South Shore Group Campground
Thank you for visiting Haystack Reservoir. South Shore Group Campground is the only designated group campground at Haystack Reservoir in Central Oregon near Madras, Oregon. There are three group campsites to reserve which can hold 50 people per group site. Each site is primitive so they do not have water, electricity or sewer available. Two vault toilets are located in the campground, and each site has picnic tables and a fire ring. All campfires are required to be in the firerings at all times. Water is available about.5 miles away at West Shore Campground up the road. Each campsite is private from the other group sites. All roads and campsites are gravel.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Oregon · reservable in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon · group sites in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 3 |
Site guide
3 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willow Group Site | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 50 / 20 | Yes |
| Cottonwood Group Site | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 50 / 15 | Yes |
| Juniper Group Campsite | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 30 / 9 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
South Shore Group Campground has three primitive group campsites with picnic tables, campfire rings, and gravel roads and parking lots. Two vault toilets are available in the campground. The group campsites are named Willow, Juniper and Cottonwood with lots of vegetation for privacy screening and close to the lake with great views of the mountains on a sunny day. There are no water, sewer or electric hookups. Water is available.5 miles up the road at West Shore Recreation Area. Once you arrive, check in at West Shore Campground with the Campground Host, and they will give you information for entering South Shore since there is a locked gate at the group campground entrance.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Ochoco National Forest |
| Rules | There is a 14 day stay limit on all National Grassland and US Forest Service land including but not limited to campgrounds and other developed facilities. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Highway 97: Exit on to SW Jericho Lane and head East for approximately 1.25 miles. Turn right on SW Haystack Drive and proceed approximately 1mile to South Shore Group Campground on the left. From Highway 26: Exit on to Laurel Lane (FS 96) and head west for approximately four miles.
| Nearest town | 1375 Se Wilson Avenue Bend, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.4917° N, 121.1492° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBench
14 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedJunction Rx
40 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSlow Dxp/Lemiti Rx - West
42 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
44 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 ↗ | 6.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Redpoint ↗ | 9.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 16.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
There are several state parks within 30 minutes away to include Smith Rock and Cove Palisades State Parks. Smith Rock State Park features world class rock climbing and hiking along the Crooked River. The Cove Palisades State Park offers many lake opportunities such as boating, swimming, hiking, water and jet skiing. The Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River is a popular destination for both whitewater boating and fishing only 30 minutes away. The nearby U.S. National Forest Service Grasslands feature designated Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) trails, horseback riding, hiking and primitive camping.
- 4.6 miTrail Crossing Corrals Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 3.3 miOHV # 220.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.3 miOHV # 10 ↗6.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.3 miOHV # 162 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.6 miOHV # 180.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.6 miOHV # 202.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.7 miOHV # 300.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Oregon Trunk Passenger and Freight StationBuilding · Metolius · 6.8 mi
- Jefferson County CourthouseBuilding · Madras · 9.9 mi
- Max and Ollie Lueddemann HouseBuilding · Madras · 10 mi
Natural features
South Shore Campground is located in a High Desert landscape with gorgeous views of the lake, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood as a scenic backdrop. High desert weather is mostly sunny and warm a majority of the time with juniper trees, sage brush and bitter brush throughout the campground. Lakeside views and access to this small, intimate reservoir make it a beautiful spot in Central Oregon to relax and view waterfowl, deer, eagles, osprey and Great Blue Herons. The combination of a low forest canopy and 3,000' elevation make this a perfect location for stargazing at the wide open sky on clear nights.
Recreation
Haystack Reservoir is a small and intimate lake very popular for fishing and camping with local visitors along with many traveling and recreating through the sunny Central Oregon area. Haystack Reservoir offers boating, fishing, camping and sightseeing and is easy access only a few miles off of Highway 97. Small motorized boating is allowed. Non-motorized boating is popular for those with canoes and kayaks. Two boat ramps are located nearby at West and East Shore Campgrounds across the lake from South Shore Group Campground. The surrounding Central Oregon area is a destination for a variety of favorite recreation opportunities such as boating, hiking, fishing, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, hunting and designated Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) trails. Several premier Oregon State Parks are nearby for recreation use such as Smith Rock State Park offering world known rock climbing, and Lake Billy Chinook offering popular camping, boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking, swimming, and water and jet skiing. The Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River is located about 30 minutes away, and provides world known fishing and whitewater boating.
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 South Shore Group Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at South Shore Group Campground?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is South Shore Group Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does South Shore Group Campground have?
3 sites, including 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to South Shore Group Campground?
South Shore Group Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at South Shore Group Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at South Shore Group Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at South Shore Group Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. There is a 14 day stay limit on all National Grassland and US Forest Service land including but not limited to campgrounds and other developed facilities.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at South Shore Group Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at South Shore Group Campground?
Haystack Reservoir is a small and intimate lake very popular for fishing and camping with local visitors along with many traveling and recreating through the sunny Central Oregon area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to South Shore Group Campground?
1375 Se Wilson Avenue Bend, Oregon. There are several state parks within 30 minutes away to include Smith Rock and Cove Palisades State Parks.
Source: Getting there
What if South Shore Group Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Haystack Campground (East Shore) (0.4 mi), Henderson Flat Staging Area (4.1 mi, first-come), and Skull Hollow Campground (7.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby