U.S. Forest Service · Mt. Hood National Forest · Timothy Lake, OR

Gone Creek Campground

Gone Creek Campground sits on the edge of the beautiful Timothy Lake, in the shadows of Mt. Hood, Oregon's highest peak. The lush, green forest surrounding the campground provides campers with ample recreational opportunities.

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: first-come in Oregon · reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon · group sites in Oregon

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
View of Mount Hood from Gone CreekRestrooms at Gone CreekView of Mount Hood from Gone CreekKayaks on the shore at Gone Creek
Photos courtesy of PGE Parks · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups47
Group sites1
Host/management2
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

48 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
001AREA GONE CREEKStandardBack-in50GravelFull6 / 1Yes
002AREA GONE CREEKStandardBack-in40GravelFull6 / 1Yes
003AREA GONE CREEKStandardBack-in48GravelFull6 / 1Yes
004AREA GONE CREEKStandardPull-through20GravelFull6 / 1Yes
005AREA GONE CREEKStandardBack-in52GravelFull6 / 1Yes
006AREA GONE CREEKStandardPull-through80GravelFull6 / 1YesYes
007AREA GONE CREEKStandardPull-through31GravelFull6 / 1Yes
008AREA GONE CREEKStandardBack-in40GravelFull6 / 1Yes
009AREA GONE CREEKStandardBack-in40GravelFull6 / 1Yes
010AREA GONE CREEKStandardBack-in47GravelFull6 / 1Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length60 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesPayment 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.
AccessibilitySites 006, 013, 014, 016 and 6 more are listed accessible

The campground offers dozens of 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 campground host is available on-site to answer questions. The nearest gas station/convenience store is about 18 miles away, west on Hwy. 26. The nearest grocery store is in Government Camp, about 23 miles away, west on Hwy. 26.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
ForestMt. Hood National Forest
BookingGone Creek Campground is available by reservation only. Reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
FeesCamping: $26/night for single site. $52/night for double site. $10/night for extra vehicle. Additional $2 per night applies to holiday weekend rates. Additional fees apply when booking thru Rec.gov. Day use: For campers only - no day use area.
Rules10 mph speed limit for motorized boats in the lake.

Mt. Hood National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Gone Creek Campground30°40°50°60°January: 12.61 inches of precipitation, 48.8 inches of snowFebruary: 9.64 inches of precipitation, 39.5 inches of snowMarch: 9.41 inches of precipitation, 35.6 inches of snowApril: 7.78 inches of precipitation, 17.6 inches of snowMay: 5.75 inches of precipitation, 4.2 inches of snowJune: 4.01 inches of precipitation, 0.6 inches of snowJuly: 0.88 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 1.09 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.06 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowOctober: 8.42 inches of precipitation, 3.8 inches of snowNovember: 12.69 inches of precipitation, 30.6 inches of snowDecember: 14.43 inches of precipitation, 51.6 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 31.8°F averageFebruary: 32.0°F averageMarch: 34.5°F averageApril: 37.8°F averageMay: 44.9°F averageJune: 50.2°F averageJuly: 58.4°F averageAugust: 59.3°F averageSeptember: 54.4°F averageOctober: 44.9°F averageNovember: 35.9°F averageDecember: 30.5°F average0 in20 in40 in60 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Government Camp, 13 miles from the campground at 3,980 feet, station USC00353402 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 90 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 232 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

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 57 and travel west for 1 mile, then turn right again at the Gone Creek Campground entrance sign.

Nearest townTimothy Lake, Oregon
Coordinates45.1128° N, 121.7756° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

A service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Stone Ck/Clackamas Guard Station Rx - West

    2 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Goat Stew Rx - West

    9 mi from the campground

  • Wildfire
    Austin

    10 mi from the campground · 12,888 acres · 98% contained

  • Prescribed
    Austin Repair Pile Rx - West

    11 mi from the campground

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearValians Sports ↗13.2 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗30.5 mi
RV sales & serviceAdventure Trading RV ↗41.8 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Campsite #29 Review @ Gone Creek Campground | Timothy Lake | Mount Hood Oregon | 4K (RAW &

Worth a stop

Gone Creek is about 28 miles from the base of majestic Mt. Hood, the highest point in Oregon. The historic Timberline Lodge in Government Camp offers scenic views of the snow-capped mountain.

  • 0.6 mi
    Miller
    2 mi trail
  • 0.6 mi
    Southshore
    3 mi trail
  • 0.6 mi
    Timothy Lake ↗
    7.4 mi trail
  • 1.3 mi
    Meditation Point
    0.3 mi trail
  • 1.5 mi
    5740 Road Snow
    2.6 mi trail
  • 1.5 mi
    4280 Road Snow ↗
    5.1 mi trail

Trailheads within three miles

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Mt. Hood National Forest.

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.

Natural features

The campground is situated on the south shore of the roughly 1,400-acre lake, at an elevation of 3,400 feet. Timothy Lake was created in 1956 as a storage reservoir for the Oak Grove Hydroelectric Project. It is one of the larger lakes in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The campground is nestled in a mixed conifer forest, with many sites with views of the water's edge.

Recreation

Proximity to Timothy Lake allows campers to enjoy a variety of water-related recreation activities, including boating and sailing, as well as swimming, windsurfing and fishing. Anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon and a variety of trout. A range of trails are located in the area. The Timothy Lake Trail is popular for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The 12 miles of relatively level terrain loops trekkers around the lake, providing scenic views of the area. It connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, a lengthy hike that extends across three states, from the borders of Canada and Mexico. Portions of that trail also lead southwest to Clackamas Lake Campground. The Clackamas Lake Ranger Station Historic District is less than 2 miles from the campground. It was built to house forest service workers in the early 1900s. The rustic architecture and historic nature of the buildings and the surrounding area draws thousands of tourists each year.

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 Gone Creek Campground?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Gone Creek Campground?

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.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Gone Creek Campground?

Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Gone Creek Campground open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Gone Creek Campground have?

50 sites, including 47 standard sites without power and 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Gone Creek Campground?

The longest site here provides 60 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 Gone Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Gone Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Gone Creek Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 10 mph speed limit for motorized boats in the lake.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at Gone Creek Campground?

Sites 006, 013, 014, and 016 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 10 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Gone Creek Campground?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Gone Creek Campground?

Proximity to Timothy Lake allows campers to enjoy a variety of water-related recreation activities, including boating and sailing, as well as swimming, windsurfing and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Gone Creek Campground?

Timothy Lake, Oregon. Gone Creek is about 28 miles from the base of majestic Mt.

Source: Getting there