Mount Hood National Forest surrounding Welches offers year-round camping opportunities at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 4,000 feet. The region's mountain landscape transitions from dense Douglas fir forests at lower elevations to alpine meadows higher up, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F during the day and dropping to 45-55°F at night. Many camping areas remain accessible even in winter, with Highway 26 providing reliable access when snow closes other forest roads.
What to do
Paddling the lakes and rivers: Clear Lake provides excellent opportunities for beginners. "Great for beginner kayakers as it is small, still, and doesn't allow motor traffic," notes one visitor to Trillium Lake. Another camper mentions, "The lake is warm enough to swim in the summer."
Fishing in mountain waters: The area offers diverse fishing environments from lakes to flowing rivers. At Lost Lake Resort, "There is nice, quick trail takes you around the lake and brings you back to the campground... There's good fishing," according to a camper. Another adds, "There are nice size trout in this lake that can be caught from the bank if you don't have a boat."
Hiking through old-growth forest: The region features numerous trails for all skill levels. "The Salmon River Trail, which was gorgeous. We went south - the trail goes through an old growth forest along the river. It's amazing," shares a visitor to Green Canyon Campground. Another notes that Camp Creek has "nice trails" and is "a great place to take your family or dogs."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots. At Camp Creek Campground, "Sites are pretty nice, scattered among old pine trees, some more private than others." A different camper notes, "The sites are large and private, lots of trees and greenery between spots. The river-side spots are amazing, with several right on the water."
Riverside camping: The sound of flowing water enhances many campsites. "We had a nice spot right by the creek, it has nice trails," mentions a Camp Creek visitor. Similarly, at Green Canyon, "You could hear the river from site #8, which made for nice background noise."
Accessibility from Portland: The area serves as a convenient escape from urban life. "Easy distance from Portland on the Sandy River," says a visitor to Oxbow Regional Park. Another camper notes it's "truly a great oasis just outside of Portland" with its "huge park (like 1,000 acres) with several camping options."
What you should know
Dispersed camping options: Free camping is available for those seeking a more primitive experience. At Kiwanis Road Free Camping, "Great spot for free car camping! On the way to the Kiwanis campground, lots of spots right off the road. Right by the creek so you can't hear campsite neighbors even if they're close by." Another camper adds, "I went a little further down the road than the coordinates and found the perfect spot for my 31 foot trailer."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts campground accessibility and comfort. "It was still pretty cold at this elevation end of May," reports a Trillium Lake visitor. Another notes that "as the previous reviews mention it is family friendly so there will be plenty of kids crying, yelling and just screaming for whatever reason...as kids do."
Facilities vary widely: Know what amenities are available before you go. "The bathrooms were not well kept the last time I went," shares a Trillium Lake camper. At Mt Hood Village Resort, one visitor notes that "for 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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Mt Hood Village Resort, "There is a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids." Another visitor mentions it has a "Good playground for kids. Very family friendly."
Swimming spots: Look for safe water access with children. "The lake is lovely and easy to paddle board on. It is warm enough to swim in the summer," notes a Trillium Lake visitor. At Clear Lake, "We absolutely loved clear lake and it was great for paddleboarding, swimming, and fishing."
Child-friendly hiking: Many trails accommodate younger adventurers. "The park also hooks into the Still Creek Trail #780. Beautiful hiking!" states a Camp Creek visitor. Near Mt Hood Village Resort, "Wildwood recreation site is right next door and boasts an underwater salmon viewing area as well naturalist inspired boardwalks and walking paths."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Some campgrounds have limited space for RVs. "Our 25' Class C is a bit tight for some of the campsites, but over-all there are many fine creek-side sites," notes a visitor to Camp Creek. For Mt Hood Village, a camper advises, "Easy to access, even for larger rigs. We stayed in 39 foot 5th wheel. Plenty of pull thru spots, full hookups, regularly spaced bathroom/showers."
Hookup availability: Services vary significantly between locations. "Dump station and water available," reports an Ainsworth State Park camper. At Milo McIver, "Nice regional campground. Has tent and RV spots. No hookups though."
Leveling considerations: Terrain can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Many of the sites are not particularly level," notes a Camp Creek visitor, explaining "this campgrounds charm lies in its age." At Mt Hood Village, "The full hook up sites are in old growth timber giving each site a feeling is seclusion."
