Little Crater Lake
Little Crater Lake Campground is one of the most scenic spots in Mt. Hood National Forest and a very comfortable place to camp. Also nearby is Timothy Lake, where boaters and anglers enjoy recreating, all in the shadows of Mt. Hood, Oregon's highest point.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 8 |
| Tent-only | 7 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 26 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
15 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 26 | 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 | 26 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The campground offers more than a dozen single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets are provided. A hand-pump water spigot is located near the campground's entrance and is the only source of water within the facility. Utility hookups are not available. Parking surfaces are grass, dirt and irregularly shaped.
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 |
| Fees | Camping: $25/night for single site. $8/night for extra vehicle. $2/night additional charge on all holidays and holiday weekends. Day use: $10/day/vehicle |
| Rules | Vehicles 22 ft. max. Absolutely NO SWIMMING in Little Crater Lake due to its sensitive ecological and geological features. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sandy, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 40 miles to Skyline Road (Road 42). Turn right and travel south for 4 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 58 and travel 2 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 45.1484° N, 121.7455° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- It is not far from Little Crater Lake, a cold, crystal clear, spring-fed pond.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedStone Ck/Clackamas Guard Station Rx - West
4 mi from the campground
- PrescribedGoat Stew Rx - West
12 mi from the campground
- WildfireAustin
13 mi from the campground · 12,888 acres · 98% contained
- WildfireGrasshopper
14 mi from the campground · 93,972 acres · 98% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Valians Sports ↗ | 10.8 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 30.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Adventure Trading RV ↗ | 42.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Little Crater Campground, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Oregon Campsite Photos
Worth a stop
The Clackamas Lake Ranger Station Historic District is less than 10 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 visitors each year.
- 10.8 miMirror Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12 miParadise Park Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 mi5800-230 Spur Snow0.5 mi trail
- 0.1 miLittle Crater Lake ↗0.3 mi trail
- 0.5 miTimothy Lake ↗7.4 mi trail
- 0.6 miTimothy Bike4.2 mi trail
- 1.4 mi2660 Road Snow2.6 mi trail
- 1.4 mi4280 Road Snow ↗5.1 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
- 7.1 miSalmon-Huckleberry Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 62,139 acres
- 8.4 miRoaring River Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 36,548 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
- Silcox HutBuilding · Timberline Lodge · 13.7 mi
- Wilbur and Evelyn Reid's Alderbrook LodgeBuilding · Boring · 15 mi
Natural features
The quiet campground is nestled in an evergreen forest at an elevation of 3,300 feet. Little Crater Lake is a geologic oddity, possibly formed by artesian water forcing its way through soft, volcanic rock. The beautiful, turquoise water is a wonder to see. The surrounding meadow is a great place for observing birds and other wildlife. The region is ripe for huckleberry picking as well.
Recreation
A short path to view Little Crater Lake begins in the campground. It connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which winds its way through the area, past Timothy Lake and up the slopes of Mt. Hood. The long-distance trail is popular among hikers and backpackers, stretches 2,650 miles through California, Oregon and Washington, from Canada to Mexico. Visitors enjoy fishing at Timothy Lake, which covers roughly 1,400 acres. Anglers will find Kokanee salmon and a variety of stocked trout.
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 Little Crater Lake?
Sites at Little Crater Lake are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Little Crater Lake?
Camping: $25/night for single site. $8/night for extra vehicle. $2/night additional charge on all holidays and holiday weekends.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Little Crater Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Little Crater Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Little Crater Lake have?
15 sites, including 8 standard sites without power and 7 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Little Crater Lake?
The longest site here provides 26 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 Little Crater Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Little Crater Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Little Crater Lake?
A short path to view Little Crater Lake begins in the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Little Crater Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are North Arm Campground (1.3 mi, partly first-come), Oak Fork Campground (2.6 mi, partly first-come), and Timothy Lake - Meditation Point Campground (2.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby