Cultus Lake campgrounds to require reservations in 2020

Change in the works for past two seasons

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Beginning in 2020, Cultus Lake’s Little Cove, Big Cove and West Cultus boat-in campgrounds will require a reservation in order to camp during the facilities’ operational season. the U.S. Forest Service announced Tuesday.

The Deschutes National Forest said it is moving these campgrounds to the online reservation system Recreation.gov, where now a total of 79 campgrounds have reservable sites across the forest. Little Cove, Big Cove and West Cultus Boat-in Campgrounds will open for the season on June 19 and close September 13.

Allowing for online reservations ensures that visitors can plan ahead for their trips of up to 14 days, while also providing increased availability for users to visit these unique places throughout the summer, officials said.

Reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. The online reservation booking window will open six months prior to the arrival date.

A plan was put in place in 2018 for these campgrounds to be added to the reservation system, and campground staff have spent the past two summer seasons preparing and educating the public about the upcoming change.

For more information, please contact Jaimie Olle, acting concessionaire permit administrator for the Deschutes National Forest, at (541) 383-5578 or jaimie.olle@usda.gov.