Best Cabin Camping near Mt. Hood National Forest, OR

This camp has RV sites, tent sites and beautiful cabins with porch swings and is located close to the Columbia River waterfalls.

Little luxuries include a camp store where we picked up bacon and eggs, an outdoor pool with hot tub, bathrooms with showers, “wood” ceramic floors and halo lighted mirrors plus facilities with washer/dryers and an outdoor sink to wash dishes.

Some people might find the train coming through right behind the camp several times a day and night a little annoying but we didn’t mind. We realized that the train blew 2 long, 1 short and 1 long whistle right before it reached the camp which is a warning (we googled it) that a train is coming through with engine in front and for cars/people to clear the track....the things you learn when you camp🚂

Decent RV camping. Stayed 2 nights during last weekend of summer break. Packed a little tight but most people were outgoing and friendly while we visited. Very close to summer (and I'm assuming winter) attractions with Ski Bowl nearby. A few nice restaurants within a few minutes drive. Nice indoor pool and hot tub. Good playground for kids. Very family friendly.

Close proximity to many hiking trails, and town grocery store and gas station. Full rv hookups. We chose this campground because we had been traveling up the coast all week and our kids could use a break from”roughing it” this place was full of amenities...laundry, pool, hot tub, playgrounds, store and wi-fi (which we hadn’t had all week) it was definitely a resort type environment, good for families with kids. Some sites are private(because we asked for one) but many are like a parking lot...I would let them know your preference before you book:)

I have been there twice this summer.

Actually, I started camping there more than two decades ago, when it was still being developed.

I am partial to it for that reason.

It is more of an RV campground. But, it does have several yurts, and a tent camping area.

Not the quiet, "roughing it" style I like, but when I just want to chill, and do nothing in particular, this is a decent place to camp. It has a lodge, an exercise room, pool, hot tub, hot showers, bathrooms with indoor plumbing, and outlets for the ladies hair dryers (or charging the battery on your smart phone).

A small store on the grounds provides for the last minute treats to make s'mores, or even a chocolate ice cream sandwich from the freezer.

I actually like using the campground as a "basecamp" for my hikes around Mt Hood.

It's not as quiet as a campsite deep in the wilderness, but sometimes it's nice to get away without getting away from it all.

Oh, and sometimes I prefer indoor plumbing over vault toilets or bushes.

This was our first trip in our new RV. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Our spot was a 40ft pull through with full hookups, cable, a fire pit, and a picnic table. We were parked next to the bathroom that was in the area and the facilities were very clean. The river that runs along the property was very beautiful. The site has a large hot tub in its own separate room away from the pool which was nice because it was quiet. The indoor pool was very large and clean. I didn't get a chance to try it out because we were only there 1 night. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back.

Cascade Locks KOA is a perfect base camp for exploring up and down the Columbia Gorge. The tall pine trees made for great shade and a true campground feel.

The only downside was the train which is really out of the park’s control but if you’re in a tent it will be hard to ignore.

After 2 sleepless nights at a State Park, we were planning to cancel our stay and travel inland to escape the trains that ran 24/7 in the Gorge. However, after expressing our concerns to Catherine, KOA staff at the front desk, she worked her magic, moved us to the back of the park where the noise was more buffered. We stayed for spent 6 days to explore Colombia Gorge and Mount Hood. The staff here were on point! The bathrooms very clean! Even better is that their pool and hot tub were operational and highly maintained.

Tent sites are large and spaced out so your not right next to your neighbors. It’s a little bit of a walk to the lake but enjoyable. We stayed in the A-frame cabin which is right off the parking lot so can be busy but is a generous size lot and has some shrubbery and trees for privacy. there’s a trail out right out the back of the lot. The cabin is small and rustic. Non motorized lake. Canoe, paddle board and boat rentals available and I highly recommend.

The Olallie Lake Rustic Resort is a wonderful place to get away from it all and relax in nature on the shore of a lovely high-mountain lake.

Here are a few points of interest:

• Fishing: Olallie Lake is stocked with rainbow trout and brood trout. They rent row boats for trolling. Motor boats are not allowed (which is nice).

• Hiking: There are several miles local trails to hike on. There's a four mile hike around Olallie Lake, the Redlake Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) that can take you all the way to Mexico or Canada.

• Swimming: No swimming is allowed in Olallie Lake.  Head Lake is nearby (within 5 minutes of the store) and has a dock, large rocks to sit on and is a wonderful swimming lake. There are also over 25 lakes in the scenic area to hike to and swim in.

• Dogs: Dogs are allowed! Yay! But they must be kept on leash per Forest Service regulations.

• Getting there: The last ten miles, or so, of the road are pretty rough. Most reasonable cares should be able to make it but I'd suggest a 4x4.

There are cabin and yurt rentals and a little general store which has food and adult beverages. Like most resort stores it's a little pricey.

The cabins are comfortable and have wood stoves (firewood is included).

Stunning view of the mountain backdrop- crystal clear waters-access to a small shop and water activity rentals which is fun. There is a resort , and cabins as well as tent camping which I prefer. The lake itself is “busy”with families and kids during the day but nice clean camping otherwise -some might even call it glamping but it’s worth it for the view and having access to the activities the next morning.

I have kind of a love/hate thing going on for Lost Lake Campgrounds.

Pros: It is beautiful. There's a reason it's one of Oregon's most photographed sites. There's a 3-mile hike around the lake that shows Mt. Hood and its lovely reflection in the lake. There's fishing, swimming, boating, and a camp store that has "It's It" ice cream (definitely a pro). The camp sites are nice, decent sized, and surrounded by trees.

Cons: It is crowded. We're talking thousands of people on a nice summer weekend, traffic jams, and no place to actually make it into the lake (except right at the boat dock) unless you claim your picnic spot really early. There's also no cell phone reception (at all), and while that may sound lovely in theory, when you're a family trying to find each other somewhere on the trail or in the campground it's a real pain.

On weekends and holidays, you also need to book not two, but three nights in a row (Thursday/Friday and Saturday, for example), so if you're trying to get away for a regular 2-day weekend you're out of luck.

In general: 140+ camp sites including several walk-in-only sites right near the lake. There's also cabins and yurts, though those don't include a bathroom on site, so the $70-$150+ seems pretty steep for still having to use an outhouse (we haven't stayed in the cabins personally yet, but have seen them in person). You can book online for both cabins and camp sites (reserveamerica for the camping).

Tips: For day trips, there's a $8 parking fee that you can avoid if you park outside of the entrance and walk the 1/4 mile or so. Also, cabins and yurts are half-price in May, something we may remember for next Memorial Day well in advance (since everything books up so quickly).

If you want to camp in Oregon this is the place to go. There are several waterfalls and hiking trails. You can see wildlife and you can't beat the beauty. You can tent camp and they also have yurts.

I don't have any pics - yet - but I remember both the cabins and tent sites being perfects. The cabins were the perfect size and not too pricey.  It's a popular place but you don't feel packed in.  The drive to Silver Falls is amazing - the best of Oregon farm country mixed with some signature forests.

This small state park is tucked alongside the Columbia River and Horsethief Lake. The campground is not large with only 4 regular campsites, 4 walk in sites, 8 partial hookups, a Teepee and 2 platform tents. The grounds surrounding the campground and alongside the lake are large, green grass areas with picnic tables everywhere. There are also archaeological sites with artifacts and pictographs within walking distance of the campground. There was a small kayak/canoe rental place that is run by the super friendly camp host.

I reserved the Teepee. I arrived a dusk during what would be a very strong wind storm that would last all night and all the next day. When I first went into the Teepee I noticed the canvas at the bottom was so rotten and the inside flap was secured to nothing so every time the wind blew the inside flap would fill up over half the inside and dirt would swirl everywhere. The front door flap was also very rotten and would not secure, so every time the wind blew, the door would fly open and let in more dirt. Needless to say my dog and I lasted about 5 minutes.

After talking to camp host I was able to get into one of the platform "tents". I later learned from the Park Ranger that stopped by that the canvas on the tents had rotted out in May so he had built what I would call plywood cabins with canvas roofs. There were 2 cabins, each one had 2 windows, 2 sets of bunk beds, a weak light, and a latch secured door. The cabin let in not one bit of wind which was nice, but also got very hot even though it was a cool evening and I had the window open all night. The next day the wind continued, not a big fan of strong sustained wind, but I figured out that when the door was open it created an arc of no wind right in front of the cabin which was nice to sit, watch, and relax. Please note, the cabin is not sealed to the creatures, on the second morning my dog woke me up to a bat that got stuck inside the cabin and was trying to get out, I was able to get the door open and it flew out.

The downside to the platform cabin is the lack of air flow, which in the summer could be rough. Also the only bathroom was a bit of a walk, but was kept clean and had showers. Also the parking was far away, so again a lot of walking. I was also informed by the Park Ranger that the Teepee would be taken down at the end of the 2018 season with no plans to bring it back.

Overall it as a good state park if you don't mind the wind and just want to relax. I'm not sure if I would go back but would recommend it to others.

Great, clean, easy to navigate campground. Very rural for only 25 minutes outside Salem. The ranger check in hours feel very limited (for the cabins at least) and the cabin beds are so creaky!

We stayed in a rustic cabin at this park and it was perfect. Two full beds and two small bunks make for an affordable spot for friends to gather. Book in advance because it fills up fast. The cabins are basic, but do have electricity. The bathrooms are clean and well maintained. The tent sites were pretty close to each other and there were a lot of kids. Walked to the waterfalls from the cabin in the early am, amazing!

Smith Creek Village is such a great place for easy lodging in nature. My family stayed in one of the tiny cabins. The cabin was very clean and well kept. The cabin was nearby a few other similar cabins, but everything felt very private. There was nice walking paths and a large grass area supplied with lawn games.

We decided to take the easy route this particular trip and ate all our meals at the Big Leaf Coffeehouse. The food there is fantastic and the building has a cozy lodge vibe.

Another thing that I loved about Smith Creek Village is that although the Silver Falls state park is always busy, Smith Creek Village is not. It feels like a hidden gem inside the state park. We definitely plan on coming back.

A couple years ago I rented a cabin here and it was awesome.  The cabin was very nice.  My buddy and I rented a boat and caught fish like it was going out of style.  It was a fun trip. There is a store there and the people are very nice and definitely  know where to tell the people where to fish.

Went with an ex many years ago. We stayed in one of the small cabins very close to the upper trail to the falls.I think... lol

The cabin was cozy and stayed very warm as we went in the winter. We only walked around a short ways but the snow was beautiful and it was serenely quiet.

The park is beautiful, I made sure to see all the falls (except of Winter Falls which wasn't running), and the hike was great. The park is pretty big so you do have to drive from your campsite to the trailhead, not quite hike-in.

We stayed in one of the cabins, which was quaint and nicely separated from the rest of the sites. The cabin has two small rooms, with a dining area and a sleeping area. There's no fancy appliances but we brought an electric cooler to keep our food cold, and the bathroom and parking was a short walk away. The site was outfitted with a fire pit with grill and picnic table.

On the first night we were awoken to rustling through our stuff in the other room and when I checked it out a mouse booked it out of there. Not a big deal but my fiance and I found it a little hard to sleep after that. Be sure to keep any food in your car rather than the cabin. Another night an army of raccoons made its way through our campsite, despite all our food being put away. On our way out we told the ranger about the mouse in the cabin and they didn't seem phased by it, I don't expect they did much to fix the hole (which we spotted the next day and tried to cover). Would have preferred just to stay in a tent and save a bit if the cabin is so obviously penetrable.

Have stayed in the cabins and tent sites here. Amazing waterfall trails and clean orderly campsites.