Soda Creek Campground — Deschutes National Forest
Soda Creek sits tucked along the Cascade Lakes Highway (OR-46) about 25 miles southwest of Bend, making it a solid base for running the Broken Top and Green Lakes country. It’s a small, no-frills USFS campground — think ponderosa pines, tent pads, vault toilets, and fire rings. No hookups, no reservations, first-come-first-served. Gets busy on summer weekends, so roll in Thursday if you can. Elevation sits around 5,400 feet, so nights are cool even in July.
Access is paved all the way via OR-46 — any rig can make it. Water is not available on-site, so tank up in Bend before heading out. Fire restrictions are common here mid-July through September — check the Deschutes NF website before lighting anything. Season runs roughly late May through October depending on snowpack.
Ponderosa base camp on Cascade Lakes Hwy.
Place Details
| Type | Established Campground |
|---|---|
| Street address | Swampy-Dutchman Trail #40, Oregon Get directions → |
| Elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Nearest town | Bend, Oregon |
| Miles from pavement | 0 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle |
| Access road surface | Paved |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Cost (USD/night, 0 = free) | $16.00 / night |
| Reservation required | No |
| Stay limit (nights) | 14 nights |
| Best season | Late May–October |
| Land manager | USFS |
| Permit required | No |
| Amenities | Fire ring, Picnic table, Shade, Toilets |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |