Princess Creek Campground

We rolled in on a weekday and were able to snag a gorgeous waterfront spot, not all that level but not too bad either. The sites were huge, with a lot of space to stretch out and good trees for hanging a hammock. The view of the lake and sunset was phenomenal, and we saw a family of four otters swimming and eating right in front of our site.

The only real downside was the fairly constant highway noise, since the campground is pretty close to the road.

Towering old Douglas-firs and Engelman spruce dominate this lush campground where the spaciousness of the sites is second only to the crisp bite of the water on these, as of late, hot Oregon summer days.

Waterfront sites provide instant access for kayaking or just taking a dip, skin or otherwise (legalities aside). We strung hammocks and roasted marshmallows and walked beneath the bows, one tree in particular was amazing, a hemlock and a Doug-fir had grown together to create a massive slingshot base.

The driving and hiking is great for miles and miles, and Diamond Peak and Redtop are visible from the campground's waterfront sites.

Nearby Crescent Junction is a small town with a general store that'll do you right when it comes to good beers and fishing line.

Do us all a favor and pick up some trash, this was one of the slightly more garbage ridden places we've been to in Oregon.