Tumalo State Park Campground - Bend, Oregon

Tumalo State Park, located just 4 miles northwest of Bend, is a popular campground and recreational area for tourists and locals alike.  The park offers a well-maintained campground with group sites and yurts as well as a large day use area adjacent to the Deschutes River.  The campground itself provides that “high desert” feel and is not a place you want to spend a hot summer day due to the lack of shade. Instead, you will find visitors lounging in the grassy field or soaking their toes in the crisp waters of the flowing river trying to escape the heat.

Exploring Tumalo State Park Camgpround

The campground is located on the east side of O.B. Riley Road and for the most part is situated up a small hill from the Deschutes River. It has a total of 88 sites including 2 group sites, 52 standard sites, 18 full hookups and 7 yurts, an amphitheater and a nice playground.  Campsites 77 through 92 are located adjacent to the Deschutes River however access is limited due to the dense shrubbery lining the shore.  These sites provide more shade and seclusion however they are not suitable for large RVs or trailers.  Sites 1-72 are located in the main portion of the campground and split into two large loops.  If you are looking for full hookups these sites are adjacent to the small hill in the back of the campground.

Nearby Amenities

The closest town to Tumalo State Park is the city of Tumalo, Oregon.  Tumalo is home to quite a few attractions including the Tumalo Bite, a food cart pod with a beer garden, kids play area and live music.  For those looking for tasting rooms you can find the home of both Bend Cider Co, and Tumalo Cider.  Up the road you can also find Crater Lake Spirits which distills spirits and has a nice back patio for sampling the goods.

Things to do at Tumalo State Park

The number of recreational activities at the campground are nearly limitless.  Given its proximity to Bend, Oregon, Tumalo State Park often operates as a home base for many visitors.  From fly fishing to exploring caves, visitors to Central Oregon have plenty to do.  Campers are often found hiking the many nearby trails that connect to the campground or picnicking in the lush lawns of the day-use area.  Tumalo State Park is also a popular “put-in” point for visitors looking to float the river.  This short river float starts at the State Park and ends in the town of Tumalo.

Overall Tumalo State Park is one of the better campgrounds near Bend, Oregon.  The close proximity to town mixed with its seclusion makes this a stellar spot to setup your adventure base camp.