Mt. Hood National Forest holds Lake Harriet Campground on a buoyed reservoir along the Clackamas River, where the setting draws anglers and paddlers more than solitude-seekers. The campground is a Forest Service site managed in partnership with PGE, and that arrangement shows in the upkeep. Only 8 sites total. The sites sit adjacent to a gravel loop with minimal grass and limited privacy between neighbors, so expect a social atmosphere rather than a tucked-away one.
Water access is the main draw here. Kayaks, canoes, and inflatables can put in directly at the lake, and the reservoir is stocked with trout throughout the summer, drawing consistent shore fishing. Feeder streams and side channels give fish some cover during warmer parts of the day, which gives anglers more spots to work. One reviewer notes the water runs cold enough that swimming is not really viable, so those planning to get in the water should adjust expectations.
Shellrock Creek sits roughly 2 miles northeast, and Hideaway Lake Campground is about 3.5 miles north, making this stretch of Forest Road 57 a reasonable base for sampling campgrounds around Mt. Hood National Forest. The access road is a narrow gravel lane, and reviewers flag it as rough, so drive cautiously and plan for a dusty vehicle. There is no cell signal in the canyon. The dumpsters can develop a fish smell from discarded trout remains, which is worth knowing if you're camping near them. Sites run $28 to $30 per night, and reservations are available, which is worth booking in advance given the small site count during summer weekends.
Description
Overview
Lake Harriet Campground sits on the eastern shores of crystal clear Lake Harriet. It is located between the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River, which flows into the lake, and the nearby forest highway. It is a great location for camping, fishing and boating.
Recreation
Boating, canoeing and fishing on Lake Harriet are popular activities. There is a speed limit of 10 mph. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout each year, resulting in easy fly fishing. Anglers can also expect to catch cutthroat and brown trout, which spawn in the nearby river. The campground offers a boat ramp and fishing dock for easy lake access. The nearby Oak Grove Fork of Clackamas River is also popular for fishing. Steelhead, chinook and kokanee salmon can often be caught there. Further down the river, the Clackamas provides class III-IV whitewater rafting. The river provides a perfect habitat for the bald eagle and northern spotted owl, as well as an occasional peregrine falcon. Visitors can also enjoy hiking in the Bull of the Woods Wilderness area, just south of the campground. Several primitive forest roads nearby are useful for mountain biking and the Cascades Scenic Byway, which follows the Clackamas River, runs near the campground.
Facilities
The campground offers eight single-family campsites for tent and RV camping. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A host is available on-site and firewood is available for purchase at the campground.
Natural Features
The campground is surrounded by a sparse forest of alder trees that provide limited shade to the area. It is situated at an elevation of about 2,000 feet in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The 22-acre lake and surrounding wilderness rest in a narrow, heavily forested canyon of Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range.
Contact Info
Between 05/26/2023 and 09/09/2023 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.
Nearby Attractions
The Ripplebrook Ranger Station is located just over 6 miles west of the campground. A variety of services can be found there, including a general store and visitor center.
Charges & Cancellations
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.
Fee Info
Payment in-full will be charged to your credit card upon completion of the reservation. A non-refundable online reservation fee may be charged for some facilities.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
NOTICE: Fire restrictions are in effect beginning July 1, 2026 for the Mt. Hood National Forest including Timothy Lake and Lake Harriet. Campfires, charcoal fires, pellet fires, and any other open fires are prohibited. Portable cooking stoves and propane fire pits that use liquefied bottled gas with an on/off switch are permitted. Details.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLake Harriet is located in Oregon near Welches
Directions
From Sandy, Oregon, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 40 miles to Skyline Road/Road 42. Turn right on Skyline Road and continue south for about 9 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road (FSR) 57 and travel west past all campgrounds along the south shore. Cross the dam and continue about 9.5 miles along FSR 57. Turn right onto FSR 4630. Proceed 0.5 miles to Lake Harriet.
Address
Oak Grove Fork Rd.
Lake harriet, OR
Coordinates
45.073611 N
121.958611 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 18 min from Portland, OR
- 1 hr 44 min from Salem, OR
- 2 hrs 3 min from Albany, OR
- 2 hrs 19 min from Corvallis, OR
