Crane Prairie Campground, Deschutes National Forest

Campground

Facilities

Crane Praire Campground offers many sites that accommodate both tent and RV camping, though electric hookups are not available. Several campsites are located right on the waterfront. Sites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets and drinking water are also available. Roads and most parking spurs throughout the campground are paved. Showers and a small grocery store are available at a nearby resort.

Natural Features

Crane Prairie Reservoir hosts a number of waterfowl, including Sandhill cranes, Canada 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. Fisheries in close proximity to the site also add to its popularity among anglers. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages populations of rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout and largemouth bass. Fish cleaning stations and a boat ramp are within the campground.

Hiking and hunting are popular activities in the surrounding area.

Activities

Fishing
Camping
Boating

Amenities

Boat Ramp
Drinking Water
Vault Toilets
Accessibility
Fire Pit
Picnic Table
Grills/Fire Ring
Accessible Occupant Message

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Osprey Point is a unique interpretive area for visitors to learn about local fauna and observe osprey nesting platforms erected after natural snags toppled from age. Crane Prairie 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 25 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 40 miles to Newberry Caldera to visit Paulina and East Lake, Paulina Peak and Paulina Falls.

Getting Here

Latitude

43° 47' 47.0000" N

Longitude

121° 45' 38.9999" W

From Highway 58, turn east onto Crescent Road at the sign for Davis Lake and Wickiup Reservoir, midway between mileposts 72 and 73. In 3.3 miles, turn left on Forest Road 46. Drive north for 18 miles and turn east on Forest Road 42 at the sign for Twin Lakes and Crane Prairie. Drive east on Forest Road 42 for 3.8 miles, then turn north on Forest Road 4270.

From Bend, go west on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, which becomes Forest Road 46. Follow this road to its intersection with Forest Road 42, about 52 miles from Bend. Turn onto Forest Road 42 at the sign for Twin Lakes and Crane Prairie. Drive east on Forest Road 42 for 3.8 miles, then turn north on Forest Road 4270.

From Highway 97 between Bend and Klamath Falls, turn west to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, 12 miles north of La Pine. After one mile, turn south on South Century Drive, which becomes Forest Road 42. Follow it for just over 17 miles to Forest Road 4270 and turn north at the sign for Crane Prairie.

Need to Know

Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment and tires before using lake or trails.

Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.

Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.

During your time in Central Oregon, you can find wildfire, prescribed fire and smoke information at centraloregonfire.org

Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests.

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

Click here for more information about Deschutes National Forest.

Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is prohibited. ‘Location’ means the occupied area, the occupied campsite, and the National Forest System lands in the immediate vicinity thereof. Camping or occupying any location on all National Forest lands for more than 28 calendar days total during a calendar year is prohibited.

NO generator use is allowed in campgrounds between 10:00PM and 7:00AM (36 CFR 261.10). Silent power banks or battery powered devices are allowed.