Free Campgrounds - Rock Creek in Deschutes National Forest

Free camping and campgrounds
OREGON CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
ROCK CREEK CAMPGROUND
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR
CASCADE LAKES HIGHWAY / ROAD#46
DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST
LATITUDE: N 43°45.670
LONGITUDE: W 121°49.543
(GPS from primitive camp on Crane Prairie)
LATITUDE: N 43°46.200
LONGITUDE: W 121°50.336
(GPS from primitive camp on Road#255)

Crane Prairie Reservoir towards Osprey Point

Rock Creek Campground is an established
camp and recreation area that charges a
fee, but there are camp areas south on
Cascade Lakes Highway / FS Road#46
about 1/8 mile. The unmarked dirt roads
wind and twist their way down to the edge
of Crane Prairie Reservoir, where you are
rewarded with some great campsites.

Crane Prairie Reservoir (Sept.23, 2005)

It snowed in the early morning
The clouds are dark and threatening.

Crane Prairie Reservoir Primitive Camp Area

Camp near Rock Creek

Camp near Rock Creek
N 43°45.670
W 121°49.543

Crane Prairie Reservoir

Primitive camp on Road#255
N 43°46.200
W 121°50.336

There are more free campsites across the highway
from Rock Creek Campground. Take Road #255
and there are several primitive campsites. Much less
people out here, mostly used by hunters during
the hunting season.

Notice the volcanic vent in the background
in the above image. You find these all over
in Deschutes National Forest. Sometimes
there are fissures that formed little caves.
Mostly rodents and bats live in the caves.
NOTE: There are no creatures living at the
above camps, but you will hear elk bugling
in the night, maybe a couple deer might walk
through your camp. There are a lot of bees,
but they mind their own business.

DIRECTIONS:
Cascade Lakes Highway / FS Road 46
(Milepost 49-50)
Turn on the unmarked dirt road about 1/8 mile
south of Rock Creek Campground. It is a maze,
just head towards Crane Prairie Reservoir about
1/4 to 1/2 mile and you will see several campsites

There are free campsites on FS Road #255
(Opposite of Rock Creek Campground)

MAP
These are our personal hand drawn maps
Not guaranteed for accuracy

Rock Creek is an established campground
$10.00 Regular Site / $12 Premium Site
Recreation Pass Required for Day Use

Boat Ramp at Crane Prairie Resort

Showers at Crane Prairie Reservoir Lodge
$1.25 in quarters for 3 minutes.
Showers and Laundry at Twin Lakes Lodge.

Drinking water at Rock Creek Campground
on Cascade Lakes Highway / FS Road#46
Hand pump next to the fish cleaning station
is a deep source well and the water is cool,
clean and refreshing.

Also see: CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR
Also see: LAVA FLOW CAMPGROUND
Also see: SPARKS LAKE CAMPGROUND
Also see: WICKIUP RESERVOIR / ROAD#090
Also see: WICKIUP RESERVOIR / ROAD#4260
Also see: WICKIUP RESERVOIR / ROAD#4280
Also see: WICKIUP RESERVOIR / ROAD#4370
Also see: WICKIUP RESERVOIR / ROAD#44

Google Custom Map by Ian

OREGON FREE CAMPGROUND MAP
Google custom map by Ian with most of the
free campgrounds in Oregon.

UPDATE:

View from campsite on June 19, 2006

Elk Lake
LATITUDE: N 43.58.815
LONGITUDE: W 121.48.325
Elevation; 4893'
Elk Lake was named by J.Roy Harvey, first
supervisor of the Deschutes National Forest.
It covers approximately 390 acres. It's maximum
depth is 75 feet and the lake has no surface outlet.

Elk Lake Lodge
It has been here almost forever... least since we were kids.

Davis Lake from Lava Flow Campground

Wickiup Reservoir early in the morning

Parking Area along the Deschutes River
Century Drive / MP 42
LATITUDE: N 43.51.399
LONGITUDE: W 121.47.000

Lava Lake with Mount Bachelor in the background
LATITUDE: N 43.54.920
LONGITUDE: W 121.46.090

Little Lava Lake
LATITUDE: N 43.54.635
LONGITUDE: W 121.45.710

Day Use Area
LATITUDE: N 43.53.005
LONGITUDE: W 121.46.112
Century Drive Day Use Area along the Deschutes River
Picnic tables, Metal Firerings

Cow Meadow and Deschutes River
Fee Area / $10
LATITUDE: N 43.48.800
LONGITUDE: W 121.46.580
Elevation: 4530'
Road 970 for 1 1/2 miles

Deschutes River viewed form Highway 42
LATITUDE: N 43.44.665
LONGITUDE: W 121.46.935
This section of the Deschutes River flows between
Crane Prairie and Wickiup Reservoir

PHOTO HERE
Old Cabin on Browns Creek
N 43.43.400
W 121.49.060
Elevation 4424'
From the dispersed camp area there is an old road
and the cabin is about a five minute walk. There are
several springs and an old water wheel...

Bald Eagle at Wickiup Reservoir

We have seen several bald eagles in this area.
The biggest bald eagle we ever saw was at the
junction of Road#44 and Road#4260. He was
on the beach and when he spread his wings was
the most incredible sight... must of been an 8-10'
wing span as he stood tall and brave for what
seemed like an eternity.

Flowers at Rock Creek

Camped here July 02, 2008
(This has been one of our regular
campsites throughout the years)

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dispersedcampgrounds.com
Free campgrounds and camping
OREGON CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
ROCK CREEK CAMPGROUND
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR
CASCADE LAKES HIGHWAY