Crescent Lake, Deschutes Nat'l Forest

[Sarvi]

Has anyone boondocked around Crescent Lake? I'm looking at the MVUM and seeing TONS of dispersed camping areas, but I would hate to show up there and not find anything. I'm towing a 33ft travel trailer. I'm just wondering if there's as much available as the map shows, and if I can get my trailer in. Thanks.

[Sarvi]

goducks10 wrote:
When are you going? And is it just for the weekend?

Mid-July, and yes, just the weekend.

[goducks10]

When are you going? And is it just for the weekend?

[Sarvi]

I did look at Crescent Junction RV Park, and saw to reserve sites either email or call. I sent an email to the address provided, and got a bounceback saying the address is not valid. Um ok. HOWEVER, I went back and looked at all of the NFS campgrounds again, and saw that Contorta Flat Campground actually had RESERVABLE sites! I don't know how I missed that the other day when i was looking. So I snatched the last one available for that weekend! YAY!

[ICamel]

You might consider reserving a spot at the Crescent Junction RV Park. It's only 3 miles to the lake and you can use the Resort boat launch at no charge. Water, electric, and sewer hookups. Also quick access to the amenities such as fuel, groceries, food. I have stayed there multiple times and can recommend them. Not quite the experience of campground or boondocking camping but it might be your best option for the timing you require.

[Sarvi]

I may want to fish, probably hike, and just relax. Unfortunately I have no vacation time available this year to dedicate to camping 😞 so can't go up a day early. My son and daughter-in-law, and possibly my daughters will be coming with, and my d-i-l offered drive out earlier in the day, but she wouldn't be able to go the day before.

With that being said, any suggestions for other areas instead? I want to be near a lake, boondocking or forest service campgrounds are fine. I'm not completely hung up on Crescent Lake, it just looks like a nice place to visit.

[ReneeG]

Check out Campendium if this is on there.

[ORbiker]

Are you wanting to fish at Crescent or just camp?
There is lots of hiking trails and high lake too.

[DanNJanice]

Sarvi wrote:
Thanks. There are several NFS campgrounds around the lake, but none seem to take any reservations. I'm looking at a 3 hour drive on a Friday evening in mid-July, and am nervous about not finding anything. I may just take a drive out there without the trailer a few weeks ahead of time to scope out the area.

This is an excellent idea! Go scout it out, without the trailer, record your spots on the GPS, then go back with the trailer. I highly recommend going up a day early (Thursday) if possible, even first thing on Friday is better than waiting until the end of the day.

[goducks10]

Sarvi wrote:
What would you assume my chances would be of getting a spot in a campground at 7pm on a Friday evening?

It may depend on the weather. If there's been thunder and lightening during the day and it's forecast for the weekend then there may be some spots open as the ski boat crowd might pass. If there's anyway to get up there in the morning or thursday night then that would be your best bet. Just guessing but by 7:00 friday night it could be all but full. Not sure who's all going but if someone else is going and could go up in the morning then that would help.

Your best bet might be Contorta Flat Campground on the south end of the lake.

[rexlion]

I will second the motion to "call the rangers." They often will know and share what they know about dispersed sites that you could fit into. That said, by 7pm Friday all those spots may be taken anyway.

If you were showing up mid-afternoon on a weekday, you'd be in much better shape. I'm reminded of the time I was driving south from Capitol Reef toward Boulder UT on Hwy 12, about 3 pm. It sure is a pretty drive and it made me wish I could camp up there on the mountain and enjoy the view of the valley below. Well, lo and behold, I passed a visitor center up there and I turned around and went in. The fellow behind the counter was very happy to suggest a couple of great spots that could work for my rig. I pulled off the highway about 50 yards and set up under the evergreens. A short walk put me right on the edge of a steep dropoff where I could sit and enjoy the view. You could see for miles and miles.

[donn0128]

Basically zero

[Sarvi]

What would you assume my chances would be of getting a spot in a campground at 7pm on a Friday evening?

[goducks10]

If you do plan on going mid July take your best skeeter repellent. Lots of snow this year, so there'll be plenty of standing water for skeeters to breed in. Or what ever they do in it. By early to mid august most will be gone. We've been to Crescent Lake many times. It's beautiful up there. Can't help with dispersed camping as we always stay at one of the CG's around the lake. Friday night arrival will be tough.

[profdant139]

Sarvi, there are two other things you could do before heading up there to scout (which is a great idea, by the way). First, you can cruise Google Earth to look for boondocking sites -- they are usually pretty easy to spot, except in dense forest. Second, call the ranger! They are often very helpful.

Good luck!

[Sarvi]

Thanks. There are several NFS campgrounds around the lake, but none seem to take any reservations. I'm looking at a 3 hour drive on a Friday evening in mid-July, and am nervous about not finding anything. I may just take a drive out there without the trailer a few weeks ahead of time to scope out the area.