Driftwood Campground - Deschutes
Driftwood Campground is the first of four facilities located on Three Creeks Lake and provides campers with beautiful views of the water and surrounding nature.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 9 |
| Tent-only | 9 |
Site guide
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 | Back | Tent only | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 08 | Back | Tent only | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 09 | Back | Tent only | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Back | Tent only | Back-in | 65 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 11 | Back | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 12 | Back | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 13 | Back | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 14 | Back | Standard | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 15 | Back | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 16 | Back | Tent only | Back-in | 56 | 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 |
Driftwood Campground can accommodate tent only. This is a no water facility so campers will need to bring their own supply. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill and the campground has vault toilets 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: $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 recreation fees: - A 50 percent discount on… |
| Rules | No motors are permitted on this lake. RVs not recommended due to limited parking spur sizes. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sisters, OR: Travel about 16 miles south on Forest Road 16 (Elm Street in Sisters).
| Nearest town | Sisters, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.1008° N, 121.6304° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
13 mi from the campground
- WildfireBench
39 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
42 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Mountain Supply ↗ | 15.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 16.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 34.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Driftwood Campground - Deschutes, OR from Dawn C.
Worth a stop
The close proximity to the town of Sisters offers many additional amenities and attractions, as well as the nearby Tam McArthur Trail and Sisters Wilderness Trails. 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. Many 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. To the north the Camp Sherman Fish Viewing Platform allows visitors the chance to view a variety of types of fish while the Metolius Research Natural Area gives bird watchers ample opportunities. Visit the Metolius Fish Hatchery or Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery display ponds to observe and feed different types of salmon and other fish. The Metolius-Windigo Trail, open to hikers, bikers and horses, is more than 100 miles in length and begins near the Metolius River headwaters west of the town of Sisters, Oregon.
- 5.9 miTodd Lake Day Use Area/Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.4 miSkyliners Sno-Park/Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.1 miAspen Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miThree Creek Lake0.7 mi trail · hiking
- under 0.1 miDriftwood0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miEast Fork0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miLittle Three Creek Lake1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miThree Creek Meadow0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miPark Meadow Tie2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.4 miTam McArthur Rim 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 Willamette National Forest, which overlaps Deschutes National Forest.
- inWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- inDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 acres
- 2.1 miThree Sisters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 283,818 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
- Bend Skyliners LodgeBuilding · Bend · 7.2 mi
- Elk Lake Guard StationBuilding · Bend · 11.9 mi
- Sisters High SchoolBuilding · Sisters · 13.8 mi
Natural features
All sites in this campground fall on the lakeside providing campers with wonderful views of adjacent Three Creeks Lake. Located in a glacial cirque below Tam McArthur Rim, the lake is 28-acre alpine gem with an elevation of 6,550 ft. surrounded by old growth forest. The outlet stream from the lake flows northward and is joined by two other streams to form Three Creek. The shoreline of Three Creek Lake varies from gentle slope to rocky cliff. Maximum depth is 28 feet down the center and near the cliff on the south end of the lake.
Recreation
Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Three Sisters are volcanic peaks and are the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in Oregon. Three Creeks Lake is easy to fish from shore or by wading, but boat fishing is the most popular method. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Driftwood Campground - Deschutes?
Sites at Driftwood Campground - Deschutes 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 Driftwood Campground - Deschutes?
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 recreation fees: - A 50 percent discount on…
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Driftwood Campground - Deschutes?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Driftwood Campground - Deschutes open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Driftwood Campground - Deschutes have?
18 sites, including 9 standard sites without power and 9 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Driftwood Campground - Deschutes?
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 Driftwood Campground - Deschutes?
Yes, pets are allowed at Driftwood Campground - Deschutes. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Driftwood Campground - Deschutes?
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. No motors are permitted on this lake.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Driftwood Campground - Deschutes?
Driftwood Campground is at the head of the Tam McArthur Trail which is a short, reasonably easy hike that provides great views of the Sisters - Faith (North), Hope (Middle) and Charity (South). The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Driftwood Campground - Deschutes?
Sisters, Oregon. The close proximity to the town of Sisters offers many additional amenities and attractions, as well as the nearby Tam McArthur Trail and Sisters Wilderness Trails.
Source: Getting there
What if Driftwood Campground - Deschutes is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Three Creeks Lake Campground (0.5 mi), Three Creeks Meadow Horse Camp (2.1 mi), and Three Creeks Meadow Campground (2.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby