Trail Overview
Brown Mountain Loop is just a family-friendly, easy trail that invites any type of overlander or weekend warrior to stop by and stay awhile. To say the trail takes two hours is probably an overestimation if you were to just drive it, but that's not what this trail is about. The first stop is Crane Prairie Dam, an easy place to cast out a line, let the kids play, and have lunch. When you get back on the trail, it leads you further down the Deschutes River, and as it opens up into Crane Prairie Lake, there is a boat ramp next to what I consider to be somewhat congested campsites. The best part of this trail is yet to come, because as you travel along the shoreline, you'll find several turnouts that lead to dispersed campsites. There are some deep ruts in the road, so use caution and drive the center, not the sides. In the shaded forested area right on the edge of the lake are the campsites, a great feature of this trail as they all have ample room for a family and most have room for two vehicles. Whether you're looking for a place to relax and introduce the kids to the great outdoors for a day or spend the weekend camping under the stars, this is a no-fuss, quick and easy option.
Difficulty
The trail itself is mostly washboard roads, which provide a lot of vibration but shouldn't be of any concern. You could air down, but I wouldn't bother. The trails to the dispersed campsites have some pretty deep ruts, but again, if you drive the center, it should be fine.
