Lazy Bend
Campground closed due to the 2020 Riverside Wildfire Lazy Bend Campground sits next to the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River, close to the city of Estacada. The adjacent river provides countless opportunities for rafting, kayaking, fishing and swimming. The lush, green campground is comfortable for individuals and families who want to escape into nature in Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Oregon · reservable in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗


Site mix
| Tent-only | 15 |
| Standard, no hookups | 6 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 23 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
21 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Tent only | Back-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Tent only | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Tent only | Back-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Tent only | Back-in | 52 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | Tent only | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 23 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The campground offers single-family sites, most of which are designated for tent camping only. A few RV sites are available within the campground, though large RVs are not recommended and no hookups are available. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Mt. Hood National Forest |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Estacada, travel east on Highway 224 for just over 10 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 45.1905° N, 122.2073° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedPodunk Admin Rx - West
3 mi from the campground
- WildfireThe Narrows
6 mi from the campground · 305 acres · 98% contained
- PrescribedTimber Lake/Ripplebrook Admin Rx - West
10 mi from the campground
- PrescribedFawn Stew Piles Rx - West
10 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 15.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Adventure Trading RV ↗ | 20.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Lazy Bend Campground, Estacada OR. Walk-in site walkthrough.
Worth a stop
North Fork Reservoir is just over 5 miles northeast of the campground. Boating and other water-related recreation opportunities are available there. The campground is 10 miles from Estacada, which offers a variety of dining and shopping options, groceries and fuel.
- 14.3 miSalmon River West Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miLadee 8013.4 mi trail
- 1 miLadee 801A Connectorunder 0.1 mi trail
- 1 miLadee 8031.3 mi trail
- 1.3 miLadee 801A1 mi trail
- 1.4 miLadee 8022.5 mi trail
- 1.5 miLadee 8001.1 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Mt. Hood National Forest.
- inMt. Hood National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,060,160 acres
- 5.8 miRoaring River Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 36,548 acres
- 8.4 miSalmon-Huckleberry Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 62,139 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Philip Foster FarmBuilding · Eagle Creek · 13.7 mi
- R. S. Smith Motor Company BuildingBuilding · Sandy · 14.4 mi
- Andrew J. and Anna B. Johnston FarmsteadBuilding · Oregon City · 15 mi
Natural features
The campground is the forest's westernmost campground, situated at an elevation of 800 feet. It lies between the river and the adjacent highway, nestled among a dense stand of trees. Huckleberry bushes can be found throughout the region. The forest provides habitat for the federally protected bald eagle and northern spotted owl, as well as an occasional peregrine falcon. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.
Recreation
Fishing is very popular on the Clackamas River. Anglers can expect a catch of winter steelhead, spring Chinook and late summer Coho salmon, as well as other species of freshwater fish. The Clackamas bends and drops through the scenic Cascade Range and offers famous whitewater rafting opportunities. The Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival is held annually in May and attracts rafters from all over the country. A hiking trail follows the river north and south and begins at nearby Fish Creek Campground. A boat ramp is also available there. Scenic driving is available on the West Cascades Scenic Byway, which follows the river.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Lazy Bend?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lazy Bend?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lazy Bend open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Lazy Bend have?
22 sites, including 15 tent-only sites and 6 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lazy Bend?
The longest site here provides 23 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Lazy Bend?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lazy Bend. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Lazy Bend?
Fishing is very popular on the Clackamas River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Lazy Bend is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Carter Bridge Campground (2.9 mi, first-come), Lockaby (3.3 mi), and Armstrong (3.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby




