Camping at Paulina Lake Campground in La Pine
Camping at Paulina Lake Campground in La Pine
Camping at Paulina Lake Campground offers a unique experience that combines stunning natural beauty with a plethora of outdoor activities. Located within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument near La Pine, this campground features beautiful lake views, lush forests, and the area's rich geological history. The campground's accessibility from Bend makes it an excellent weekend getaway for families, groups, and solo adventurers.
Adventure Guide to Camping at Paulina Lake Campground
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Paulina Lake Campground
- Special Features: This campground comprises 45 campsites, some conveniently located right along the lakeshore, providing picturesque views of the water and surrounding mountains. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, and clean restroom facilities are available.
- Activities Available: The campground offers direct access to a range of activities like hiking trails, fishing, boating, and swimming, perfect for all ages.
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Hiking and Biking Trails
- Location: Numerous trails are accessible from the campground, including the 2.5-mile Paulina Lake Trail, which circles the lake.
- Unique Views: This relatively easy hike reveals panoramic views of the lake and the ancient volcanic landscape formed thousands of years ago.
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Fishing Opportunities
- What Makes it Special: Paulina Lake is known for its population of trout, including rainbow and brook trout. Fishing here is not only enjoyable but also rewarding, with multiple access points around the lake.
- Amenities: A boat ramp is located within the campground for easy access to fishing spots.
Local Insights
Paulina Lake was formed within a dormant volcano, providing a unique geological context for outdoor activities. The area's rich flora and fauna includes diverse wildlife, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts. Moreover, the lake's warm waters in summer attract many visitors for swimming and picnicking.
Visitor Tips
- Best Times to Visit: Late spring to early fall offers the best camping weather.
- What to Bring: Don't forget swimsuits, sunscreen, fishing gear, and comfortable hiking boots.
- Driving Directions: From Bend, take Highway 97 South for approximately 30 minutes, then follow the signs to Paulina Lake along Paulina Lake Road.
Adventure Map
Reviews
Autumn Clevenger4 months ago
Nice campground. Would recommend a pop up canopy for shade, as some sites don't have a lot of trees. Most pleased with running water right near our campsite and VERY clean bathrooms with flush toilets. The camp host, Mike, who is very friendly, cleans the restrooms twice a day and takes pride in keeping the campground nice. There is also a nice fish cleaning station. Will go back.
Alisa Garcia4 years ago
We actually stayed at the cinder hill campground. The place was great but the algae in the water of the East lake was a turn off. We did not swim because of it. We went to look for the hot springs and we were disappointed. Some hikes are great and some are very smelly because of the hot springs and algae we’re guessing? We probably won’t camp here again.
Jonathan2 months ago
Great campground and the host mike was a nice guy
Jeff Freeman3 years ago
Let me start with, we have camped up here for the last 4 years and it has been awesome. Ken and his wife the camp host was phenomenal, but Ken is not the campground host anymore, BEWARE!!!
Ken was a retired police officer who knew what you could and couldn't do with a campground. Apparently the new camp host doesn't know that.
When I first pulled up they jump like out of the bushes and were like can we help you I didn't even know who they were at first.
After we got the trailer all settled they started banging on the back of my trailer at 10:00 at night about how we didn't pay for an extra car. After my wife produced a receipt and we argued a little bit, the one decided that we did pay the other one said we didn't pay and they went back and forth like that for about 5 minutes.
Something I think we could have figured out in the morning but the one was so lit on her own moonshine that she makes they wouldn't stop they just kept going and going. Maybe when the forest service hires people they should inform them not to be intoxicated when they deal with the public. Anyway we got harassed so much because we were actually next to the camp host , we were watched with binoculars we were told our fire was too high we were told our friends couldn't Park in the parking lot to go kayaking it went on and on. Anyway don't camp here until these people are gone .please bring back Ken and his wife!!!! Bottom line is they made our camping trip horrible in the forest service really owes me all of my camping fees back!!!
Dr. Toby Shaffer4 months ago
This campground was so much fun. Mike and Pam were the best camp hosts! Mike helped me fix my car battery when it gave me troubles. Ask them to introduce you to Claire, their pet pig.
