Cow Meadow Campground
Cow Meadow Campground is situated where Snow Creek and the Deschutes River flow into the northeast part of Crane Prairie Reservoir. Located just off of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Cow Meadow Campground provides great access to a wide-range of recreation opportunities, including fishing, boating and hiking.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 18 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
18 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Pull-through | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 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 | 30 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Cow Meadow Campground can accommodate RV, trailer or tent-campers; however, water and electric hookups are not available. This is no water at this facility so campers will need to bring their own supply. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill and have access to a vault toilet. This campground also has a boat ramp that can accommodate small boats.
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. 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 30 feet. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Bend, OR: Travel about 45 miles south on Cascade Lakes Highway (46), 0.5 mile east on Forest Road 40, then 2 miles south on Forest Road 4000-790.
| Nearest town | Bend, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43.8132° N, 121.7765° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
18 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx Cold Springs
43 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 ↗ | 28.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 29.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 30 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cow Meadow Campground - Deschutes National Forest, OR
Worth a stop
Nearby Osprey Point is a unique area where visitors can learn about local fauna and observe osprey nesting platforms erected after natural snags toppled from age. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Cow Meadow Campground offers easy access to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which weaves through multiple high lakes with views of South Sister, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor. Newberry National Volcanic Monument offers a glimpse into Central Oregon's rich geologic history. Travel 30 miles to Lava Lands Visitor Center to explore exhibits at the interpretive center, attend a ranger talk, take in scenic views from the top of Lava Butte and travel one-mile underground through Lava River Cave. Travel 45 miles to Newberry Caldera to visit Paulina and East Lake, Paulina Peak and Paulina Falls.
- 9.3 miIrish-Taylor Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miBenchmark Butte4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miWinopee Tie2.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miNorth Shore2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.5 miOsprey Point0.6 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 3.7 miIrish and Taylor ↗7.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.8 miCorral Swamp2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
- 5 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
- Elk Lake Guard StationBuilding · Bend · 11.8 mi
- Ed and Genevieve Deedon HomesteadBuilding · La Pine · 13.6 mi
Natural features
Crane Prairie Reservoir is one of Central Oregon's premier wildlife viewing areas for waterfowl, including Sandhill crane, Canadian geese, bald eagles and osprey. The adjacent forest is home to black-backed woodpecker, Williamson's sapsucker and mountain chickadee. Deer, squirrel, beaver and an occasional black bear also find habitat in the surrounding forest.
Recreation
Crane Prairie Reservoir is a prime location for boating and fishing. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages populations of rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout and largemouth bass. Both motorized and non-motorized boats are permitted on Crane Prairie; however, a 10 MPH speed limit is enforced.
Guidebooks for Oregon
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cow Meadow Campground?
Sites at Cow Meadow 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 Cow Meadow Campground?
Single Campsite Rate: $21/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 Cow Meadow Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cow Meadow Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cow Meadow Campground have?
18 sites, including 18 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cow Meadow Campground?
The longest site here provides 30 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 Cow Meadow Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cow Meadow Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cow Meadow 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 30 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Cow Meadow Campground?
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 Cow Meadow Campground?
Crane Prairie Reservoir is a prime location for boating and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cow Meadow Campground?
Bend, Oregon. Nearby Osprey Point is a unique area where visitors can learn about local fauna and observe osprey nesting platforms erected after natural snags toppled from age.
Source: Getting there
What if Cow Meadow Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Crane Prairie Campground (1.4 mi), Cultus Corral Horse Camp (1.4 mi), and Cultus Lake Campground (3.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby