When you enter the gate for clear lake take your first right and follow the sorta still paved road you are on the dispersed camping side. Well worth checking this place out. Lots of spots with lake views and fire rings waiting for you🙃 toilets are only near fee area and day use area, bring a bucket! 😉🛢️ Oh also this is not a conveniently located spot for supplies if you need something it's a trek so come prepared!
This is a decent camp spot within an hour and a half of Portland metro. It has limited services, potable water, garbage and pit toilets. The water was nice, plenty deep for paddling or wading. It is pretty small, so not too many sites.
There was a Camp Host present thankfully and daily Sheriff drive by during the weekend. This was welcome due to a few obnoxious party groups. One in particular turned the forest into a rave with lights that flashed into tents, which was irritating. I think the Sheriff spoke to them because they headed out the next day. We had a nice weekend but I probably wouldn’t stay much longer than that in the future.
Only stayed one night, had walking access to the lake and a huge pretty secluded campsite. Beautiful area and almost no one there as of the end of September
Nestled among tall trees, almost on the lakefront - this campground location is ideal! The lake water was very clear and several families were paddle boarding. Unfortunately we didn't think to check the air quality before we left - it was pretty bad due to forest fires. The vault toilets were clean enough, but they ran out of toilet paper. I was glad I brought some. The rest of the campground was very clean! I would have appreciated the hosts enforcing the no-fire rule that is in effect right now, since fire danger is extremely high. There were signs posted all over but we saw several campfires at night.
Not really clear lake but skyline sno park! Went up early one night and had a solo adventure. Was awesome and while it didn’t snow it was clear so stars were plentiful.
Beautiful campsite, but there isn’t really anything around to do- (unless you’ve reserved the space - I was there on a first come). Probably better for non solo campers.
I highly recommend this campground as it is beautiful and tucked back off 26 far enough that you don't hear the highway. The host were very nice, very accommodating and our campsite was just in front of the lake shore! My son had a great time as well as my dog and I would absolutely go back again!
Did not stay at campground. Full. Drove around lake and found a spot for free.
I loved camping here. It was a very clean campsite and the people were very nice. The campsites are pretty spread out which is nice and pretty tucked into the forests.
Very quiet and cold. Beautiful scenery and a nice place to get away. No cell service which can be good or bad 😸. Very spacious sites that give privacy. Bathrooms are alright with pit toilets; no showers unfortunately. The lake was low when we were there.
Once you get there the directions are easy to follow and the camp hosts are right and the front of you have any questions. The camp spots are pretty big but they are more open and dispersed.
Such a cool spot! Short walk through the woods and you are on Clear Lake! And by short walk I mean a small tree line in the back yard of our camp! Pretty lake surrounded by tall pines! Clean bathrooms!
Review: This is a great campground. We went on a Tuesday and found the only available spot. Many people came in looking for spots. Make sure to reserve a spot ahead of time. Campsite: Campsite had everything you need. Picnic table, tent site, and fire pit. Sites on the lake looked great but we couldn’t find an open one. Lake: Beautiful lake. Really worth the drive. Go to the Clear Lake lodge and rent a boat if you don’t have one (non motorized). It was well worth the 22$. Fishing is great too, stocked lake lots of trout. Overall: Wonderful experience, plan ahead, reserve a spot and you’ll have a great time.
In the morning the water is so still and calm, that it looks like a canyon. Amazing time! My pup got in the water for the first time on his own. Lots of space for semi private camping and fishing. Even went topless for a day!!
Awesome spot if you’re looking to have your own little cove. We were on the north side of Clear Lake and it was beautiful.
Have been to this place a couple of times and love it! There is a campground you can reserve sites at which are large and we'll spaced. You can also stay for free on the BLM land surrounding the lake. (If you do this please leave no trace!)
Hiking around the Clear Lake takes longer than in looks because of all the fingers so allow a couple of leisurely hours.
Its a hauntingly beautiful, chill place. A must visit for fans of mountain lakes!
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. We had hoped there would have been more shaded areas around the lake for our dogs to hang out but it was a bit of a walk back to the tree coverage.
Cons: Bathrooms were relatively clean but were some of the worst smelling bathrooms I've ever been in.
Totally thrilled to have discovered this "new" (to us) camp site not too far out of Portland, Oregon. About $20/site, including some amazing spots with water views. There's a boat dock/area, but when we arrived there in August the "lake" was more of a river, which was perfect for all the splashing and playing that we wanted to do.
Many of the camp sites are huge, and most also have beautiful trees and plenty of space. No showers and such, but the pit toilets are clean enough. If you're looking for a spot to get away for the weekend, do a little hiking, hang out by Mt. Hood and play in some water, this is a perfect campground.
If you have small ones, take them critter catching! Fat frogs. Slimy salamanders, and big ol crawdaddies are good for catching. Of course release them after you snap a pic with them! First time staying in the overflow camp spots, and prefer it over the actual campground!
Our trip to Clear Lake this weekend was quite lackluster. The lake was so incredibly low. The deepest the lake got was probably no more that 8 feet deep and there were do many stumps poking out of the lake that we were hesitant to take the boat out. We also got accused of dumping our trash by one of the park employees (it absolutely was not us) and he only talked to us which was annoying. The plus was our spot was large and clean. probably won't be going back to clear lake the rest of the summer. Also the drive up there is always so lovely.
This is one of my favorite spots to camp. The sites are clean, the new camp hosts are lovely and the lake is gorgeous!
We absolutely love this place. Big, clean, camping sites. Cabins are nice as well. The lake of course is the best part. Crystal clear but COLD. Great fishing. They have a little restaurant where you can rent boats. Bathrooms are nice as well.
Have a full tank of gas there is no service and closest gas station is far away and closes at night.
I had a great visit at Clear Lake on the Fourth of July 2017. I arrived very late. There was only a toilet but that was fine with me. I was leaving early. The quiet morning at the lake was the perfect start to my day. The campground was near capacity, but I didn't hear a sound.
Bring everything! Rustic camping with lots of privacy. Great for the family or a get together with friends!
