Tilly Jane Campground

Very cool campground and the road leading up to the campground is in good shape, although be advised it is a dirt road the whole almost 9 miles to the campground. There is a bathroom here. I did not come here to camp, I came here to hike the tilly jane/cooper spur trail. The rangers are in the middle of remodeling the campground it looks like. There are many walk in sites and a few spots to park a truck/suv/car, but not many spaces to park an rv or trailer. There is an old ranger building, garage, ampitheater, and other buildings farther along the trail as well as a small creek if you were in need of water. There is no running water, other than the creek at this campground that I saw. There is also camp fee as well as a day use fee or you must have a northwest forrest pass displayed on your rearview mirror. I saw only one other vehicle when I visited on 8/20/18. The bathroom is a vaulted pit toilet. The stinging bugs can also get pretty bad here in the summer months. There are multiple gates that lead up to tilly jane campground. You can also take a short hike to the cloud cap campground, inn and cabin from this campground. Lots of cool history in this place and definitely worth a visit or stay if the gates are open.

Beautifully preserved area. The historical a-frame and other structures nearby hold particular value to those who visit year round. Please respect the area do your part to keep it clean.

What an awesome place. Used as a basecamp for climbers in the winter and a summer camp during the summer months. Tons of old, original buildings. According do the description at the campground, the forest service wrapped the buildings in aluminum foil to prevent them from burning during a forest fire, and they succeeded. The original buildings still stand. I didnt get a chance to explore everything but there are several buildings, at least one you can rent, a campground, amphitheater, and some giant stove thing. The whole area seems to mystic and antiquated like stepping back in time

There’s a lot of work to do at Tilly Jane CG, what a mess! Oh my! Big windstorm 2020, trees down, root wads all over, piles of brush need to be burned, limbs, piles of firewood cut, need hauled out or take up to A-frame. This is probably the messiest campground we’ve used in a long time. The fee should be reduced, until it’s brought into maintenance compliance! We didn’t read about this ahead of time, but it’s a walk-in only campground. There are no drive-to campsites. Prepare yourself to carry everything in. Another note there were several climbers, rude, getting up at 5 AM, headlamps flashing, talking, walking hither and yon, doors slamming, packing away tents, gear, then car horns tooting when locking their cars, “BEEP BEEP” Jesus, show some respect! to other campers. Btw, Set your car lock to silent mode. Should be some quiet hours posted like most campgrounds, usually quiet at 10pm until 7am. Start your noise making at seven, not waking us at 5! I know you want an early start to the top of Mount Hood, but Christ, try camping away in the woods away from this campground.

The campground is a bit post apocalyptic due to the (very) nearby Gnarl Ridge fire 15 years ago. The massive windstorm from two years ago is (finally) being cleaned up - fortunately no chainsaw crews during our stay. There are maybe six campsites? All are walk-in: some close, others less close. Bring a yellowjacket trap if the wasps bother you. The outhouse was very clean. The road was passible even for my little Kia. No oilpan busting rocks - just drive slowly. For me the biggest worry was getting distracted by the expansive views of Mt. Adams, Rainier and St. Helens. The trail up to Cooper Spur shelter leaves from the campground is worth the effort.