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Nature
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Facilities
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Roads
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Water

Established Camping

Rainbow (or)

Rainbow Campground, near Mt. Hood National Forest, is a cozy spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. With its proximity to the Ripplebrook Ranger Station, you can easily grab firewood or even a sweet treat if the craving hits.

This campground is all about the basics, featuring sites that allow campfires and pets, but don’t expect any fancy amenities like electric hookups or showers. Many visitors have enjoyed the river access, with one camper noting, “We had river access from our site,” which adds a nice touch for those who love the sound of flowing water while they relax.

Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby trails leading to the Clackamas River, where you can find a secluded swimming hole that’s perfect for a refreshing dip. As one reviewer mentioned, “The biggest perk for us was the awesome trail that leads from the campsite.” Just remember to bring your own water, as there are no hookups available.

While some sites can feel a bit exposed, others offer a more secluded experience, especially those near the creek. Whether you’re setting up a tent or just enjoying the great outdoors, Rainbow Campground provides a laid-back atmosphere for a memorable camping trip.

Description

National Forest

Mt. Hood National Forest

Overview

Campground closed due to the 2020 Riverside Wildfire

Rainbow Campground provides ample access to the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River. The campground offers a great location to enjoy peace and quiet in the beautiful mountains of northern Oregon. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking, biking and rafting.

Recreation

Fishing is very popular in the Oak Fork and anglers can expect a catch of winter steelhead, spring Chinook and late summer Kokanee salmon, as well as other species of freshwater fish. The Clackamas River also provides miles of wild water as it bends through the scenic Cascade range, making whitewater rafting a popular activity.

The 5-mile Riverside National Recreation Trail, popular for hiking and mountain biking, is located not far from the campground. The surrounding area provides numerous additional opportunities for hiking.

Facilities

The campground offers more than a dozen single-family sites for tent camping. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Parking surfaces are paved and gravel.

Natural Features

The campground is located in Mt. Hood National Forest along the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River at an elevation of about 1,400 feet. Huge maple and Douglas fir trees cover the area, and dense shrubbery provides some privacy between campsites. The campground is not far from the Ripplebrook Ranger Station and Ripplebrook Pond.

The river provides habitat for the federally protected bald eagle and northern spotted owl, as well as an occasional peregrine falcon. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.

Nearby Attractions

Bagby Hot Springs is located about 14 miles southwest of the campground. A popular site for soaking and relaxing, the springs are in a heavily wooded area in the scenic Cascade Range. The available bathhouses are fed by three major hot water springs and several minor outlets in the area. A historic guard station was built there in 1913.

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Location

Rainbow (or) is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Estacada, travel east on Highway 224/Road 46 for 26 miles to the campground.

Coordinates

45.07893295 N
122.04311075 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

Reviews

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3.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 5, 2020

Decent

small dusty busy Excellent trail near it

Reviewed May. 4, 2020

Love the site

Not sure of the number, think it was 1 or 2. We got the first site at the entrance. I enjoyed the spot since it was more secluded. Others were surrounded by multiple sites without many trees. We had river access from our site. There is also a little trail at one end of the campsite which was nice.

  • Review photo of Rainbow (or) by Ashley L., May 4, 2020
  • Review photo of Rainbow (or) by Ashley L., May 4, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 22, 2016

Space #10 is the place to be...

Rainbow campground is a great little campground that is nestled up right next to ripplebrook. A neat and easily exploitable feature about Rainbow is it's proximity to the Ripplebrook Ranger/Information Station. Being just a couple minutes down the road made it nice to access to extra firewood, bottled water, and dare I say.... candy. Out of all of the available spaces, we found space #10 to be extremely accommodating to our pop-up trailer, SUV, and one additional vehicle. What is also great about this space is that it is large enough to fit maybe 3 medium sized tents. We also appreciated being able to camp right next to the stream that flowed nearby. Now, get rid of the concessionaires running campgrounds in our national forests, and you'd have 5-star camping experience.

  • Review photo of Rainbow (or) by Tony P., June 22, 2016
  • Review photo of Rainbow (or) by Tony P., June 22, 2016
Reviewed Mar. 23, 2016

Summer camping in Rainbow

We ended up at this campground because it was one of the few with available spots left by the time we decided to go camping on a Thursday. We arrived Friday late afternoon, and were pleasantly surprised. There are several really nice sites that are on the creek (technically a fork of the upper Clackamas River). The creek is really pretty and provides good sound cover. The sites are good size, and clean. However, the ones that weren't along the creek were pretty out in the open. We ended up with the last available site, and it was right along the driveway and we could see 4 or 5 other tents/campsites from our spot. Still, it wasn't bad.

The biggest perk for us was the awesome trail that leads from the campsite and heads down to the Clackamas River. You can either hike the whole thing (about 4 miles, if I remember correctly), and end up at another campsite further out, or you can detour off the trail about half a mile in and find the most private, delightful swimming hole I've ever experienced in Oregon. There was no one else in sight, and the water was crystal clear, with lots of rocks to climb on and lay out. The water is COLD, but it was early in the season, so it probably warms up a little later in August.

Great site, if you can get a spot on the creek! No water available, so make sure you bring your own, and there is only one double sided vault toilet for the campground, but if you want to get away from it all, it's a winner!

  • Review photo of Rainbow (or) by Katherine H., March 23, 2016
  • Review photo of Rainbow (or) by Katherine H., March 23, 2016
  • Review photo of Rainbow (or) by Katherine H., March 23, 2016
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 2, 2015

Hike from campsite to campsite

This is a cool campground that is an easy drive from Portland. We hiked from Rainbow to another campground, walking mostly next to the water. Good times.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Rainbow (or)?

    Camping at Rainbow (or) can cost between $19.50 and $21.50 depending on the site.

  • What is the elevation of Rainbow (or)?

    Rainbow (or) is located at 1410 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Rainbow (or)?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Rainbow (or), although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Rainbow (or) have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Rainbow (or) does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Rainbow (or)?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Rainbow (or). If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Rainbow (or), try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Rainbow (or)?

    There are 17 campsites at Rainbow (or) and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts