Paulina Lake Campground
Paulina Lake Campground is located 6,350 ft. above sea level in the caldera of Newberry Volcano, on the edge of the beautiful Paulina Lake. Conveniently located within Newberry National Monument, visitors to this area are taken aback by the incredible views this has to offer, highlighting volcanic landscapes intermixed with diverse forests, typical of central Oregon. Popular for both its geological significance and multitude of recreational activities, Paulina Lake Campground is ideal for individual and family camping excursions.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 66 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
66 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Pull-through | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |||
| 02 | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 03 | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 04 | Pull-through | 36 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 05 | Pull-through | 32 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 06 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 07 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 08 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 09 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 10 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 90 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 44, 45, 46 are listed accessible |
Paulina Lake campground has excellent sites for all forms of camping and plenty of large sites for RVs. Picnic areas, boating, shoreline trails, 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Deschutes National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). |
| Fees | 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… |
| Rules | Maximum site spur length is 90 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. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Bend go south 23.5 miles on Hwy 97 to Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road). Take Road 21 east for about 12.9 miles. From La Pine go north 5 miles on Hwy 97 to Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road). Take Road 21 east for about 12.9 miles.
| Coordinates | 43.7119° N, 121.2761° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
20 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 4.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 23.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 23.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Paulina Lake & Little Crater Campground - Camp & Paddle (4K UHD)
Worth a stop
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. Visitors can explore the Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet (1,588 m) in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. A rustic lodge near the campground, operating under a special use permit from the Deschutes National Forest, offers visitors lodging, last minute essentials and a cafe.
- 0.1 miPaulina Peak Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.6 miLittle Crater Day Use Site ↗Day use
- 7.4 mi
- 12.1 miSouth Lava Ohv Staging Area ↗OHV / range
- 14.7 miRoad 25 Ohv Staging Area ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miCrater Rim ↗20.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miNewberry #4 ↗10.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.1 miNewberry Crater ↗9.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miPaulina Nordic Loop2.6 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.1 miPaulina Lakeshore Loop ↗6.8 mi trail · hiking
- 0.1 miPaulina Falls0.3 mi trail · hiking
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.1 miPaulina Peak Trailhead ↗Deschutes National Forest
- 0.4 miPaulina Falls Day Use Area ↗Deschutes National Forest
- 1.2 miChief Paulina Trailhead ↗Deschutes National Forest
- 2 miBig Obsidian Flow Trailhead and Interpretive Site ↗Deschutes National Forest · Season June to Late Fall
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
This campground sits inside Deschutes National Forest.
- inDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 acres
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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Paulina Lake Guard StationBuilding · Bend · 0 mi
- I.O.O.F. Organization Camp, Paulina LakeHistoric district · LaPine · 1 mi
- Ed and Genevieve Deedon HomesteadBuilding · La Pine · 13.1 mi
Natural features
Paulina Lake is located within the collapsed crater, or "caldera" of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, this caldera encircles the basins of Paulina Lake, and its twin, East Lake. Neither lake receives water from an inlet stream, but instead, rely on rain, snowmelt and hot springs for water. Paulina Creek drains the lake and has chiseled a narrow gorge through the caldera's west wall creating a remarkable twin waterfall. Thermal vents and hot springs along the lake's northeast edge help create a highly productive ecosystem. Wetlands, diverse forests, and rocky slopes near the campground provide a necessary habitat for shorebirds, porcupine, deer, bats and the occasional black bear.
Recreation
The unique location of Paulina Lake Campground offers visitors opportunities to hike shoreline trails and alpine vistas. Visitors can also take advantage of time on the lake, boating, kayaking and fishing. For anglers, this lake offers fantastic fishing opportunities. Spanning a surface area of 1,531 acres, the lake supports rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon. In September, the outlet of Paulina Lake may be choked with Kokanee moving to spawn in Paulina Creek.
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 Paulina Lake Campground?
Sites at Paulina Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made online at 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 Paulina Lake Campground?
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…
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Paulina Lake Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Paulina Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Paulina Lake Campground have?
67 sites, including 66 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Paulina Lake Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Paulina Lake Campground?
Picnic areas, boating, shoreline trails, 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 Paulina Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Paulina Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Paulina Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum site spur length is 90 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Paulina Lake Campground?
Sites 44, 45, and 46 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
What is there to do at Paulina Lake Campground?
The unique location of Paulina Lake Campground offers visitors opportunities to hike shoreline trails and alpine vistas. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Paulina Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Newberry Group Camp Site (1 mi), Chief Paulina Horse Camp (1.2 mi), and Little Crater Campground (1.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby