Camping in Bend Oregon Is Easier Than You Think – 5 Spots We Loved
Despite spending so much time in Central Oregon, we’ve somehow almost never camped around Bend. So this week we decided to change that by trying out a handful of different camping spots right near town.
What makes Bend such a special place (besides all the mountain lakes, the ski resort practically in town, the floating river and surf wave through downtown, endless mountain bike trails, and over 300 days of sunshine… need I go on?) is that there are so many camping options just minutes away. One thing we’ve learned in our travels is that camping within ten miles of downtown is rare. But in Bend, it’s normal. You get the amenities of town, incredible nature, and plenty of places to set up camp without sacrificing either.
This list of five is by no means comprehensive, but each one has its own charm—and they all make for a pretty great Bend camping experience.
| Spot | Coordinates | Amenities/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mt. Bachelor | 44.00431, -121.67926 | Flush toilets, showers, electric hookup option, paid, trash/recycling, bike in/bike out to the lifts |
| Phil’s Trails | 44.04353, -121.38575 | No amenities, bike in/bike out on the trails, free dispersed spots |
| Elk Lake | 43.97996, -121.80931 | Pit toilets, trash, lakefront access, paid campsites |
| Swampy Sno-Park | 43.98873, -121.56846 | No amenities, bike in/bike out to trails, free parking lot camping |
| Mrazek | 44.05819, -121.41012 | No amenities, bike in/bike out on the trails, free dispersed spots |