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Located on the shore of Wickiup Reservoir in Deschutes National Forest, West South Twin Campground offers visitors easy access to an abundance of recreational activities along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Recreation West South Twin 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 Located between South Twin Lake and the Wickiup Reservoir, West South Twin Campground has easy access to both lakes. Campsites can accomodate tent, trailer and RV camping. Each campsite features a picnic table and campfire ring. This campground offers flush toilets, as well as, a boat launch area leading to Wickiup Reservoir. 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. 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, travel 26.8 miles south on Hwy 97 to Wickiup Junction, then 11.0 miles west on County Road 43, then continue 4.6 miles west on Forest Road 42, and finally 2.0 miles south on Forest Road 4260.
Located between twin lake and Wikiup Reservoir outlet. Timing is everything. Mosquitos in Spring and low water and nasty thorny burrs in late summer/fall. Twin lake is relatively small and great for family recreation. Saw people fishing but no fish. The Wikiup water is colder. A few decent hiking and mountain biking trails around the lakes.
You get beautiful views of the mountains beautiful scenery of the trees and Lake very quiet campsites are pretty far apart plenty of access to the lake campfires are allowed fishing lots of good fish there is a large close by for food water drinks there's rentals for Kayaks at a boats and rafts there's sandy beaches in some areas and all the people are very friendly there. Plus there's wildlife lots of birds quite a few deer bombs squirrels that's why I give South Twin Lake a five-star thank you
We didn't camp here, just stopped by after going to Twin Lake for the day, so can't attest to how good or bad the camping is. I will say that it's quite beautiful, at least when the reservoir is low which it was when we were there (September 5th). Since the reservoir was low there were all sorts of gravel roads exposed around the perimeter and some that went down to the river. I saw some folks camped pretty close to the river on a nice meander so they had water on 3 sides. Can't say I'd want to camp there with the abundance of other great places nearby but there must be some reason because there was a ton of people there. I definitely recommend popping over there if you visit Twin Lakes for the day.
Been coming with my family for 60 summers. Daily routine is like this. Fish, breakfast, family time, float/swim, snack, hike,dinner, family time and campfire, thank God for his amazing blessings, bed. Repeat for a month . Love it😎
NO LAKE AT THIS LOCATION!
Apparently at West South Twin Campground the lake is only there in March and because it is a Reservoir it empties fast and is just a river during the summer months.
Right across the street (2min walk) is Twin Lake Resort and that is where the Lake is and all the fun activies and boat rentals.
It was a great place to camp, no cell service, relaxing but also no lake front spots (which is what I thought I booked) it didn't ruin the trip but I don't want anyone else to get bamboozled.
Again, there is no lake at this campground! No matter what maps shows, there is NO lake. Only a river that has no real good swimming spots.
