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 bathrooms at Lava Lake were very poor. In fact, the hosts had to close two of the bathrooms which made us walk quite a distance to be able to use the bathroom. All of the bathrooms should have been serviced last year. The host kept the bathrooms cleaned and stocked with toilet paper, but the flies were overwhelming, again because the pits needed to be cleaned out.

The bathrooms at Lava Lake were very poor. In fact, the hosts had to close two of the bathrooms which made us walk quite a distance to be able to use the bathroom. All of the bathrooms should have been serviced last year. The host kept the bathrooms cleaned and stocked with toilet paper, but the flies were overwhelming, again because the pits needed to be cleaned out.

Quiet and nice shaded campsite. Smokey from the forest fires the first night but then air cleared.

Quiet and nice shaded campsite. Smokey from the forest fires the first night but then air cleared.

Toilet on circle with sites 30 - 31etc., was full to the base rim of the toilet we were told. The building was taped off from usage. After a camper called the forest service office and complained, they were told they would get someone there asap to pump it out. About a week from the complaint to a septic service company coming to pump the vault out. There was know notice posted other than caution tape on the outer structure. Upon arrival and setup to the day we left, the camp host didn't connect with us at all. The Lady host cleaned the toilets (they were clean), but the gentlemen host just rode around the camp ground in the golf cart checking and updating the sites reservation tags. We've gone to Lava Lake camping for 15+ years and it's picnic table and sites are literally falling apart. If you use a table you just might get yourself a sliver or two, they are in bad need of replacement. Trees have been cut down and left to rot were the fell. I'm sorry to say the Forest Service is not doing a very good job of overseeing at least this camp grounds conditions and or doing the proper up keep that the once beautiful Lava Lake Camp Ground once was. I would be wonderful if the Camp was back into the Forest Service control and not run by private companies that have very little concern for our camp grounds but love the Mighty Bucks they are paid to so called run them.

Toilet on circle with sites 30 - 31etc., was full to the base rim of the toilet we were told. The building was taped off from usage. After a camper called the forest service office and complained, they were told they would get someone there asap to pump it out. About a week from the complaint to a septic service company coming to pump the vault out. There was know notice posted other than caution tape on the outer structure. Upon arrival and setup to the day we left, the camp host didn't connect with us at all. The Lady host cleaned the toilets (they were clean), but the gentlemen host just rode around the camp ground in the golf cart checking and updating the sites reservation tags. We've gone to Lava Lake camping for 15+ years and it's picnic table and sites are literally falling apart. If you use a table you just might get yourself a sliver or two, they are in bad need of replacement. Trees have been cut down and left to rot were the fell. I'm sorry to say the Forest Service is not doing a very good job of overseeing at least this camp grounds conditions and or doing the proper up keep that the once beautiful Lava Lake Camp Ground once was. I would be wonderful if the Camp was back into the Forest Service control and not run by private companies that have very little concern for our camp grounds but love the Mighty Bucks they are paid to so called run them.

Well I have one small complaint about our trip. The roads are very narrow and parking for the boat ramp is way too tight. While leaving the campsite I damaged my motorhome. The site markers are directly in the Space entrances. They need to be moved over. I had to swing wide to get out of the parking space because of tree locations and could not see the steel site marker post that damaged my RV. Maybe use something other than Steel or move them over to adjust for all the tree congestion. Thank you

Well I have one small complaint about our trip. The roads are very narrow and parking for the boat ramp is way too tight. While leaving the campsite I damaged my motorhome. The site markers are directly in the Space entrances. They need to be moved over. I had to swing wide to get out of the parking space because of tree locations and could not see the steel site marker post that damaged my RV. Maybe use something other than Steel or move them over to adjust for all the tree congestion. Thank you