Cultus Lake Boat In - West Campground
Closed for the season. Tentative 2026 operating dates are June 12 through September 20. All 12 sites are reservation-only via Recreation.gov with no first-come-first-served availability.
Air Quality Alert issued August 5 at 2:33PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. An Air Quality Advisory for elevated levels of ozone pollution, or smog, is in effect for Hermiston in Umatilla County. Ozone pollution is expected to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults and people with heart or respiratory conditions. DEQ expected the Air Quality Advisory to last until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Air Quality Alert issued August 3 at 12:05PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions may cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
About
West Cultus Boat-In Campground occupies the secluded west shore of glacier-formed Cultus Lake in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest. The 12 tent sites are accessible only by boat or by hiking in, providing a quieter alternative to the main Cultus Lake Campground across the lake. Visitors launch from the Cultus Lake Day Use boat ramp and must park in the designated boat-in camping lot adjacent to Cultus Lake Campground. Cultus Lake is one of the few lakes along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway that permits high-speed motorized watercraft, making it a hub for waterskiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and sailing. The campground also provides trailhead access into the Three Sisters Wilderness for those seeking backcountry exploration. This is a primitive setting with composting toilets but no potable water. Campers should bring all drinking water and be prepared for heavy mosquitoes, especially in June and early July. All sites are reservation-only through Recreation.gov with no first-come-first-served availability.
Directions
From Bend, OR: Travel 46 miles southwest on Cascade Lakes Highway (Route 46), then west on Forest Road 4635 for 2 miles to Cultus Lake Campground. Park in the designated boat-in camping lot and launch from the day use boat ramp, then boat to the west end of the lake. Alternatively, hike in via trail.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $22 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 323-1746 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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