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Deschutes/Cold Springs Campground
Overview
Deschutes/Cold Springs Campground offers a classic Forest Service experience just minutes from the charming, western-themed town of Sisters. Tucked away under a thick canopy of towering Ponderosa pines, this small and quiet park provides a serene escape for those who value nature over modern resort-style amenities. It serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the high desert and the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range, providing a cool retreat during the warm Oregon summers.
Location & Surroundings
Situated approximately four miles west of Sisters along Highway 242, the location feels remarkably secluded despite its proximity to local services. The campground is nestled within the Deschutes National Forest, where the air is scented with pine needles and the nights are exceptionally dark. Its strategic position at the gateway to the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway makes it a premier stop for travelers looking to experience one of the most scenic drives in Oregon.
Amenities & Park Features
As a rustic forest site, the park focuses on the fundamental essentials of outdoor living. Each site is laid out to preserve the natural landscape. Features include:
- Spacious campsites that offer natural privacy.
- Standard picnic tables and fire rings for cooking.
- Clean vault toilets located centrally within the campground loop.
There is no potable water or utility hookups available at this location, so guests must arrive fully self-contained. The simplicity of the park ensures a quiet atmosphere for those looking to disconnect.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the primary draw for guests staying at this location. A short drive leads to the Whychus Creek Overlook, offering stunning views of the Three Sisters peaks and deep canyon walls. The town of Sisters provides unique boutique shopping and local bakeries just minutes away. For mountain bikers and hikers, the Peterson Ridge Trail System is easily accessible, offering miles of paths through the Central Oregon landscape.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for self-contained RVers who prefer a quiet, natural setting and do not mind the lack of utility hookups. It is a perfect fit for nature photographers, solo travelers, and families looking for a traditional camping experience away from the crowds of commercial resorts. If you appreciate the simplicity of a crackling campfire under the stars and quick access to high-altitude mountain adventures, this park will suit your travel style perfectly.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Andrea Correa
I noticed an unattended fire and proceeded to go tell the camp host. Talk about rude!!!!! He was sitting outside in a popup canopy. When I parked, I hopped out and started to say “you have an unattended fire” when I was aggressively and rudely cut off “I’M ON BREAK! EVERYTHING IS IN THE SIGN!!” “But sir, you have an…” “EVERYTHING IS IN THE SIGN!! I’M!! ON!! BREAK!!!” Ok, maybe you don’t care about the forest burning down but considering we were just dealing with evacuations and a fire spanning 20,000+ acres, I do care. I had to call the forest service as well as 911 because there’s no number available for the company that manages these campgrounds. And as someone who has been a camp host several times, I understand not wanting to be bothered on your time off but if it’s something that is an emergency or could be very dangerous, I’d expect them to care. The company that runs these campgrounds is a JOKE!!!
Lisa Leithauser
This campground is nicer than I thought it would be. Quiet. Sites are big enough for multiple tents. Trails for walking and kids to ride their bikes. Close to Sisters and Bend. I just picked it because it was all that was available so I am pleasantly surprised!
Bob Schneider
We only stayed one night but enjoyed the campground. Nice stream running through it. the Privies were reasonably clean. Cool hand powered water pump provided plenty of water. Would stay again.
D. Sheldon
Just spent four nights at Cold springs campground just outside of Sisters Oregon with my mountain bike team. This campground is 5 mi outside of town. The McKenzie highway that runs to the campground was recently paved and is very smooth and great for bikes. We were able to ride the two and a half miles into the high school and enjoy the jump track our first afternoon there. Additionally there are service roads that lead to trails right from the campsite. That was a bonus for us. The campsite itself is one big paved loop. Some of the campsites are pretty small and wouldn't work for tents and others were quite large and worked well for multiple tents. There are pit toilets and potable water, the water is pretty yellow though so we only used it for washing hands and dishes. The campground itself is beautiful as it is filled with ponderosa pine and small aspen trees. The wind blows through the trees in the evening creating a very soothing white noise. And it is overall a very quiet campground where they definitely observe quiet hours. There are garbage bins on site for refuse. The camp manager was very friendly and would check in on us occasionally to see if there was anything we needed. Overall I give this campsite a 5 for the beauty, the accessibility with the distance from town that creates a quiet campground, and the access to the trails. It is a little remote and doesn't have showers so just be aware of that. We did drive into town and use the public showers that fed off quarters.
Bradley Ulmer
Wonderful camping spot, we brought our almost 2 year old and dogs. The spots are fairly large and all our neighbors were friendly as well as the camp host! Many places to visit nearby so it's a great area if you're looking to just relax or go out and find awesome view points or historical markers!