Lapine State Park

Had a fantastic trip here. We stayed 4 nights. I booked the site online. I found site photos on youtube for every camp site so I could make a good decision. But wow, the site was huge!!! We could have put another 6 large tents on the site lol. Bathrooms were clean. Camp hosts were super nice. Made sure our wood pile was super large for the price. The ranger drove through several times a day. This place isn’t over crowded, so our hikes were quiet. Trails were in good shape. Bugs were not that bad being we were literally beside the river. Highly recommend this state park for camping.

Bend, OR (located 27 miles south of), in Central Oregon, high desert country!
Forecast was for 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms the duration of time we were here, three nights in mid-​May.
The campground is at about 4,000 feet, in the Deschutes National Forest. Our back-​in campsite, #121 in the North Loop, backed up into a pine forest and had just a few distant campsite neighbors. It was a good thing that we had four wheel drive on our tow vehicle or the travel trailer would never have made it into the flat area of the parking pad in the rain. Only 20 amp power and water for hookup sites in this loop. The other two loops have some ³⁰⁄₅₀ amp, water, and sewer hookups but campsites are much closer together. Hot showers, included with camp fees, are in the same building as the bathrooms, in the center of the loop. Only lights in our loop were at the shower/​restroom building so campsites were dark at night. All camp garbage is to be taken to the recycling center near the registration booth at the entrance to the campground. They even have a large, fenced pet exercise area located between the North and Middle Loops.
There are many dirt and pine needle covered trails. There’s an «Old Tree», a Ponderosa Pine more than 500 years old, with a paved and gradually sloping walkway leading to it from the parking lot, doable for a manual wheelchair with a strong armed pusher. However, it makes a nice, clean trail for small dogs on leashes, but beware the many goose droppings if you walk across the grass from the Old Tree to the nearby river.
Although we arrived in rain, we had breaks in the weather that provided opportunities to enjoy short hikes along the Deschutes River with our poochies. We also visited Bend’s High Desert Museum, Pilot Butte, and Tumalo Lavender (farm) over the course of two days
Ten log cabins are also available for reservations all year. Firewood, $ 5 per bundle, is available from the camp host in each loop.
Nearby is Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Its Lava Land Visitor’s Center was still closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but will be extending hours next week, towards the end of May. I read that nearby Fort Rock State Natural Area is also worth stopping to see (
), the site of an ancient volcano.
This is a very scenic area with lots to see and do. Spring was a great time to come to beat the heat of summer.

The park is NOT located on Jacobsen Rd. as the Unilocal map shows. It is located at the end of State Recreation Rd. about 5 miles west of Hwy 97. Do not attempt to enter the park via the dirt access road off of South Century Dr. without four wheel drive as the road conditions can be unpredictable, this road may be snow packed in the winter months and subject to flooding. Take State Recreation Rd during any time of the year especially towing a trailer, driving an RV or small car as the road is paved and plowed regularly. The south camp loop is open year round but can only be reserved during the summer months. The north and middle loops are open during the summer months only. There are 10 cabins located in the South Loop and a reservable Meeting Hall. All camp loops have showers with hot water, flushing toilets and sinks. Ask the Rangers for special maps, information about the area, Junior Ranger programs, etc. Enjoy the 13+ miles of riverfront and forested trails on foot, bike or horseback. Do not bring dirt bikes and OHV’s as they are strictly prohibited. Fish on the Big Deschutes or Fall River (fly only). Float in a tube, canoe or kayak for miles on the flat calm water of the Big Deschutes or take a short drive to the Little Deschutes just down the road. Sunriver is close by as well as Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Deschutes National Forest, Mt. Bachelor, Three Sisters and dozens of lakes off Cascade Lakes Highway to drive or hike too. Check out the largest/​oldest Ponderosa Pine in Oregon located down a paved wheelchair accessible trail. Dogs are welcome at the park and a large fenced off leash area is available for frisbee or ball play. There is a paved parking lot at the day use area with a sandy beach, restroom, and reservable picnic area.

Clean. Open in the winter. Lots of trails. Campgrounds are pretty well spaced. Bathrooms were clean and heated. Showers available. Water pumps are shut off in the winter though. RV hookups available as well as cabins. Pet friendly.

I love this state park! We have chosen to stay here once a year and we are never disappointed. Descent RV sites, lots of trails, lots of wildlife. Great large dog park. It’s within driving distance to so many places.