Little Lava Lake
Deschutes National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: BEND, OR, OR
Price: From $25 per night
Price range: $25–$126 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (49 reviews)
Season: May through October
Little Lava Lake Campground is located along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway in the Central Oregon Cascades. Little Lava Lake Campground’s campsites are predominately located under lodgepole pine canopy with some sites located along the lakeshore and the Deschutes River. There is a boat ramp and a day use area that can be used at Little Lava Lake for a fee.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/little-lava-lake to be notified when sites open up.
Little Lava Lake offers a quiet 130-acre fishing alternative with excellent paddling and scenic views along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Campers praise the spacious layout and beautiful scenery with a 4.6/5 rating from 72 Google reviews.
Wildlife alert: Sierra Nevada Red Fox, American Black Bear, Gray Wolf, Bald Eagle, and Northwestern Ringneck Snake verified within 8km
Insider tips for Little Lava Lake: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with only 16 sites Drive slowly on approach roads; Google reviews report bumpy road and potholes on Forest Road access Bring a kayak or paddleboard; reviewers highlight excellent paddling space
Skip Little Lava Lake if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You require winter camping — seasonal operations May-October only. You prefer developed amenities — this is a basic campground with fire rings and picnic tables only.
Best time to visit Little Lava Lake: May-October — Official operating season; campground closes outside these months. Summer — Peak paddling and fishing conditions with calm lake waters.
Nearby campgrounds: Lava Lake Campground (BEND, OR), South Campground - Hosmer Lake (Or) (BEND, OR), Little Fawn Campground (BEND, OR), Point Campground - Deschutes (BEND, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Little Lava Lake
Cell signal at Little Lava Lake (BEND, OR): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
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.
Little Lava Lake Campground is located along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway in the Central Oregon Cascades. Little Lava Lake Campground’s campsites are predominately located under lodgepole pine canopy with some sites located along the lakeshore and the Deschutes River. There is a boat ramp and a day use area that can be used at Little Lava Lake for a fee.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with only 16 sites
Drive slowly on approach roads; Google reviews report bumpy road and potholes on Forest Road access
Bring a kayak or paddleboard; reviewers highlight excellent paddling space
Official operating season; campground closes outside these months
Peak paddling and fishing conditions with calm lake waters
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Bend, travel 38.4 miles southwest on Cascade Lakes Hwy (46), then 0.7 miles east on Forest Road 4600 500, and then 0.4 miles east on Forest Road 4600 520.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Deschutes National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Deschutes National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Little Lava Lake cost per night?+
What season is Little Lava Lake open?+
Does Little Lava Lake have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Little Lava Lake?+
How do I make reservations at Little Lava Lake?+
What is the cell service like at Little Lava Lake?+
What season is Little Lava Lake open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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