Contorta Flat Campground

Crescent, OR

4.0(19 reviews)

Start of the 360 degree virtual tour of Contorta Flat Campground

About this campground

Contorta Flat is an isolated, hidden gem on the far side of Crescent Lake at the top of the Willamette Pass. There are excellent tent sites right on the lake as well as many sites that are ideal for large RVs. You will need to go a little off the beaten path by taking a gravel road for the last few miles to find this nice quiet campground. The sites are all close to the lake and large, but not isolated from one another. This campground might be the best deal in the Oregon Cascades.

With 19 campsites this campground is well suited to tent, trailer or RV campers. Many sites are located right on the water. Nearby Crescent Lake Resort also offers lodging and a general store. Supplies and equipment rentals are also available.

Cresent Lake is nestled in a glacier basin east of the towering Cascade Mountain Range. It boasts brilliant blue-green water and sandy beaches. A forest of lodgepole pine provides the backdrop to the area, with mountain hemlock, fir and spruce in the mix. Wildlife found in the area includes deer, native fish and migratory birds.

Crescent Lake is a prime location for boating, fishing and swimming. The Summit Lake Trail is popular among hikers and mountain bikers, offering excellent views of Diamond Peak across Crescent Lake. Visitors can take advantage of skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter months. Crescent Lake Snowpark offers a base camp for exciting winter excursions. The Summit Lake Trail is open to snowmobiling.

What campers say

Contorta Flat Campground on Crescent Lake offers scenic, wooded sites and calm mornings that many visitors find peaceful and well-suited to swimming, paddleboarding, and family water activities. Campsites are generally roomy and facilities are reported as reasonably clean. Expect seasonal biting insects—gnats and mosquitoes are commonly mentioned and can impact comfort. Several guests also noted frustration with the reservation system and occasional issues involving on-site hosts, which appear intermittent but are worth considering if you need a guaranteed booking. Overall, a beautiful, family-friendly lakeside option with trade-offs between natural charm and summer pests or administrative hiccups.

Our summary of 19 traveler reviews.