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Established Camping

Trillium Lake

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from September 24, 2024 through May 25, 2025.

Campers are Saying

Trillium Lake, near Mt. Hood, Oregon, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying stunning views of the iconic mountain. The campground offers spacious sites that provide a good amount of privacy, making it a great choice for families or groups wanting to relax without feeling crowded.

Visitors rave about the beautiful Trillium Lake, which is perfect for paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing. The two-mile loop trail around the lake is a favorite among campers, offering a scenic walk with breathtaking reflections of Mt. Hood on the water. As one camper noted, “The lake is lovely and easy to paddle board on,” highlighting the area's appeal for water activities.

While the campground has basic amenities like pit toilets and picnic tables, it’s the natural beauty that draws people in. Campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, especially in the evenings when the hustle and bustle of the day winds down. Just remember to keep the area clean, as some visitors have noticed litter left behind. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Trillium Lake is a solid choice for enjoying the great outdoors.

General Overview

National Forest

Mt. Hood National Forest

Overview

Trillium Lake Campground is a beautiful and popular campground not far from the quaint town of Government Camp. It provides spectacular views of majestic Mt. Hood, Oregon's highest point. The campground is well-known for its scenery and abundant recreational opportunities, as well as being a great, family-friendly place to camp.

Recreation

Boating, swimming and fishing are popular on 63-acre Trillium Lake. A small boat ramp is available within the campground and a larger ramp is available in the nearby day-use area. An accessible fishing pier is also available. Anglers cast for a variety of trout. The 2-mile Trillium Shoreline Trail circles the lake, and parts of it are accessible. Visitors also enjoy hiking and biking on other trails in the vicinity. Tours of the area's historical sites are also popular.

Facilities

Boating, swimming and fishing are popular on 63-acre Trillium Lake. A small boat ramp is available within the campground and a larger ramp is available in the nearby day-use area. An accessible fishing pier is also available. Anglers cast for a variety of trout. The 2-mile Trillium Shoreline Trail circles the lake, and parts of it are accessible. Visitors also enjoy hiking and biking on other trails in the vicinity. Tours of the area's historical sites are also popular.

Natural Features

The campground is located about 40 miles southeast of Portland, in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It sits alongside Trillium Lake at an elevation of 3,600 feet, and is nestled in a shady, mixed conifer forest that provides privacy between campsites.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (503) 622-3191.

Nearby Attractions

Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark on Mt. Hood, is located within 10 miles of the campground.

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Location

Trillium Lake is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Portland, travel southeast on Highway 26 for about 40 miles. Turn right a mile east of Government Camp. Continue 2 miles to the campground entrance.

Address

MT. HOOD
OR

Coordinates

45.270695 N
121.734511 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

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

Reviews

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5 Stars

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1 Star

66%
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4.5

out of 5

49 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 7, 2024

June 4 nights

Well located for points of interest and hiking trails. Great 2 mile hiking loop around the lake. Beautiful view of Mt Hood. Clean sights with good privacy between camp spots. Hoping people will remember to help keep it clean. We did see trash left beside the lake where people were lounging or fishing on a couple of days.

Site9
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Amanda V., June 7, 2024
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Amanda V., June 7, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 4, 2024

Busy campground

I have camped here many times. Over the years, it has become too busy and lots of loud campers partying and such. I liked it better 5 yrs ago when It was less of a tourist attraction. The lake is lovely and easy to paddle board on. It is warm ebpugh to swim in the summer. The sites are huge and comfy. The bathrooms were not well kept the last time I went. Love the lake loop trail to hike on it. It is a beautiful place and dig friendly long as your dogs are leashed.

Sitemany different sites
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 12, 2023

Busy but private

Big sites with good amount of privacy. Little trail around the lake with easy access to put a paddle board in. Vault toilets and the usual water spigots. Had a great Time can’t wait to go back

Site7
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Jenna B., September 12, 2023
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Jenna B., September 12, 2023
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2023

Creeper came into our camp and held us hostage by fear

Took myself and 4 kids camping with a friend and her 2 kids. After we all went to bed, my oldest and I were in the rtt (as well as the other kids - it was a last minute decision to have a cuddle puddle). My son and I were chatting, staring at the stars thru the top of the tent and we kept hearing noises… we tried to chalk it up to animals or smaller critters because our dog was in her kennel on the ground and she wasn’t growling or barking. Anyway, minutes go by and we here steps approaching, we both look out the window and see a dim light closing in on the camp, it illuminates just a small area giving us the shape of a hulking male figure. He approached the camp and steps onto a boulder next to my Jeep and stands on it looking into the rtt. I asked if anyone was there and if I could help them, and they stayed silent but got much much closer to the tent and awning… right next to my dog. My dog whimpers and her kennel is quietly opened (it has a squeak), she whimpers again and it sounds like she is shuffling away from the entrance. She’s scared shitless. My son and I are literally sweating bullets and trying not to move too much. This person knows he and I are awake and he’s enjoying this game he’s playing. He proceeded to go thru everything in the camp, didn’t steal anything, and there was plenty to steal. He put my purse from inside my Jeep onto the bottom run of the ladder into the RTT. I’m not sure what kept him from coming in, or attempting to do what it felt like he was intending (I don’t know how to explain it, but we could feel his intentions)… I did whisper initially to my son to hand me the bullets, so maybe that helped, but he definitely was intentionally tormenting us. He made shadow puppets on the side of the tent so that we could see he didn’t care and was comfortable being there. I couldn’t find my phone and even when I finally had (an hour and a half into this experience), everytime I tried to use it the ambient light was so bright and I thought it would give us away. I called 911. They kept calling back because I couldn’t talk nor keep the line open, then they texted, but the screen is blindingly white so I had to try to type hiding under the loudest sleeping bag ever. Finally, I sent them our location. Multiple times cars got soooo close and I thought, this is it, the Calvary is here and we are safe, but it was just someone else moving along to their site or leaving camp. It took ages for the cops to arrive: I finally heard sirens, then I could see them, they were about to drive by, I quickly unzipped the tent jumped down with my phone and flashlight on to wave them down, while yelling to my camp mate to wake up and check on her kids. The cops came barreling into the woods, asked which direction and ran. They didn’t find him, but they found signs and they said there’s been more issues like this in the area. They said mhs was maybe a drunk guy. I know that’s not the case. He was freakishly quiet and he walked over 2 large tarps we used as flooring. He unzipped the bags on the ground quietly, and just straight up was there to make us he in fear: it worked. I have no qualms with using my weapon to defend my family and ultimately am so grateful that I had all my kids up in the tent with me.

Sitefree first come first serve trillium airstrip
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2022

Best Views of Mt Hood

Trillium Lake campground has the best location for Mt Hood views, hands down. The campground is quiet, not too many amenities(pit toilets, picnic table, fire pit). Camp sites are far enough apart for privacy which is always appreciated. We spent one night here, arriving early afternoon in hopes of snagging a first-come first-serve site- lucky us, they had a few available. They post the available sites on the information sign as you drive in. As we entered the campground we found the camp hosts and secured our spot for the night. One of the best parts of staying here is Trillium Lake itself- you can kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board on it. The views of Mt Hood reflected in the lake are stunning. I recommend doing the Trillium Lake Loop trail that goes around the entire lake(2 miles). At the time of our visit a section of the trail was closed but it wasn't well signed from the side we approached from, oops- something to watch out for in the near future.

Site12B
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Karolina N., October 13, 2022
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Karolina N., October 13, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 14, 2022

Trillium Lake Campground

Campground on Trillium Lake at the base of Mt Hood in the Mt Hood National Forest. Awesome tent sites among towering fir trees. Lake for paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing (nothing motorized). Water and toilets and trash. No showers. Adequate cellular service. No Wi-Fi. Amazing wooded experience with spectacular views of Mt Hood across the lake. Ducks and river otters.

SiteTent site 24
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Frank H., September 14, 2022
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Frank H., September 14, 2022
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Frank H., September 14, 2022
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2022

Terrible Camp Host Payment System

Been here twice for the first come first serve campsites. 

First time, I arrived and spent time going from camp host to camp host trying to pay and all were gone. Probably playing in the lake. No big deal though, they eventually came to collect the money and were chill. Figured it was just a relaxed campground. No problem.

Second time, I came with the same expectations. Didn’t bother with the camp host hunt this time and figured I’d catch them later as they come around constantly. Big mistake. While I was at the lake they gave away my campsite despite being the first there and set up. “It’s first to pay not first to set up that has rights to the campsite”, I was told without remorse. Which is BS since it’s literally in the name first COME, first serve. 

Ah well end rant about that. Lake is beautiful. Campsites can be spacious or very tight depending. Would rate 4/5 or 5/5 if they had better hosts and a better payment system.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 25, 2022

First time at Trillium

Quiet campground and very rustic. Access to the lake is easy but lots of people when it’s hot. Camp sites are spread far apart. Very narrow for RVs to drive through and back in to.

Site25
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 10, 2022

Amazing!!

Absolutely gorgeous. Quiet, peaceful. Nice distance between sites.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by heidi , July 10, 2022
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by heidi , July 10, 2022
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by heidi , July 10, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 22, 2021

Peaceful

This location has comfortable camping sites. The biggest draw is the most beautiful reflection of Mt. Hood across the river. There is a trail that goes along the edge of river along the shoreline close to the sites. During the day it is heavily trafficked but peaceful as the evening starts.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Angela W., October 22, 2021
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Angela W., October 22, 2021
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Angela W., October 22, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2021

9/30 camping

Camped here on 9/30. We were one of three people there plus the camp host. Note: I think after 9/25 it is only first come first serve! Can’t reserve online or see what’s available. CASH ONLY on arrival. Otherwise semi private spots for a typical campground. We stayed at spot 12A with a 50ft walk to the lake. Beautiful! It did get into the 30s that night, pretty cold.

Site12A
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Sep. 28, 2021

Nice Quiet and Wooded

Paved sites in a wooded area right on Trillium Lake! Even can walk the 2 mile path around the lake!

Site16
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Ellen W., September 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Ellen W., September 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Ellen W., September 28, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 17, 2021

Trillium Lake

Stayed in #33. Awesome campground. Good trails. Awesome view of Mt. Hood

Site33
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2021

Busy, but sites are Private

I was here on a rainy June day. Still lots of people in the day use area. the campground was half empty, even though it was booked up online. I had a pull through site, which was kind of ridiculous with my small van. 

Lots of woods. A beautiful lake. Great for kayaking or SUP. The hike around the lake is closed so you can't go all the way around. Very scenic place. Too much trash left around from day users, though.

Site21
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Kathy B., July 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Kathy B., July 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Kathy B., July 9, 2021
  • (11) View All
Reviewed May. 3, 2021

10

Thanks

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed May. 3, 2021

10

Thanks

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2020

Gorgeous, fun, but crowded.

Gorgeous view, great for swimming, paddle boarding, floating around the lake all day. Nice, shady campsites. Lakeside sites are nice for access to water, but you’re more likely to have people walking through your site, and/or posting up lakeside near you.

Reviewed Jul. 16, 2020

Best view of Mt. Hood - Bring your camera

We camped at Trillium Lake for a couple of nights.  The campground was clean and well maintained. We hiked the trail around the lake, easy walk a little over two miles....the layout of the grounds provides spacious camping spaces with easy access to the lake. During the summer it is very busy.  Bring your kayak and a fishing pole and you are set

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Patti S., July 16, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2020

Beautiful lake

Very nice campgrounds, and of course a beautiful lake. Was a bit cloudy so couldn’t get a full view of mount hood which was a bummer but I will definitely be back!

  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Jessica N., July 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Jessica N., July 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Jessica N., July 15, 2020
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2020

Lovely lake near Mt. Hood

Trillium Lake is easier and faster to get to than many of the other Mt. Hood Lakes, and with one of the best views of the mountain. It's a smaller area, and the day use area get pretty busy, so it's nice to have a campsite to get away from what can be pretty large crowds. Good lake for beginner kayakers as it is small, still, and doesn't allow motor traffic. There is also snow-shoeing here in the winter, but don't underestimate the sloped road you have to get down (and back-up) to get to the lake in the first place!

  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Raphaela H., June 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Raphaela H., June 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Raphaela H., June 23, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 6, 2020

Nice View! But busy.

Nice campground. Nice trails around, fun on the water. Nice bathroom. Busy busy. That’s not really my scene. But... Get up early to watch the Sunrise! That was the highlight!

  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Charyl B., June 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Charyl B., June 6, 2020
Reviewed May. 17, 2020

Beautiful!

This campground gets really crowded from the day use/dam side of the lake. Great for tent camping/swimming. The lake actually gets pretty warm starting in August.

Reviewed Sep. 25, 2019

Great Campground near Mt Hood

My husband and I camped here an evening in September. We couldn’t see Mt Hood due to cloud coverage but the lake itself was beautiful. There was a short trail from campground to the lake. Campground was fairly full but very quiet. Sights are fairly private and wooded. Our phones worked just fine here, as well.

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2019

Gets sold out super quickly

Located by the beautiful Trillium lake, the view from there is unreal. Gets sold out really quickly, we were lucky to get there at 9am and reserve a spot at someone's site who was just checking out.

  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Dani F., September 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Dani F., September 8, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 28, 2019

Nice quick getaway

Nice for a quick weekend away. Just learned you can rent a canoe in Government Camp and they’ll drop it at the lake for you. It is kind of expensive- you have to really want that canoe ride. Live that nice easy walk around the lake!

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2019

Mt hood

Average facilities, does fill up quickly if you do not reserve. We tested our luck and snagged the last spot, arrived around noon. It was quite buggy in June, but not to great annoyance. Lake was clean enough to swim, but definitely on the chilly side.

  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Christina A., July 19, 2019
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2019

People suck

The campground is great, however, while away from my campsite on the lake, someone stole all of my firewood. The Govy General Store in Gov’t Camp was closed, so I was SOL for the night. Had to cook dinner with small twigs I could find laying around.

Reviewed Sep. 12, 2018

Gorgeous view of Mt Hood

Really clean and well maintained campground. Trillium Lake gets a LOT of visitors so the campsites are hard to come by, but like USFS campgrounds there are usually some first-come-first-serve spots if you get there early enough. Look to book a site several months out. There is a boat ramp, and a trail around the lake, and nothing but gorgeous views of Mt Hood!

  • Review photo of Trillium Lake by Dexter A., September 12, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Trillium Lake?

    Camping at Trillium Lake can cost between $52.00 and $80.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Trillium Lake?

    Trillium Lake allows vehicles up to 95 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Trillium Lake?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Trillium Lake, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Trillium Lake have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Trillium Lake does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Trillium Lake?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is good.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Trillium Lake?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Trillium Lake. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Trillium Lake, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Trillium Lake?

    There are 65 campsites at Trillium Lake and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts