Family-friendly camping in Wickiup Reservoir

Fish for giant brown trout or go for a swim at this high desert reservoir.

98% (656 reviews)

United States
—
Oregon
—
Wickiup Reservoir

98% (656 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Wickiup Reservoir

Under $50

Working Ranch just outside Bend

2 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Bend, OR

Located 9 miles east of Bend our 40 acre ranch is full of open fields and juniper forest. We have cows, chickens, geese and ducks that live on the ranch and you will most likely see them roaming around the fields. The nights are quiet with the exception of frogs and crickets and offer a full night sky without light pollution.

Experience Heaven

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents157 acres · La Pine, OR

8 campsites and 2 original Mongolian Gers. The season for the camp sites is from June 1st to October 15 and the Gers are all 12 months. Pets allowed, toilets on site, campfires permitted when burn ban is not in place. This being the 4th year, things have gotten a little out of hand. So let's regergitate some things and make sure everyone understands how it is. If you aren't capable of practicing the 5 P's, then you need to book somewhere else. Proper Preperation Prevents Poor Performance. If you can't get here and have your camp set up by 8:00PM, showing respect to the other Hipcampers that are already set up and enjoying the PEACE AND QUIET, then you need to book somewhere else or don't come until the following morning. No driving down to the campsites/the lake after 8::00PM. Period. Communicate with me. If you leave Portland at 5:00 PM with the intention of spending the night in Heaven then you need to alter your plans. No more than 4 adults at each campsite. I am almost to the point of saying no BIG DOGS. If you got big dogs, my suggestion is you go book someplace else. Talk to me. It is a given they willl need to be on a tethered throughout your time in Heaven. Take them for walks along the lake, not having them run thru everyone elses camp sites. No Yappers, no barking dogs, no yippers, no pain in the butts. Why would you drive by 46 grocery stores and forget to bring ice? No music. I have changed quiet time to 9:00 PM. You need to listen to music I suggest you start a band or become a DJ. What I want folks to get out of being here, whether they are camping or staying in the Gers is just to “take a break”. Relax, appreciate, assess and just listen. I hope what you hear is the sound of life and of course all the Angels that make up this special piece of Heaven. The chipmunks, the squirrels, all the different birds, the eagles, the osprey, the fish jumping, the deer roaming, the timber martins running thru the trees, the snowshoe rabbits and the occasional black bear. Then there is the silence. The best part of “Heaven”. So, while you are here, take a deep breath, close your eyes at the appropriate moment and ask yourself, am I on the right path? Is what I am doing fulfilling me? Am I showing my family and friends how much I love them? Do I really need all that crap I got? Where do I go from here? My intention was for each one you to not just go camping, or to stay in a Mongolian Ger but to have an “Experience” that just might lead you to a more fulfilling and happier life.

Wild River Sanctuary

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Crescent, OR

Established in 1963. The Vann family cabin was built by the Vann family. Third generation energy is steering this new endeavor. Soon to come will be a creek side treehouse and cabin will be available by next summer. Learn more about this land: Two tent sites available on the creek. The sites are situated on a one acre river frontage property under the pine trees. Important to note that the two sites are located about 30-40 feet apart. Each site has a private dock and fire pit. You are just minutes from the lakes and a great fire lookout hike. Mountain bike from your tent to endless trails. Enjoy the creek that is just feet away from the sites where you can indulge in a variety of activities including; swimming, floating, fishing, and sunbathing. We have great neighbors who have vacation homes nearby. Dorothy lane is between Earl Lane and Pine Creek Loop. Firewood no longer for sale.

4 top campgrounds in Wickiup Reservoir

Experience Heaven

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents157 acres · La Pine, OR

8 campsites and 2 original Mongolian Gers. The season for the camp sites is from June 1st to October 15 and the Gers are all 12 months. Pets allowed, toilets on site, campfires permitted when burn ban is not in place. This being the 4th year, things have gotten a little out of hand. So let's regergitate some things and make sure everyone understands how it is. If you aren't capable of practicing the 5 P's, then you need to book somewhere else. Proper Preperation Prevents Poor Performance. If you can't get here and have your camp set up by 8:00PM, showing respect to the other Hipcampers that are already set up and enjoying the PEACE AND QUIET, then you need to book somewhere else or don't come until the following morning. No driving down to the campsites/the lake after 8::00PM. Period. Communicate with me. If you leave Portland at 5:00 PM with the intention of spending the night in Heaven then you need to alter your plans. No more than 4 adults at each campsite. I am almost to the point of saying no BIG DOGS. If you got big dogs, my suggestion is you go book someplace else. Talk to me. It is a given they willl need to be on a tethered throughout your time in Heaven. Take them for walks along the lake, not having them run thru everyone elses camp sites. No Yappers, no barking dogs, no yippers, no pain in the butts. Why would you drive by 46 grocery stores and forget to bring ice? No music. I have changed quiet time to 9:00 PM. You need to listen to music I suggest you start a band or become a DJ. What I want folks to get out of being here, whether they are camping or staying in the Gers is just to “take a break”. Relax, appreciate, assess and just listen. I hope what you hear is the sound of life and of course all the Angels that make up this special piece of Heaven. The chipmunks, the squirrels, all the different birds, the eagles, the osprey, the fish jumping, the deer roaming, the timber martins running thru the trees, the snowshoe rabbits and the occasional black bear. Then there is the silence. The best part of “Heaven”. So, while you are here, take a deep breath, close your eyes at the appropriate moment and ask yourself, am I on the right path? Is what I am doing fulfilling me? Am I showing my family and friends how much I love them? Do I really need all that crap I got? Where do I go from here? My intention was for each one you to not just go camping, or to stay in a Mongolian Ger but to have an “Experience” that just might lead you to a more fulfilling and happier life.

Wild River Sanctuary

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Crescent, OR

Established in 1963. The Vann family cabin was built by the Vann family. Third generation energy is steering this new endeavor. Soon to come will be a creek side treehouse and cabin will be available by next summer. Learn more about this land: Two tent sites available on the creek. The sites are situated on a one acre river frontage property under the pine trees. Important to note that the two sites are located about 30-40 feet apart. Each site has a private dock and fire pit. You are just minutes from the lakes and a great fire lookout hike. Mountain bike from your tent to endless trails. Enjoy the creek that is just feet away from the sites where you can indulge in a variety of activities including; swimming, floating, fishing, and sunbathing. We have great neighbors who have vacation homes nearby. Dorothy lane is between Earl Lane and Pine Creek Loop. Firewood no longer for sale.

Ruby’s Cabin

1 site · Lodging90 acres · Westfir, OR

Grandpa had a dream of building cabins for his granddaughters. Ruby is the first grandchild and this cabin was built for her. Jay and Tamara (Ruby’s grandparents) bought this acreage in 1998 and are excited to share their special place with other people who love the outdoors while being with family and friends.This is a rustic, off the grid, cabin experience that you will never forget. Almost 200 acres of forest are available to explore. Winter, our second granddaughter is expecting grandpa to get her cabin finished soon.Cabin with loft can sleep 6. Think of it as camping with walls and extras thrown in. Air beds provided, bring your own sleeping bags. Outhouse provided. Additional tents and people are allowed for an additional 15.00 per tent/2 people. Additional RV’s are allowed for 15.00 per RV. Area for tents and RV’s is large grassy wooded area. Great for large gatherings of friends or family who enjoy camping. Fire pit and bar-b-que provided, pavilion for shelter at fire pit area is in the process of construction. Mountain bike/hiking trails run throughout property as well as National forest trails within a few miles. North Fork River swimming 10 minutes away. Golf course across Westoak Rd. Sit on the porch and enjoy the solitude only minutes from Oakridge. Grocery store, etc... all available in Oakridge. Beautiful, safe and secluded. Elk, deer, and other forest critters live here too. Well behaved dogs are welcome.

Working Ranch just outside Bend

2 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Bend, OR

Located 9 miles east of Bend our 40 acre ranch is full of open fields and juniper forest. We have cows, chickens, geese and ducks that live on the ranch and you will most likely see them roaming around the fields. The nights are quiet with the exception of frogs and crickets and offer a full night sky without light pollution.

Cooking equipment

Star Hosts in Wickiup Reservoir

Working Ranch just outside Bend

2 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Bend, OR

Located 9 miles east of Bend our 40 acre ranch is full of open fields and juniper forest. We have cows, chickens, geese and ducks that live on the ranch and you will most likely see them roaming around the fields. The nights are quiet with the exception of frogs and crickets and offer a full night sky without light pollution.

Experience Heaven

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents157 acres · La Pine, OR

8 campsites and 2 original Mongolian Gers. The season for the camp sites is from June 1st to October 15 and the Gers are all 12 months. Pets allowed, toilets on site, campfires permitted when burn ban is not in place. This being the 4th year, things have gotten a little out of hand. So let's regergitate some things and make sure everyone understands how it is. If you aren't capable of practicing the 5 P's, then you need to book somewhere else. Proper Preperation Prevents Poor Performance. If you can't get here and have your camp set up by 8:00PM, showing respect to the other Hipcampers that are already set up and enjoying the PEACE AND QUIET, then you need to book somewhere else or don't come until the following morning. No driving down to the campsites/the lake after 8::00PM. Period. Communicate with me. If you leave Portland at 5:00 PM with the intention of spending the night in Heaven then you need to alter your plans. No more than 4 adults at each campsite. I am almost to the point of saying no BIG DOGS. If you got big dogs, my suggestion is you go book someplace else. Talk to me. It is a given they willl need to be on a tethered throughout your time in Heaven. Take them for walks along the lake, not having them run thru everyone elses camp sites. No Yappers, no barking dogs, no yippers, no pain in the butts. Why would you drive by 46 grocery stores and forget to bring ice? No music. I have changed quiet time to 9:00 PM. You need to listen to music I suggest you start a band or become a DJ. What I want folks to get out of being here, whether they are camping or staying in the Gers is just to “take a break”. Relax, appreciate, assess and just listen. I hope what you hear is the sound of life and of course all the Angels that make up this special piece of Heaven. The chipmunks, the squirrels, all the different birds, the eagles, the osprey, the fish jumping, the deer roaming, the timber martins running thru the trees, the snowshoe rabbits and the occasional black bear. Then there is the silence. The best part of “Heaven”. So, while you are here, take a deep breath, close your eyes at the appropriate moment and ask yourself, am I on the right path? Is what I am doing fulfilling me? Am I showing my family and friends how much I love them? Do I really need all that crap I got? Where do I go from here? My intention was for each one you to not just go camping, or to stay in a Mongolian Ger but to have an “Experience” that just might lead you to a more fulfilling and happier life.

Ruby’s Cabin

1 site · Lodging90 acres · Westfir, OR

Grandpa had a dream of building cabins for his granddaughters. Ruby is the first grandchild and this cabin was built for her. Jay and Tamara (Ruby’s grandparents) bought this acreage in 1998 and are excited to share their special place with other people who love the outdoors while being with family and friends.This is a rustic, off the grid, cabin experience that you will never forget. Almost 200 acres of forest are available to explore. Winter, our second granddaughter is expecting grandpa to get her cabin finished soon.Cabin with loft can sleep 6. Think of it as camping with walls and extras thrown in. Air beds provided, bring your own sleeping bags. Outhouse provided. Additional tents and people are allowed for an additional 15.00 per tent/2 people. Additional RV’s are allowed for 15.00 per RV. Area for tents and RV’s is large grassy wooded area. Great for large gatherings of friends or family who enjoy camping. Fire pit and bar-b-que provided, pavilion for shelter at fire pit area is in the process of construction. Mountain bike/hiking trails run throughout property as well as National forest trails within a few miles. North Fork River swimming 10 minutes away. Golf course across Westoak Rd. Sit on the porch and enjoy the solitude only minutes from Oakridge. Grocery store, etc... all available in Oakridge. Beautiful, safe and secluded. Elk, deer, and other forest critters live here too. Well behaved dogs are welcome.

Dog-friendly getaways

Experience Heaven

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents157 acres · La Pine, OR

8 campsites and 2 original Mongolian Gers. The season for the camp sites is from June 1st to October 15 and the Gers are all 12 months. Pets allowed, toilets on site, campfires permitted when burn ban is not in place. This being the 4th year, things have gotten a little out of hand. So let's regergitate some things and make sure everyone understands how it is. If you aren't capable of practicing the 5 P's, then you need to book somewhere else. Proper Preperation Prevents Poor Performance. If you can't get here and have your camp set up by 8:00PM, showing respect to the other Hipcampers that are already set up and enjoying the PEACE AND QUIET, then you need to book somewhere else or don't come until the following morning. No driving down to the campsites/the lake after 8::00PM. Period. Communicate with me. If you leave Portland at 5:00 PM with the intention of spending the night in Heaven then you need to alter your plans. No more than 4 adults at each campsite. I am almost to the point of saying no BIG DOGS. If you got big dogs, my suggestion is you go book someplace else. Talk to me. It is a given they willl need to be on a tethered throughout your time in Heaven. Take them for walks along the lake, not having them run thru everyone elses camp sites. No Yappers, no barking dogs, no yippers, no pain in the butts. Why would you drive by 46 grocery stores and forget to bring ice? No music. I have changed quiet time to 9:00 PM. You need to listen to music I suggest you start a band or become a DJ. What I want folks to get out of being here, whether they are camping or staying in the Gers is just to “take a break”. Relax, appreciate, assess and just listen. I hope what you hear is the sound of life and of course all the Angels that make up this special piece of Heaven. The chipmunks, the squirrels, all the different birds, the eagles, the osprey, the fish jumping, the deer roaming, the timber martins running thru the trees, the snowshoe rabbits and the occasional black bear. Then there is the silence. The best part of “Heaven”. So, while you are here, take a deep breath, close your eyes at the appropriate moment and ask yourself, am I on the right path? Is what I am doing fulfilling me? Am I showing my family and friends how much I love them? Do I really need all that crap I got? Where do I go from here? My intention was for each one you to not just go camping, or to stay in a Mongolian Ger but to have an “Experience” that just might lead you to a more fulfilling and happier life.

Wild River Sanctuary

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Crescent, OR

Established in 1963. The Vann family cabin was built by the Vann family. Third generation energy is steering this new endeavor. Soon to come will be a creek side treehouse and cabin will be available by next summer. Learn more about this land: Two tent sites available on the creek. The sites are situated on a one acre river frontage property under the pine trees. Important to note that the two sites are located about 30-40 feet apart. Each site has a private dock and fire pit. You are just minutes from the lakes and a great fire lookout hike. Mountain bike from your tent to endless trails. Enjoy the creek that is just feet away from the sites where you can indulge in a variety of activities including; swimming, floating, fishing, and sunbathing. We have great neighbors who have vacation homes nearby. Dorothy lane is between Earl Lane and Pine Creek Loop. Firewood no longer for sale.

Working Ranch just outside Bend

2 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Bend, OR

Located 9 miles east of Bend our 40 acre ranch is full of open fields and juniper forest. We have cows, chickens, geese and ducks that live on the ranch and you will most likely see them roaming around the fields. The nights are quiet with the exception of frogs and crickets and offer a full night sky without light pollution.

Ruby’s Cabin

1 site · Lodging90 acres · Westfir, OR

Grandpa had a dream of building cabins for his granddaughters. Ruby is the first grandchild and this cabin was built for her. Jay and Tamara (Ruby’s grandparents) bought this acreage in 1998 and are excited to share their special place with other people who love the outdoors while being with family and friends.This is a rustic, off the grid, cabin experience that you will never forget. Almost 200 acres of forest are available to explore. Winter, our second granddaughter is expecting grandpa to get her cabin finished soon.Cabin with loft can sleep 6. Think of it as camping with walls and extras thrown in. Air beds provided, bring your own sleeping bags. Outhouse provided. Additional tents and people are allowed for an additional 15.00 per tent/2 people. Additional RV’s are allowed for 15.00 per RV. Area for tents and RV’s is large grassy wooded area. Great for large gatherings of friends or family who enjoy camping. Fire pit and bar-b-que provided, pavilion for shelter at fire pit area is in the process of construction. Mountain bike/hiking trails run throughout property as well as National forest trails within a few miles. North Fork River swimming 10 minutes away. Golf course across Westoak Rd. Sit on the porch and enjoy the solitude only minutes from Oakridge. Grocery store, etc... all available in Oakridge. Beautiful, safe and secluded. Elk, deer, and other forest critters live here too. Well behaved dogs are welcome.

Value Prop

Value Prop

Family-friendly camping in Wickiup Reservoir guide

Overview

Not far from the town of La Pine in the Central Oregon high desert, Wickiup Reservoir is a well-known spot for cooling off in the oftentimes sweltering summer months. Both non-motorized and motorized boats are allowed here, and there are multiple boat launches, with two at the two lakeside campgrounds and a third on the reservoir’s eastern banks. Wickiup Reservoir is also a popular spot for both birdwatching and fishing, particularly if you're hoping to catch a large brown trout. While many people fish directly from their boats, shore fishing is an option earlier in the season.

Notable campgrounds

Best for groups: Gull Point Campground has two group campsites for up to 30 people.
Best for anglers: Reservoir Campground offers direct access to the water.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Reservations for the can be made directly through the Forest Service, either online using recreation.gov or over the phone. Campsites open up for reservation six months in advance, at 6 am.
The peak season runs from the end of May until the end of September. Outside of that time, campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you can’t find a spot at Wickiup, note that there are still tons of places to camp in the area, both in nearby state parks, on BLM land, and at privately run Hipcamps.

When to go

The best time to visit Wickiup Reservoir is in late spring or early autumn, when the weather is warm and dry and the crowds are fewer. July and August are also great months if you like warm weather, but the reservoir and area campgrounds can get very busy with summer vacationers. Accessing the area during the cold winter months can be challenging due to heavy snowfall.

Know before you go

The easiest place to pick up groceries and other supplies is the town of La Pine, about a half-hour drive from the reservoir.
Do not enter the water during cyanobacteria (harmful algae) blooms. The forest service puts out alerts about blooms, but it's always a good idea to do a visual check just in case. Water that looks foamy or thick and is a green, blue, or brownish-read color should be avoided.
Forest fires are an issue in this part of the forest, and bans on fires and even some types of cooking devices are not uncommon. Check before igniting anything.

Popular Wickiup Reservoir trips

Lakeside camping with campfires

Dog-friendly barns

Barns with showers

Top parks in and near Wickiup Reservoir

Mt. Hood National Forest

Crater Lake National Park

Silver Falls State Park

Devil's Lake State Recreation Area

Mount Rainier National Park

Redwood National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Top regions near Wickiup Reservoir

Northern California

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