Prairie Campground
Open for the 2026 season through October 18. Currently experiencing a temporary water outage; campers must bring all drinking water. Reservations available via Recreation.gov until September 27, then first-come, first-served only until closing.
From Recreation.gov
Our facility is experiencing a temporary water outage. Please bring all the water you’ll need for your visit, including drinking water.
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.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
About
Prairie Campground is a primitive 17-site campground nestled in the Deschutes National Forest along County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road), en route to the Newberry Caldera. The campground sits along Paulina Creek surrounded by mature forest providing ample shade. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, with vault toilets available. No hookups are provided. The location offers excellent access to outdoor recreation. Paulina Lake and East Lake are nearby for boating and fishing, with opportunities for salmon and trout. Hikers can explore trails within Newberry National Volcanic Monument, including the Crater Rim Trail and the 8.5-mile Peter Skene Ogden National Recreation Trail that follows Paulina Creek past several waterfalls. The Lava River Cave, the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon at over 5,200 feet, is also nearby. The campground operates seasonally from early May through mid-October. Sites accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs with a maximum spur length of 30 feet. Reservations are available through Recreation.gov until late September, when the campground transitions to first-come, first-served only.
Directions
From Bend, OR: Travel about 23.5 miles south on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road) to the Prairie campground sign. From La Pine, OR: Travel about 6.8 miles north on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21.
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $23 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 40ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 383-5300 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!