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If you’re a Thousand Trails member traveling to Bend, Oregon, you might consider Sunriver Thousand Trails. It could be your home away from home while visiting the area.
However, if you know anything about these locations, some are better than others. So, how does this campground compare to the rest? Today, we’re reviewing Sunriver Thousand Trails to see if it’s an option for your next trip. Ready to start? Let’s get going!
What Is Thousand Trails?
Thousand Trails is a membership-based camping program. Members can access an extensive network of campgrounds and RV parks nationwide and in Canada. Many of these facilities have swimming pools, clubhouses, and various recreational activities to enjoy during your stay.
The program offers a variety of membership levels, each with a unique set of perks and benefits. The highest and most expensive tiers provide the most flexibility, including extended booking windows and no blackout dates. Many RVers use the program to reduce their expenses, especially for camping reservations.
How Many Thousand Trails Locations Are There?
Through various partnerships, Thousand Trails offers more than 200 camping locations. Many of these are in or very close to North America’s most popular vacation destinations. Whether planning a weekend trip or looking for a seasonal spot to park, Thousand Trails could be an incredible option to consider.
Many of their sites can accommodate everything from massive Class A motorhomes to tiny pop-up campers. In addition, since many of their facilities are pet-friendly, you don’t have to find a place for Fido to stay. Your furry friends can come along for the adventure. If you’re looking for a 55+ community, they have approximately 20 locations throughout Arizona, Texas, and Florida.
About Sunriver Thousand Trails in Bend, Oregon
Sunriver Thousand Trails is a year-round campground with 317 campsites. It sits on 283 acres of gorgeous Pacific Northwest land along the Little Deschutes River. Its proximity to the river and various other lakes and rivers makes it a paradise for a fishing enthusiast. Don’t worry if you’re not an angler; there are plenty of other activities to enjoy.
During summer, there are many opportunities for swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and horseback riding. Although, snow does dot the landscape during winter and creates a picture-perfect setting. Mt. Bachelor, a world-class ski resort, is just a short drive away.
Thankfully, you don’t even have to leave the campground to have a remarkable time. The park offers disc golf, ping pong, mini golf, and a playground. There’s also laundry facilities, WiFi, and pickleball. In addition, the campground’s activities team maintains a busy schedule of events and activities for all ages to enjoy.
Pro Tip: If you’re making the trek out to the West Coast, read 10 Mistakes People Make While Camping in Oregon before you do!
Things People Love About Sunriver Thousands Trails
So, what do people love about Sunriver Thousand Trails? Here are some things you’ll love about staying at this campground.
Pickleball Courts
The sport of pickleball is taking the world by storm. We’re seeing pickleball courts popping up just about everywhere we look, including campgrounds. Luckily, Sunriver Thousand Trails is one of the campgrounds jumping aboard the bandwagon for this exciting sport.
They’re still in excellent condition because their pickleball courts are relatively new. They have six regulation courts for guests of all levels to use. Whether you’re brand new to the sport or have been playing for years, these are some of the best surfaces you can find.
Friendly Staff
We understand that everyone has good and bad days, especially those working in customer service. Despite that, the staff at Sunriver Thousand Trails has a reputation for going above and beyond. Many guests have reported having an incredibly positive experience when interacting with staff.
Is every interaction going to deserve five stars? Absolutely not. Fortunately, the staff does whatever they can to help you have an incredible stay at their resort. If you experience an issue, allow them to make it right. How much they care for you and your fellow campers might surprise you.
Location
Another quality that guests love about Sunriver Thousand Trails is its location. Guests love the site because it sits in nature along the river. Its setting makes it easy to enjoy the water, including floating on a tube and fishing. It’s an incredible spot to serve as a base camp for your adventures in Central Oregon.
Accessing all that Bend offers is incredibly easy. All you do is hop on State Road 97 and head north. It’s a roughly 20-minute drive from the campground to the Walmart in Bend. It makes it easy to stock up on supplies and visit local attractions. In addition, numerous adventures are within an hour’s drive of the campground.
Quality of Sites
While there are many more things we could list that people love, the final thing we’ll share is the quality of the sites. With more than 300 sites, you’d expect them to pack them close together. However, many find that their site is larger than they anticipated. They have room to spread out and enjoy themselves without feeling like they’re on top of their neighbors.
In addition to being large, many enjoy that the sites are level and offer shade. The thick, tall trees help keep the sun off your camper during the summer so you can stay cool while resting up for whatever adventures are on your schedule.
Things People Don’t Like About Sunriver Thousands Trails
An honest review provides both the good and the bad. So, while there’s plenty to love about the Thousand Trails Bend, Oregon location, it’s far from perfect. Here are a few of the biggest complaints from guests.
No Sewer at Sites
Unfortunately, the sites at Sunriver Thousand Trails provide water and electricity only. Despite having more than 300 campsites, the campground has no full hook-up sites. If you’re staying for an extended amount of time, this could become very inconvenient, especially if you need a way to empty your tanks.
Despite not having sewer connections at the campsites, Sunriver Thousand Trails only has a single dump station. While the dump station has two sewer connections, it can be slow. Some guests report seeing signs indicating opening sewer valves halfway to avoid overflowing. It may be best to arrive with empty tanks and plan to dump them elsewhere.
Limited 50-Amp Sites
A 50-amp camper allows you to use multiple air conditioners and various appliances without worry. Regrettably, this also requires a 50-amp power source, which is few and far between at Sunriver Thousand Trails. While they exist, we wouldn’t hold our breath that you’ll snag one. They’re typically the first to go when they do become available.
Fee to Receive Packages
If you’re a weekend warrior, you may never consider receiving a package at a campground. Nevertheless, full-time travelers often have to plan and schedule deliveries from Amazon and receive essential documents in the mail. While many campgrounds and resorts gladly accept a guest’s package, Sunriver Thousand Trails charges a fee.
If you have a package or any mail sent to this resort, they’ll charge you $5 when you pick it up. This acceptance fee can be annoying, but they’re well within their rights to do so. If you’re ordering from Amazon and already making a trip into Bend, Whole Foods has an Amazon locker. Have it shipped to this location and save yourself a few bucks.
Is Sunriver Thousand Trails In Bend, Oregon Worth It?
Like many Thousand Trails resorts, Sunriver Thousand Trails can be worth it. Although, you need to go into it with the right expectations. Is it a luxury RV park? Absolutely not. It’s consistent with what you’d experience at other Thousand Trails resorts. The activities and amenities they provide are the icing on the cake for being close to Bend and the beautiful landscape.
