U.S. Forest Service · Deschutes National Forest · Crescent, OR

Simax Group Camp

Simax Group Campground is located on the northeast end of Crescent Lake in Deschutes National Forest, offering visitors some of the most beautiful scenery in central Oregon and easy access to an abundance of recreational activities. Designed as a fully accessible campground, the four group sites and large picnic pavilion provide all visitors with ample opportunities to explore the area's diverse lush forest and spectacular surroundings.

Closed for the seasonReservable · Recreation.gov5 sites40 ft maxElectric hookupsPets okFires ok

More like this: electric hookups in Oregon · reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon · group sites in Oregon

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Simax Group CampSimax Group CampSimax Group CampSimax Group Camp
Photos via Recreation.gov
2fires
active
Rx Cold Springs (prescribed burn) · 21 mi away · 158 acres
1 more within 50 miles
Incident details ↓

Site mix

Group sites4
group picnic area1
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePowerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
PAV1Group Picnic AreaPavedPartialNoLakefront50 / 3YesYesStandard
Group AGroupBack-in25PavedPartialNo40 / 8YesYesStandard
Group BGroupBack-in25PavedPartialNoLakefront40 / 10YesYesStandard
Group CGroupBack-in40PavedPartialNo40 / 10YesYesStandard
Group DGroupBack-in25PavedPartial50 amp20 / 8YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 8:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric
Max vehicle length40 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySites PAV1, Group A, Group B, Group C are listed accessible

Four separate group sites offer visitors opportunities for both lakeside and forest camping. Picnic areas, sandy beaches and stunning views of the lake, along with the conveniences of drinking water and flush toilets, give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while still having many of the conveniences of home. The roads and spurs throughout the campground are paved. This site was designed to be fully accessible for those with disabilities and is the first of its kind in the Northwest. A trail system designed for accessibility links the group site to the day-use areas and beaches.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
ForestDeschutes National Forest
BookingReservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777).
FeesSites A, B, C (40 people/site) Campsite Rate: $164/night. Pavillion (50 People Maximum Occupancy): $64/day. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00.
RulesMaximum 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.

Deschutes National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Simax Group Camp20°30°40°50°60°January: 5.73 inches of precipitation, 48.8 inches of snowFebruary: 4.70 inches of precipitation, 28.6 inches of snowMarch: 3.34 inches of precipitation, 22.0 inches of snowApril: 1.91 inches of precipitation, 6.5 inches of snowMay: 1.84 inches of precipitation, 1.0 inches of snowJune: 1.02 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowJuly: 0.52 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.45 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 0.96 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 2.62 inches of precipitation, 0.4 inches of snowNovember: 4.69 inches of precipitation, 22.7 inches of snowDecember: 6.05 inches of precipitation, 60.4 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 27.8°F averageFebruary: 29.1°F averageMarch: 32.7°F averageApril: 37.0°F averageMay: 44.7°F averageJune: 50.6°F averageJuly: 58.6°F averageAugust: 58.2°F averageSeptember: 52.0°F averageOctober: 42.7°F averageNovember: 33.2°F averageDecember: 26.9°F average0 in20 in40 in60 in80 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Odell Lake-East, 4 miles from the campground at 4,800 feet, station USC00356252 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 34 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 191 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

From Highway 58, turn south at Crescent Lake Junction on Forest Service Road 60. Travel 2.2 miles to the junction with Forest Service Road 6005. Continue a mile south, following signs.

Nearest townCrescent, Oregon
Coordinates43.4944° N, 121.9619° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Rx Cold Springs

    21 mi from the campground · 158 acres

  • Prescribed
    Junction Rx

    40 mi from the campground

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearREI ↗50 mi
RV sales & serviceBlue Compass RV Bend ↗51.7 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Worth a stop

The trailhead to Fawn Lake starts at the northeast end Crescent Lake and is open to hikers and horseback riding. The trail, 4.7 miles one-way, begins in a forest of white fir, Douglas fir and mountain hemlock before making a transition into lodgepole pine, ending at the Crater Butte Trail near Fawn Lake. There are views of Redtop and Lakeview Mountains at Fawn Lake. Lava Lands Visitor Center in Bend, Oregon, offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. Visitors will also 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 Mountain range, weaving through snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. A nearby resort on Crescent Lake offers lodging and a general store. Supplies and equipment rentals are available to visitors.

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 0.3 mi
    Simax
    1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.9 mi
    Fawn Lake
    3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 1 mi
    Crescent Lake Loop East ↗
    5.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
  • 1 mi
    Crescent Lake Loop West ↗
    9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
  • 1 mi
    Sno-Park Connection
    3.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
  • 1.7 mi
    Pretty Lake
    3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

Deschutes National Forest begins about 1.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

Natural features

Crescent Lake, nestled in a naturally glaciated basin behind a moraine dam, lies east of the towering Cascade Mountain Range. Its brilliant blue-green water, sandy beaches and water temperature are exceptional for a high-elevation lake. Towering lodgepole pine trees provide the backdrop for this area, with mountain hemlock, fir, and spruce also in the mix. Volcanic activity throughout the surrounding area of Deschutes National Forest is evident in its landscape, showcasing cinder cones, calderas and lava flows.

Recreation

At Simax Group Campground, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, sunning, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, off-roading and fishing are popular with visitors. Hiking on one or more of the trails in the area offers a wide variety of scenic terrain, ranging from lakeside trails to routes weaving through towering pine, fir, and spruce trees, typical for the area. For anglers, Crescent Lake provides the perfect setting to fish from boat or the shoreline. Fish species found in the lake include kokanee salmon, mackinaw, rainbow trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish. Summer months offer the best fishing.

Guidebooks for Oregon

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Simax Group Camp?

Sites at Simax Group Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Simax Group Camp?

Sites A, B, C (40 people/site) Campsite Rate: $164/night. Pavillion (50 People Maximum Occupancy): $64/day. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Simax Group Camp?

Check-in 8:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Simax Group Camp open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Simax Group Camp have?

5 sites, including 4 group sites and 1 group picnic area.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Simax Group Camp?

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Does Simax Group Camp have hookups?

Yes, electric hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Simax Group Camp?

Picnic areas, sandy beaches and stunning views of the lake, along with the conveniences of drinking water and flush toilets, give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while still having many of the conveniences of home.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Simax Group Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Simax Group Camp. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Simax Group Camp?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum site spur length is 40 feet.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at Simax Group Camp?

Sites PAV1, Group A, Group B, and Group C are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Simax Group Camp?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map