BEND, OR -- Summer may be right around the corner, but conditions in the mountains look a lot like winter. And that means a late season for some campgrounds, "We do still have some snow at the higher elevations and that has delayed some of our campground openings," says Jaimie Olle, with the Deschutes National Forest, "It really hinders some of the work to come in and identify hazard trees, remove those hazard trees and do some of that pre-season inspection and safety work."

In the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, Quinn Meadow Horse Camp. Little Fawn, Soda Creek and Point campgrounds are all still closed; as well as Trapper Creek campground in the Crescent Ranger District.

"There are a few delays out there but campgrounds are opening across the forest. There are certainly plenty of options out there, and certainly more on the docket to open in the next couple of weeks," says Olle. Vista Recreation manages the campgrounds and is working to get sites open. Before planning a trip to a Deschutes National Forest campground, click HERE to see if it's open. Olle says when campgrounds are open, reservations are available at Recreation.gov, "A portion of campsites are reservable through there. And then a portion are first come, first served."

Most Deschutes National Forest lakes are ready for boaters. "Our road crew has completed boat dock installation at Crane Prairie, Cultus Lake, Lava Lake, Suttle Lake and Odell Lake," Olle tells KBND News, "They will be assessing those snow conditions for higher elevations for those at East and Paulina Lake."

Image: Soda Creek Campground on 05/26/24, courtesy of the US Forest Service.