Scout Lake

About

Scout Lake Campground is nestled in a towering mixed conifer forest in the high desert region of central Oregon, within Deschutes National Forest. The campground offers 10 sites: one single, six doubles, and three triples, accommodating groups of various sizes. Each site includes a picnic table and campfire ring with grill, with three vault toilets serving the campground. A gravity-fed water system provides potable water when operational. The campground sits adjacent to Scout Lake, which features a large beach and opportunities for swimming, wading, and non-motorized boating. Suttle Lake, less than a mile away, offers motorized boating, water skiing, and fishing. The surrounding landscape showcases the region's volcanic heritage, with opportunities to explore extinct volcanoes, calderas, and lava flows. Nearby attractions include Lava Lands Visitor Center and the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. This is one of the few Deschutes National Forest recreation sites where dogs are prohibited, both at the campground and the adjacent day use area. This restriction exists due to sanitation and safety concerns related to the high number of visitors and the lake's lack of an outlet, which affects water quality. Visitors with dogs should consider nearby Suttle Lake campgrounds instead.

Directions

From Sisters, Oregon, take Highway 20/126 northwest for approximately 13 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 2070 and travel 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 2066 and continue 0.8 miles to the campground entrance on the right.