LaPine State Park

       Our first visit to the park was just a quick drive-through to check it out.  There are three camping loops.  The first one is the most rustic, dirt sites without full hook-ups, however, the sites are a bit more spread out and offer a bit more privacy.  The other two loops are similar to each other, both offering full hook-ups and paved sites, but they are smaller and the pull-thru sites are fairly short.  The Park also offers some great hiking trails with scenic views of the Deschutes River.  I'm told the fishing is good as well.  Another feature of the park is the "Big Tree"  It's a very large ponderosa pine.

      A year or so after checking out the park we decided to camp there for a week (as our week out of the Bend/Sunriver Thousand Trails Park)  It was $208 for the week and well worth it.  We reserved a pull-thru site in the middle loop, which would have fit us, but just barely.  To our good fortune, one of the park hosts was a friend we hosted with at Beverly Beach and she offered us an empty host site that was much bigger.  I'm sure that we will revisit the park in the future, maybe even volunteer as hosts there.  Like other parks that we have camped at nearby, its location offers the whole Central Oregon volcanic and lake scene.  

LaPine State Park occupies a scenic spot along the trout-filled Upper Deschutes River in a high desert subalpine forest. The quiet, shady campground connects to 14 miles of multi-use trails that follow both sides of the river and link key park landmarks. You could find plenty to fill your time right in the park, from hiking and mountain biking to fishing and floating. LaPine is also centrally situated for exploring the iconic landmarks of central Oregon, including the Deschutes National Forest, Newberry Crater, and Lava River Cave.

Come winter, enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the park trails, while staying in one of our 10 cozy cabins.  Summer calls for boating, wading, and floating. Spring and fall are primed for viewing wildlife. 

Park Features

Deschutes River 

The Deschutes River day-use area alongside the river has a picnic area, flush restrooms and a swim beach (no lifeguard). A reservable picnic area features picnic tables, a fire pit and a small grill. This area closes in the winter, but you can still access it by trail. 

The Deschutes River boat ramp and parking area are open seasonally. Note: Only "hand carry watercraft" are allowed. No trailers are permitted on the boat ramp due to ongoing construction.

McGregor Memorial Viewpoint, open year-round, looks over a scenic bend in the river and is gateway to the park's 14 miles of trails that connect to the campground and other park areas. See our trail map to plan your hike or ride.

The "Big Tree" Day-use Area

You won't want to miss a visit to Oregon's largest ponderosa pine, thought to be 500-plus years old.  A short, paved trail near the park entrance leads to this Heritage Tree and a quiet section of river for fishing. The road to Big Tree and parking area are closed in the winter, but you can still access it by trail. 

Year-round Camping

The park's south loop and cabins remain open year-round. Book reservations up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Some services are reduced due to Covid-19; see bolded information below.

• 82 full-hookup sites
• 47 electrical sites with water
• 5 rustic log cabins (2 pet-friendly; see our Pets in Parks FAQ for more info) RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
• 5 deluxe log cabins (3 pet-friendly; see our Pets in Parks FAQ for more info) RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
• Hot showers and flush toilets
• Firewood for sale
• RV dump station (water turned off Oct 1- May 1)
• A fenced, off-leash pet exercise area is a short walk from the campground
• Universal Access: All of the deluxe cabins and one rustic cabin are accessible to campers with disabilities (winter accessibility varies)