Located about 200 miles southwest of Portland, Oregon, LaPine State Park is a perfect escape for your next RV getaway. With wondrous views of the Cascade Mountains and Upper Deschutes River, this is a scenic landscape that is hard to find anywhere else in the state. Another natural wonder you can visit at the park is known as the “Big Tree.” At over 500-years-old, this towering Ponderosa pine is the largest in Oregon. You can even see an enchanting waterfall that flows over rock steps called the Falls River Falls. Not only that, but LaPine State Park is close to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, offering unique crater and volcanic formations just waiting to be explored.
LaPine State Park offers a wide range of activities for RVers to enjoy the serenity and solitude of the great outdoors. Whether you want to take a dip or cast your line for trout, the Upper Deschutes River is an idyllic location for many aquatic adventures. Hiking and mountain biking are other popular activities that can be enjoyed year-round on over ten miles of scenic trails. At over 2,000 acres you will be awed by the stunning mountain views and pine forest that surrounds you at LaPine State Park.
If you have the time you could visit Cove Palisades State Park and Prineville Reservoir State Park, which are both within 75 miles of the park. Both of these parks have great camping facilities, offering full hookups for RVs and offer good fishing, watersports, and hiking trails. There is lots of fun to be had during your camper road trip to Oregon.
LaPine state park is easily accessible by RV or any other vehicle. The park is located off of US-97 and about 27 miles from Bend, Oregon. You should have no trouble getting to the park off of the highway, even in larger RVs. The local roads near and inside the park are simple to navigate, although some may be a bit narrow or winding. The closest gas station is just over eight miles south of the park in the city of LaPine. You'll also find an ATM, a gas station, and dining options in LaPine.
The park has over ten miles of nature routes open to bikers and hikers. If you want to explore the park it would be best to park and explore the area on foot or by bike. You can enjoy forest and river views on many of these paths including the five-mile Fall River Loop or the three-mile Cougar Woods Loop.
There are a few parking areas inside the park, but the best place to park for RVs is the day-use area or the campground if you are staying overnight.
LaPine State Park Campground offers everything you need for tent and RV camping in a serene atmosphere. You can choose from 81 full hookups sites and 48 sites with water and electricity connections. These sites are divided among the North, Middle, and South Loops along the Deschutes River. The North Loop can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 55 feet long, and three of these sites are ADA-accessible. Sites in this loop are well spaced between the tall pines.
The Middle and South Loops offer full hookups and can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 90 feet long. Only the South Loop is open year-round, while the other loops are available from May until October. However, keep in mind that water hookups are not available from October to April. During this time water is centrally available in the campground to fill RV tanks and other containers.
Each loop offers centrally located hot showers and restrooms, and each site has its own tent pad and fire pit. An RV station and camp store are located nearby. Your pets are welcome to join you during your stay, and there is even a fenced-in dog park on-site. Remember to keep your pet on a leash and follow the park's guidelines on visiting with pets. When you're ready to enjoy one of the hiking trails you'll find them within walking distances of the campground. Reservations are welcome from one day to nine months in advance.
Wildlife and birding enthusiasts won’t want to forget those binoculars or cameras in their camper. Bird watchers can spot red-tailed hawks and eagles flying around the mountains. The river is an excellent place to see waterfowl on the banks. Campers can also enjoy watching squirrels, chipmunks, and birds in the day time and listening to the toads and frogs at night.
Just because the weather is colder doesn’t mean the action stops at LaPine State Park. There are plenty of winter recreational activities you can enjoy whether you want to take a winter hike in the cool, brisk air or go cross-country skiing across the majestic trails. Snowshoeing and snowmobiling are also popular in the winter. While you should drive with caution RVs can still access the park since roads are maintained all year long.
If you’re packing your fishing gear in your RV then you can head to the Upper Deschutes River that winds through the park. Trout are plentiful here so you’ll want to have your bait and fly-fishing gear ready. Fly fishing is popular and the river will be just a short walk from your campsite. Remember to buy a fishing license before you come to the park, either online or from a fishing store in town.
If you’re coming to LaPine State Park on a whim you might be able to snag a spot on a first-come, first-served basis during certain parts of the year. ADA-accessible campsites are reserved until 7 PM each day. After that, they are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. From October to April the campsites at the South Loop are open for use on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you’ll want to check the weather since sites may be closed if conditions are poor. Middle and South Loop campsites offer full hookups, although the water hookups will be turned off during this time. Showers and restrooms are located nearby. If you’re visiting the park during the winter you can still enjoy a wide range of activities including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
If you've been on the road for a while and would like a break from your RV then reserve one of the 10 cabins in the South Loop. These cabins are pet-friendly so your cat or dog can join you for a small pet fee.
Five cabins are standard cabins. You can park your RV at the cabin site but there are no hookup facilities. The cabin sleeps four people and there is space for a tent to be pitched, accommodating a maximum of eight people per cabin site. Remember to bring your own bedding, towels, cooking utensils and stove. No cooking is permitted inside the cabin but you can set up on the covered porch and enjoy your meal indoors or outside. Each site has its own picnic table and fire ring where you can sit back and relax in peace and quiet. Restrooms with hot water showers are just a short walk from the cabin.
There are five Deluxe Cabins that are ADA-accessible. The cabins sleep five people and can accommodate one tent so that there is a maximum of eight people on site. Enjoy the use of a fridge, microwave, ceiling fan, heater, TV, and DVD while you make yourself at home here. Each cabin also has its own hot water shower and toilet.
If you want to cool off during those hot Oregon summer days you’ll want to park your camper near the Upper Deschutes River. You can get out on the water thanks to the boat launch located on-site. If you didn’t bring a boat you can always jump right in and take a dip. The swimming beach area is open during the summer months where you can soak up the sun and enjoy a splash in the water.
LaPine State Park makes a great pick for hiking buffs where you can travel among views of Ponderosa pine, stunning mountains, and a winding river. The Fall River Loop Trail is an easy five-mile trail that is well worth it, ending with incredible views of the park’s waterfall. For beautiful river and forest views, you’ll like the three-mile, moderate Deschute Loop. If you want to take your dog for a short walk, the Big Pine Loop is a great option since it’s less than a mile long.
LaPine State Park offers a very good landscape for you to get on your bike and head out onto the trail. If you’re not hauling your bike in your rig you could easily rent a bike at any of a half-dozen bike shops in nearby Bend or Sunriver. Mountain biking is also popular in the park since you can enjoy a challenging cycle on wooded and winding paths. Trails are narrow and single track, so remember to be courteous to hikers along the way.
