Beavertail Recreation Site + Campground

At Beavertail Recreation Site, the Deschutes River makes a wide turn creating a small peninsula. Here the river is surrounded by the high cliffs that block out the direct rays of the sun for significant parts of the day. The area is barren other than the riparian trees and shrubs that flank the river and provide opportunities to string up a hammock or find some shade. The area has rattlesnakes and poison oak, so be very careful where you are stepping when walking along the river.

The campground itself is fairly primitive. A potable water pump and vault toilet are the most of the amenities. There is a boat ramp for boaters looking for river access at Beavertail or to camp here for a night on an extended river trip. Each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table, but fire restrictions limit when fires can be made. 

Beavertail Recreation Site and Campground is an ideal place to set up base camp to fish along the Lower Deschutes River. This section of river downstream from Maupin is one of the more popular places to fish for steelhead and trout in Oregon. Regulations prohibit fishing from a boat, and all anglers must fish from the shore or while wading. The BLM Access Road running alongside the river has numerous places to pull over and fish as well as campgrounds and recreation sites such as Beavertail. However, Beavertail is one of the larger sites along this stretch of the river. Fishing here, as elsewhere in Oregon, requires a valid Oregon Fishing License from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, which are available for purchase online. The site is also a short drive from the scenic White River Falls.

The campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beavertail Campground has 15 tent sites and two group sites. The fees for the sites change on the weekend and the amount listed above is for a weekend tent site. Weekday rates are $8.00 per night. The group sites are $25.00 per night on the weekdays, and $35.00 per night on weekends.

Additional posted regulations for the recreation site include the following: Campfires are not allowed from June 1 to October 15; dogs must be leashed at all times; and do not wash dishes in the river - use designated washing station areas instead.