Tent campsites near Mosier, Oregon range from small mountain lakes to riverside locations at elevations between 1,500-4,000 feet. Temperatures typically drop 10-15 degrees cooler at higher elevation sites compared to town. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October with closures due to snow at upper elevations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Goose Lake Campground offers non-motorized boating and fishing for both casual and serious anglers. The lake provides good catch rates throughout the season. According to Samantha B., "Nice spot. Has a boat launch, great sites to put up tents. Love fishing here."
Swimming access: Forlorn Lakes features multiple small alpine lakes with private lakeside campsites. Sites 16-21 border the larger lake with excellent water access. As Phelan V. notes, "Campsites 16-21 are all on a larger lake with great swimming and paddling opportunities with site 17 easily being the best site in my opinion."
Hiking trail connections: Wahtum Lake Campground connects to three major trails including the Pacific Crest Trail. Katie B. shares, "Easy access to trails and the lake is 1/4 mile easy downhill hike. We hiked down to the lake and there are sites there. Beautiful, on the lake, first come first served."
Mountain biking access: The network of forest roads near camping areas provides extensive biking opportunities. At Rainy Lake Campground, Jessica C. found it perfect for event-based camping: "This last visit was for a mtn bike race. We stayed here as most all other campgrounds and campgrounds were full. Beautiful spot near Mount Hood."
What campers like
Cool temperatures: Summer campers appreciate the temperature difference at higher elevations. Jonathan H. explains his experience at Rainy Lake Campground: "Visited in late June, and the weather was amazing, 15 degrees lower than in town, but the bugs and mosquitoes were overwhelming (even with deet)."
Small-scale campgrounds: Most camping areas near Mosier feature limited sites (typically 3-5 per campground), creating a more intimate experience. Chris H. notes about Rainy Lake: "I tried this campground over a busy holiday weekend and was happy to see 3 of the 4 spots empty when I arrived. It's rare to find this kind of place on a Saturday in Mount Hood."
Lake proximity: Sites directly bordering water bodies offer more immersive camping experiences. At Black Lake Campground—Mount Hood National Forest, Jonathan H. appreciates the "Quiet and peaceful mountain lake" and describes it as a "Beautiful overlook of the valley, and nice (if undeveloped camp sites)."
Wildlife viewing: Campers often encounter deer, birds, and other forest wildlife. Nik P. shares this experience at Pebble Ford Campground: "Very quiet and even has a few dispersed camp spots outside the main area. Had some deer walk right through our camp spot while we sat by the fire."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to camping areas frequently feature rough sections requiring slower travel. For Forlorn Lakes, Allison W. advises, "The road turns to gravel about 15 minutes before you reach the site and its pretty bumpy in some spots. Take it SLOWWW."
Bug protection: Mosquitoes and yellow jackets can be problematic, especially near lakes during summer months. Jonathan H. notes about Black Lake: "Bugs were a bit rough in June." Similarly, Michael H. recommends for Goose Lake: "Highly recommend yellow jacket traps this late in summer. Aggressive is an understatement."
Limited availability: Most campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. Chris H. advises about Rainy Lake: "If you arrive and find it full, continue one more mile down the road to Black Lake Campground, which has 4 more spots."
Water sources: No potable water exists at most campgrounds. Sarah S. mentions about Rainy Lake: "Behind sites 2 and 3 is the trailhead that will take you up to Rainy Like - less than a 10 minute walk to the lake. The lake is beautiful, small and remote feeling."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites away from main camping areas. At Rainy Lake, Sarah S. recommends: "We stayed in 3, which was great, but I think 4 is the most private of the sites. The only slight issue with 4 is that the outhouse is on the edge of the site which means a bit of traffic."
Water activities: Lakes offer natural entertainment for children. At Panther Creek Creekside Camp, Joe M. notes: "Always love spots by the river. There are several sights that get secluded from others with a very short drive off the main road."
Flat tent areas: Many sites require careful placement for comfort. Paula G. discovered at Forlorn Lakes: "Very quiet, first come first serve camp sites off the beaten path. We will be back!"
Off-peak timing: Weekday camping provides more solitude and campsite availability. Megan A. shares about Goose Lake: "Quite campground midweek, there was only a handful of other campers spread out throughout the campground."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most forest campgrounds accommodate smaller RVs only. At Pebble Ford Campground, Stephanie Z. explains: "The first come sites are just off of Forest Road 44 >> Dufur Valley Road. There is a main circle of sites (about 3-4 in the main area) and another site on the creek with a separate entrance."
Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain requires preparation. Brian B. notes about Forlorn Lakes: "Beautiful lakes. The forest was lush, green and spotless. Our spot, 7, one of the lower lakes, was a great site. lake access, though no luck with fishing."
Space between sites: Campgrounds vary in site separation. Chris H. warns about Rainy Lake: "If the campground is full, you will not have privacy. Some of the spots are touching."
