Devils Lake Campground — Deschutes National Forest

If you want to camp as close as possible to the Green Lakes trailhead without sleeping in your rig at a trailhead parking lot, Devils Lake is your answer. This small USFS campground sits at 5,500 feet on the Cascade Lakes Highway, essentially at the doorstep of the Green Lakes Trail — one of the most popular hikes in Oregon. Sites are basic: fire rings, vault toilets, no water. The lake itself is a shallow volcanic kettle with great evening light. Sites fill by midday Friday in summer, no question.

Paved access all the way — no clearance needed to get in, but you’ll want a capable rig if you’re using this as a base to explore surrounding forest roads. No reservations, first-come-first-served. Parking overflow means latecomers sometimes get turned away on peak weekends. Arrive early or go midweek. Northwest Forest Pass required for the adjacent trailhead day use.

Sleep at the Green Lakes trailhead door.