day Use: $5/vehicle/day at Little Crater Day Use Area

Restrictions:

  • Maximum site spur length is 40 feet.
  • The water system will be turned on in the month of May depending on weather conditions and will be turned off no later than September 30, or upon the campground closing, whichever is earlier, to prevent potential damage from cold temperatures.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Little Crater Day Use Site

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.