Little Lava Lake
Campground · Oregon · 16 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Deschutes National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 16
- Bookable sites
- 40 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 30
- People per site
- 4,748 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Little Lava Lake Campground is located along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway in the Central Oregon Cascades.
Recreation
Little Lava Lake Campground provides recreation opportunities for fishing, paddling, swimming and hiking. For anglers, the 130-acre Little Lava Lake offers a quiet alternative to its larger neighbor to the north, Lava Lake. Reaching a maximum depth of 20 feet, the lake supports planted Rainbow trout, some Brook trout, and self-sustaining populations of Whitefish and Tui Chub. Bait, lures, flies, still fishing and trolling are all acceptable angling methods.
Facilities
Little Lava Lake Campground's campsites are predominately located under lodgepole pine canopy with some sites located along the lakeshore and the Deschutes River.
There is a boat ramp and a day use area that can be used at Little Lava Lake for a fee.
Natural Features
Little Lava Lake is located on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range at an elevation of 4,740 feet. The small lake is surrounded by mature pine forests with bull rushes and lava outcroppings lining its shores.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors can explore wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, lakes and reservoirs and approximately 1,600 miles of trails within the Deschutes National Forest.
Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, and the unique geological landscape of Newberry National Volcanic Monument draw visitors to the region as well.
Visitors will also enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which climbs into the Cascades over a 66-mile drive through snow-capped peaks and alongside alpine lakes.
A nearby resort on Lava Lake offers lodging and a limited selection of groceries.
Charges & Cancellations
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
The facts
- Season: Tentative Opening: May 16, 2025 – October 19, 2025 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 16 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 40 ft
- Up to 30 people per site
- Loops: Little Lava Lake
Site types
- 15 Standard Nonelectric
- 1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.
16 campsites at Little Lava Lake
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 002 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 003 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 40 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 004 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 005 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 40 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 006 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 007 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 008 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 009-Multi | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 40 ft | 12 | 🐾 |
| 010 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 40 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 011 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Lakefront | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 012 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Lakefront | 36 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 013 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Lakefront | 24 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 014 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 015 | Little Lava Lake | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| GRP | Little Lava Lake | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Lakefront | 40 ft | 30 | 🐾 |
Getting there
43.91012, -121.76170 · 43°54'36.4"N 121°45'42.1"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 9.8 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 6.0 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 5.1 | 9.7 | 11.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 12.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Little Lava Lake
- Can you reserve a site at Little Lava Lake?
- Yes, Little Lava Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Little Lava Lake have?
- 16 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Little Lava Lake?
- 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Little Lava Lake?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Little Lava Lake.
- Are campfires allowed at Little Lava Lake?
- Campfires are allowed at Little Lava Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Little Lava Lake also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Little Lava Lake's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Single Campsite Rate: $25/night
- Premium Campsite Rate: $27/night
- Group Campsite Rate: $126/night
- One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00
Restrictions:
- Maximum site spur length is 40 feet. No motorized or mechanized vehicles allowed on Wilderness trails.
Camping near Little Lava Lake
- Lava Lake Campground 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Campground - Hosmer Lake (OR) 3.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mallard Marsh Campground 3.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Little Fawn Campground 4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Point Campground - Deschutes 4.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Elk Lake Campground 5.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cultus Lake Campground 6.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Quinn Meadow Horse Camp 6.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cultus Corral Horse Camp 6.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Little Lava Lake 0.3 mi · Facility
- South Campground 3.8 mi · Campground
- Elk Lake 5.1 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 541-323-1746
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-12.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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