Crane Prairie Campground

Large lake is great for small boats and human-powered craft. I passed on swimming in the lake due to algae warning and some evidence in the lake. Outhouses seem to have a chronic problem with odor. RVs be aware that the nearby dump-station by Gull Point CG at Wickiup reservoir is closed.

The campsite itself was great! The location was close enough to the water that the walk was super short. we had a spot far enough from the bathrooms that we couldn't smell them (and oh boy did those stink up quick with the door closed) but close enough that the walk didn't make things urgent. Our site was silly, spot 140 in the green loop. It had a hill by the fire pit so you couldn't fit many chairs but it did make for interesting tent spaces. We were not as close to other campers, though we could see just how close all the other spots are from each other. There really isn't much room in most spaces. Most spaces will probably only fit 2 tents and 2 cars. There were many brave souls with RVs, kudos to them for making those monsters fit in these small spaces. We didn't get to stay the whole time unfortunately due to a nearby forest fire. We didn't have to evacuate but the smoke was pretty bad. Our friends who stayed longer said it cleared up but even they left a day early. Oh, finding the space was a tiny bit tricky, the loops were confusing and the signs did not have arrows. The water was great! Not too cold, but I would recommend tight water socks or shoes, not sandles, for in the water just because of how mucky the bottom was. If you don't mind the muck then forget that tidbit. We want to go back next year, hopefully, we won't get smoked out again.

Good experience - The road is paved all the way to the campgrounds. DO NOT USE THE GARMIN IDIOTS for giudance, they will take you down old narrow forest roads until you run into a tree across the road and have to back out.

We had a great time. I do suggest that dogs on leash would be inforced. We camped across from a gentleman that let his dog off leash constantly. Told everyone how wonderful his golden Lab was and very friendly. Thing is DOGS ON LEACH! I kept my little Chi leashed at all times.
Not a word was spoken to this person. I will continue to camp at the campground, but I would really like it if the rules were enforced.

Love the campground. Access to the lake is excellent where we camp. Grounds were clean.
Only problem is the ants. There are so many ant hills that are active, it has been this problem for years.

We've been going over 40 years and the thatching ants have gotten worse and worse. They need to be kept out forest way and not in campgrounds. They are a nuisance for everything. It did look like some past mounds are not active anymore but we had a huge tree trunk in our camp with a million of them coming and going. Soon no one will want to spend time there. But the fishing was wonderful as always and the lake was beautiful

Great campsite, near the water. Nice camping neighbors, very friendly. A fun couple are the camp hosts, and we enjoyed visiting with them as they were cruising by our site.

Camp hosts are exceptional ! The camps are clean but water was stained yellow. Pit vaults were clean and well equipped. It was nice to pull your boat up near your camp but dodging the stumps was stressful, that’s fishing. Overall, it was a great stay.

A beautiful campground nestled in lava rocks next to Grand Prairie reservoir. Great bike riding breathtaking view of the mountains. The campground is very clean. First day of summer, the mosquitoes hatched, but that’s camping here mosquito spray and Sigonella candles.. great hiking opportunities so much to see nearby, the Deschutes river is very beautiful one of my favorite campgrounds to return to every year the paved roads are a blessing, keeping the deaths down, and the 10 mile an hour limit on the lake is great for kayaking and canoeing much quieter than over at cultus lake.

Great place to camp. We look forward to it every year, the scenery and the lake is beautiful.