Welches is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Welches is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Discover great camping spots near Welches, reviewed by campers like you.
Trillium Lake Campground is a beautiful and popular campground not far from the quaint town of Government Camp. It provides spectacular views of majestic Mt. Hood, Oregon's highest point. The campground is well-known for its scenery and abundant recreational opportunities, as well as being a great, family-friendly place to camp.
Boating, swimming and fishing are popular on 63-acre Trillium Lake. A small boat ramp is available within the campground and a larger ramp is available in the nearby day-use area. An accessible fishing pier is also available. Anglers cast for a variety of trout. The 2-mile Trillium Shoreline Trail circles the lake, and parts of it are accessible. Visitors also enjoy hiking and biking on other trails in the vicinity. Tours of the area's historical sites are also popular.
The campground is located about 40 miles southeast of Portland, in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It sits alongside Trillium Lake at an elevation of 3,600 feet, and is nestled in a shady, mixed conifer forest that provides privacy between campsites.
For facility specific information, please call (503) 622-3191.
Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark on Mt. Hood, is located within 10 miles of the campground.
$52 - $80 / night
Reaching an elevation of 11,240 feet, and capped with several large glaciers, Mount Hood is Oregon’s tallest peak. It lies just an hour’s drive east of Portland, and beckons locals and visitors alike to enjoy its extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. With more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails on and around the mountain, there’s a path for every ability and interest. Several lakes and rivers around the mountain offer swimming, fishing and paddling. For the adventurous, there’s walls for rock climbing, and guided ascents to the mountain’s summit. In winter, the mountain offers four ski areas and numerous Sno-Parks for shushing, sliding and riding down its snowy slopes. Unique to Mount Hood, there’s even summer skiing on the Palmer Snowfield, which is located above the historic Timberline Lodge. Located on the doorstep of the mountain, Mt. Hood Village RV Resort offers a wide selection of year-round camping and lodging options. The resort offers 300 full- and partial-hookup RV sites, as well as a tent camping area, cottages, cabins, yurts and tiny houses. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and cooking grills, and have access to water faucets, flush restrooms, and shower and laundry facilities. Most sites are shady and wooded; some are situated near small ponds, others are located near the Wild and Scenic Salmon River. The resort also has a small store that sells firewood, treats and essentials, and cafe that offers breakfast, lunch and snack items. Tent and RV sites range from $35–$62/night; yurts, cabins and other accommodations start at $65/night; reservations accepted. For relaxing and recreating in the resort, there’s a wide variety of amenities and activities available, including a kids’ playground, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and game room. There are also picnic areas, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and hiking and biking trails nearby. Guests can also participate in hosted arts and crafts classes, games, karaoke, line dancing and family activities, and meet fellow campers at the community campfire circle. Near the resort are several restaurants, a grocery store and an outdoor gear shop in the town of Rhododendron. Timberline lodge, with its many hiking trails and ski slopes is a 30-minute drive east, just past the village of Government Camp and Mount Hood Skibowl. The popular Mirror Lake hiking trail starts on the west end of Skibowl. Swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and paddling at Trillium Lake is another 15 minutes east.
Lost Lake Campground is nestled between beautiful Lost Lake and Mount Hood. From Lost Lake Butte, the valley view is breathtaking, and from the viewpoint, guests can revel in the most majestic view of Mt. Hood, its glaciers and Lost Lake. Another one of the many attractions at Lost Lake Campground is the old growth boardwalk, an interpretive trail that meanders through one of Oregon's large old growth stands.
Lost Lake Campground offers an abundance of activities. Campers have access to a general store, which offers: canoe, kayak, historic wooden row boats, metal fishing boats and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Whether you are a professional angler looking to catch that prized German Brown or a first-timer, there is something for everyone. Additionally, there are a number of hiking trails near the campground ranging in length from 1/4 mile to over 100 miles resulting in numerous hiking and biking opportunities. Other activities include bird watching, berry picking, swimming, waterfall finding and more.
Lost Lake Campground offers an abundance of activities. Campers have access to a general store, which offers: canoe, kayak, historic wooden row boats, metal fishing boats and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Whether you are a professional angler looking to catch that prized German Brown or a first-timer, there is something for everyone. Additionally, there are a number of hiking trails near the campground ranging in length from 1/4 mile to over 100 miles resulting in numerous hiking and biking opportunities. Other activities include bird watching, berry picking, swimming, waterfall finding and more.
Mother Nature went the extra mile when it came to Lost Lake. The surrounding topography is rugged, mountainous and magical. The flora and fauna is abundant and easily accessible. These attributes culminate in making Lost Lake Campground one of the most popular in Oregon.
Nearby Wahtum Lake offers a great daily excursion or hike to one of the four surrounding waterfalls. On the way up to Lost Lake or on the way down, try stopping at one of the many fruit stands that blanket the Hood River Valley.
$49 - $109 / night
The Milo McIver State Park Campground is open seasonally. Typically March 15-October 31. Situated along the scenic Clackamas River, Milo McIver State Park is only 45 minutes from Portland. This beautiful park provides a variety of outstanding recreational opportunities. You can spend a day or a week exploring the river, forest and fields. River-lovers can challenge the sometimes wild (but always picturesque) Clackamas River with rafts, canoes or kayaks. For fishing enthusiasts, Estacada Lake offers a boat ramp and an ADA fishing dock, and the Clackamas River has Steelhead and Chinook runs. There is a disc golf course on-site. Discs are for sale and to rent at the park. For more information call 503-630-7150. CAMPGROUND DETAILS: - 44 electrical sites with water - Nine tent sites with water nearby - Hot showers and flush toilets - Three reservable group tent camping areas with water, flush toilets and fire rings - Three hiker/biker campsites with water, lockers, solar charging station, and fire pit - RV dump station - 1 ADA accessible site - Two reservable, 2' x 4' charcoal grills.
$18 - $75 / night
Clear Lake Campground is a shady outdoor paradise ON Clear Lake in the mountains of northern Oregon. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming and sailing on the lake, and hiking and exploring the nearby hills and terraces. Winter recreation opportunities are available in the area when it snows.
Boating is popular on the lake, however speeds are limited to 10 mph. A steady breeze keeps bugs away at the campground, and also propels sailboats on the lake. Swimming and fishing are available. Anglers can expect to find a variety of trout. Visitors enjoy picnicking in the day use area near the boat ramp. A hiking trail begins near the north end of the lake, connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail. In the winter, miles of snow-covered roads and trails crisscross the forest. Shellrock Creek and High Rock, off Forest Road 57, are open to cross-country skiers and snowmobile enthusiasts.
The campground is located in a mixed conifer forest, just north of Warm Springs Indian Reservation, in Mt. Hood National Forest. It is situated on the eastern shore of the 560-acre lake, at an elevation of 3,600. Clear Lake is used primarily for irrigation purposes. Wild mushrooms are abundant in the area during late summer and early fall. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.
The small Mt. Hood village of Government Camp is 12 miles northwest of the campground. The area offers a visitor center, restaurants and year-round skiing, as well as scenic views.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 352-6002.
$26 - $28 / night
The Hoodview Campground sits on the shores of Timothy Lake, in the shadow of Oregon's Mt. Hood. The surrounding forest setting offers spectacular views, miles of trails for exploration and abundant fishing.
Proximity to Timothy Lake allows campers to enjoy a variety of water-related recreation activities, including boating and sailing, as well as swimming, windsurfing and fishing. Anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon and a variety of trout. A range of trails are located in the area. The Timothy Lake Trail is popular for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The 12 miles of relatively level terrain loops trekkers around the lake, providing scenic views of the area. It connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, a lengthy hike that extends across three states, from the borders of Canada and Mexico. Portions of that trail also lead southwest to Clackamas Lake Campground. The Clackamas Lake Ranger Station Historic District is less than 3 miles from the campground. It was built to house forest service workers in the early 1900s. The rustic architecture and historic nature of the buildings and the surrounding area draws thousands of tourists each year.
The campground is situated on the southeastern shore of the roughly 1,400-acre lake, at an elevation of 3,400 feet. Timothy Lake was created in 1956 as a storage reservoir for the Oak Grove Hydroelectric Project. It is one of the larger lakes in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The campground is nestled in a mixed conifer forest, with many sites with views of the water's edge, offering views of Mt. Hood. A thick understory of rhododendron bushes provide privacy between sites.
Between 05/26/2023 and 09/30/2023 this location is staffed. Please call (503) 834-2215 to speak with local staff. From 11/22/2022 to 05/25/2023 this location is unstaffed. Please call (503) 464-8515 for general information.
Hoodview is about 28 miles from the base of majestic Mt. Hood, the highest point in Oregon. The historic Timberline Lodge in Government Camp offers scenic views of the snow-capped mountain.
A service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see Recreation.Gov, Rules & Reservation Policies.
$22 - $24 / night
Trillium Lake Campground is a beautiful and popular campground not far from the quaint town of Government Camp. It provides spectacular views of majestic Mt. Hood, Oregon's highest point. The campground is well-known for its scenery and abundant recreational opportunities, as well as being a great, family-friendly place to camp.
Boating, swimming and fishing are popular on 63-acre Trillium Lake. A small boat ramp is available within the campground and a larger ramp is available in the nearby day-use area. An accessible fishing pier is also available. Anglers cast for a variety of trout. The 2-mile Trillium Shoreline Trail circles the lake, and parts of it are accessible. Visitors also enjoy hiking and biking on other trails in the vicinity. Tours of the area's historical sites are also popular.
The campground is located about 40 miles southeast of Portland, in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It sits alongside Trillium Lake at an elevation of 3,600 feet, and is nestled in a shady, mixed conifer forest that provides privacy between campsites.
For facility specific information, please call (503) 622-3191.
Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark on Mt. Hood, is located within 10 miles of the campground.
$52 - $80 / night
Reaching an elevation of 11,240 feet, and capped with several large glaciers, Mount Hood is Oregon’s tallest peak. It lies just an hour’s drive east of Portland, and beckons locals and visitors alike to enjoy its extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. With more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails on and around the mountain, there’s a path for every ability and interest. Several lakes and rivers around the mountain offer swimming, fishing and paddling. For the adventurous, there’s walls for rock climbing, and guided ascents to the mountain’s summit. In winter, the mountain offers four ski areas and numerous Sno-Parks for shushing, sliding and riding down its snowy slopes. Unique to Mount Hood, there’s even summer skiing on the Palmer Snowfield, which is located above the historic Timberline Lodge. Located on the doorstep of the mountain, Mt. Hood Village RV Resort offers a wide selection of year-round camping and lodging options. The resort offers 300 full- and partial-hookup RV sites, as well as a tent camping area, cottages, cabins, yurts and tiny houses. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and cooking grills, and have access to water faucets, flush restrooms, and shower and laundry facilities. Most sites are shady and wooded; some are situated near small ponds, others are located near the Wild and Scenic Salmon River. The resort also has a small store that sells firewood, treats and essentials, and cafe that offers breakfast, lunch and snack items. Tent and RV sites range from $35–$62/night; yurts, cabins and other accommodations start at $65/night; reservations accepted. For relaxing and recreating in the resort, there’s a wide variety of amenities and activities available, including a kids’ playground, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and game room. There are also picnic areas, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and hiking and biking trails nearby. Guests can also participate in hosted arts and crafts classes, games, karaoke, line dancing and family activities, and meet fellow campers at the community campfire circle. Near the resort are several restaurants, a grocery store and an outdoor gear shop in the town of Rhododendron. Timberline lodge, with its many hiking trails and ski slopes is a 30-minute drive east, just past the village of Government Camp and Mount Hood Skibowl. The popular Mirror Lake hiking trail starts on the west end of Skibowl. Swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and paddling at Trillium Lake is another 15 minutes east.
Lost Lake Campground is nestled between beautiful Lost Lake and Mount Hood. From Lost Lake Butte, the valley view is breathtaking, and from the viewpoint, guests can revel in the most majestic view of Mt. Hood, its glaciers and Lost Lake. Another one of the many attractions at Lost Lake Campground is the old growth boardwalk, an interpretive trail that meanders through one of Oregon's large old growth stands.
Lost Lake Campground offers an abundance of activities. Campers have access to a general store, which offers: canoe, kayak, historic wooden row boats, metal fishing boats and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Whether you are a professional angler looking to catch that prized German Brown or a first-timer, there is something for everyone. Additionally, there are a number of hiking trails near the campground ranging in length from 1/4 mile to over 100 miles resulting in numerous hiking and biking opportunities. Other activities include bird watching, berry picking, swimming, waterfall finding and more.
Lost Lake Campground offers an abundance of activities. Campers have access to a general store, which offers: canoe, kayak, historic wooden row boats, metal fishing boats and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Whether you are a professional angler looking to catch that prized German Brown or a first-timer, there is something for everyone. Additionally, there are a number of hiking trails near the campground ranging in length from 1/4 mile to over 100 miles resulting in numerous hiking and biking opportunities. Other activities include bird watching, berry picking, swimming, waterfall finding and more.
Mother Nature went the extra mile when it came to Lost Lake. The surrounding topography is rugged, mountainous and magical. The flora and fauna is abundant and easily accessible. These attributes culminate in making Lost Lake Campground one of the most popular in Oregon.
Nearby Wahtum Lake offers a great daily excursion or hike to one of the four surrounding waterfalls. On the way up to Lost Lake or on the way down, try stopping at one of the many fruit stands that blanket the Hood River Valley.
$49 - $109 / night
The Milo McIver State Park Campground is open seasonally. Typically March 15-October 31. Situated along the scenic Clackamas River, Milo McIver State Park is only 45 minutes from Portland. This beautiful park provides a variety of outstanding recreational opportunities. You can spend a day or a week exploring the river, forest and fields. River-lovers can challenge the sometimes wild (but always picturesque) Clackamas River with rafts, canoes or kayaks. For fishing enthusiasts, Estacada Lake offers a boat ramp and an ADA fishing dock, and the Clackamas River has Steelhead and Chinook runs. There is a disc golf course on-site. Discs are for sale and to rent at the park. For more information call 503-630-7150. CAMPGROUND DETAILS: - 44 electrical sites with water - Nine tent sites with water nearby - Hot showers and flush toilets - Three reservable group tent camping areas with water, flush toilets and fire rings - Three hiker/biker campsites with water, lockers, solar charging station, and fire pit - RV dump station - 1 ADA accessible site - Two reservable, 2' x 4' charcoal grills.
$18 - $75 / night
Scout
Such an awesome find! The first campsite is small and perfect for a couple tents. The second site could easily fit 3 or 4 tents and has plenty of additional space for parking, kitchen set-up, etc… both sites also have really nice fire pits. Also don’t let the Trillium Lake camp hosts scare you. They told us the gravel road to access the sites was “rough as hell” and were completely wrong. Nothing more than a few potholes. Any vehicle could make the trek.
Traveler
The place is clean and has a rain forest feel. Trees close in. Amazingly dark and quiet at night. A bit muddy for walking the dog.
Scout
Very nice and secluded... Only critique is not stocked with much of everyday things.. Coffee ect. But loved the yurt!!!
Scout
Good
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Traveler
Short walk, or 7 miles in, start on west shoreline trail 528 on the NW parking lot past the day use area. Great mostly flat trail for backpacking or cart camping along the west shoreline of Timothy Lake in the Mt Hood National Forest. Sites are well marked and $10 per night fee. Northwest Forest Parking Pass required for overnight parking.
Traveler
Nice area to camp at, vault bathroom close by but there was no toilet paper so bring your own. Does feel like camping in a Parking lot. Trail close by.
Guide
I really wanted to give 5 stars, but they have far too many permanent residents, which makes the campground look un-kept. The grounds were ok, bathrooms were clean, price was fair, large spaces , and very good customer service.
Traveler
As of Oct 2024 - still shut No access to bathrooms but can pay 5 for day use of their picnic benches
Traveler
As of Oct 2024 - still shut With gate and padlock, shut to even get into but there is a park nearby to use the restrooms if needed but no camping
Legend
Humbug is one of our favorite campgrounds. We love the easy access to the beach and the beautiful hikes. Showers are hot and free, rangers are always friendly.
Cell service is pretty iffy here, but we manage to make it work with the cell booster.
There's a dump station and water fill, trash and recycling, water spigots throughout campground, and firewood for sale.
Tent sites in Oregon don't currently have the 25% non-resident surcharge (though I've heard that's changing soon) and there are plenty of non-hookup/tent sites that will fit RVs. There are also FHU and pull through sites.
Guide
It was a 10pm arrival but thankfully we found a spot that did not disappoint. I wish we had a full weekend to stay but the overnight and breakfast on the river was a great start to our PNW visit.
Scout
If you enjoy hiking, this is a great campground with many beautiful trails to explore. The bathroom is clean and there's free hot shower. There's a country store 2 miles west of here you can get firewood and some supplies. Sites are a little less private and occasionally I heard train passing by from the nearby railway (bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper). Check our videos for details: https://youtu.be/BrSpGhdefQ0?si=dVS7YPTZX8AplUVL
Ranger
First time here, not particularly enamored with the campground for several reasons.
Nestled in the trees and between Hwy 84 and the Union Pacific Railroad, both are busy and can be heard all day and night.
No dump station anywhere in this campground, you can dump and either campground to the west or the east but not convenient.
Spaces are tight and we would not have been able to get into our spot if the person across from us did not kindly move her vehicle. Our rig is not that large, at 26'.
The good is the river which is an easy walk or e-bike ride. Lots of trails to ride but they say no e-scooters but okay for e-bikes. This was not enforced since my brother and sister in law rode their scooters all over the place.
RV camping is separated from the tent camping which would make it nice for tent campers.
Fun to ride the paved trails, go to the Columbia River and watch the sail boarders doing their thing.
Traveler
Showed up here during the evening after a long day on the road and if I wasn’t so tired I would’ve kept going. There’s someone that obviously lives here in their RV with a lot of “stuff” scattered about.
TravelerThis is a nice campground with lots of trees and shade but it sits between I-84 and the Columbia River which has a major train line so it's not necessarily a quiet campground (trains run all night). No dump station available but we had electric and water. Not much grass anywhere and things were really dusty due to dryness and heat of the summer. You can't see the river from the campground but you can walk to it (or drive to it) and there are several picnic tables near the river. There is a nature trail but it is not marked well at all to find the beginning of it. Convenient to Hood River though and an easy drive to Cascade Locks for ice cream at the local dairy dine.
GuideNice find in the forest. Very peaceful with huge sites. There are only 3 sites for tent camping. If you have a camper or RV very large parking lot to camp in. Nice hiking trails throughout the sno-park that we took advantage of. We got up next morning and hike the falls down the Hwy. Camp sites are right off Hwy. A little Hwy. noise but at night fall only a couple of cars. We did pack out a lot of other people’s trash at both sites. Sad to see so much trash left behind when there are garbage cans right next to the pit toilets. Definitely will come back.
Traveler
A great spot with privacy ! Lots of turnouts along the road with river accesses just steps away ! Definitely recommend!
Guide
Quiet campground with clean vault toilets. Many of the sites are very close to each other and some do not accommodate even a small trailer. Small stream near by with limited access. Monte Carlo and Monte Cristo trails are close by but were under repair by WTA. There were some mountain lions near the camp while we were there, 2 separate sightings, probably moving because of the work on the nearby trails
Scout
Overall experience was great…. with a caveat. It’s a small camping park, sites are small and close to each other. However the park is clean and well maintained. Our only issue is that our first night, at about 2am, I was woken up by footsteps outside our trailer window. I looked out to see we hat appeared to be a younger adult male dressed in all black who pulled the coolers and chairs out from under our trailer and pulled two booze bottles out of the cooler and had them on the picnic table getting ready to take them. I opened the door and scared him into running by yelling at him. This is my first time, in 40+ years camping that I’ve had anything like this happen. So at 2:15 this morning, I was outside hauling all of our gear into the trailer. Joke was on him though, the bottles were filled with water to freeze and use as ice. Just beware, this is a nice little park, but don’t leave your valuables out overnight.
We reported it to the office, who told us they’ve been having the issue recently, that they think it’s local teens, but their hands were being tied by local police on how to catch the thieves. I called local non emergency and reported the incident to them in hopes they might step up patrols or something.
Guidewhole road is paved all the way up & plenty of spots to pull off plus multiple bathrooms! got super chilly even in august but was very cozy in sweats & under a few blankets in the rooftop tent. would definitely stay here again and it's a good option for vehicles w/ low clearance or non off roading folks.
GuideAfter getting to near the marker, we quickly found out that this is not a good stay. Looked as if there were some permanent campers, gun shots were heard during the day and there was a posted government restricted area sign. If you want to get near the lake (if you want to call it that), you’d have to climb down some pretty steep rocks. Didn’t look like anywhere near the lake to set up a camp either
Guide
A couple spots right off the road for car camping or small campers. There was an “official” camp sight more near the Dry Creek Trail (has a bathroom). We opted to walk south along the river to try and find a space. Ended up crossing the river where there are a couple more hidden spots. We found out later that there is a trail right before you cross Trapper Creek that leads you to the spot we were at. There were a few people out and you can sometimes hear cars but overall it was an easy stay with some nice views. The river drowns out most the noise. Would definitely come back here
ScoutI only spent a night since it was close to a hike I was doing in the morning, but it was a solid spot. A bunch of spots in the woods, lots seem to have privacy. The drive on the road is pretty steep for a moment, but my vehicle did just fine! I had service on my phone, which is ideal. I would stay again. No issues.
Scout
Jim did a great job of communicating and was attentive to all the campers, but they ended up overbooked so we were moved away from the river and into an open field. With no hookups and lacking riverfront, the night seemed over-priced. With van life on site and a full campground, it didn’t have the quiet feel we expected.
Scout
Stayed just one night in site 1, which was the only one available. It’s very private being far from the trail and has good access to the shore but is very shady at all times, although also sheltered from the wind. There was a fire ring (although no fires allowed) and a table. Several viable tent spots on the site. The toilets were closed and, unfortunately, previous campers weren’t so great at “leave no trace” because we found a bunch of dog and human feces around.
Camping near Welches, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Welches, Oregon, has something for everyone. Whether you're with family or friends, there's plenty to enjoy in the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Welches, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Welches, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 327 campgrounds and RV parks near Welches, OR and 34 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Welches, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Welches, OR is Trillium Lake with a 4.4-star rating from 49 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Welches, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 free dispersed camping spots near Welches, OR.
What parks are near Welches, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Welches, OR that allow camping, notably Mt. Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
