Little Crater Campground
Deschutes National Forest
Situated on the edge of the beautiful Paulina Lake, Little Crater Campground is conveniently located within Newberry National Monument. Visitors to this area are taken aback by the incredible views this area has to offer, highlighting volcanic landscapes intermixed with diverse forests, typical of central Oregon.
Popular for both its geological significance and multitude of recreational activities, Little Crater Campground is ideal for individual and family camping excursions. If you are visiting Oregon with the aim of getting the best camping experience, this might be it. Offering campsites next to Paulina Lake, activities available at this campground include hiking, bird watching, bicycling, sightseeing and access to nearby trails.
For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159
There are 49 sites located on a fairly thin ledge right on the lake and all the campground sites are a very short walk to the water. The sites are ample sized and most are good for tents, trailers or RVs.
Picnic areas, boating, shoreline trails, and stunning views of the lake, along with the conveniences of drinking water and vault toilets, give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while still having some of the conveniences of home.
Need to Know
This campground has great access for those wishing to launch trailered boats.
Fishing and swimming off the boat dock is prohibited.
- Boat launch parking is for day use only and requires a recreation fee separate from camping fees. Park your boat trailers and vehicles at your campsite please.
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).
- 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.
Natural Features
Paulina Lake is located within the collapsed calder of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, this caldera encircles the basins of Paulina Lake and its twin, East Lake.
Neither lake receives water from an inlet or stream - instead both rely on rain, snowmelt and hot springs for water. Paulina Creek flows from the lake and has chiseled a narrow gorge through the caldera's west wall creating a remarkable twin waterfall. Thermal vents and hot springs along the lake's northeast edge help create a highly productive ecosystem.
The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support a variety of wildlife, including porcupine, bighorn sheep, deer, bats native fish, migratory birds and even the occasional black bear.
Nearby Attractions
Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits.
Visitors can explore the Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet (1,588 m) in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
Recreation
The unique location of Little Crater Campground offers visitors opportunities to hike shoreline trails and alpine vistas.
Visitors can also take advantage of time on the lake, boating, kayaking, swimming and fishing.
For anglers, this lake offers fantastic fishing opportunities. Spanning a surface area of 1,531 acres, the lake supports rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon.
In September, the outlet of Paulina Lake may be choked with Kokanee moving to spawn in Paulina Creek.
Changes & Cancellations
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Contact Information
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 541-383-5300
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Bend, travel 23.5 miles south on Hwy 97, then 14.5 miles east on County Road 21( Paulina Lake Road), and 0.5 miles north on Forest Road 2100 570.
From LaPine travel 6.8 miles north on Hwy 97, then 14.5 miles east on County Road 21( Paulina Lake Road), and 0.5 miles north on Forest Road 2100 570.
Available Campsites
- Site 015, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 050, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 048, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 051, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 049, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
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