Mckay Crossing Campground

Overview

McKay Crossing Campground is located off the beaten path along Paulina Creek. It provides campers with seclusion from the main road and the tranquility of hearing the creek flow. This area is good for bird watching, particularly in the wetlands located west of the campground. 

For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159  

Recreation

Boating, swimming and fishing are popular activities enjoyed by visitors during spring, summer and fall months, while skiing and snowmobiling are popular during the winter.

Anglers have the opportunity to fish in the surrounding clear, cold lakes and streams for abundant salmon and trout.

Hikers and backpackers have access to a variety of trails in the area, including several in Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

The Crater Rim Trail is a favorite high country trail, boasting vast stretches of forest, deserts and mountains extending from all sides of the trail.

Nearby Peter Skene Ogden National Recreation Trail parallels Paulina Creek, passing several waterfalls along the way, as it ascends 8.5 miles to the spectacular Paulina Lake.

Facilities

McKay Crossing Campground can accommodate RV, trailer or tent-campers however electric and water hookups are not available. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and fire pit and the campground has vault toilets available.

Natural Features

Paulina Creek divides this campground into two sections with sites 1-5 in one loop and sites 6-15 in an adjacent loop. A large waterfall is within a very short walk and brings the sound of falling waters to the camp sites near by.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, known as Oregon's Highway in the Sky, which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Range, weaving past snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes.

Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, is a great starting point for visitors to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits.

Lava River Cave, located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is also nearby for campers to explore. At 5,211 feet in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (541) 323-1746.

Charges & Cancellations

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Camp site features

Across 15 camp sites:

  • Fire pit: all 15 sites
  • Picnic table: all 15 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 15 sites
  • Largest party: 8 people

Directions

From Bend, OR: Travel about 23.5 miles south on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road) until you see the sign for McKay Crossing at FS road 2120. Travel a few miles on this sometimes washboard dirt road to reach the campground. From LaPine, OR: Travel about 6.8 miles north on Highway 97 then 3 miles east on County Road 21 (Paulina Lake Road) until you see the sign for McKay Crossing at FS road 2120. Travel a few miles on this sometimes washboard dirt road to reach the campground,

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

71 reviews
5 stars
33
4 stars
28
3 stars
5
2 stars
1
1 stars
4
Leslie M
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
We have twice stayed at McKays and love what a peaceful stay in nature it has been. Our first stay the weather was warm enough to sleep with our toy hauler deck open and enjoy the sounds of the creek and waterfall. Our second stay happened to be during a fall storm that brought thunder and lightning, which was an awesome surprise experience. It is a bit of a challenge on some of the hillside sights to park, but worth the quaint beauty you’ll be surrounded by. The grounds were very clean both times we were there. We were in the area to fish at Paulina Lake, which was a short travel away. Hiking the Obsidian Flow near Paulina Lake was a worthwhile stop. Definitely look forward to future stays!
Gloria r
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Camp site 6 is awesome, we also had site 7 and you cannot put a camp trailer in there, it has way to much of a hill to park on. Please level it out by moving the rocks so you can park in the open spot.
KARI T
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
I really like this campground. It is small and close to amazing waterfalls and hiking trails. Unfortunately during this visit there were six to 10 extremely loud youth in campground 8. They were blaring car stereos, playing electric guitars, and having extremely loud drunken party conversations and karaoke. Unfortunately no campground host to help quiet Things down. It really ruined the campground for everyone else there that weekend.
Mary J
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Really enjoy camping here. 2 mile hike to waterslides. Waterfall right in the campground. Love the creek that runs through, great for kids to play.
Laura V
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Beautiful small campground. Spots not on top of one another. Was a nice place to tent camp.
Michelle V
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
One of our favorite campgrounds to stay at. Our kids love to cool off in the creek and it’s always nice and peaceful. We love going down the road to the Newberry caldera and seeing the lakes and the big obsidian flow.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Season dates

Walk In season

May 7, 2027 – May 20, 2027

First come, first served

Peak season

May 21, 2027 – Sep 25, 2027

Reservable online

Walk In season

Sep 26, 2027 – Oct 16, 2027

First come, first served

Walk In season

May 5, 2028 – May 18, 2028

First come, first served

Peak season

May 19, 2028 – Sep 23, 2028

Reservable online

Walk In season

Sep 24, 2028 – Oct 14, 2028

First come, first served

Camp Sites

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