Mckay Crossing Campground
McKay Crossing Campground is located off the beaten path along Paulina Creek. It provides campers with seclusion from the main road and the tranquility of hearing the creek flow. This area is good for bird watching, particularly in the wetlands located west of the campground.
McKay Crossing Campground can accommodate RV, trailer or tent-campers however electric and water hookups are not available. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and fire pit and the campground has vault toilets available.
Need to Know
- This facility is pet friendly so long as animals are picked up after and kept on their leashes.
- Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment and tires before using lakes, rivers or trails.
Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.
Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
During your time in Central Oregon, you can find wildfire, prescribed fire and smoke information at centraloregonfire.org
Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).
- Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is prohibited. ‘Location’ means the occupied area, the occupied campsite, and the National Forest System lands in the immediate vicinity thereof. Camping or occupying any location on all national Forest lands for more than 28 calendar days total during a calendar year is prohibited.
Natural Features
Paulina Creek divides this campground into two sections with sites 1-5 in one loop and sites 6-15 in an adjacent loop. A large waterfall is within a very short walk and brings the sound of falling waters to the camp sites near by.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors 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 Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes.
Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits.
Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is also nearby for campers to explore. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.
Recreation
Boating, swimming and fishing are popular activities enjoyed by visitors during spring, summer and fall months, while skiing and snowmobiling are popular during the winter.
Anglers have the opportunity to fish in the surrounding clear, cold lakes and streams for abundant salmon and trout.
Hikers and backpackers have access to a variety of trails in the area, including several in Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
The Crater Rim Trail is a favorite high country trail, boasting vast stretches of forest, deserts and mountains extending from all sides of the trail.
Nearby Peter Skene Ogden National Recreation Trail parallels Paulina Creek, passing several waterfalls along the way, as it ascends 8.5 miles to the spectacular Paulina Lake.
Changes & Cancellations
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Contact Information
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 541-383-5300
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Bend, OR: Travel about 23.5 miles south on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road) until you see the sign for McKay Crossing at FS road 2120. Travel a few miles on this sometimes washboard dirt road to reach the campground.
From LaPine, OR: Travel about 6.8 miles north on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road) until you see the sign for McKay Crossing at FS road 2120. Travel a few miles on this sometimes washboard dirt road to reach the campground,
Available Campsites
- Site 01, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 09, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 04, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 08, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 06, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 07, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 03, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 05, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 02, Loop Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
