Peninsula (Olallie) Campground

If you enjoy getting away from the crowds and camping more primitively, this place is for you. Facilities at the campground include vault toilets and trash cans, but no running water, so bring your own. There is a boat dock and a few sites even have direct lake access. Some of the best rainbow trout fishing can be had here, there are some big ones lurking deep. Unfortunately since this is a reservoir, swimming isn't allowed, but human powered boats (canoe, kayak, SUP) are allowed.

If hiking is your thing, not only is there a relatively easy trail, i.e. good for families, that goes around the entire outline of the lake, but the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) is nearby, with some great views and small lakes (that you can swim in) along the way. Oddly in camp the mosquitos weren't bad, but on this section of the PCT I got eaten alive, so bring plenty of protection during mosquito season.

Before you get to the campground you'll see the the Olallie Lake "resort" with some primitive cabins and a yurt to rent. The resort has a small store (be sure to support them with a purchase) with pedal boats, rowboats and canoes that can be rented here.

There's plenty to do at Olallie Lake, so bring your fishing pole, your swim suit and your hiking boots and enjoy the amazing secluded views of Mt Jefferson and Ollalie Butte, and the solitude.

We decided to camp last-minute for the eclipse, and found an amazingly open spot on the east side of Monon lake. While we weren't technically in Peninsula Campground we were very close. We had a lakefront viewing spot for the eclipse from our small, but well laid out campsite.

The road in from any direction is very bumpy and full of rocks, and can be daunting if you're not used to driving on that kind of terrain. If you don't have good tires, don't attempt. Stopped at Olallie store on the way in, friendly folks, and very reasonable prices considering the location. It's very dusty in the summer, so be prepared to cover everything and keep it inside a vehicle or tent if you don't want it filthy. This is a quiet camping area, no tunes please. The boyfriend kayaked on Monon lake, and did some bank fishing on Olallie and caught two trout pretty quickly.

We were close enough to walk to a vault toilet when necessary, which were the cleanest I've ever been in. The woods bathroom situation was sparse during the day, hard to go anywhere without being seen. Time to buy a privacy shower/toilet tent

Since we only camped for one night, wasn't able to hit any trails, but really enjoyed our short time there. We will be back.

I cannot believe I've never been to Olallie Lake before now. Really amazing! It's not that hard to get to from Portland, follow the Clackamas River where there are lots of other great campgrounds. Olallie Lake is further down the road and the last 5 miles or so are on a pretty bumpy dirt road. So, not too far but just hard enough to get to that crowds of people may not go there. And there are lots of other campgrounds in the area so lots of options if the one you 're going to is full.

We stayed at site 29, mainly because we got there in the dark and it was hard to see what the sites were like. It was actually one of the few sites not right on the water. But still a great site because it had lots space for our 3 tents, good sun/shade balance during the day, and less cold wind than I think we would have had down on the lake.

Site 30 is across the way and overlooks the lake. Great spot for one tent but could not fit more than that. (see video)

Down at the end of the peninsula are several walk in sites. You barely have to "walk in" so fine for car camping. I think these are the best spots. You will see my videos of Site 15 and Site 18 (18 would be good for a group) but just beyond that is Site 19 which is at the very tip of the peninsula and the perfect little secluded spot. It's the sort of camping spot you dream of! The only slight little problem with it is that you kind of have to walk through other peoples' site to get to it. But still worth it.

Plenty of clean pit toilets around the campground.