Pro scans every minute· 119K campsites tracked

Hard to BookNational Forest

East Lake Campground

Deschutes National Forest, Oregon

Sold out? We check East Lake Campground for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.

Cancellation alerts

Sold out for your dates?

ArriveLeave

Free to start. Email alerts included.

As of October 2026, East Lake Campground is a campground in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon with 27 campsites. East Lake Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks East Lake Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
East Lake Campground is located at 43.7177° N, 121.2113° W.

people allowed on each site: 8

East Lake Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Taxes apply
Maximum stay: 28 days

Published by Recreation.gov for East Lake Campground, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at East Lake Campground

1234578910111213151617181920212223242526272829

Standard 27

What an RV fits

30 ft3 sites
32 ft7 sites
34 ft1 site
36 ft5 sites
40 ft11 sites

Amenities

restrooms
potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, wildlife, climbing, stargazing.

All sites at East Lake Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the Loop 1 loop.

Site	Type	Sleeps	Max RV
001	Standard	8	40 ft
002	Standard	8	30 ft
003	Standard	8	36 ft
004	Standard	8	40 ft
005	Standard	8	40 ft
007	Standard	8	40 ft
008	Standard	8	32 ft
009	Standard	8	40 ft
010	Standard	8	36 ft
011	Standard	8	40 ft
012	Standard	8	40 ft
013	Standard	8	40 ft
015	Standard	8	32 ft
016	Standard	8	32 ft

Site	Type	Sleeps	Max RV
017	Standard	8	34 ft
018	Standard	8	32 ft
019	Standard	8	36 ft
020	Standard	8	40 ft
021	Standard	8	36 ft
022	Standard	8	30 ft
023	Standard	8	32 ft
024	Standard	8	40 ft
025	Standard	8	32 ft
026	Standard	8	40 ft
027	Standard	8	36 ft
028	Standard	8	30 ft
029	Standard	8	32 ft

About East Lake Campground

Overview

East Lake Campground sits at the edge of beautiful East Lake in the caldera of Newberry Volcano. Most sites in this campground are on the lake or no more than a few minutes walk away. There are opportunities for bird watching, bicycling, sightseeing, and canoeing. East Lake is a little shadier than the other lakes and is a perfect way to beat the heat of the summer. There are nearby hikes into the lava rock and close by waterfalls. The area is part of the Newberry National Monument in Deschutes National Forest. The area is popular for its geological significance and multitude of recreational activities, making it an ideal individual and family camping excursion.

For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159

Recreation

Visitors can take advantage of boating, kayaking, swimming and fishing on East Lake. A boat ramp is located in the campground, and the lake has a 10 mph speed limit.

For anglers, the lake provides the perfect setting to fish from boat or the shoreline. It supports rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon. In September, the outlet of adjacent Paulina Lake may be choked with Kokanee moving to spawn in Paulina Creek.

The Crater Rim Trail, considered one of the finest high country trails in the area, boasts vast stretches of forest, deserts and mountains. The trail has many access points and connectors to other trails.

Facilities

East Lake Campground offers a boat ramp and several sites close to the shore or within easy walking distance to the beach. It is perfect for trailer, tent or RV camping. Sites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Flush toilets and drinking water are also available.

Natural Features

East Lake is located within the collapsed caldera of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, the caldera encircles the basins of East Lake and Paulina Lake. East Lake covers 1,044 acres and is 180 feet at its deepest point.

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 black bear, bighorn sheep, deer, native fish and migratory birds.

Nearby Attractions

Big Obsidian Flow Trail offers a 1-mile interpretive trail that climbs up and onto this impressive lava flow of obsidian (black volcanic glass) and pumice. The Big Obsidian Flow is 1,300 years old, the youngest lava flow in Oregon.

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 educational programs and exhibits.

Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, is nearly a mile long. The northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (541) 323-1746.

Charges & 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.

Rules and notices at East Lake Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check East Lake Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

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.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

East Lake Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at East Lake Campground?

East Lake Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at East Lake Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at East Lake Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does East Lake Campground have?

East Lake Campground has 27 campsites.