SP Campground Review – LaPine State Park, La Pine OR
A lovely forested State Park on the “dry” side of the Cascades in Central-West Oregon.
Link to campground here: LaPine State Park, OR
Link to map location here: LaPine State Park, OR
- Site Quality = 3.5/5
Pretty decent sites here except for a few dings. Sites are all paved with picnic table, fire-pit and good to very good shade. Selection of back-ins and pull-throughs. Biggest issue is that many sites are quite unlevel and access and turns in camp can be tight (our rig size is probably the limit that you can get round). There are 3 loops. The first loop (#100-136) offers much more spacious sites with very good privacy (especially along the back), but only 20Amp/water hookups. The other 2 loops (#6-96) offer the bonus of full-hookups (50Amp/water/sewer), but are alot tighter together. - Facilities = 3/5
Decent facilities here. There are flush toilets and showers. Only ding is the showers have that annoying timer-button and don’t get very warm. Lots of space and activities around the park incl. day-use & picnic areas, trails, floating on the water and fishing. On-site dump station. - Location = 5/5
This is a beautiful forested location. You’re right next to a gorgeous river, yet only a few miles from La Pine (basic shopping) and a little more from Bend (lots of shopping). You’re also in a perfect location to explore the Newberry Caldera and volcanic sites in the area. - Pet Friendliness = 5/5
Fabulous doggie park. There is a separate doggie-play area, plus masses of forested trails. Doggie is also welcome to find a quiet bend in the river and splash around.
Overall Rating = 4.1
BONUS ALERT = Hike and camp by gorgeous Ponderosa Pine and river!
Summary: We wanted a nice stop on the “dry” side of the Cascades and this park worked out perfectly. It’s set right next to a river in deep Ponderosa Pine so you get the bonus of water and forest together. Lots of secluded and peaceful trails with easy access to splash (with pooch) in the river. Sites are decent with lots of trees, picnic table and fire-puts plus the bonus of selection from 20Amp to full hookups (50Amp/water/sewer). Only ding is that the full hookup sites are closer together, somewhat uneven and access can be tight (pull-throughs are the best option for our size rig). The perfect spot to explore the base of the Cascades and the Newberry Caldera. We thoroughly enjoyed hiking around w/ pooch and would come again.
Extra Info: Intermittent Verizon signal (sometimes kicking between 1X & 3G), but workable esp. with amp/antenna. Sites cost $22/night (20Amp or full hookup), all reservable. On-site dump station.
Can you access the river from the campground or do you have to go use the day use areas?
You can access the river from the campground. There’s a river trail which runs a short way behind the sites. I can’t recall exactly how far, but we walked from camp to the river with Polly each day.
Nina
the river is warm enough to swim in? also how far would you say the campsite is from paulina plunge? i also noticed that you said you would divulge the location of the paulina plunge,
It depends what you call “warm”, but no I would not swim it. It’s far too fast-moving by the campground. We let Polly splash on the side of a big bend, but that was it. There may be other places on the river that are safe to swim, but I wouldn’t know. Haven’t heard of Paulina Plunge either. I’d suggest you call the park and ask.
Nina