Cultus Lake Campground
Cultus Lake Campground
Deschutes National Forest • 52 minutes from Bend, Oregon
Quick Stats
- 🏕️ 55 lakeside campsites
- 🚐 Max RV Length: 30 feet recommended (40 ft max on select sites)
- ⚡ Hookups: DRY CAMPING (No hookups)
- 🚤 High-speed watercraft allowed (unique!)
- 💵 $28-34/night
- 📅 Open: Late May to Mid-October
At a Glance
Cultus Lake Campground is a U.S. Forest Service facility on the shores of 1,146-acre Cultus Lake, one of the few High Cascade lakes permitting high-speed motorized watercraft. This dry camping destination (no hookups) offers 55 lakeside sites for RVs up to 30 feet (select sites to 40 feet), making it ideal for water sports enthusiasts and trophy trout anglers.
✅ BEST FOR:
Self-contained Class B/B+ camper vans • Jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding • Trophy lake trout fishing • Experienced dry campers
⚠️ NOT SUITABLE FOR:
Large RVs (32+ feet) • First-time RV renters • Those expecting full-service amenities • RVs requiring hookups
RV Site Information
Site Configuration
- Total Sites: 55 (53 RV-capable)
- Max RV Length: 30 feet recommended (40 feet physical max on some sites)
- Site Types: Some pull-through, majority back-in
- Surface: Mix of paved and gravel; some soft dirt ramps
- Spacing: Lakefront and lake-view sites, tree canopy
ℹ️ Site Considerations
Like most forest service campgrounds, site terrain and features vary. Here's what to know:
- Site slope varies - Some sites are more level than others. Leveling blocks recommended for best comfort (standard for forest camping).
- Site-specific features - Tree coverage, spacing, and terrain differ between sites. A couple reviews mention some pull-through sites have branches overhead, though many visitors successfully use these sites. Request specific site numbers when booking (see examples below).
- Forest road access - Standard forest service road conditions. The final 2 miles are unpaved (normal for this area). Drivers of larger RVs should take it slow and scout sites before committing.
Pro tip: Most campers have excellent experiences here! Call ahead (541-323-1746) to ask which sites are most level and easiest to access for your specific RV size.
Verified Site Examples
- Site 49: Successfully accommodated 36-foot RV (July 2024)
- Site 47: Good for families with boats (June 2025)
- Site 22: Large with great location but lacks privacy
- Site 19: Soft dirt entry ramp (traction issues)
Amenities & Facilities
| Amenity | Available | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Hookups | ❌ No | Dry camping only |
| Water Hookups | ❌ No | Water spigots in campground |
| Sewer Hookups | ❌ No | Dump station on-site |
| Dump Station | ✅ Yes | On-site sanitary dump |
| Restrooms | ✅ Yes | Vault toilets (maintenance issues reported) |
| Showers | ❌ No | None available |
| Potable Water | ✅ Yes | Spigots throughout (May 2025 outage reported) |
| Boat Ramp | ✅ Yes | Lake access |
| Boat Dock | ✅ Yes | Available |
| Cell Service | 📱 Limited | Verizon works; AT&T/T-Mobile unreliable |
| WiFi | ❌ No | No connectivity |
| Pet-Friendly | ✅ Yes | Pets allowed (leashed) |
⚠️ Maintenance Concerns (2024-2025)
- Multiple reviews report bathroom cleanliness issues
- Inconsistent campground host presence
- May 2025: Water system off for 4 days during peak season
- July 2025: Garbage overflow in Loop 2
Activities & Recreation
⭐ UNIQUE FEATURE: High-Speed Motorized Watercraft Allowed!
Cultus Lake is one of the few Cascade Lakes permitting jet skis, waterskiing, and wakeboarding.
Water Activities
- Jet Skiing: High-speed motorized ⭐
- Waterskiing & Wakeboarding: Popular
- Fishing: Trophy lake trout (10+ lb common)
- Boating: Pleasure cruising, sailing
- Swimming: Clear warm water, rocky beach
- Kayaking: Lake gets choppy with motorboats
Land Activities
- Hiking: Three Sisters Wilderness access
- Wildlife Viewing: Forest setting
- Photography: Mountain views
Lake Details
- Size: 1,146 acres
- Conditions: Choppy in afternoons
- Beach: Rocky, shallow entry
Important Warnings & Alerts
🚨 NO HOOKUPS - DRY CAMPING ONLY
- Self-contained RVs strongly recommended
- No electric, water, or sewer at sites
- Dump station and drinking water available on-site
🚨 RV SIZE RESTRICTIONS & SITE CHALLENGES
- Maximum 30 feet recommended (40 ft max on some sites)
- Many sites steep/sloped - leveling blocks essential
- Narrow access roads unsuitable for large RVs
- Experienced RV drivers recommended
🚨 INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE ISSUES
- May 2025: Water system off for 4 days
- 2024-2025: Bathroom cleanliness problems
- July 2025: Garbage overflow
- Inconsistent host presence
⚠️ Additional Advisories
- No shower facilities (vault toilets only)
- Limited cellular service (Verizon works, AT&T/T-Mobile unreliable)
- Lake gets choppy in afternoons (motorboats)
- Final 2 miles on unpaved Forest Road 4635
Pricing & Reservations
Rates (2024-2025)
- Single site: $28.00 - $33.97/night
- Extra vehicle: Charged nightly (on-site)
How to Book
- Online: Recreation.gov
- Phone: 541-323-1746
- Advance: Up to 6 months
- Stay Limit: 14 consecutive days
Recommended Happy Campers RVs
✅ IDEAL MATCH
- Class B Camper Vans (20-24 ft)
- Class B+ Compact Units
⚠️ ACCEPTABLE
- Class C (24-28 ft)
- Compact Class C (28-30 ft)
❌ NOT RECOMMENDED
- Class C over 32 ft
- Large Class A (any size)
- Super C diesel
Why Choose Cultus Lake
✅ Advantages
- HIGH-SPEED watercraft allowed (unique!)
- Trophy lake trout fishing
- Dump station on-site
- Lakefront sites available
- Affordable USFS rates
⚠️ Consider Alternatives If:
- You need hookups → Crane Prairie/Twin Lakes
- Larger RV → Lava Lake (40 ft)
- Better maintenance → Lava Lake
- Quieter water → Other Cascade Lakes
Contact Information
Campground
- Phone: 541-323-1746
- Address: 63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR 97701
Reservations
- Recreation.gov
- Campground ID: #251580
Bottom Line Recommendation
Cultus Lake Campground is a legitimate choice for small to mid-size self-contained RVs (up to 30 feet) with experienced dry campers who want high-speed water sports and trophy fishing.
However, customers should be aware: Dry camping only, site challenges (steep/sloped), recent maintenance concerns, infrastructure issues, not suitable for large RVs or first-time renters.
Best suited for: Water sports enthusiasts, fishing groups, experienced RV campers comfortable with forest service campground conditions.
This campground profile was researched from 17+ 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). ⚠️ Recent reviews indicate maintenance concerns - recommend confirming conditions before booking. Last Updated: November 5, 2025
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
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