Crane Prairie Campground

Pacific Northwest

Crane Prairie Campground in Pacific Northwest — photo 4

Crane Prairie Campground

Pacific Northwest

About this campsite

Overview

Crane Prairie Campground is located on the east shore of its namesake reservoir on Deschutes National Forest just off the scenic Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. Crane Prairie Reservoir offers a variety of recreation opportunities, including fishing, boating and swimming with glimpses of South Sister and Mt. Bachelor on the horizon.

Recreation

Crane Prairie Reservoir is a prime location for boating and fishing. Fisheries in close proximity to the site also add to its popularity among anglers. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages populations of rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout and largemouth bass. Fish cleaning stations and a boat ramp are within the campground.

Hiking and hunting are popular activities in the surrounding area.

Facilities

Crane Praire Campground offers many sites that accommodate both tent and RV camping, though electric hookups are not available. Several campsites are located right on the waterfront. Sites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets and drinking water are also available. Roads and most parking spurs throughout the campground are paved. Showers and a small grocery store are available at a nearby resort.

Natural Features

Crane Prairie Reservoir hosts a number of waterfowl, including Sandhill cranes, Canada geese, bald eagles and osprey The adjacent forest is home to black-backed woodpecker, Williamson's sapsucker and mountain chickadee. Deer, squirrel, beaver and an occasional black bear also find habitat in the surrounding forest.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Osprey Point is a unique interpretive area for visitors to learn about local fauna and observe osprey nesting platforms erected after natural snags toppled from age. Crane Prairie Campground offers easy access to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which weaves through multiple high lakes with views of South Sister, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor. Newberry National Volcanic Monument offers a glimpse into Central Oregon's rich geologic history. Travel 25 miles to Lava Lands Visitor Center to explore exhibits at the interpretive center, attend a ranger talk, take in scenic views from the top of Lava Butte and travel one-mile underground through Lava River Cave. Travel 40 miles to Newberry Caldera to visit Paulina and East Lake, Paulina Peak and Paulina Falls.

Location

Crane Prairie Campground•OR

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

SAT☁️

17° / 1°

💧 3%

SUN☁️

19° / 4°

💧 5%

MON☁️

18° / 4°

💧 1%

TUE☁️

20° / 6°

—

WED☁️

25° / 6°

💧 1%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

2.3 km away

COW MEADOW CAMPGROUND

Overview Cow Meadow Campground is situated where Snow Creek and the Deschutes River flow into the northeast part of Crane Prairie Reservoir. Located just off of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Cow Meadow Campground provides great access to a wide-range of recreation opportunities, including fishing, boating and hiking. Recreation Crane Prairie Reservoir is a prime location for boating and fishing. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages populations of rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout and largemouth bass. Both motorized and non-motorized boats are permitted on Crane Prairie; however, a 10 MPH speed limit is enforced. Facilities Cow Meadow Campground can accommodate RV, trailer or tent-campers; however, water and electric hookups are not available. This is no water at this facility so campers will need to bring their own supply. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill and have access to a vault toilet. This campground also has a boat ramp that can accommodate small boats. Natural Features Crane Prairie Reservoir is one of Central Oregon's premier wildlife viewing areas for waterfowl, including Sandhill crane, Canadian geese, bald eagles and osprey. The adjacent forest is home to black-backed woodpecker, Williamson's sapsucker and mountain chickadee. Deer, squirrel, beaver and an occasional black bear also find habitat in the surrounding forest. Nearby Attractions Nearby Osprey Point is a unique area where visitors can learn about local fauna and observe osprey nesting platforms erected after natural snags toppled from age. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Cow Meadow Campground offers easy access to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which weaves through multiple high lakes with views of South Sister, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor. Newberry National Volcanic Monument offers a glimpse into Central Oregon's rich geologic history. Travel 30 miles to Lava Lands Visitor Center to explore exhibits at the interpretive center, attend a ranger talk, take in scenic views from the top of Lava Butte and travel one-mile underground through Lava River Cave. Travel 45 miles to Newberry Caldera to visit Paulina and East Lake, Paulina Peak and Paulina Falls. Charges & Cancellations Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

4.5 km away

CULTUS CORRAL HORSE CAMP

Overview Located just a short distance from Cultus Creek, the Cultus Corral Horse Camp is designed for horse campers who wish to visit the Cascade Lakes area. Recreation Situated in the heart of the Cascade Lakes region between Cultus Lake and the Crane Prairie Reservoir, Cultus Corral Horse Camp offers visitors opportunities for horseback riding and hiking as well as fishing and boating at the nearby Cutlus Lake and Little Cutlus Lake. Facilities Cultus Corral Horse Camp can accommodate RV, trailer or tent-campers; however, water and electric hookups are not available. This facility does have a hand pump which provides potable water. The camp has ten sites with 4 - horse corrals and one site with highline poles. All are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. The campground has vault toilets available. Natural Features Cultus Creek flows from Cultus Lake into Crane Prairie Reservoir, which is a damed portion of the Deschutes Ruver. The Deschutes River winds its way through central and northern Oregon before making its way to the Columbia River. Nearby Attractions Located near the Three Sisters Wilderness, Cultus Corral Horse Camp offers equestrians relatively close access to hundreds of miles of trails. Cultus Lake and Crane Prairie Reservoir, each a short drive from the campground, provide opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming. Cultus Corral Campground is also situated just off of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, a 66-mile route stretching from Bend to Davis Lake that features numerous lakes, unique geological features and views of South Sister, Broken Top, Mt. Bachelor and other peaks. Charges & Cancellations Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

5.5 km away

Primitive Campsite

Campground: Primitive Campsite.

6.2 km away

QUINN RIVER CAMPGROUND

Overview Quinn River Campground is located on the western shore of the Crane Prairie Reservoir, just off the Cascade Lakes Highway within Central Oregon's Cascade Range. Recreation Crane Prairie Reservoir is known for fishing and boating opportunities. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages populations of rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout and largemouth bass. Fish cleaning stations and a boat ramp are within the campground. Facilities Located just off the Cascade Lakes Highway, Quinn River Campground is spread out along the western shores of Crane Prairie Reservoir. This facility has a boat ramp offering access to Crane Prairie Reservoir. Boat launch parking is for day use only and requires a recreation fee separate from camping fees. Natural Features Crane Prairie Reservoir is a great spot for viewing a variety of wildlife. Sandhill cranes, bald eagles and osprey frequent the area. The adjacent forest is home to black-backed woodpecker, Williamson's sapsucker and mountain chickadee. On summer mornings or evenings, visitors may glimpse Rocky Mountain elk grazing the lakeside meadows. Deer, squirrel, beaver and an occasional black bear also find habitat in the surrounding forest. Nearby Attractions Nearby Osprey Point is a unique interpretive area where visitors can observe osprey nesting platforms erected after natural snags toppled from age. Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which climbs 66-miles through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. Charges & Cancellations Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

6.7 km away

Rock Creek Campground (Deschutes National Forest, OR)

Overview Rock Creek Campground is located on the western shore of Crane Prairie Reservoir along the Cascade Lakes Highway. Recreation Crane Prairie Reservoir is known for fishing and boating opportunities. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages populations of rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout and largemouth bass. Fish cleaning stations and a boat ramp are within the campground. Facilities Located just off the Cascade Lakes Highway, Rock Creek Campground is spread out along the western shores of Crane Prairie Reservoir. Almost all the sites are large and isolated from the other sites, and many are located right on the shore of the lake. This facility has a boat ramp offering access to Crane Prairie Reservoir. Boat launch parking is for day use only and requires a recreation fee separate from camping fees. Natural Features Crane Prairie Reservoir is a great spot for viewing a variety of wildlife. Sandhill cranes, bald eagles and osprey frequent the area. The adjacent forest is home to black-backed woodpecker, Williamson's sapsucker and mountain chickadee. On summer mornings or evenings, visitors may glimpse Rocky Mountain elk grazing the lakeside meadows. Deer, squirrel, beaver and an occasional black bear also find habitat in the surrounding forest. Nearby Attractions Nearby Osprey Point is a unique interpretive area where visitors can observe osprey nesting platforms erected after natural snags toppled from age. Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which climbs 66-miles through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. Charges & Cancellations Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.