U.S. Forest Service · Newberry Caldera Geothermal Area · OR

East Lake Campground

EAST LAKE CAMPGROUNDPhoto · U.S. Forest Service
Not publishedStatus
ReservableAccess
29Sites
40 ftMax rig

The place

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. Keep reading

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

The sites · 29

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
Loop 1001standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1002standard nonelectric30 ft
Loop 1003standard nonelectric36 ft
Loop 1004standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1005standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1006management36 ft
Loop 1007standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1008standard nonelectric32 ft
Loop 1009standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1010standard nonelectric36 ft
Loop 1011standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1012standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1013standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1014 Hostmanagement40 ft
Loop 1015standard nonelectric32 ft
Loop 1016standard nonelectric32 ft
Loop 1017standard nonelectric34 ft
Loop 1018standard nonelectric32 ft
Loop 1019standard nonelectric36 ft
Loop 1020standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1021standard nonelectric36 ft
Loop 1022standard nonelectric30 ft
Loop 1023standard nonelectric32 ft
Loop 1024standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1025standard nonelectric32 ft
Loop 1026standard nonelectric40 ft
Loop 1027standard nonelectric36 ft
Loop 1028standard nonelectric30 ft
Loop 1029standard nonelectric32 ft

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

Who runs it

Operated by Vista Recreation, a private concessionaire, under permit from the agency.

SRC · Operator link · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in OR-02. This member’s public-lands record →

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