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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

Scout Lake

Forest Service campground in Deschutes National Forest, Jefferson County, Oregon. About 3,600 feet. 12.6 miles from Sisters.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Deschutes National Forest
Elevation
About 3,600 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
10 9 standard non-electric, 1 tent only non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Jefferson County

Overview

Scout Lake Group Campground sits near the shores of its namesake in Deschutes National Forest. Its proximity to high alpine lakes, lush forests and towering peaks in nearby wilderness areas make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Recreation

Water sport enthusiasts of all types will enjoy the opportunities available at Scout Creek Lake and nearby Suttle Lake. Only non-motorized watercraft are allowed on Scout Creek, but water skiing, fishing and boating are popular at Suttle Lake, less than one mile away.

Nearby trails and a picturesque shoreline offer visitors opportunities for hiking, birding, wading and swimming at Scout Lake, and a large beach is located just steps away.

Facilities

There are 10 sites at this campground. Site #6 is a single family site while 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 7 and 8 are doubles. Sites 1, 2 and 9 are triples. If the entire campground is rented together, it will comfortably accommodate up to 100 guests. A large day-use area with 11 picnic tables and parking for 50 vehicles makes this area perfect for large parties and family functions.

All sites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills.

There are three vault toilets and a gravity fed water system.

Natural Features

The campground sits at 3,600 feet in the high desert region of central Oregon in a towering mixed conifer forest. Nearby landscapes showcase the unique volcanic activity throughout the region, and visitors can explore extinct volcanoes, calderas and lava flows typical in the area.

The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support an abundance of wildlife, including deer, squirrel, trout, salmon and a variety of migratory birds.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors can explore wilderness areas, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and approximately 1,600 miles of trails that comprise nearly 2.5 million acres the Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest.

Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, and the Newberry National Volcanic Monument are popular attractions as well.

Visitors will also enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Mountain range, weaving through snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes.

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

What people do here

  • camping
  • fishing

The land around Scout Lake

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 12, 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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