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A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

Cow Meadow Campground

Forest Service campground in Deschutes National Forest, Deschutes County, Oregon. 4,453 feet. 17 miles from La Pine.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Deschutes National Forest
Elevation
4,453 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
18 18 standard non-electric
Longest rig
30 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Deschutes County

Overview

Cow Meadow Campground is situated where Snow Creek and the Deschutes River flow into the northeast part of Crane Prairie Reservoir. Located just off of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Cow Meadow Campground provides great access to a wide-range of recreation opportunities, including fishing, boating and hiking.

Recreation

Crane Prairie Reservoir is a prime location for boating and fishing. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages populations of rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout and largemouth bass. Both motorized and non-motorized boats are permitted on Crane Prairie; however, a 10 MPH speed limit is enforced.

Facilities

Cow Meadow Campground can accommodate RV, trailer or tent-campers; however, water and electric hookups are not available. This is no water at this facility so campers will need to bring their own supply. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill and have access to a vault toilet. This campground also has a boat ramp that can accommodate small boats.

Natural Features

Crane Prairie Reservoir is one of Central Oregon's premier wildlife viewing areas for waterfowl, including Sandhill crane, Canadian geese, bald eagles and osprey. The adjacent forest is home to black-backed woodpecker, Williamson's sapsucker and mountain chickadee. Deer, squirrel, beaver and an occasional black bear also find habitat in the surrounding forest.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Osprey Point is a unique area where visitors can learn about local fauna and observe osprey nesting platforms erected after natural snags toppled from age. Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Cow Meadow Campground offers easy access to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which weaves through multiple high lakes with views of South Sister, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor. Newberry National Volcanic Monument offers a glimpse into Central Oregon's rich geologic history. Travel 30 miles to Lava Lands Visitor Center to explore exhibits at the interpretive center, attend a ranger talk, take in scenic views from the top of Lava Butte and travel one-mile underground through Lava River Cave. Travel 45 miles to Newberry Caldera to visit Paulina and East Lake, Paulina Peak and Paulina Falls.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping

The land around Cow Meadow Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated June 5, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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