Recreation


A view from Paulina Peak

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Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name Status Area Conditions
Allen Springs Campground Open Open
Allingham Campground Open Open
Arlies Rock/North Gateway Information Viewpoint Open Open
Aspen Day Use Area Open Open
Beach Picnic Area Open Open
Bear Valley Trailhead None None
Benham Falls East Day Use / Trailhead Open Open
Benham Falls West Day Use / Trailhead Open Open
Bessie Butte Trail None None
Besson Picnic Area Open Open
Big Cove Boat-In Campground Open Open
Big Eddy Trailhead Open Open
Big River Boating Site Open Open
Big River Campground/Big River Group Open Open
Black Butte Trailhead None None
Black Crater Trailhead None None
Blue Bay Boating Site None None
Blue Bay Campground Open Open
Boundary Springs Campground Open Open
Broken Top Trail None None
Broken Top Trailhead None None
Bull Bend Boating Site None None
Bull Bend Campground Open Open
Buttes Loop Trailhead None None
Camp II OHV Staging Area None None
Camp Sherman Campground Open Open
Candle Creek Campground Open Open
Chief Paulina Horse Camp Open Open
China Hat Campground None None
Cinder Hill Campground Open Open
Cold Springs Campground Open Open
Contorta Flat Campground Open Open
Contorta Point Group Campground Open Open
Corral Swamp Trailhead None None
Cow Meadow Campground Open Open
Crane Prairie Boating Site None None
Crane Prairie Campground Open Open
Crater Butte Trailhead None None
Crater Ditch Trailhead None None
Crescent Creek Campground Open Open
Crescent Lake Boat Launch None None
Crescent Lake Campground Open Open
Crescent Lake Guard Station Open Open
Crescent Lake Sno-Park Open Open
Crescent Lake Yurts Open Open
Crescent Ranger District Office None None
Cultus Corral Horse Camp Open Open
Cultus Lake Boating Site Open Open
Cultus Lake Campground Open Open
Cultus Lake Day Use Area Open Open
Deer Lake Trailhead None None
Devils Lake Campground Closed Closed
Devils Lake/South Sister Trailhead None None
Dillon Falls Day Use Area Open Open
Driftwood Campground Open Open
Dutchman Sno-Park/Trailhead Open Open
East Davis Lake Campground Open Open
East Fort Rock OHV Trail System None None
East Lake Campground Open Open 2024 Season - Caampground opening is delayed to June 21, to complete in-depth hazard tree removal and clean-up started last fall.
Edison Butte OHV Trail System None None
Edison Butte Sno-Park/Staging Area/Trailhead Open Open 2023-2024 Winter Season: Deschutes National Forest recreation staff assessed the condition of the Edison Snow Shelter near Edison SnoPark and determined that the integrity of the structure has declined to the point it needs  to be closed for public safety this winter. The Edison Shelter is located thirteen miles west of Bend and approximately one mile from the Edison SnoPark along the Tesla Snowshoe Trail and Lightbulb Loop Nordic Ski Trail. Open snow shelters in the area include AC/DC, Kwolh and Sheridan Shelters. For questions, contact the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District at (541) 383-5300.
Elk Lake Boating Site Open Open
Elk Lake Campground Open Open
Elk Lake Guard Station None None
Elk Lake Trailhead None None
Fall River Campground Open Open
Fall River Guard Station Open Open Reservation Only
Fall River Trailhead None None
Gorge Campground Open Open
Graham Corral Horse Camp Open Open 2024 - We have experienced a loss of water at this site. The Forest Service continues to explore alternative solutions for delivering water, but please plan to provide water for your stock animals.
Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trailhead None None
Gull Point Boating Site None None
Gull Point Campground Open Open
Horse Butte Trailhead None None
Hosmer Lake Boating Site Open Open
Indian Ford Campground Open Open
Irish-Taylor Trailhead None None Please use caution when recreating in areas that were impacted by the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire. A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. In some cases, these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to these potential safety hazards. Be especially wary of hazard trees after rain events or during wind. When recreating in a burned area:
  • LOOK UP for upslope burned areas, snags, and exposed rocks that may fall. 
  • LOOK DOWN for debris from falling rocks, erosion – especially at road and trail edges, and ash pits (which may form from root pockets or stumps of burned trees). 
  • LOOK AROUND. Be situationally aware. Check the weather before you travel, including at higher elevations. Wind, rain, ice and snow can increase the risk of tree fall, rock fall, slides and other hazards. Flash floods and landslide risks are elevated below severely burned areas. 
  • LOOK BELOW the surface of standing water and moving water for floating logs, submerged trees and other debris, which can strike or entangle swimmers and boaters and damage other infrastructure. 
LEARN MORE about impacted trails & recreation sites. See the Willamette National Forest for their information regarding the Cedar Creek Fire burned area on the Willamette National Forest.
Jack Creek Campground Open Open
Jefferson Lake Trail None None
Jefferson Lake Trailhead None None
Junction Sno-Park Open Open
Kapka Sno-Park None None
Lava Butte Interpretive Site Open Open Pedestrian and bike access is available year round. E-bikes permitted on road up Lava Butte.
Lava Camp Lake Campground Closed Closed
Lava Cast Forest Day Use Interpretive Site Open Open
Lava Island Day Use Area Open Open
Lava Lake Boating Site Open Open
Lava Lake Campground Open Open
Lava Lands Visitor Center Open Open
Lava River Cave Interpretive Site Open Open
Lemish Lake Trailhead None None Please use caution when recreating in areas that were impacted by the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire. A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. In some cases, these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to these potential safety hazards. Be especially wary of hazard trees after rain events or during wind. When recreating in a burned area:
  • LOOK UP for upslope burned areas, snags, and exposed rocks that may fall. 
  • LOOK DOWN for debris from falling rocks, erosion – especially at road and trail edges, and ash pits (which may form from root pockets or stumps of burned trees). 
  • LOOK AROUND. Be situationally aware. Check the weather before you travel, including at higher elevations. Wind, rain, ice and snow can increase the risk of tree fall, rock fall, slides and other hazards. Flash floods and landslide risks are elevated below severely burned areas. 
  • LOOK BELOW the surface of standing water and moving water for floating logs, submerged trees and other debris, which can strike or entangle swimmers and boaters and damage other infrastructure. 
LEARN MORE about impacted trails & recreation sites. See the Willamette National Forest for their information regarding the Cedar Creek Fire burned area on the Willamette National Forest.
Link Creek Campground Open Open
Little Cove Boat-In Campground Open Open
Little Crater Boating Site None None
Little Crater Campground Open Open 2024 Season - Caampground opening is delayed to June 21, to complete in-depth hazard tree removal and clean-up started last fall.
Little Crater Day Use Site None None
Little Cultus Boating Site None None
Little Cultus Campground Open Open
Little Cultus Lake None None
Little Fawn Boating Site Open Open
Little Fawn Campground Open Open
Little Lava Lake Boating Site Open Open
Little Lava Lake Campground Open Open
Lower Bridge Campground Open Open
Lower Canyon Creek Campground Open Open
Lucky Lake Trailhead Open Open
Mallard Marsh Campground Open Open
Many Lakes Trailhead None None Please use caution when recreating in areas that were impacted by the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire. A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. In some cases, these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to these potential safety hazards. Be especially wary of hazard trees after rain events or during wind. When recreating in a burned area:
  • LOOK UP for upslope burned areas, snags, and exposed rocks that may fall. 
  • LOOK DOWN for debris from falling rocks, erosion – especially at road and trail edges, and ash pits (which may form from root pockets or stumps of burned trees). 
  • LOOK AROUND. Be situationally aware. Check the weather before you travel, including at higher elevations. Wind, rain, ice and snow can increase the risk of tree fall, rock fall, slides and other hazards. Flash floods and landslide risks are elevated below severely burned areas. 
  • LOOK BELOW the surface of standing water and moving water for floating logs, submerged trees and other debris, which can strike or entangle swimmers and boaters and damage other infrastructure. 
LEARN MORE about impacted trails & recreation sites. See the Willamette National Forest for their information regarding the Cedar Creek Fire burned area on the Willamette National Forest.
McKay Crossing Campground Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed June 25, 2024: McKay Crossing Campground has been evacuated & closed due to the Darlene 3 Fire.
Meadow Day Use Area Open Open
Meek Lake Trail None None
Meissner Sno-Park/Trailhead Open Open
Minto Lake Trail Unreachable Unreachable BEWARE! Since 2003, Brush Creek, Minto Lake, Sugar Pine Ridge Trail and northern sections of Summit Trail have been in a "no current maintenance" condition. 
With heavy blowdown, dense brush, lack of identifiable trail surface and erosion due to B & B Fire damage, these trails are considered impassable and are not recommended.
Monty Campground Open Open
Newberry Group Campground Open Open
North Davis Boating Site Closed Closed CLOSED: This boat ramp is closed for the 2024 season due to significant hazard tree mitigation needs. The Forest Service has identified trees showing signs of future failure. In order to provide for public safety, this facility will remain closed until the hazards have been mitigated.
North Davis Creek Campground Closed Closed CLOSED: This campground is closed for the 2024 season due to significant hazard tree mitigation needs. The Forest Service has identified trees showing signs of future failure. In order to provide for public safety, this facility will remain closed until the hazards have been mitigated.
North Twin Boating Site None None
North Twin Lake Campground Open Open
North Wickiup Boating Site Open Open
Odd Fellows Cabins Closed Closed
Odell Lake None None
Ogden Group Campground Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed June 25, 2024: Ogden Group Camp has been evacuated & closed due to the Darlene 3 Fire. ATTENTION: The water system at this location has failed and there will be no water service at this site for the 2024 season. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Osprey Point Trailhead Open Open
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Cowhorn None None
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Diamond Peak None None
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Three Sister None None
Paulina Falls Day Use Area None None
Paulina Falls Trail None None
Paulina Lake Boating Site Open Open
Paulina Lake Campground Open Open
Paulina Lake Day Use Area Open Open
Paulina Peak Trailhead None None
Perry South Campground Open Open
Peter Skene Ogden Trailhead None None
Phil's Trailhead Open Open Current Trail Closures (July 2023) We are restoring the forest adjacent to the City of Bend to improve forest health, create a diversity of plant and wildlife habitat and to protect our communities and quality of life. Historically in Central Oregon small wildfires or insect infestations occurred creating a forested of different aged trees, underbrush, and openings, which allowed a diversity of wildlife and plants to flourish and kept forests resilient to large scale disturbances. The goal of these projects is to restore a more resilent and healthy forest.
Pine Mountain Campground None None
Pine Rest Campground Open Open
Pioneer Ford Campground Open Open
Point Campground Open Open
Prairie Campground Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed June 25, 2024: Prairie Campground has been evacuated & closed due to the Darlene 3 Fire. ATTENTION: The water system at this location has failed and there will be no water service at this site for the 2024 season. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Princess Creek Boat Launch None None
Princess Creek Campground Open Open
Pringle Falls Campground Open Open
Quinn Meadow Horse Camp Open Open
Quinn River Boating Site Open Open
Quinn River Campground Open Open
Ray Atkeson Trailhead None None
Reservoir Campground Closed Closed CLOSED: This campground is closed for the 2024 season due to significant hazard tree mitigation needs. The Forest Service has identified trees showing signs of future failure. In order to provide for public safety, this facility will remain closed until the hazards have been mitigated.
Rim Butte OHV Trail System None None
Riverside Campground Open Open
Road 25 OHV Staging Area None None
Road 2510 OHV Staging Area None None
Rock Creek Boating Site Open Open
Rock Creek Campground Open Open
Rosary Lakes Trailhead None None
Scout Lake Campground Open Open
Scout Lake Day Use Area Open Open
Senoj Lake Trail #14.1 None None
Sheep Bridge Boating Site Open Open
Sheep Bridge Campground Open Open
Sheep Springs Horse Camp Open Open
Simax Beach Picnic Area None None
Simax Group Campground Open Open
Sisters Cow Camp Horse Camp None None
Sisters Mirror Trailhead None None
Six Lakes Trailhead Open Open
Skyliners Sno-Park/Trailhead Open Open
Slough Day Use Area Open Open
Smiling River Campground Open Open
Soda Creek Campground Open Open
South Campground Open Open
South Lava OHV Staging Area None None
South Shore Campground Open Open
South Twin Day Use Area Open Open
South Twin Lake Campground Open Open
Sparks Lake Boating Site Open Open
Sparks Lake Day Use Area Open Open
Sparks Lake Trailhead None None
Spring Boat Launch Closed Closed
Spring Campground Open Open
Sun-Lava Paved Path None None
Sunset Cove Boat Launch Open Open
Sunset Cove Campground Open Open
Sunset View Day Use Area Open Open
Swamp Wells Horse Camp None None
Swampy Lakes Sno-Park/Trailhead Open Open
Tam McArthur Rim Trailhead Closed Closed
Tam McArthur Trail Closed Closed
Tandy Bay Picnic Area None None
Tenino Boating Site Open Open
Tetherow Boat Launch Open Open
Three Creek Lake Campground Open Open
Three Creek Meadow Horse Camp Open Open
Todd Creek Horse Camp Closed Closed
Todd Creek Trailhead None None
Todd Lake Campground None None Wilderness permits are not required to access/use Todd Lake.

However, recreators who use the nearby Todd Lake Trail are required to acquire a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit in advance for both day use and for overnight use. See "Permit Info" below for more details.
Todd Lake Day Use Area/Trailhead Closed Closed Wilderness permits are not required to access/use Todd Lake. However, permits are required to hike the nearby Todd Lake Trail #34 or if entering the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Trapper Creek Boat Launch Open Open
Trapper Creek Campground Open Open
Tumalo Falls Day Use Area Open Open November 13, 2023 - Forest Service Road 4603 is closed for the season to motor vehicles. The road can still be used for non-motorized access to Tumalo Falls. The round-trip mileage from the gate to Tumalo Falls is approximately five miles.
Vista Butte Sno-Park Open Open
Wake Butte Trailhead None None
Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno-Park Open Open
West Cultus Boat-In Campground Open Open
West South Twin Boating Site Open Open
West South Twin Campground Open Open
Whispering Pine Horse Camp Open Open
Whitefish Horse Camp Open Open
Whychus Creek Scenic Overlook Trailhead Open Open The top rail of the Whychus Creek Overlook wall will be removed, and two viewing portals with security cables will be created to improve accessibility. The modifications will provide better views of the creek and mountains for visitors with disabilities. The modification project will begin May 6 and is expected to conclude May 9. Further construction may continue past May 9, but trail and area closures aren’t anticipated. The Whychus Creek Overlook will be closed for public safety on May 6. The Whychus Creek Overlook and south side of the Whychus Creek Overlook Trail (#4069) will be closed from May 7 – 9 while work is ongoing. The north side of the Whychus Creek Overlook Trail (#4069), Whychus Draw Trail (#4071), and access to Whychus Creek will remain open May 7 – 9. Trail closure signs will be posted at the trailhead and along the trail to identify the closures.  
Wickiup Plains Trailhead None None
Windy Group Campground Open Open
Winopee Trailhead Open Open
Wyeth Boating Site None None
Wyeth Campground Open Open

Spotlights

Newberry National Volcanic Monument - Deschutes NF

Aerial view of Newberry Caldera In November of 1990, Newberry National Volcanic Monument was created within the boundaries of Deschutes National Forest. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, this monument provides a unique opportunity to view the Lava Lands of central Oregon. Newberry National Volcanic National Monument includes 54,000+ acres of lakes, lava flows, and spectacular geologic features in central Oregon. The highest point within the Monument is the summit Paulina Peak (7,985 ft.), showcasing views of the Cascades, Newberry Caldera and across the High Desert.

Aerial view of Lava Butte. Although commonly referred to as Newberry Crater, the "crater" is in fact a caldera formed when the overlying rocks collapse when a magma chamber is emptied. The caldera stretches across 17 square miles in the heart of the volcano. The 1,200 square mile volcano (about the size of Rhode Island) remains very active to this day. Newberry is both seismically and geothermally active. Geologists believe the caldera sits over a shallow magma body only 2 to 5 kilometers deep. Visitors see numerous cinder cones and vents (over 400 throughout the area), miles of basalt flows, as well as rhyolite flows of obsidian.

  • For up-to-date facts on Newberry Volcano, click here.
  • Read the latest version of Volcanic Vistas.
  • Enjoy this video highlighting the accessibility of Lava Lands Visitor Center!

Cascade Lakes Welcome Station

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Located just past mile post seven on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station serves as a gateway to some of the most popular trails, lakes and recreation areas on the Deschutes National Forest. The Welcome Station also offers parking and access to Phil’s and Wanoga mountain biking trails systems.

The Cascade Lakes Welcome Station provides visitors an opportunity to buy recreation passes, local maps, guidebooks and other educational materials. In addition to offering one-day recreation passes and the annual Northwest Forest Pass (good for all National Forests in Oregon and Washington), the Welcome Station also offers a number of interagency pass options.

Staffed with both Forest Service rangers and employees from Discover Your Forest, the Deschutes National Forest’s non-profit partner, the Welcome Station gives visitors the opportunity to ask questions, while learning about trail conditions, recreation opportunities and the unique Central Oregon landscape.

Alerts & Warnings

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