Little Lava Lake
Little Lava Lake Campground is located along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway in the Central Oregon Cascades.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon · group sites in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 15 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
16 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 011 | Standard | Pull-through | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 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 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
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.
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 through Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). |
| Fees | 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. |
| Rules | Maximum site spur length is 40 feet. No motorized or mechanized vehicles allowed on Wilderness trails. 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, travel 38.4 miles southwest on Cascade Lakes Hwy (46), then 0.7 miles east on Forest Road 4600 500, and then 0.4 miles east on Forest Road 4600 520.
| Nearest town | Bend, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43.9101° N, 121.7617° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
15 mi from the campground
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
46 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx Cold Springs
49 mi from the campground · 158 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 24.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 26.2 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 31.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Lava Lake & Little Lava Lake / Oregon / RV & Tent Campground Favs!
Worth a stop
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.
- 8.8 miTodd Lake Day Use Area/Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.2 miIrish-Taylor Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miEdison-Lava ↗9.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 0.6 miBlue Lagoon0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miSenoj Lake ↗6.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miSnomo #5300 ↗8.6 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.6 miSnomo #2 ↗22.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.6 miBorder to Border ↗13.6 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.9 miLucky Lake Trailhead ↗Deschutes National Forest
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 Three Sisters Wilderness, which overlaps Willamette National Forest.
- inThree Sisters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 283,818 acres
- inWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- 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
- Elk Lake Guard StationBuilding · Bend · 5.5 mi
- Bend Skyliners LodgeBuilding · Bend · 14.6 mi
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.
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.
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 Little Lava Lake?
Sites at Little Lava Lake 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 Little Lava Lake?
Single Campsite Rate: $25/night. Premium Campsite Rate: $27/night. Group Campsite Rate: $126/night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Little Lava Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Little Lava Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Little Lava Lake have?
16 sites, including 15 standard sites without power and 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Little Lava Lake?
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
Are pets allowed at Little Lava Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Little Lava Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Little Lava Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum site spur length is 40 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Little Lava Lake?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Little Lava Lake?
Little Lava Lake Campground provides recreation opportunities for fishing, paddling, swimming and hiking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Little Lava Lake?
Bend, Oregon. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, lakes and reservoirs and approximately 1,600 miles of trails within the Deschutes National Forest.
Source: Getting there
What if Little Lava Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lava Lake Campground (0.5 mi), South Campground (3.8 mi), and Mallard Marsh Campground (3.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby