East Lake Campground

This little campground, tucked away on the southeast shore of East Lake in the heart of Newberry Volcano's caldera, has one distinct feature every visitor will remember: a white beach and emerald water that appears more akin to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, than your usual subalpine lake in Oregon.  However, at 6,400-feet in elevation, the beach isn't white sand; rather it's finely-crushed pumice (gas-charged obsidian).  No matter, you'll find the shore here particularly inviting.

As for the campground itself, well, it's rather modest.  You'll find potable water and vault toilets, and each of the campsites have picnic tables and fire pits/grills, but expect few other creature comforts.

Caution: Due to the geology and volcanic nature of the rocks, soils and sediments, East Lake has above average levels of naturally occurring mercury.  In 1994 the Oregon Health Division (OHD) issued an advisory to anglers on limiting the intake of fish from several bodies of water within the state. East Lake was one of them, while Paulina Lake was not.  Although none of the effects from eating Oregon fish with elevated mercury levels have been documented in humans, the OHD recommends that you consider limiting consumption of East Lake fish as follows: (1) avoid eating brown trout 16" or larger, (2) women of childbearing age should eat no more than one 8-ounce meal every month, (3) healthy adults should eat no more than one 8-ounce meal every two weeks.

Note: Due to extensive snow pack, the campground is typically only open from June through early October.