Several great camping spots lie within Mt. Hood National Forest, just a short drive from Portland. Lost Lake Resort and Campground sits right on the water, making it easy for campers to fish or take boats out during their stay. Government Camp has good facilities for kids, which is why many families choose to camp there when visiting the area. Many campers mention the "Super easy and convenient spot to camp" for its easy access and clear views of Mt. Hood. Hiking trails run all through the forest, connecting many of the camping areas to lookout points and natural features. Most campgrounds have basic restrooms and tables for eating. Weather changes quickly around Mt. Hood, and it's usually cooler at higher elevations than in Portland. Summer brings the best camping conditions, though rangers sometimes put fire bans in place during dry spells. The forest works well for both quiet campers and those looking for more active trips. Following Leave No Trace practices helps keep these camping areas in good shape for everyone.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$30 - $120 / night
"Campground on Trillium Lake at the base of Mt Hood in the Mt Hood National Forest. Awesome tent sites among towering fir trees. Lake for paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing (nothing motorized)."
"Gorgeous view, great for swimming, paddle boarding, floating around the lake all day. Nice, shady campsites."
$26 / night
"The campground pros were its proximity to Clear Lake, the huge campsites, and it was not very crowded. We absolutely loved clear lake and it was great for paddleboarding,swimming, and fishing."
"I highly recommend this campground as it is beautiful and tucked back off 26 far enough that you don't hear the highway."
$24 - $32 / night
"Mt. Hood National Forest, and the views of Mt. Hood are spectacular. The campsite itself is near a beautiful lake, Timothy Lake."
"Great spot on Timothy lake to hang out, drink a beer, and not have to deal with the crowds at a day use area. The walk-in sites are a little close together, but that’s expected at most campgrounds."
"We arrived at the location around 11:30pm and first thing we noticed was how pitch black it was and how loud (in the best way) the adjacent Zigzag River was."
"It's at a really great location as it's 3 minutes to Little Zig Zag Falls path also fairly close to Government Camp"
$26 / night
"Mt. Hood National Forest. Not too busy and had a wonderful 3 nights visiting. Great summer weather in August and not too buggy."
"Intimate & quiet little campground close to Portland. Little crater lake is beautiful and a quick walk from the campsite. The PCT is a minute or two walk from the lake."
"There is a playground onsite for those with children and plenty of bike paths and walking paths to keep you busy."
"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."
$26 / night
"We stayed here as Trillium Lake was full."
"This small campground is a great alternative to the busier campgrounds found near by. It does not have the views of Mt."
"This is a large, paved parking lot with a stream nearby. Has a good view of Mt. Hood and vault toilets, so that's a positive. The downside is that it's not level. "
"Tucked our trailers up in the far corner with a commanding view of Mt. Hood! Well, not much view the first smokey day, but it cleared up nicely after a wind shift the following day. "
$45 - $125 / night
"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."
"Lost Lake Resort & Campground is somewhere we go at least once each summer. It has that nostalgic summer-camp vibe. A little more spendy than your typical Oregon campsite, but serene and private."
$24 - $30 / night
"The scenery and the placid, warm lake, make this my favorite place to camp in Oregon. The campsites can be very uneven for tents, but we’ve always made it work."
"Timothy Lake was clean, friendly an the campground was amazing. Lots to explore an do. P.s there is a fire ban right now so no fire pits allowed.have fun an be safe out there Oregon Campers."
TravelerGreat spot for an uncrowded camping experience. Road noise on spots 1 through 10, but nice views of the river. Lower campsites - less view but less hwy noise - potentially more train traffic but not noticeable on our visit.
GuideGreat place to have a peaceful evening or longer. Showers are hot, facilities are well maintained and provided the sites aren’t all booked, there is a decent amount of space between visitors.
TravelerThis area use to be a paid campground and is now shut down & open to public. There is a restroom area, however it is unkempt & the cleanliness of that area is the downside of the camp spot. Otherwise it’s glorious. Pack in, pack out! Help out too :) In this bridge & river area, you’ll find crystal clear cool crisp waters to ease into. Beach is mostly sand and the camp sites have soft dirt. Fireplaces are at these camp zones but weren’t allowed when I was there. If you swim across the river, you’ll find a fun cliff jumping area! I may of jumped it maybe 30 times lol. We also rafted the river around the bank just for fun. You’re able to peacefully float at this location too if wanted! Sorta near a busy road, but high enough & away from real civilization that traffic is minimal. Wildlife is abundant! Majority of campers are kind, not ever too crowded but definitely a fun spot people know of. Highly recommend, this is a gem!!!
TravelerI enjoy treasured spots near water & this is certainly one of them. This area is very clean. It’s near long hiking trails. There seems to be dispersed camping all around this area, however this specific spot by the bridge is not near busy roads.. it’s off a gravel road, so when there is traffic it’s slow. Forest service does come around, friendly and helpful. Bathroom area a good walk up past the horse camp. Very long intricate forest trails. Peaceful quiet and about 15 minutes away from cell service, fuel, food, supplies. Soft dirt tent areas, RV areas, the river beach is mostly large rocks. Loved it!
TravelerLots of good day use spots but $10 fee, worth it, families just cart stuff down the trail its bikes only most of the way. They dont make that obvious if you're a big rv be careful around the end youll be doing point turns to get back out. Dispersed camping is a quick bike ride for cell signal
GuideI mainly wanted to camp at this spot because of the view, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. However, the best spot to see Mount Hood is at the top/end of the road which doesn't have much room for many people. When we got there, we saw a group of 10 people already camped out, and there was not enough space for us. They had 3 trucks, and probably 7 tents. There are a couple spots down the road which is where we ended up. Not a bad spot. Lots of room for tents and 1-2 cars. You can kinda see the mountain, but there are lots of trees blocking the view. Unfortunately, the first night we were supposed to stay, we got informed of a fire evacuation warning and ended up leaving. I would love to come back and stay in this beautiful place though. The only other downside is a VERY rocky and rough road.
GuideSouthshore is one of those hidden gems on Detroit lake. While lakeside campsites don’t have easy access to the water, the views make up for it. The sites are large and welcoming and there is a lot of space between sites.
The pit toilets were clean and the camp host warm and welcoming. While walking with my daughter and our dogs he chatted with us for a bit and offered stickers to my 11 year old who was very excited. Overall great experience and will be visiting again.
GuideAs other people have said, sometimes there is little separation between sites. Plus, sometimes the sites, other than were you park your trailer, are rocky and not at all level. There was a level spot near the back for a tent. The terrain is offset by the VERY tall trees throwing a lot of shade. The sun sets behind the hill across the lake, so it gets completely shady in the late afternoon. Note that the sites next to the river have chain-link fences to keep you from falling off a bluff and into the river, which, when we stayed there near the end of June, was still almost ice cold.
We chose to stay in a non-electric site, and were only able to get a little sunshine for our solar panels to help recharge.
As a product of the 1950s, the sites have a maximum RV/trailer length of 20 feet. Our 18-foot trailer and mid-size SUV fit easily. Navigation can be tricky.
My only complaint about the showers is that the non-adjustable water temperature was near-scalding hot. The showers and bathrooms were clean.
The cooking station near us was very handy for boiling water to cook pasta.
The store at the marina next door has an amazing variety of stuff for campers, including ice.
ScoutGreat spot to take in the view of the Columbia Gorge area. Site B37 FHU paved with the use of 1” level board on the driver side. Nice spacing with other sites . B27, B29, B31, B33 and B35 are the best sites for the views. All nice amenities. One hour drive to PDX. The only downside is the odd way to enter the state park via rest area ramp on I84.
Timothy Lake camping areas in Mt. Hood National Forest sit at elevations between 3,100-3,300 feet, creating cooler night temperatures even in summer months. Vault toilets are the standard bathroom facility at most wilderness campgrounds, with no showers available at primitive sites. Water temperatures in forest lakes typically range from 55-68°F depending on the season and elevation.
Fishing the alpine lakes: Clear Lake Campground offers good fishing opportunities despite water levels sometimes being low. "Great fishing. They have a little restaurant where you can rent boats," shares Shelby W., who notes that "there is no service and closest gas station is far away and closes at night."
Trail running from dispersed sites: At Kiwanis Road Free Camping, campers can access hiking and running trails directly from their sites. "There seems to be an old fire road that goes through this campsite, so hiking (or trail running) is completely doable from camp," mentions one visitor who found it "literally the perfect escape."
Winter recreation options: For those camping during colder months, White River West Sno-Park serves as a base camp. "We stayed 5 nights, had all types of weather on our stay, from lots of rain to sun and also snow," reports Mike, who found it convenient for exploring seasonal activities around Mt. Hood.
Paddling clear waters: At Little Crater Lake, campers can walk to Timothy Lake for water recreation. "We did this and had a lovely picnic lunch and afternoon swim in Timothy Lake," explains Scott B., who accessed the Pacific Crest Trail directly from the campground to reach swimming spots.
Walk-in sites for privacy: Campers praise the walk-in tent sites at Hoodview Campground for their tranquility. "If you don't have a RV or Trailer and want the illusion of a hike in campsite, this is your spot," recommends Kyahn D., who appreciated "being away from the road going through the campground."
Well-spaced campsites: North Arm Campground on Timothy Lake features sites with good separation. "The spots are huge," Nicole R. reports after spending a full week tent camping, though she cautions that "the toilets smell so bad" and recommends bringing hand sanitizer.
Off-grid experiences: Many campers value the lack of connectivity. "There is no cell service which can be good or bad," notes Alicia F. about Clear Lake Campground, which offers "very spacious sites that give privacy" and a "very quiet" atmosphere even when nearly full.
Lake views with wildlife: The lakes provide wildlife viewing opportunities. "Good lake for beginner kayakers as it is small, still, and doesn't allow motor traffic. There is also snow-shoeing here in the winter," shares Raphaela H., who watched osprey while camping at Hoodview.
Reservation challenges: Popular sites like Trillium Lake Campground require planning months ahead. "Reservations are hard to get we booked at 6am, six months out and felt very lucky to get three spots for our family Campout," says Molly H., who wasn't able to secure waterfront locations despite early booking.
Increasing popularity issues: Some longtime visitors note changes in the camping experience. "Over the years, it has become too busy and lots of loud campers partying and such. I liked it better 5 yrs ago when It was less of a tourist attraction," observes Gayle K. about Trillium Lake Campground.
Seasonal bugs: Mosquito problems are common, especially at certain sites. "Nice hike around the lake but the bugs are horrible!!" warns Tracy L. about Frog Lake, while others recommend timing visits for late summer or early fall to avoid the worst of insect season.
Limited facilities: Most forest campgrounds have basic amenities only. "No showers unfortunately. The lake was low when we were there," reports Alicia F., while others note the lack of hookups, limited water access, and often poor cell reception throughout the forest.
Frog spotting adventures: Frog Lake lives up to its name with amphibian viewing opportunities for children. "Millions of tadpoles in the water and twice as many baby frogs on the north side of the lake by the swamp," reports Connor J., adding it has "warm water, not deep at all" making it ideal for younger swimmers.
Tent site selection: For families tent camping, scout locations carefully. "If you're tent camping the bathrooms are quite the hike, the tent sites are crammed together, there's only one working faucet in the entire tent camping area," warns Tyson C. about Mt. Hood Village Resort, suggesting families request sites T1 or T4 for the best experience.
Water temperature considerations: Parents should test water before letting kids swim. "Trillium Lake is easier and faster to get to than many of the other Mt. Hood Lakes... Good lake for beginner kayakers as it is small, still, and doesn't allow motor traffic," notes a camper who warns about the cold water temperatures even in summer.
Accessible recreation options: Some areas offer kid-friendly facilities. "Nice indoor pool and hot tub. Good playground for kids. Very family friendly," says Jon F. about Mt. Hood Village Resort, which serves as a good base camp for families with various comfort requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Mt. Hood National Forest?
Mt. Hood National Forest offers several exceptional campgrounds with unique features. Trillium Lake stands out with its stunning views of Mt. Hood, tent sites nestled among towering fir trees, and a lake perfect for paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing (no motorized boats). For a quieter experience, Hideaway Lake Campground provides a secluded retreat down a bumpy forest road with nine sites, half offering direct lake access. Each site includes a picnic table and fire pit. Timothy Lake Meditation Point offers backpacking options with a mostly flat trail, while Bonney Crossing provides a peaceful setting along Badger Creek with great hiking access. For incredible views, Hoodview Campground is also highly recommended.
When is the best season for camping in Mt. Hood National Forest?
Summer (June through August) is ideal for camping in Mt. Hood National Forest, offering warm days, minimal bugs, and optimal access to all facilities. Little Crater Lake is particularly pleasant in August with great weather and relatively few insects. The shoulder seasons can also be rewarding - Bonney Crossing offers peaceful camping in late spring and early fall when crowds thin out. Many higher elevation campgrounds open later in the season (mid-June to early July) as snow melts. The eastern side of the forest, being drier, often has a longer camping season. Most campgrounds close by late September or October, though some lower elevation sites remain open year-round. Always check current conditions before planning your trip.
Are reservations required for Mt. Hood National Forest campgrounds?
Reservation policies vary across Mt. Hood National Forest campgrounds. Timothy Lake Meditation Point operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a $10 per night fee, requiring no advance reservations. Sites are well-marked along the west shoreline trail. In contrast, popular destinations like Mt Hood Village Resort near Welches require reservations, especially during peak summer months. Many forest campgrounds use recreation.gov for advance bookings, with reservation windows typically opening 6 months ahead. First-come, first-served campgrounds like Bear Springs fill quickly on summer weekends. For the best chance at securing a spot without a reservation, arrive mid-week or early Thursday. Some campgrounds maintain a portion of sites for walk-ins even during peak season.
What amenities are available at Mt. Hood National Forest camping areas?
Amenities vary widely across Mt. Hood National Forest campgrounds. Armstrong Campground offers vault toilets and water via hand pump well, with easy river access from most riverside sites. Sunstrip Campground, situated on the Clackamas River, features unpaved driveways and vault toilets rather than flush facilities. Most developed campgrounds provide picnic tables, fire rings, and vault or flush toilets. Water availability varies - some have potable water from pumps or spigots while others require you to bring your own. Trash service is common at larger campgrounds like Trillium Lake, though pack-in, pack-out may be required at smaller sites. Cell coverage is spotty throughout the forest but available at some locations. No campgrounds offer electrical hookups except for designated RV areas, and shower facilities are rare throughout the forest.
Keep Exploring
