East Lake Campground
East Lake Campground sits at the edge of beautiful East Lake in the caldera of Newberry Volcano. Most sites in this campground are on the lake or no more than a few minutes walk away. There are opportunities for bird watching, bicycling, sightseeing, and canoeing. East Lake is a little shadier than the other lakes and is a perfect way to beat the heat of the summer. There are nearby hikes into the lava rock and close by waterfalls. The area is part of the Newberry National Monument in Deschutes National Forest. The area is popular for its geological significance and multitude of recreational activities, making it an ideal individual and family camping excursion.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 27 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
27 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred |
| 002 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred |
| 003 | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 005 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 007 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 008 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 009 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 010 | Back-in | 36 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 011 | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
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 |
East Lake Campground offers a boat ramp and several sites close to the shore or within easy walking distance to the beach. It is perfect for trailer, tent or RV camping. Sites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Flush toilets and drinking water are also available.
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 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. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Bend, travel 23.5 miles south on Hwy 97, then 16.6 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road). From LaPine travel 6.8 miles north on Hwy 97, then 16.6 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road).
| Coordinates | 43.7177° N, 121.2113° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
21 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 ↗ | 1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 23.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 23.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video Tour of East Lake Campground at East Lake - Oregon (PNCVT
Worth a stop
Big Obsidian Flow Trail offers a 1-mile interpretive trail that climbs up and onto this impressive lava flow of obsidian (black volcanic glass) and pumice. The Big Obsidian Flow is 1,300 years old, the youngest lava flow in Oregon. 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 educational programs and exhibits. Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, is nearly a mile long. The northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
- 1.8 miLittle Crater Day Use Site ↗Day use
- 3.3 miPaulina Peak Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8 mi
- 10 miSouth Lava Ohv Staging Area ↗OHV / range
- 11.6 miRoad 25 Ohv Staging Area ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 0.9 miNewberry #71.6 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1 miLost Lake3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miParallel2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miLittle Crater Tie0.7 mi trail · hiking
- 1.4 miSilica0.5 mi trail · hiking
- 1.5 miObsidian Flow0.5 mi trail · hiking
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.5 miBig Obsidian Flow Trailhead and Interpretive Site ↗Deschutes National Forest · Season June to Late Fall
- 1.5 miCinder Hill Trailhead ↗Deschutes National Forest
- 2.4 miChief Paulina 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 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
- I.O.O.F. Organization Camp, Paulina LakeHistoric district · LaPine · 2.4 mi
- Paulina Lake Guard StationBuilding · Bend · 3.3 mi
Natural features
East Lake is located within the collapsed caldera of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, the caldera encircles the basins of East Lake and Paulina Lake. East Lake covers 1,044 acres and is 180 feet at its deepest point. Paulina Creek flows from 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. The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support a variety of wildlife, including black bear, bighorn sheep, deer, native fish and migratory birds.
Recreation
Visitors can take advantage of boating, kayaking, swimming and fishing on East Lake. A boat ramp is located in the campground, and the lake has a 10 mph speed limit. For anglers, the lake provides the perfect setting to fish from boat or the shoreline. It supports rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon. In September, the outlet of adjacent Paulina Lake may be choked with Kokanee moving to spawn in Paulina Creek. The Crater Rim Trail, considered one of the finest high country trails in the area, boasts vast stretches of forest, deserts and mountains. The trail has many access points and connectors to other trails.
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 East Lake Campground?
Sites at East 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 East 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 East Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is East Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does East Lake Campground have?
29 sites, including 27 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at East Lake Campground?
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 there showers or a dump station at East Lake Campground?
Flush toilets and drinking water are also available.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at East Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at East Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at East 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 40 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at East Lake Campground?
Visitors can take advantage of boating, kayaking, swimming and fishing on East Lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if East Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cinder Hill Campground (1.4 mi), Little Crater Campground (1.6 mi), and Chief Paulina Horse Camp (2.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby