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Clackamas County, Oregon

Looking for the best camping in Clackamas County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Clackamas County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Camping Spots in and near Clackamas County

  • Clackamas County, Oregon

    Bike the Timothy Lake Trail

    4.5
    15 mi
    Located about 2 hours outside of Portland, Timothy lake is a great home base to adventure from. It has many campgrounds, lots of lake access and great loop around the lake that is open to both hiking and Mt biking. While the hiking loop is 13 miles, the Mt. bike loop is 15 since you need to make ...
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  • Clackamas County, Oregon

    Camp at Timothy Lake

    4.5
    Timothy Lake is one very large, man-made lake in the heart of Mt. Hood National Forest, and can be considered one of the best summer camping spots in the area. With more than ten campgrounds to choose from, this area can accommodate almost every type of camping possible - everything from cabin re...
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  • Clackamas County, Oregon

    Little Crater Lake to Timothy Lake Campground

    3.42 mi / 338 ft gain
    Little Crater Lake to Timothy Lake Campground is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Government Camp, Oregon.
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Camp at Clear Lake

    4.0
    Located just 1.5 Hours from Portland and on the east side of clear lake, this campground offers multiple water activities such as Kayaking, SUP, Fishing, and Swimming. What's great about this campground is that the sites are large and are shaded by the old growth trees which makes it feel more s...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Veda Lake Trail

    4.0
    2.5 mi / 748 ft gain
    This hike starts at the Fir Tree Trailhead and is an out and back 2.8 mile round trip. It's short, but there's 660 feet of elevation gain. To start, you climb steeply then it's an easy hike to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the lake. The trail descends via switchbacks down to the lake for the ...
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  • Clackamas County, Oregon

    Tumala (Squaw) Mountain

    4.7
    4.51 mi / 1099 ft gain
    On a clear day, this short, secluded hike offers breath-taking views of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Jefferson, as well as of downtown Portland, Coast Range, and the Roaring River Wilderness. Begin the hike from the Twin Springs Trailhead and immediately take your fi...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Trillium Lake

    4.9
    1.89 mi / 108 ft gain
    Trillium Lake is a popular camp spot at the base of Mount Hood. It's known for it's scenery, abundant recreational activities, and is family friendly. Boating, swimming and fishing are quite popular on the 63 acre lake. There is a small boat ramp within the campground and a larger ramp available ...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Camp at Trillium Lake

    4.5
    The reflection of Mt. Hood on the lake makes this trip definitely worth the visit.Try to arrive during the day so you can watch the sunset. For photographers, the south side of the lake is an amazing spot to take photos, especially on a windless day. For those looking to kayak or fish, there is a...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski to Trillium Lake

    5.0
    3.6 mi
    Starting at the parking lot for Trillium Lake located right off of Highway 26, go past the locked gate and begin walking downhill. After about a mile, you will see a fork in the road. Either way will eventually take you to the lake, but going left will be much quicker and take you to the best spo...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Tom Dick and Harry Mountain

    5.0
    8.28 mi / 1726 ft gain
    Looking to score those iconic photos of Mt. Hood? Climb the well-graded trail to Tom Dick and Harry Mountain, one of the most accessible summit hikes to Portlanders, and see where they were all taken. Starting from the busy Mirror Lake Trailhead, climb roughly 900 feet and 1.5 miles to Mirror La...
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  • National Forest Development Road 4220, Oregon

    Olallie Lake North Basin Loop

    12.05 mi / 2021 ft gain
    Begin at the Lower Lake Campground and take the Lower Lake trailhead. The best direction to hike is counter clockwise, however you can do either.  Continue along Trail #717 and very shortly you come out to Lower Lake featuring Mt. Jefferson as the backdrop. From here keep hiking and you reach yo...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Climb the Mt. Hood Summit

    4.8
    7 mi / 5239 ft gain
    Starting at 6,000 ft of elevation at Timberline Lodge, start your climb up the south side of Mt. Hood. If you head out at noon, in 6 hours you can make it about an hour past the last ski lift, called Palmer, where you can set up camp for the night. You may need to dig out a flat spot for your ten...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Climb to Mt. Hood's Illumination Rock

    5.0
    6 mi / 3600 ft gain
    The Pacific Northwest has an abundance of beautiful, technical and fun Alpine ascents.  For those looking to feel the rush of mountaineering but not wanting to push for a summit attempt, Illumination Rock on the southwest ridge of Mt Hood, offers a beautiful way to spend an afternoon or potential...
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  • Rhododendron, Oregon

    Burnt Lake and Zigzag Mountain

    5.0
    12.27 mi / 3225 ft gain
    After getting your back country permit from a park ranger, you can park your car and head up Zigzag Mountain. There's a tiny 'parking lot' (lot of dirt) where you park that's right by the trailhead. The hike up to the campsites is roughly 4 miles, and it is all uphill. Not only are you surrounde...
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  • Hood River County, Oregon

    Camp at Elk Meadows

    4.5
    4.5 mi / 1200 ft gain
    This is a great trip for those who are new to backpacking. The hike to the quiet, peaceful Elk Meadows is relatively short, but the Newton Creek crossing presents enough difficulty to make this a fun and challenging adventure.Start at the Hood River Meadows Trailhead parking lot. Though there are...
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  • Detroit, Oregon

    Battle Ax Mountain

    5.0
    5.09 mi / 1594 ft gain
    With no officially marked trailhead, this hike begins slightly west of Elk Lake in Marion County. Take Highway 22 to Detroit, OR. East of the bridge over Breitenbush River, turn onto (FR) Forest Road 46, with signs pointing to Breitenbush River. After 4.5 miles turn left at a sign for Elk Lake, a...
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