The best camping near The Cove Palisades State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next The Cove Palisades State Park adventure.

Hiking and paddling opportunities abound at this park between rivers.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near The Cove Palisades State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near The Cove Palisades State Park

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Picnik Place

1 site · RV, Tent20 acres · Bend, OR

Hi and welcome to Picnik Place! This is a 20 acre farm, so there is plenty of land to roam free and explore, as well as having your privacy from the primary residents. With this spot, you are nestled under a juniper tree with a lava rock backdrop and can watch the sun dip below the volcanos in the distance. This spot is very simple and tucked away. There is an off-grid solar power hook-up that you can use, but it will not be enough power to run the AC and toaster oven at the same time! While feeling remote and removed from the Bend tourism, it only takes 15 minutes to get downtown, where there are ample restaurants, shops, coffehouses, etc. It takes 7 minutes to get to Trader Joe's and Home Depot, and 10 minutes to get to St. Charles Hospital.

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Big Rock Ranch

2 sites · Lodging30 acres · Terrebonne, OR

Nathaniel and Raina Potter purchased this 30-acre ranch in 2016 and aptly named it "Big Rock Ranch." The modest ranch layout with the wildly immodest views of a giant rock outcropping jutting out of coyote butte was the immediate draw and continual wonder to Nathaniel, Raina, and all who visit. Big Rock Ranch runs cattle in the irrigated pastures and raises sheep and chickens for meat and eggs.Stay at Big Rock Ranch...Stay in a 12x14 ft canvas tent on a working regenerative family farm in the high desert. Enjoy views of a 300+ ft Tuff rock formation, Cascade Mountains, and irrigated pasture views all from the tent. Cook your own meals in the outdoor kitchen, outfitted with propane burners and a sink. Eat meals from the tent deck or the picnic table under native junipers surrounded by sagebrush, bitterbrush, and native grasses and tuff boulders. Collect farm fresh eggs and greens seasonally with the opportunity to enjoy meat raised at the ranch. One queen bed in a canvas tent, one folding cot, and access to a 2-person tent if needed to accommodate a family or two couples. Bedding is NOT supplied beyond the queen bed. Recreation Activities: Limited hiking available onsite but only 8 minutes from Smith Rock State Park for hiking and climbing. Only 25 minutes from Lake Billy Chinook for water recreating. Just 15 minutes from mountain biking at Skull Hollow. A 10-minute drive to swimming in the Deschutes River at Borden Beck Wildlife Preserve. Bend and Sisters are both 30-minutes away. Night rates are offerings to our family and ranch.

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Camping under the Stars

5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Culver, OR

We are sharing our property with guests who have good reviews and are invited to the property. Our strict rules about --NO FIRES-- is strictly in effect all summer long. We do provide some outdoor propane firepits which work great for heat and marshmallows !! We love our property close to the lake and the great grasslands, and also love to share it with responsible groups for camping. Please note that we are only sharing our property and that this is not a full-time campground or RV park with any specific layout. There are no services offered, other than a Bathroom which is serviced regularly. Come camp with us, we look forward to hosting you and your friends/family.

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Heart of Sisters

2 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Sisters, OR

In the city limits of Sisters. Just a few block walk to parks and downtown Sisters where tourists get trapped. Good for getting close spots for events like Sisters Folk Festival. Couple blocks from the Buckrun Trail head and 15 min drive to Three Creeks Lake. Firepit, Bbq, and grills available for use and can work out deals with the host for prepared meals. I do social media videos on the food I make and if you own a small business and would like to talk about your business on my live streams or make some quick promo videos then that is something we can discuss. Just message me or bring it up on arrival. You can find my youtube channel at youtube.com/@LearnWithDanaris

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B:30 Desert Destination

3 sites · Tents10 acres · Prineville, OR

Enjoy Cascade Mountain views during the day and unlimited stargazing at night. Cook your own meals in the outdoor kitchen, featuring a propane stove and propane BBQ. Camping is situated on 10 acres and just 10 minutes from the Crooked River, Prineville Reservoir and Millican Valley OHV Trail System . A 15 minute drive will take you to a very scenic hike at Chimney Rock Trail. Bend and Prineville are both a 30 minute drive away. The group tent site is on two separate-12' x 14' flat gravel pads and will accommodate tents of all reasonable sizes. The other two separate tent sites are roughly 20'x20' flat gravel pads and will accomodate 2 individual tents if needed. Wood fire bans are in effect year round. We do provide propane fire pits at each site as an alternative. Group site outdoor shower available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

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Harmony Farm Sanctuary

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Bend, OR

Absolutely breathtaking mountain views from the tiny house and all over the property. Located on an active farm sanctuary. You will wake up to the sights, sounds and smells of our rescued farm animal friends. Learn more about this land: Tiny house with stunning mountain views located on a farm animal sanctuary, Harmony Farm Sanctuary. You will wake up in the morning to the sound of roosters crowing and our crew of friendly animal residents. It can be noisy at times but we find it delightful! The tiny house has huge, direct views of the Three Sisters mountains and Broken Top and plenty of outdoor sitting space to enjoy it and a little propane fire pit to enjoy the sunsets. The tiny house offers an amazing "glamping" experience and a unique opportunity to learn more about what we do at our animal sanctuary and even take a tour! The Space: Our hand made tiny house offers a double sized mattress (bedding included) in the upstairs area (access via an attached ladder!). Room for an additional person across from double bed also in upstairs area or put provided mat on the floor. Please note: the space is small for 3 people. We also offer a two person cot tent we can set up for you outside the tiny house during the summer only. The Kitchen: Tiny house kitchen area has a small refrigerator, small counter space for meal prep, a tea kettle for hot water, water jug for fresh water, french press coffee pot and coffee/tea, hot plate for cooking, popcorn maker and popcorn, pots and pans, silverware, napkins, bottle openers, etc. The Facilities: The tiny house offers a composting toilet for night time pee pee needs and offers a port-a-potty for all other uses please! Outdoor shower offered in summer only and must be requested! It is solar heated so we must have warm temps in order to have a warm shower! No showers offered the rest of the year but you can drive to the Village Green Park in Sisters and pay using coins to use their showers. The Location: Aside from the farm sanctuary we are conveniently located between beautiful Bend, Oregon and Sisters, Oregon. We have hiking and biking trails within .3 of a mile! We also have books to recommend 100's of other hiking, biking, nordic skiing and alpine skiing nearby! And, since we are outdoor enthusiasts ourselves, we are happy to recommend places to ski, hike, mountain bike, float or paddle!

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Antelope Market Camping

5 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Antelope, OR

We are located in the heart of Antelope, a rural (near) Ghost town that is rich in history and culture. This particular property is currently being cleaned up and revitalized. We would like to open it up to dry camping only at this time as we are already seeing a huge influx of cyclists and motorcycles in the area and they have no place to camp. This is dry camping only until the facilities are improved. There is porta potty onsite next to the old Rajneesh bath house (Red and white building). In the image any spot that you can find in the near 2 acres of grass highlighted in orange is the designated areas.

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Justesen Ranches

17 sites · Lodging, RVs, TentsTygh Valley, OR

Justesen Ranches is family owned working cattle, wheat and recreation ranch . Our properties are located in the Columbia River Plateau in North Central Oregon. Enjoy wide open spaces, reservoirs for wildlife watching and clear night skies for star gazing. This is a leave no trace, pack it in, pack it out camping area.The property is located in Tygh Valley and is only a few minutes from the general store and the stunning White River Falls State Park. The Deschutes River whitewater rafting hub of Maupin is just a 10 minute drive away. The lodge two hours from Portland and 30 min from The Dalles.

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Horse Ranch on the Rim

2 sites · RVs, Tents110 acres · Culver, OR

Come enjoy the scenic views. They are breathtaking. Room to set up camp and go for a hike. Owners live on the property and can assist you in finding the perfect spot for your family. Horses all around. Pets welcomed on leash. Smith Rock only 10 minutes away. Cove Palisades State Park is only 9 miles away.

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Golden Triangle RV Bend, Oregon

3 sites · RVs2 acres · Bend, OR

Looking for the perfect escape from reality? Rent a spot at our RV campsite, where the WI-FI is weak but the connections are strong! Enjoy the great outdoors with all the comforts of home, minus the pesky neighbor's dog barking. (JUST KIDDING!) Unplug, unwind, and find out what that sunset actually looks like! Book now because your therapist said you need it. :0) We are located 10 minutes into downtown Bend, and about 20 minutes to either Sisters or Redmond. Don't miss out on the great lineup at Hayden Homes Amphitheater with concerts ALL summer long. The world-famous Sister Rodeo is the biggest little show in the World! (June 5th-9th)The Sisters Quilt Show July 11th-14th 2024) Or just come to beautiful Central Oregon and enjoy the great outdoors with plenty to do. Mountain bike riding, hiking, fishing, floating, food trucks, microbrews, and ciders oh my! Grab a chair and head to "The Bite" in Tumalo just a 5-minute drive away.

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Working Ranch just outside Bend

2 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Bend, OR

Located 9 miles east of Bend our 40 acre ranch is full of open fields and juniper forest. We have cows, chickens, geese and ducks that live on the ranch and you will most likely see them roaming around the fields. The nights are quiet with the exception of frogs and crickets and offer a full night sky without light pollution.

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Travel Trailer Bliss

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Redmond, OR

We recently relocated to Redmond and LOVE this travel trailer! It has allowed us the opportunity to enjoy everything Central Oregon has to offer and we hope you too can experience and enjoy it as much as we do. It's all about making memories. It's also perfect for Fall/Winter fun and avoiding the summer crowds. Simply stay on our 5 acre property with complete hook ups if you're looking to avoid the bustle of downtown and it's hotel prices! Learn more about this land: Like new RV, sleeps 5-6. Full bathroom with shower, kitchen with microwave, TV/DVD, queen bed with new memory foam mattress and 2 bunks, slide out conversion dining room. Full hookups to enjoying heater/AC. LED awning for those perfect nights under the stars. Fully stocked with dishes and cookware, utensils and cleaning supplies. Or pitch a tent out in the pasture, near the canal that runs through the property. We are close to Bachelor for skiing, Smith Rock for hiking, Sisters for shopping, too many lakes to name and 20mins to all Bend has to offer and so much more!

The best camping near The Cove Palisades State Park guide

Overview

About

Situated between the Deschutes River and its Crooked River tributary, The Cove Palisades State Park offers camping, cabins, and lots of outdoor activities. Hiking is popular here, and trails range from the quarter-mile Wetland Nature Trail Loop to the seven-mile-long Tam-a-láu Trail, which rewards those who climb it with fantastic views of the Cascade Mountains. For paddlers, the park offers easy access to both the Deschutes River and the Crooked River, the latter of which is beginner-friendly. There are also three day-use areas with boat launches and swim beaches, and the nearby Cove Palisades Resort and Marina rents out boats, water sports equipment, and moorages.

Notable campgrounds

Best for camping with dogs: Crooked River Campground (aka E loop) has a pet exercise area.
Best for families: Deschutes River Campground features horseshoes, a playground, and a basketball court.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Camping reservations are available to book from six months in advance up to a day in advance. Reservations can be made on the Oregon State Parks website or over the phone.
The two campgrounds here are separate from one another. Crooked River is also referred to as E Loop, while loops A-C are in the Deschutes River Campground.
Availability opens at 6am PST, six months in advance. It's a good idea to be online and prepared to secure your spot.
Same-day reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but only in person. Arrive early for the best chances of getting a spot.

When to go

The Cove Palisades State Park is open for day use throughout the year and for camping from March through October. The park and its campgrounds are busiest in summer, particularly from June until September before kids go back to school. Weekdays in late May or early September are good alternatives if you want warm weather without the crowds.

Know before you go

Basic supplies and fuel are available for purchase at the nearby Cove Palisades Resort and Marina. If you need a more extensive range of groceries or supplies, you can head to the nearby city of Madras, about a 20-minute drive from the park.
Both campgrounds have accessible campsites and restrooms. The Upper Deschutes and Crooked River day-use areas have accessible kayak launches.
Fire bans are common due to wildfire risk, especially in the hot and dry summer months. In times of extreme danger, portable cooking devices that run on fuel or propane may be prohibited.