Lava Lake Campground

We really wanted to like this campground as there were definitely good things about it, but there were a couple of disappointments that weighed down our experience.

The Good:
1. Pot water was surprisingly good. We did a couple of big bike rides and we blew through the gallons we brought with us, so we had to use the pot water. Very surprised, it was fresh.

2. For vault toilets they were well tended to.

3. The sites as they are are great. Nice space and not too close to others.

The Bad:
1. While very pretty to look at, algae bloom made the lake inaccessible from the campground. I know this isn't something they can control, I get it, but I feel like they should advertise it at least (they had general signs up near the lake if what to look for in a bloom, but nothing that stated that a bloom was in effect). The lack of communication was the core issue.

2. Based on how we structured our trip, one of the reasons we chose this campground were the advertised showers. Little did we know that despite the signage, they were hidden away for the RV resort visitors. Again, clearer communication would've solved that.

3. Dusty AF. I get a little dust happens in a well-loved campsite, but at least our site had this dust that was thick and cakey. It got absolutely everywhere and was hard to clean up from.

All in all, I think this campground would be much better earlier in the season, like mid-July latest. Most our issues would probably be resolved due to fresher lake water and cooler temps that didn't lend to so much dust.

We really wanted to like this campground as there were definitely good things about it, but there were a couple of disappointments that weighed down our experience.

The Good:
1. Pot water was surprisingly good. We did a couple of big bike rides and we blew through the gallons we brought with us, so we had to use the pot water. Very surprised, it was fresh.

2. For vault toilets they were well tended to.

3. The sites as they are are great. Nice space and not too close to others.

The Bad:
1. While very pretty to look at, algae bloom made the lake inaccessible from the campground. I know this isn't something they can control, I get it, but I feel like they should advertise it at least (they had general signs up near the lake if what to look for in a bloom, but nothing that stated that a bloom was in effect). The lack of communication was the core issue.

2. Based on how we structured our trip, one of the reasons we chose this campground were the advertised showers. Little did we know that despite the signage, they were hidden away for the RV resort visitors. Again, clearer communication would've solved that.

3. Dusty AF. I get a little dust happens in a well-loved campsite, but at least our site had this dust that was thick and cakey. It got absolutely everywhere and was hard to clean up from.

All in all, I think this campground would be much better earlier in the season, like mid-July latest. Most our issues would probably be resolved due to fresher lake water and cooler temps that didn't lend to so much dust.

The campsites were on on the lake, as it looks like online. Some have trees for shade, some do not.
The toilets were super clean and we’ll maintained, thanks to the camp host! Very dusty, even with paved roads, every car that went by kicked up dust clouds.
The water quality was disappointing. Murky brown, some dead fish floating. I contacted Odfw and was told it was algae and there were too many chub. Also told me that odfw isn’t responsible for water quality, just the fish. Sad.
Nice hiking trails to little lava lake and around lava lake.

The campsites were on on the lake, as it looks like online. Some have trees for shade, some do not.
The toilets were super clean and we’ll maintained, thanks to the camp host! Very dusty, even with paved roads, every car that went by kicked up dust clouds.
The water quality was disappointing. Murky brown, some dead fish floating. I contacted Odfw and was told it was algae and there were too many chub. Also told me that odfw isn’t responsible for water quality, just the fish. Sad.
Nice hiking trails to little lava lake and around lava lake.

Love love love this campground! Beautiful lake, lodge to rent boats, good water, cleanest vault toilets around! Mountain bike/hiking trails direct from the camp ground. A piece of OR heaven.

Love love love this campground! Beautiful lake, lodge to rent boats, good water, cleanest vault toilets around! Mountain bike/hiking trails direct from the camp ground. A piece of OR heaven.

The camp host 'Red' was available and kept busy touring the facility and keeping registrations in order.

The camp host 'Red' was available and kept busy touring the facility and keeping registrations in order.

We loved our campsite spot (#26).
The host and hostess were very nice and pleasant and available.
We have an RV but we were told by friends that the bathrooms were in tip top shape.
There was an algea bloom on Lava lake so that hampered the water fun, but that isn't the campgrounds fault.
Thanks

We loved our campsite spot (#26).
The host and hostess were very nice and pleasant and available.
We have an RV but we were told by friends that the bathrooms were in tip top shape.
There was an algea bloom on Lava lake so that hampered the water fun, but that isn't the campgrounds fault.
Thanks