At the foothills of the Cascade Mountains lies the small frontier town of La Pine, which was originally settled by French fur traders in the 1800s. Currently, the town population is just over 2,400 people. Characteristic of the high desert climate in central Oregon, La Pine and the surrounding areas enjoy over 300 days of sunshine every year. Hot summers and cold, brisk winters make this the perfect hub for outdoor explorations.
Over 60 scenic hikes dot the landscape of this area, including many easy and kid-friendly options. Wildlife viewing is popular here; you can expect to see golden eagles, red-tail hawks, coyotes, and deer. The over 18 miles of multi-use trails allow hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers to enjoy the mountain scenery.
Outdoor explorers can also grab a kayak, a canoe, or a raft and paddle the Deschutes River. You can spend all day meandering along with the slow-moving current and taking in the view of the Cascade Mountains. Fishermen coming to the area will enjoy trout fishing along this stretch of the Deschutes River as well.
Head to the neighboring town of Bend, grab a Bend Ale Trail map, and spend some time exploring its popular craft beer scene. Craft breweries are an Oregon staple, and Bend's 22 breweries rival those of nearby Portland.
Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo – This event happens every summer at the Deschutes County Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon.
Bend Brewfest – This celebration of craft beer takes place at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend in late spring or early summer.
Live Music – Every summer, the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend hosts 10 to 25 live concerts.
Crater Lake National Park is the only national park located in the state of Oregon. At a depth of 1,949 feet, this is the deepest lake in the United States. The park is open year-round, but many of the roads are closed in the winter because of deep snow. There is one campground within the park available for RVs. Mazama Campground is only open in the summer, with 214 sites in an old-growth forest. From July to September, all sites require a reservation.
Redwood National Park comprises 139,00 acres of riverways, forests, prairies, and coastline. Visit the park from September to January or March to June, and you may even spot whales off of the California coastline. Four campgrounds within the park can accommodate RVs with some size restrictions, and reservations are required.
Visit Lassen National Park to see active geothermal activity such as bubbling mud pots, steaming lakes, and geysers. The area offers both public and private campgrounds.
LaPine State Park is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Spend time fishing for trout in the Deschutes River. Hike or bike the miles of multi-use trails. In winter, the heavy snow provides trails for snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The state campground here offers 82 sites with full RV hookups and 47 sites with just electricity and water hookups. A dump station is on-site to dump your RV tanks, and it's free for both guests and non-guests.
Tumalo State Park, just seven miles from the nearby town of Bend, is on the banks of the Deschutes River and offers challenging hikes in a scenic area. Look for coyotes, deer, blue herons, and eagles. The Tumalo State Park Campground offers 23 full-hookup sites.
Cove Palisades State Park is on beautiful Lake Billy Chinook. The two campgrounds here are the Deschutes River Campground and Crooked River Campground, which are both open seasonally. Great for families, the area offers boating, fishing, and swimming.
There are some unique Oregon landmarks to visit in the area surrounding La Pine. Visit Hollinshead Park in Bend to see the restored Hollinshead Barn and the caretaker's cottage. Originally the site of a working horse ranch from 1939 to 1983, the park still contains some items from Dean's Hollinshead family business. Check out the remaining structures, which include a restored outhouse.
The highlight of any trip to central Oregon is a visit to the Lava Lands Visitor Center at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. While there, attend a ranger talk and see one of the daily films about the origin of the area. There is a nice 5.5-mile hike here called the Sun-Lake Trail, which is fully paved and handicap accessible.
In between Bend and Redmond, the Huntington Wagon Road Interpretative Trail is a short piece of the old Huntington Wagon Road. It's an easy two-mile round-trip hike with signs along the path to provide information about the history of the area.
One of the top choices for RV parks and campgrounds is Cascade Meadows RV Resort. On Highway 97 in La Pine, Cascade Meadows has a heated swimming pool and hot tub, sports court, playground, horseshoes, laundry facilities, and more.
Crown Villa RV Resort is a popular pick for families in Bend. Amenities include a hot tub, tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center, a clubhouse, and laundry facilities.
Scandia Village is one of the best RV parks in the area because of its location in the heart of Bend. This park does not have a long list of amenities, but its location makes it a great pick for exploring all the city has to offer.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in La Pine, OR, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in La Pine?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in La Pine from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in La Pine?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.