When I am going camping in Central Oregon, one of the things I think about is if the campground will be a good spot for my pup. Luckily, camping with dogs near my hometown of Bend, Oregon is easy.
Luckily, most Central Oregon campgrounds are dog-friendly, and most of the National Forest land around the region allow for off-leash activity.
Just keep in mind that in any campground and surrounding recreation areas, please make sure to follow posted signs on dog activity. Every dog-friendly space must be protected!
Many designated beaches, for example, don’t allow dogs. And, as always, pick up after your dog at Central Oregon campgrounds, which are some of the most beautiful places on Earth if we keep them clean. Lastly, dogs should always be on leash in the campgrounds themselves.
All that being said, here are some of the best places to go camping with dogs near Bend, OR:
Crane Prairie Reservoir
Let’s be honest. Lakes in Central Oregon can sometimes be congested. Especially if they are accessible to both dogs and humans. Crane Prairie Reservoir on the other hand, doesn’t get as crowded as the other, more popular camping areas near lakes.
Because it is so secluded and quiet, Crane Prairie is home to a plethora of wildlife. So it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your dog here to protect the ecosystem of the area.
Camping with dogs near Bend is only open here until October. Although the season for dog-friendly camping is short, it’s still a beautiful spot to camp.
Waldo Lake
There are actually three campgrounds near this gorgeous lake.
Make sure you are aware of the signage around this lake. Some parts of the lakefront have signage that say no dogs allowed, But keep looking – there are other lakefront beaches where you and your dog are allowed to explore.
Beware of the mosquitoes here early in the season.
Sparks Lake
Are you and your dog a little more adventurous? Camping at Sparks Lake might be for you.
While there are no developed campgrounds here, you can hike and boat to a variety of backcountry campsites. Many campsites are only a short kayak or canoe ride away. You might even be able to find island campsites where you can set up camp surrounded by the lake.
It’s a perfect escape if you want more of a backpacking (or boatpacking) experience without as much of the hiking. You can find more information about camping at Sparks here.
Castle Rock Campground
Do you want to get away from the more popular campsites in the Cascades?
This camping spot near Prineville is a good destination on BLM land along the Crooked River.
Keep in mind that there aren’t many sites though, and they are first-come first-served. If you don’t find a campsite right away, there are many backcountry sites in the area.
This camping spot is great if you need an escape from the hustle and bustle. Because of it’s seclusion, Castle Rock campground is a great choice if you want a quiet camping experience together.
Cove Palisades State Park
This state park is a real gem close to Culver, OR.
Cove Palisades State Park contains another camground that is often skipped by the tourists, but well-known by locals. This cove is a great place for water sports – and is a great choice for larger families with dogs.
The state park even has a designated off-leash area, which is rare in most campgrounds.
One downside of this state park is that dogs have to be on leash if they aren’t in the designated off leash area. Cove Palisades is a good choice if your dog isn’t great off leash.
Author: Dustin Gouker
Dustin is a long-time Bend resident and former editor at The Bulletin. He's had four dogs over his 40+ years on the planet and loves to go on adventures (and to outdoor drinking spots) in Central Oregon with pups in tow.