Clackamas Lake Campground

TLDR: The campground is lovely, but squatters, night owls, and PGE might win at your expense. With a first come first serve system on Wednesdays but a reservation system for the rest of the week, you’re already asking for issues. Add vague instructions on the main signage, an inattentive camp host, and a begrudging camper who refuses to move out of a site that was already reserved — thankfully not the site I reserved, but sadly the one right next to us — and you’ve ruined the innocent peoples trip who had the reservation but had to wait hours for the camp host to show up just to have to find another campground (or go home?) anyway… I think the crux of this issue (and the squatters excuse) is that they showed up before the night’s reservations were posted and there’s no clear indication on the signs of what time you can plan on that being done / claiming a site. Also, that phone number for reservations is apparently not working either… We stayed Wed-Sun. The first night was peaceful, but after that it got crowded. One of the nights our other neighbors played music and talked loudly until 3am. Again, I think the camp host / management company (a division of California land management…?) didn’t seem to be around for more than 45min during the day to post reservations and did not stay the night and thus didn’t enforce any of the quiet hours. And none of the spigots were working the first two days we were there (and apparently the week before as well), but the camp host said it was a bad fuse. Finally, if you’re planning to visit Timothy Lake, you’ll also need to pay the $10 day use fee every day you want to be over there, because PGE runs everything over there — probably penance for putting up the dam. If I could do it over again, I’d try to get one of the dispersed campsites on the west side of Timothy lake and paddle into it.

Great campground for equestrians. Nice riding right out of camp. Camp was clean and host on site.

Hidden gem for camping in the Mt Hood national forest. Fair cost, clean campground and very well run. Bathrooms are well maintained, camp sites are secluded and private. If you need a quick getaway from the stressful city life, Clackamas Lake is only 90 minutes away from the Portland area. A nice day drive to Timothy Lake is also a great choice.

Located in the Clackamas Lake Historical district that includes restored buildings of around 100 years ago including a ranger station and a rangers cabin that is normally available for rent. Maybe next year? Campground has approximately 46 sites. Several vault toilets are available. Same with trash dumpsters. Nice campground.

Mostly quiet and respectful patrons. Host was great. Mosquitos don't quit and are immune to citronella. Our campsite was #19 and wide open/ no privacy. No running water or hand sani in bathrooms, compostable/vault toilets with no lights, as a forewarning. The "lake" is more like a wetland (swamp) pond with nitrogen dense mud and shallow water. I would let my little play if it wasn't for the mosquitoes 🦟. The campsites had soft, thick, dusty dirt, great for sleeping but will envelop a toddler like no other! We had a great time regardless, spent time at Timothy lake South shore only two miles away. Campfire pit and picnic table provided. Bathrooms not the worst, be prepared for mosquitoes for days. I will keep exploring before I return, not any time soon. Host and personnel do keep it nice and neat with accessible dumpsters for patrons too.