Bull Bend Campground
Bull Bend Campground
Deschutes National Forest • 40 miles from Bend, Oregon
Quick Stats
- 🏕️ 12 spacious riverside campsites
- 🚐 Max RV Length: 40 feet
- ⚡ Hookups: DRY CAMPING (No hookups)
- 🎣 Prime river fishing & paddling
- 💵 $23/night
- 📅 Open: May 9 - October 19 (2025)
At a Glance
Escape to Bull Bend Campground, a hidden gem nestled inside a dramatic horseshoe bend of the Deschutes River below Wickiup Reservoir. This intimate 12-site forest service campground offers large, private campsites with nearly 360-degree water access. Dry camping only (no hookups) makes it perfect for self-contained RVs seeking an authentic riverside camping experience with excellent fishing and paddling opportunities.
✅ BEST FOR:
Anglers & paddlers • Self-contained Class B/C RVs • Nature lovers seeking peace & privacy • Couples & families wanting quality time • Experienced dry campers
⚠️ NOT SUITABLE FOR:
RVs requiring hookups • Very large RVs (40+ feet) • First-time RV renters • Those expecting full-service amenities
RV Site Information
Site Configuration
- Total Sites: 12 spacious campsites
- Max RV Length: 40 feet
- Site Types: Mixed back-in and pull-through style driveways
- Surface: Dirt pads with long driveways
- Privacy: Excellent - large, well-separated sites
- River Access: Many sites have direct river views and access
- Reservation: ~6 sites reservable, ~6 first-come-first-serve
ℹ️ Site Considerations
Bull Bend offers wonderfully spacious, private sites in a beautiful riverside setting. Here's what to know:
- Large, private sites - Reviewers consistently praise the spacious sites and excellent privacy between neighbors. Recent visitors specifically mention "lots of space" and "beautiful river views."
- Long driveways - Sites feature pull-through style driveways that accommodate RVs comfortably. A 2025 visitor successfully stayed in Site #10 with a 36-foot RV.
- Forest road access - The final 2.5 miles are gravel/dirt forest service roads with some washboard sections (typical for the area). Takes about 20 minutes at slow speeds when towing. Manageable with patience!
Pro tip: Most campers have excellent experiences here and love the spacious, private riverside sites! Reserve early through Recreation.gov - summer weekends book up to 6 months in advance.
Verified Site Examples
- Site 10: Successfully accommodated RV (July 2025) - praised for long pull-through driveway and ample space
- Site 5: Mentioned positively in reviews
- Site 12: Noted in camper feedback
Call ahead (541-383-5300) to request specific sites for your RV size!
Amenities & Facilities
| Amenity | Available | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Hookups | ❌ No | Dry camping only |
| Water Hookups | ❌ No | No water available - bring your own |
| Sewer Hookups | ❌ No | Nearest dump in La Pine/Bend |
| Dump Station | ❌ No | Not on-site |
| Restrooms | ✅ Yes | Single vault toilet (reviewers note it's clean!) |
| Showers | ❌ No | None available |
| Potable Water | ❌ No | Must bring all water needed |
| Boat Launch | ✅ Yes | Non-motorized boats only |
| Generators | ✅ Yes | Permitted 7 AM - 10 PM only |
| Trash Service | ✅ Yes | Available on-site |
| Cell Service | 📱 Good | AT&T and Verizon confirmed good |
| WiFi | ❌ No | No connectivity |
| Pet-Friendly | ✅ Yes | Pets allowed (must be leashed) |
💡 Self-Contained RV Perfect!
This primitive campground is ideal for Happy Campers' self-contained RV fleet. All our RVs have fresh water tanks, batteries/solar, and onboard facilities - everything you need for comfortable dry camping!
Activities & Recreation
⭐ UNIQUE FEATURE: Dramatic Horseshoe Bend Setting!
Nearly 360-degree water access from a scenic peninsula inside the river's horseshoe bend. This is truly a special location for riverside camping.
Water Activities
- Fishing: Excellent fly-fishing for native trout ⭐
- Kayaking & Canoeing: Calm Class II flatwater, perfect for paddling
- Paddleboarding: Easy river access from sites
- Non-Motorized Boating: Drift boats welcome (no motors)
- Scenic Floats: 2-mile/1-hour float to Wyeth Campground
Note: Motorized boats prohibited. Stay within safe zone - dangerous falls begin ~6 miles downstream.
Land Activities
- Hiking: Access to area trails
- Wildlife Viewing: Riparian habitat with birds, beaver, diverse species
- Photography: Stunning river views, sunrise/sunset
River Details
- Setting: Horseshoe bend peninsula
- Water: Calm Class II flatwater
- Access: Direct from most sites
Important Information
🚨 CRITICAL: GPS NAVIGATION WARNING
Do NOT follow GPS apps! Multiple visitors report GPS (Google Maps, Apple Maps) provides INCORRECT directions via Road 4370 (West River Road), which is CLOSED past Wyeth Campground.
Correct directions: Highway 97 south 26.8 miles to Wickiup Junction → Turn right on County Road 43 west 10.5 miles → Turn left on Forest Road NF-100 south ~1 mile → Follow signs to Bull Bend.
Print these directions or download offline maps before leaving Bend. This is a verified, consistent issue.
ℹ️ DRY CAMPING - NO HOOKUPS OR WATER
- Self-contained RVs essential
- No electric, water, or sewer at sites
- NO potable water anywhere in campground - bring all water needed
- Generators permitted 7 AM-10 PM for power needs
- Perfect for Happy Campers' self-contained RV fleet!
ℹ️ Good to Know
- Single vault toilet serves all 12 sites (reviewers say it's kept clean)
- No sign at Highway 97 turn-off - watch odometer for 26.8 miles from Bend
- Stock up on supplies in Bend before departure - no services nearby
- Fire restrictions may apply seasonally - check current status: 541-383-5300
- Good AT&T and Verizon cell service reported
Pricing & Reservations
Rates
- Single site: $23.00/night
- Additional vehicle: $10.00
- Golden Age/Access Pass: 50% discount
How to Book
- Online: Recreation.gov
- Phone: 541-383-5300 (Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District)
- Advance: Up to 6 months (book early for summer!)
- Reservation Period: Through September 30
- First-Come-First-Serve: October 1-18 (closing)
⚠️ Books Fast! This small, popular campground fills up to 6 months in advance for summer weekends. Reserve as early as possible or plan mid-week/shoulder season visits.
Recommended Happy Campers RVs
✅ IDEAL MATCH
- Class B Camper Vans (20-24 ft)
- Class B+ Compact Units
- Class C Motorhomes (24-32 ft)
⚠️ ACCEPTABLE
- Larger Class C (32-35 ft)
- Smaller Class A (32-36 ft)
Call ahead for best site recommendations
❌ NOT RECOMMENDED
- Super-long Class A (40+ ft)
- RVs requiring hookups
- Inexperienced with dry camping
Why Choose Bull Bend
✅ Advantages
- Unique horseshoe bend riverside setting
- Excellent fishing & calm paddling
- Large, private sites (12 total)
- Good cell service (AT&T, Verizon)
- Affordable ($23/night)
- 40 minutes from Bend
- Recent reviews praise cleanliness
⚠️ Consider Alternatives If:
- You need hookups → Crane Prairie/Twin Lakes
- Very large RV (40+ ft) → Lava Lake
- Want full amenities → Private resorts
- Uncomfortable with forest roads → Paved access campgrounds
Contact Information
Campground
- Phone: 541-383-5300
- Address: Forest Road 6599, La Pine, OR 97739
- Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Reservations
- Recreation.gov
- Campground ID: #266140
- Ranger District: Bend-Fort Rock
Bottom Line Recommendation
Bull Bend Campground is a hidden gem perfect for self-contained RVs up to 40 feet seeking a peaceful riverside escape with excellent fishing and paddling.
The reality: This is authentic dry camping - no hookups, no water on-site, single vault toilet. But that's part of the charm! The dramatic horseshoe bend setting, spacious private sites, and direct river access make this one of the most scenic small campgrounds in the Cascade Lakes region.
Perfect for: Anglers, paddlers, nature lovers, and experienced RV campers comfortable with self-contained camping. Happy Campers' RV fleet is ideal for this type of authentic forest service experience!
⭐ Rating: 8.5/10 - Highly recommended with proper preparation and expectations.
This campground profile was researched from 14+ verified sources including U.S. Forest Service, Recreation.gov, and 2024-2025 reviews (most recent: July 2025). Research Confidence: HIGH (all critical data verified from 3+ sources). GPS navigation issues confirmed by multiple independent sources. Last Updated: January 2026
Amenities
| Amenity | Available |
|---|---|
| Electric Hookups | |
| Water Hookups | |
| Sewer Hookups | |
| RV Dump Station | |
| Bathrooms | |
| Showers | |
| Laundry | |
| General Store | |
| Restaurant | |
| WiFi | |
| Pet Friendly |
RV Information
Contact & Links
Ready to Visit?
Rent one of our premium RVs and experience Bull Bend Campground in comfort and style.
Browse Our RV FleetMore Campgrounds in Oregon
Cultus Lake Campground
USFS campground on 1,146-acre Cultus Lake offering dry camping for RVs up to 30 feet (some sites to 40 feet). One of few Cascade Lakes allowing high-speed motorized watercraft. Trophy lake trout fishing. 55 lakeside sites with vault toilets and dump station.
east davis lake campground
Primitive lakeside RV camping at East Davis Lake. No hookups, but stunning mountain views, excellent fishing, and peaceful forest setting near Bend, Oregon.
Nehalem Bay State Park, OR
Discover Nehalem Bay State Park on Oregon's coast. Full hookup RV sites, beach access, fishing, and coastal adventures. Book your Oregon Coast RV camping trip.