North Waldo
Waldo Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in Oregon. It offers a uniquely peaceful setting on the water and along remote shorelines, surrounded by forests of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock. Recreation in the area is abundant with the lake an ideal location for water activities like sailing, canoeing and swimming.
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
| Standard, no hookups | 38 |
| Walk-in | 3 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
41 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic |
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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 013, 033 are listed accessible |
North Waldo is the most popular of the Waldo Lake Campgrounds. There are 58 sites with fire rings and tables, 34 are reservable. The boat launch is somewhat deeper than the others on the lake, which is more accommodating for large sailboats. The drier environment supports fewer mosquitoes, but they are still plentiful in season. This facility is operated by American Land & Leisure. We appreciate hearing from you.
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 | Willamette National Forest |
| Booking | Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or phone 1.877.444.6777. Over half the campsites are available for advance reservation via recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single Campsites - $29 per night. Multiple Campsites - $58 per night. Extra vehicles - $10 per vehicle, per night. Campsite must be occupied every night paid, and fees must be paid within 30 minutes of arrival. |
| Rules | See special regulations for Waldo Lake Area. Single campsite capacity: 6 persons, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents*. Multiple campsite capacity: 8 persons, 3 vehicles, and 3 tents*. Camping is not allowed more than 14 days in a 60 day period. Check-in time: 2:00 pm or later. Check-out time: 1:00 pm. Use of chainsaws in the campground is prohibited. Dogs MUST be on leash at all times within the campground. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Oakridge, follow Hwy 58 east for 25 miles to the Waldo Lake Road (FS Road 5897). Follow Waldo Lake Road for 11 miles to FS Road 5898. Follow FS Road 5898 to FS Road 5895. Continue on FS Road 5895 to North Waldo Campground.
| Nearest town | Oakridge, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43.7581° N, 122.0039° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
30 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx Cold Springs
34 mi from the campground · 158 acres
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
49 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 | REI ↗ | 39.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 41.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
A drive-thru of North Waldo Campground - September 15, 2022
Worth a stop
- 4 miIrish-Taylor Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7 miGander Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.3 miTrapper Creek Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miJim Weaver Loop(waldo Lake) ↗19.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miHarralson Tie0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.3 miCharlton Lake1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miHarralson2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miTaylor Burn Snowmobile ↗7.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.3 miNorth Waldo Shoreline3.4 mi trail · hiking, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.2 miJim Weaver Loop Trailhead (Waldo Lake Trail) ↗Willamette National Forest
- 0.7 miHarralson Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 2.1 miWhig and Torrey Way Trailhead ↗Willamette 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 Waldo Lake Wilderness, which overlaps Willamette National Forest.
- inWaldo Lake Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 36,865 acres
- inWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- inDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 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
Situated high on the western slopes of the Oregon Cascades at 5,400 feet in elevation, Waldo Lake is one of the purest lakes in Oregon (9.8 square miles with a maximum depth of 427 feet). It has no permanent inlet to bring nutrients into the lake for plant growth. The lack of plant life contributes to its purity, allowing you to see to depths of 120 feet on a calm day.
Recreation
Waldo Lake is circled by the Jim Weaver Loop, 20 miles of trail for hiking and biking. Bikes are allowed on the trails, but not in the nearby Waldo Lake Wilderness. There is also easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail and North Waldo is also a popular starting point for many wilderness trails and lakes, most notably the Rigdon, Wahanna and Torrey Lakes. There is a 1-mile Shoreline Trail between North Waldo Campground and Islet Campground which provides a short and pleasant hike along the lakeshore.
Guidebooks for Oregon
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at North Waldo?
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 North Waldo?
Single Campsites - $29 per night. Multiple Campsites - $58 per night. Extra vehicles - $10 per vehicle, per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at North Waldo?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is North Waldo open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does North Waldo have?
43 sites, including 38 standard sites without power and 3 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at North Waldo?
The longest site here provides 50 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 North Waldo?
Yes, pets are allowed at North Waldo. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at North Waldo?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. See special regulations for Waldo Lake Area.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at North Waldo?
Sites 013 and 033 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at North Waldo?
Waldo Lake is circled by the Jim Weaver Loop, 20 miles of trail for hiking and biking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to North Waldo?
Oakridge, Oregon.
Source: Getting there
What if North Waldo is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Harralson Horse Camp (0.7 mi, first-come), Islet Campground (0.8 mi, partly first-come), and Shadow Bay (4.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby