Deschutes National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: BEND, OR, OR
Price: From $21 per night
Price range: $21–$22.83 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (101 reviews)
Season: May through October
Cultus Lake is one of the few lakes along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway that allows high speed motorized water craft. Cultus Lake Campground offers opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing and jet skiing, as well as, access to trails leading into the Three Sisters Wilderness. Cultus Lake Campground offers visitors 55 campsites suitable for tents, trailers and RVs under 30 feet.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cultus-lake-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Cultus Lake offers exceptional water recreation including waterskiing, windsurfing, jet skiing, and swimming on a pristine blue lake with excellent visibility. The campground also provides access to trails into the Three Sisters Wilderness and boasts a 4.6/5 rating from 52 Google reviews.
Wildlife alert: Gray wolves, Sierra Nevada red foxes, and American black bears present in the area. Also bald eagles, ospreys, and valley garter snakes.
Insider tips for Cultus Lake Campground: Book early—this is a popular federal campground Bring a boat or plan water activities; the lake allows high-speed motorized craft Stay at the west side boat-in campground for a more secluded experience
Skip Cultus Lake Campground if: You need RV hookups—none available at most sites. You're sensitive to mosquitoes—they're reported as heavy in certain seasons. You seek a quiet experience—review mentions loud groups and music during peak times.
Best time to visit Cultus Lake Campground: July-September — Peak season within May-October operating window; avoids mosquito issues reported in early season and shoulder months.
Nearby campgrounds: Cultus Lake Boat In - Little Cove Campground (Bend, OR), Cultus Lake Boat In - Big Cove Campground (Bend, OR), Cultus Corral Horse Camp (BEND, OR), Cultus Lake Boat In - West Campground (Bend, OR).
Cell signal at Cultus Lake Campground (BEND, OR): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Cultus Lake is one of the few lakes along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway that allows high speed motorized water craft. Cultus Lake Campground offers opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing and jet skiing, as well as, access to trails leading into the Three Sisters Wilderness. Cultus Lake Campground offers visitors 55 campsites suitable for tents, trailers and RVs under 30 feet.
Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Book early
this is a popular federal campground
Bring a boat or plan water activities; the lake allows high-speed motorized craft
Stay at the west side boat-in campground for a more secluded experience
Peak season within May-October operating window; avoids mosquito issues reported in early season and shoulder months
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.









From Bend, OR: Travel 46 miles southwest on Cascade Lakes Hwy (46), then west on Forest Road 4635 for 2 miles.
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