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Established Camping

Clackamas Lake

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Clackamas Lake, near Mt. Hood National Forest, is a cozy campground that offers a laid-back atmosphere perfect for those looking to unwind in nature. With spacious sites and a friendly vibe, it’s an ideal base for exploring the nearby Timothy Lake, just a short drive away.

The campground features basic amenities like vault toilets and drinking water, but don’t expect any frills like showers or electric hookups. Visitors have noted that the sites are clean and well-kept, with enough space to feel private. As one camper mentioned, “The sites were big and very clean,” making it a pleasant spot to set up camp.

For outdoor activities, Clackamas Lake is a great jumping-off point for hiking and kayaking. The scenic trails lead you to Timothy Lake, where you can enjoy stunning views of Mt. Hood, especially on sunny days. Just be prepared for some pesky mosquitoes; bringing bug spray is highly recommended.

While the lake itself is more marshy than swimmable, it still offers beautiful scenery and a peaceful environment. Campers appreciate the relaxed atmosphere, making it a solid choice for families and friends looking to escape the hustle and bustle. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Clackamas Lake has a lot to offer for a memorable camping experience.

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Location

Clackamas Lake is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Sandy, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 40 miles to Skyline Road (Forest Road 42). Turn right on Skyline Road and continue south for 10 miles to the Clackamas Lake entrance sign. Turn left and head east less than half a mile to the campground entrance.

Coordinates

45.095598 N
121.746535 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Connectivity

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    Verizon
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  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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10 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 2, 2024

Awesome base camp

This was a quiet little campground. The sites were big and very clean. It is close to Timothy lake which is where we wanted to go kayaking at. Took us 10 minutes to get there. Loved camping there. There is no lake it’s more of a wetlands area.

Site21
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Debbie  T., July 2, 2024
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Debbie  T., July 2, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 3, 2021

Lovely place but no lake

I stayed here for only 2 days to go fishing but we found out there was no more lake there it’s just marsh out there and you would have to walk/drive to Timothy lake to fish. So no you cannot fish here they are wrong for putting it up and this place gets infested with giant termites everywhere.

Site44
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Arianna R., June 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Arianna R., June 3, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 6, 2019

Basic Amenities, Grand Natural Beauty

We stayed at camp site #44 which has plenty of space and is surrounded by ample greenery to block view from neighboring camp sites. Vault toilets only. Mosquito repellent strongly advised. The hike to Timothy like is short and scenic. Timothy Lake itself is spectacular. Particularly since motorized boats are not allowed and on a sunny day Mt Hood is reflected in the water. Worth visiting.

  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Vera S., September 6, 2019
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Vera S., September 6, 2019
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Vera S., September 6, 2019
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2019

So many bugs!

Seriously, bring bug spray and put it on the minute you get there. Had a great time, the camp host were cool. Little crater and Timothy lake are nearby too! I loved taking photos while I was there!

Reviewed Jul. 26, 2019

Great spot!

Would definitely camp here again! Small and relaxed and we hiked 2 miles on the PCT to Timothy lake which was great!

  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Mica Z., July 26, 2019
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Mica Z., July 26, 2019
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Mica Z., July 26, 2019
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2019

Summer blast

My family and my best friend and her family took her two horses for a week long camping trip! It was so much fun

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2019

Nice and Tidy

Nice campground with sites that aren’t too close together. It’s near Clackamas Lake which is more like marshland than a lake. The good news is that it’s only a mile or so to from beautiful Timothy Lake, where it’s hard to get a site in the summer. Mosquitoes were pretty bad in early June, as might be expected. Campground host Robert and his wife/partner, whose name we didn’t get, were extremely friendly and helpful.

  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Thomas B., June 17, 2019
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Thomas B., June 17, 2019
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Thomas B., June 17, 2019
  • (8) View All
Reviewed May. 24, 2018

Close to Timothy Lake

Great campground when nearby Timothy Lake campgrounds are full. The spot I had was large and not too close to other spots. The campground was full, so there was the early morning sounds of children playing. I was in spot 8 which looked onto Clackamas Lake. Which side note is not a "lake" but more of a marshy pond with reeds and grass around the edge. Still I was able to situate my tent to look onto the lake. This spot is in the horse section so there were corrals in each spot. Looked like a horse had camped in the spot a few days earlier cause there were large piles of fresh horse poop I had to keep my dog away from. The table/tent area was about 75 feet from my car so I had to make many trips to get all my stuff into the site. If you are extra adventurous and in shape you can walk from the campground, around Timothy Lake and back, be warned this is just over 18 miles. The trail around Timothy Lake is not strenuous, and offers amazing views of Mt Hood, and there is water about half way through, but again be ready for a long hike.

SiteSpot 8
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Ashley B., May 24, 2018
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Ashley B., May 24, 2018
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Ashley B., May 24, 2018
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2016

Great spot when Timothy Lake is full up

We stayed here after we couldn't find any open spots at the Timothy Lake campgrounds. It was a nice and quiet spot. Good access to Clackamas Lake (more of a shallow pond, really). Camp host didn't have much in the way of firewood to buy; perhaps because it was the last weekend that they'd be there. Water spigots are a little overgrown, look for the spray paint on the campground drive to find them.

Reviewed Aug. 24, 2016

Beautiful, if small, lake

Clackamas Lake is a great campsite. Fairly easy to find and navigate. Great for when you don't want to deal with the more crowded campgrounds.

While the camping sites are fairly close together, the site is usually lightly occupied. While we where there we only had one neighbor but the rest of the loop was empty.

For horse riders they have some equestrian only campsites.

There was plenty of trails in which to hike or ride, and a dock to go see the lake. You can also go swimming if your into Oregon lake or pond swimming.

Clackamas Lake itself is fairly small and in many ways feels more like a large and deep marsh then a lake.

Phone and internet reception (AT&T) is spotty at best.

  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Guinevere H., August 24, 2016
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Guinevere H., August 24, 2016
  • Review photo of Clackamas Lake by Guinevere H., August 24, 2016
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities and amenities are available at Clackamas Lake Campground?

Clackamas Lake Campground offers vault toilets but no shower facilities. The campground features spacious sites that aren't too close together, providing a good level of privacy even when the campground is full. Many sites have ample greenery serving as natural barriers between neighbors. There's a camp host on-site during the main season who occasionally sells firewood, though supplies may be limited toward the end of the season. The campground is generally quieter and less crowded than nearby alternatives, making it perfect for campers seeking a more peaceful experience.

Is there a map of Clackamas Lake Campground showing campsites and layout?

While there isn't specific information about a dedicated map for Clackamas Lake Campground in our sources, visitors should check with the US Forest Service website or office for official campground maps. The campground has numbered sites (including notable sites like #8 which overlooks the lake/marsh area and #44 which offers good privacy with surrounding greenery). For planning purposes, knowing the campground is relatively small with sites that offer decent spacing and privacy can help with navigation once on-site.

Where can I find photos of Clackamas Lake Campground before visiting?

You can find photos of Clackamas Lake Campground on The Dyrt website and app, which features user-submitted images showing the campsites, surrounding area, and nearby attractions like Timothy Lake. The US Forest Service website may also provide official photos of the campground. Social media platforms and hiking websites often contain additional images of the area, particularly showing the nearby Pacific Crest Trail and Timothy Lake, which is just a short distance away.

What are the fishing opportunities at Clackamas Lake?

Despite its name, Clackamas Lake is actually more of a shallow marsh or wetlands area rather than a true lake, making fishing impossible at the immediate site. For fishing opportunities, visitors should head to nearby Timothy Lake, which is only about a mile away or a 10-minute drive from the campground. Timothy Lake offers excellent fishing and is a popular destination for anglers. Some campers even enjoy the 2-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail to reach Timothy Lake. Little Crater Lake is another nearby option for visitors looking to explore water features in the area.