Clackamas Lake
Clackamas Lake Campground is a great camping destination, especially when nearby Timothy Lake sites are full. The lake is small and shallow. The facility is located in the Clackamas Lake Historic District in Mt. Hood National Forest. It provides access to fishing, swimming and leisurely boating, as well as a number of trails and historic points along the way.
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
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 25 |
| Standard, no hookups | 10 |
| Equestrian | 9 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
44 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 1st Loop | Tent only | Back-in | 22 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | 1st Loop | Tent only | Back-in | 22 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | 1st Loop | Equestrian | Pull-through | 55 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | 1st Loop | Equestrian | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | 1st Loop | Equestrian | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | 1st Loop | Equestrian | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 009 | 1st Loop | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 010 | 1st Loop | Tent only | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 4 / 1 | Yes |
| 011 | 1st Loop | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 012 | 1st Loop | Equestrian | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 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 | 120 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The campground offers single-family sites for tent and RV camping. There are 11 equestrian sites in the 49-site campground with corrals. Equestrian sites have 2, 3, or 4 horse corrals and are reservable only by those with horses.
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 |
| Booking | There are 11 equestrian sites. Equestrian sites have 2, 3, or 4 horse corrals and are reservable by those with horses. |
| Fees | Camping: $25/night for single site. $8/night for extra vehicle |
| Rules | Vehicles 32 ft. max. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sandy, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 40 miles to Skyline Road (Forest Road 42). Turn right on Skyline Road and continue south for 10 miles to the Clackamas Lake entrance sign. Turn left and head east less than half a mile to the campground entrance.
| Coordinates | 45.0956° N, 121.7465° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedStone Ck/Clackamas Guard Station Rx - West
under 1 mi from the campground
- PrescribedGoat Stew Rx - West
9 mi from the campground
- WildfireAustin
11 mi from the campground · 12,888 acres · 98% contained
- PrescribedSpike Timber Sale 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 gear | Valians Sports ↗ | 14.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 32.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Adventure Trading RV ↗ | 43.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Clackamas Lake Campground - Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon
Worth a stop
The campground is less than 40 miles from Mt. Hood, where a historic lookout provides scenic views of the snow-capped mountain. Hiking and year-round skiing is available.
- 14.4 miMirror Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miJoe Graham0.1 mi trail
- 0.4 miMiller2 mi trail
- 0.4 miHeadwaters1.8 mi trail
- 0.4 mi5700 Road Snow4 mi trail
- 0.4 miTimothy Bike4.2 mi trail
- 0.8 mi4280 Road Snow ↗5.1 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.4 miJoe Graham/Pacific Crest Trailhead ↗Mt. Hood National Forest
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
- 9.2 miRoaring River Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 36,548 acres
- 9.7 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
Natural features
The campground is nestled in a heavily wooded forest of pine trees, with partial views of Oregon's highest peak. A lush, green understory provides some privacy between campsites. The campground is near the shores of 3-acre Clackamas Lake, and just three miles from larger Timothy Lake. It is situated at an elevation of about 3,400 feet.
Recreation
Clackamas Lake is a great place for fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating. Anglers can expect a catch of cutthroat, brook, rainbow or German brown trout. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area as well. Nearby Timothy Lake provides opportunities for picnicking and water-related recreation, including use of power boats. The Clackamas Lake Ranger Station Historic District is less than a mile from the campground. It is a series of structures and cabins built to house Forest Service workers in the early 1900s. Rustic architecture and the historic nature of the buildings and the surrounding area, draws thousands of tourists each year. It is a must-see while staying at the campground. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are also popular activities. The 2.2-mile Miller Trail begins in the campground and connects to the Pacific Crest Trail, which extends more than 2,650 miles, from Canada to Mexico. Additional trails, to scenic Little Crater Lake and to the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, are also available in the area.
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 Clackamas Lake?
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 Clackamas Lake?
Camping: $25/night for single site. $8/night for extra vehicle
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Clackamas Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Clackamas Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Clackamas Lake have?
45 sites, including 25 tent-only sites, 10 standard sites without power, and 9 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Clackamas Lake?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Clackamas Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Clackamas Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Clackamas Lake?
Clackamas Lake is a great place for fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Clackamas Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Joe Graham Horse Campground (0.4 mi), Oak Fork Campground (1.8 mi, partly first-come), and Gone Creek Campground (1.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby