Crane Prairie Weekend Outing

We’re scheduling a weekend camping outing to Crane Prairie Campground. Plus, you don't have to camp to participate. This can be a great opportunity to enjoy nature and the company of fellow photographers. This picturesque location provides good opportunities for photography and visiting. We are going to the Forest Service Campground the last weekend before the reservation window opens. This gives members most flexibility on last minute decisions. Typically, there are a lot of open sites in this campground during the shoulder season.

Since we don't want to restrict participation for only campers, we’re scheduling this outing with a variety of participation options:

1. Blue Loop Campsite at the Crane Prairie USFS Campground
2. Cabin/RV rental at the Crane Prairie Resort
3. DAY USE participation and drive back and forth each day
4. An extra day option for Sunday night can probably be added if you are not ready to leave.

Details about each of these options will follow.

ABOUT THE LOCATION

There are two “Crane Prairie Campgrounds” A US Forest Service Campground and one associated with the Crane Prairie Resort. Both are along the shores of Crane Prairie Reservoir with beautiful views of the Cascades, about an hour SW of Bend.

USFS Crane Prairie https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234085

Crane Prairie Resort https://www.craneprairieresort.com/

PARTICIPATION OPTION DETAILS:

1. BLUE LOOP AT CRANE PRAIRIE USFS CAMPGROUND.

The USFS Crane Prairie Campground has RV/Trailer sites and tent sites. No utilities provided but water is expected to be turned on by May 15th. We plan to take sites in the BLUE LOOP of the campground. NO reservations needed.

Fees are $27-29 per night. Recreation Passes like Senior Access Passes reduce fees 50% each night.
Check-in Time is 2pm. Check-out Time is 12:00pm

SPECIAL REQUEST: If you take a site with a single vehicle, please consider allowing one day use member to park at your site. They would pay the $10 day use fee to the campground host and all should be cool.

2. CRANE PRAIRIE RESORT OVERNIGHTS

The resort provides a good variety of accommodations for those who want to come but don’t do rustic camping. The resort provides campsites with utilities and cabins and an RV to rent. THE CATCH: In contrast to USFS campers, you will probably need a reservation in advance to secure a place what meets your interests and budget. Please review cancellation policies carefully in case we have nasty weather. Then again, this is Mid-May. Do we have nasty weather then? Actually, you can be sure we'll be looking at those long term forecasts.

SPECIAL REQUEST: If you reserve an accommodation that has extra beds OR if you want to share a cabin with other photographers, add a note in comments in the announcement. We’ll see if this strategy works.
https://www.craneprairieresort.com/

3. DAY USE PARTICIPANTS

The option of driving out for the day is feasible but logistically the least clear of the options described. The campground does not provide day use parking inside the campground. However, it provides day use parking in the large boating parking lot at the entrance to the campground.

The parking options are seen as follows:

1. Park in the Boating Parking Lot. It’s a $5 Per Day Use (or $0.00 with a recreation pass). It would be about a 5-10 minute walk to the BLUE LOOP from there.
2. Park in a fellow Photographer's Campsite as an Extra Vehicle. It’s a $10 Per Day Use for 1 extra vehicle (recreation pass does not cover this cost)

Historical anecdote: In the past, recreation pass holders were not charged day use fees to use a vacant campsite during the day (example, for a birthday party). BUT if a lot of people want to do that, there is no guarantee the current campground hosts will be OK with that.

Regarding extra vehicles, the website states the following:

“Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground”.

ACTIVITIES/AGENDA

Scheduled activities are all tentative at this point. What we do will be based upon who comes and what we decide to do. But there are lots of options.

1. Sunrise photo shoots of the lake with Cascade Mountains in the background (Tim’s EARLY morning favorite. Sunrise 5:40am)
2. Star Trails over the Cascades Night Shoot from the campground
3. Milky Way Photography (new moon) from near North Wickiup or Gull Point Boat Ramps at Wickiup Reservoir (new venues: not been scouted yet)
4. Group Potluck: Friday night probably best night for that
5. Campfire with SMORES and camping stories
6. Reservoir Photo Tour--Group rental of a pontoon boat from the Resort
7. Bird photography. While sightings vary, the following have repeatedly seen or heard:
   --Bald Eagles
   --Ospreys
   --Western Tanagers
   --Pelicans
   --Flycatchers/western wood peewee
   --Yellow Rumped Warblers
   --Williamson’s Sapsuckers (maybe a White-headed Woodpecker)

BRING YOU OWN…

Much more than BYOB. Lots of things to consider bringing besides photo gear. A partial list:

1. Campsite Basics like a chair and/or table
2. Eating/Drinking Supplies and Utensils (the Meetup will have some but not enough for the weekend)
3. Beverages: both buzzed and/or buzz-less.
4. Water Toys like a canoe, kayak, or SUP
5. “Local” firewood (Campground may not be ready yet to sell wood)
6. Fishing Gear
7. Backyard games like Cornhole...

WEATHER CANCELLATIONS

Since this outing is planned for the last weekend before Memorial Day weekend when site reservations begin, there is no Plan B backup date in case of nasty weather.