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.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order. Some examples of these include hay bales, hay…
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on Deschutes National Forest lands, except within the Deschutes National Forest Wilderness areas (Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Sisters, Diamond Peak and Mt. Thielsen Wildernesses)…
Cabin Butte Area Closure
The Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project area will be closed to public access/entry to ensure public safety and support critical forest restoration efforts. The closure will restrict all access, including day use and overnight camping, while crews operate heavy machinery, conduct prescribed…
Cave Resource Protection Forest Order
Describes the prohibitions for entering or exploring caves or areas near caves on the Deschutes National Forest.
Camping & Campfire Restrictions Forest Order
This order describes designated areas where camping and/or campfires are prohibited.
West Bend Area Trail Closures
We are restoring the forest adjacent to the City of Bend to improve forest health, create a diversity of plant and wildlife habitat and to protect our communities and quality of life.Historically in Central Oregon small wildfires or insect infestations occurred creating a forested of different aged…
Deschutes 14-Day Camping Order
Camping or otherwise occupying a single location for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days within Deschutes National Forest is prohibited. The order also describes the prohibition of camping, occupying, or otherwise leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies at any location, on…
Wilderness Permit, Camping & Fire Restrictions Order
This order provides prohibitions on specified activities with in Wilderness areas, including group size, equipment limitations, camping locations and campfires.
Blue-Green Algae Information
The Deschutes National Forest encourages people recreating on the national forest to be aware of potential blue-green algae blooms on lakes and reservoirs as the weather warms. Not all algae in lakes and reservoirs is blue-green algae. Learn to tell the difference between regular and blue-green…
Recreating in the Cedar Creek Fire Burned Area
Please use caution when recreating in areas that were impacted by the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire. A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. In some cases, these hazardous conditions may persist…
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
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