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Located on the shore of Wickiup Reservoir in Deschutes National Forest, Gull Point campground offers visitors easy access to an abundance of recreational activities along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Sites are scattered among a mixed, yet open conifer forest, giving sunshine a chance to filter through. Several sites sit on along the waterfront. Recreation Gull Point Campground offers visitors opportunities for hiking, boating, canoeing, swimming and fishing. The reservoir's relatively warm water and cooler deep channels generate some of the best fishing in Central Oregon. The area is renowned for its brown trout, often reaching 20 pounds, with normal catches in the 5-to-8 pound range. The reservoir also sustains good numbers of kokanee and coho salmon and decent populations of rainbow trout, brook trout, whitefish and chub. Facilities Gull Point campground offers spacious campsites for both tent and RV camping. Picnic areas, drinking water, vault toilets and a dump station help visitors enjoy the outdoors in a comfortable setting. There are also two large day-use areas, with boat launches and fish cleaning stations at each. Natural Features The reservoir covers an area on the Deschutes River that was historically used by Native Americans during the fall. Several tribes throughout the area built "wickiups," shelters made from reeds, grass, or brush, while living in the area. At full pool, Wickiup is a beautiful, pine-edged reservoir, with some willows and sandy beach areas. At low water, steep soil and gravel banks drop abruptly to the water. This is one of central Oregon's best wildlife viewing sites, attracting a variety of nesting and migrating birds. Fantastic nearby peaks, lava flows and forests also provide visitors with a variety of landscapes. Wetlands, diverse forests, and rocky slopes near the campground provide a necessary habitat for shorebirds, porcupine, deer, bats and the occasional black bear. Nearby Attractions 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. Visitors can also explore the Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. ADA Access: N
From Bend, Oregon, go south on Highway 97 for nearly 27 miles to Wickiup Junction. Turn west on Road 43 and continue for 11 miles, then turn west on Forest Service Road 42 for 4.6 miles. Turn south on Forest Service Road 4260 and continue for 3 miles into the campground.
The campsites are well maintained and there are adequate trees for shade. The bathrooms however, were nasty. So full that you are in danger of splash back.
Loved the deer walking right through the site to the river behind camp. Amazing!
Campgrounds were nice and quiet on a Monday night. No lake just a river running through the lake bed. You are able to drive into the lake bed and saw quite a few people fishing. Some moved moved in at about 8pm but was gone in the morning.
Campsite was clear and had room for two small tents. Picnic table and firepit included, which was nice, as well as running water and flush toilets (when the toilets are clean, it's a pleasant experience). The view is magnificent, especially right by the river. The river and reservoir were very low, as expected in late summer, but so low that there was no good river access (the banks were so steep). Our neighbors were noisy and disruptive, but you can obviously never choose who you camp beside, so I don't hold it against the campsite staff, haha. Overall a time well-spent.
Pretty nice campground on the Wickiup reservoir. Lots of space. My girlfriend and I took her dog with us and he had a blast running around the reservoir chasing birds and chipmunks.
I really liked it because there is so much space to run around the reservoir. We took A paddleboard out and it was nice and smooth on the water. Not too many motor boats. Beautiful views all around the lake.
No showers at this campground. The bathrooms are vault style outhouses, so they can normally get a little stinky and lots of flies coming from the vault.
Overall totally worth it.
