Prairie Campground
Campground · 17 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Deschutes National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 17
- Bookable sites
- 40 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 4,312 ft
- Elevation
Overview
This primitive campground offers campers the chance to enjoy the beauty of the Deschutes National Forest
Recreation
Boating, swimming and fishing are popular activities enjoyed by visitors during spring, summer and fall months, while skiing and snowmobiling are popular during the winter.Anglers have the opportunity to fish in the surrounding clear, cold lakes and streams for abundant salmon and trout.
Hikers and backpackers have access to a variety of trails in the area, including several in Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
The Crater Rim Trail is a favorite high country trail, boasting vast stretches of forest, deserts, and mountains extending from all sides of the trail.
Nearby Peter Skene Ogden National Recreation Trail parallels Paulina Creek, passing several waterfalls along the way, as it ascends 8.5 miles to the spectacular Paulina Lake.
Facilities
Prairie Campground can accommodate RV, trailer or tent-campers however electric and water hookups are not available. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and fire pit and the campground has vault toilets available.Natural Features
With Paulina Creek nearby this facility is surrounded by ample foliage with numerous trees shading the campground. Its close proximity to both Paulina Lake and East Lake also allow campers access to nearby boating and fishing.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (541) 323-1746.Nearby Attractions
Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes.Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits.
Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is also nearby for campers to explore. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
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 9, 2025 – October 19, 2025 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 17 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 40 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: Loop 1
Site types
- 17 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
17 campsites at Prairie Campground
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 02 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 03 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 04 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 05 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 06 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 07 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 08 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 09 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 10 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 11 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 12 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 13 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 14 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 15 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 16 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 17 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Bend, OR: Travel about 23.5 miles south on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road) to the Prairie campground sign. Follow the short paved road to the campground entrance.
From LaPine, OR: Travel about 6.8 miles north on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road) to the Prairie campground sign. Follow the short paved road to the campground entrance.
43.72610, -121.42324 · 43°43'34.0"N 121°25'23.7"W
Typical weather
Typically 84°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 40 | 43 | 50 | 57 | 65 | 72 | 84 | 83 | 76 | 62 | 46 | 38 |
| Low °F | 20 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 33 | 37 | 41 | 40 | 34 | 28 | 24 | 19 |
| Precip in | 2.9 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 3.2 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 11.6 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 Prairie Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Prairie Campground?
- Yes, Prairie Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Prairie Campground have?
- 17 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Prairie Campground?
- 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Prairie Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Prairie Campground.
- Are campfires allowed at Prairie Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Prairie Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Prairie Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Prairie Campground's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Single Campsite Rate: $23/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
Restrictions:
- Maximum site spur length is 40 feet.
Camping near Prairie Campground
- Ogden Group 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- McKay Crossing Campground 2.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big River 7.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Paulina Lake Campground 7.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Newberry Group Camp Site 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Chief Paulina Horse Camp 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Little Crater Campground 9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pringle Falls Campground 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Paulina Peak Trailhead 7.4 mi · Facility
- Paulina Peak Observation Site 8.8 mi · Facility
- Little Crater Day Use Site 9 mi · Facility
- Lava Cast Forest Day Use Interpretive Site 9.2 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 541-383-5300
- Email Jen@Hoodoo.com
- 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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