Contorta Flat Campground
Contorta Flat is an isolated, hidden gem on the far side of Crescent Lake at the top of the Willamette Pass. There are excellent tent sites right on the lake as well as many sites that are ideal for large RVs. You will need to go a little off the beaten path by taking a gravel road for the last few miles to find this nice quiet campground. The sites are all close to the lake and large, but not isolated from one another. This campground might be the best deal in the Oregon Cascades.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 14 |
| Tent-only | 4 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
18 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Northern Edge | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Northern Edge | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Northern Edge | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Northern Edge | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Northern Edge | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Northern Edge | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Northern Edge | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 009 | Northern Edge | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Northern Edge | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 011 | Northern Edge | Standard | Back-in | 40 | 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 |
With 19 campsites this campground is well suited to tent, trailer or RV campers. Many sites are located right on the water. Nearby Crescent Lake Resort also offers lodging and a general store. Supplies and equipment rentals 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 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: $21/night. Premium 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… |
| Rules | Maximum site spur length is 40 feet. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Crescent, OR: Travel 12.2 miles west on County Road 61/Crescent Cut-off Road, then 3.5 miles north on Highway 58, then 9.9 miles southwest on Forest Road 60.
| Nearest town | Crescent, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43.4592° N, 121.9965° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Cold Springs
18 mi from the campground · 158 acres
- PrescribedJunction Rx
43 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 54.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Contorta Flat Campground - Deschutes National Forest, OR
Worth a stop
Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres within the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco 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 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.
- 1.8 miTandy Bay Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 3.2 miCrescent Lake Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 3.2 miSimax Beach Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 8.9 miTrapper Creek Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 11.5 miMarilyn Lakes Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.4 mi
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miOldenburg Lake ↗7.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miWindy Lakes4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miWindigo Way ↗9.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.5 miCrescent Lake Loop West ↗9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.5 miCrescent Lake Loop East ↗5.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.9 miSummit Lake Run ↗8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
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
Diamond Peak Wilderness begins about 1.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.9 miDiamond Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 52,496 acres
- 4.2 miDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 acres
- 11.5 miUmpqua National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,035,837 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
Natural features
Cresent Lake is nestled in a glacier basin east of the towering Cascade Mountain Range. It boasts brilliant blue-green water and sandy beaches. A forest of lodgepole pine provides the backdrop to the area, with mountain hemlock, fir and spruce in the mix. Wildlife found in the area includes deer, native fish and migratory birds.
Recreation
Crescent Lake is a prime location for boating, fishing and swimming. The Summit Lake Trail is popular among hikers and mountain bikers, offering excellent views of Diamond Peak across Crescent Lake. Visitors can take advantage of skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter months. Crescent Lake Snowpark offers a base camp for exciting winter excursions. The Summit Lake Trail is open to snowmobiling.
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 Contorta Flat Campground?
Sites at Contorta Flat Campground 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 Contorta Flat Campground?
Single Campsite Rate: $21/night. Premium Single Campsite Rate: $23/night. One vehicle included with reservation – Each Additional Vehicle: $10.00.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Contorta Flat Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Contorta Flat Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Contorta Flat Campground have?
19 sites, including 14 standard sites without power and 4 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Contorta Flat 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 pets allowed at Contorta Flat Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Contorta Flat Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Contorta Flat Campground?
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
Is there cell service at Contorta Flat Campground?
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
What is there to do at Contorta Flat Campground?
Crescent Lake is a prime location for boating, fishing and swimming. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Contorta Flat Campground?
Crescent, Oregon. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres within the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest.
Source: Getting there
What if Contorta Flat Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Contorta Point Group Camp (0.6 mi), Spring (1 mi, partly first-come), and Windy Group Camp (1.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby