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Hood River, Oregon

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

Top Camping Spots in and near Hood River

  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Mount Defiance

    3.7
    12.55 mi / 5167 ft gain
    This hike starts at the Starvation Creek Rest Area. After parking, head west back along the shoulder of the freeway, where you’ll see a wooden sign stating “Mt. Defiance Trail.” Continue heading west along the abandoned Columbia River Highway. Keep going west as you pass the junction with the Sta...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    North Lake via Wyeth Trail

    1.0
    12.36 mi / 4505 ft gain
    Park at the Wyeth Trailhead parking lot and start hiking south along the old road bed. At the junction with the Gorge-Wyeth Trail, bear left and follow the Wyeth Trail as it goes beneath several power lines. Follow the trail as it goes back into the woods and crosses Harphan Creek. Continue on an...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Tomlike Mountain

    4.5
    7.65 mi / 1198 ft gain
    Beginning at the Wahtum Lake trailhead, follow the Wahtum Lake Express trail down to the shore and head east (right) around the lake. At the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, follow the Herman Creek Trail to the east (right, again). You'll begin your ascent out of the Wahtum Lake bowl and to...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Chinidere Mountain

    4.8
    3.18 mi / 1150 ft gain
    The easy version of the Chinidere Mountain hike starts Wahtum Lake Trailhead. The road to the parking lot for Wahtum Lake is paved and thus very easy to access in summer and before snowfall in autumn! The mountain sits across the lake from the parking lot and there are several trails that will ta...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Ruckel Ridge Loop

    5.0
    8.08 mi / 3730 ft gain
    This ridge is one of the lesser known paths from the Eagle Creek Trailhead. Instead of taking Ruckel Creek Trail, find the trail leading up Ruckel Ridge. It is a far more difficult hike of about 7 miles leading up to Benson Plateau. Along the way there are beautiful lookout points for Mount Hood,...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Backpack the Mark. O Hatfield Wilderness Via Eagle Creek

    1.0
    26 mi / 2300 ft gain
    This is a somewhat incomplete report because we did not venture too far into the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. The sky had been threatening us with rain for the duration of our hike along Eagle Creek and we did not want to push our luck too far since we were hoping for an early start on our drive ...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Camp at Lost Lake

    4.7
    When the temperature starts to creep up in the summer, Lost Lake is the perfect escape. The campground provides you with everything you could want – miles of scenic hiking, a multitude of water activities, and even a general store for anything you might have forgotten at home.The lakeside tent ca...
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  • Mount Hood, Oregon

    Snowshoe to the Tilly Jane A-Frame

    5.0
    2.7 mi / 1900 ft gain
    Built in the 1930's, the Tilly Jane A-Frame sits on the North side of Mount Hood at around 6,000ft. The cabin is very popular during winter months as it is located only 1,000ft below the tree line and offers beautiful snowshoeing, hiking, skiing and snowboarding opportunities, yet is also a popul...
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  • Lyle, Washington

    Rock Climb Horsethief Butte

    Located on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge heading east on highway 14 at milepost 85.  Pull into the parking lot on the right hand side of the road and the trailhead is located by the restrooms.   Be cautious on warm days because this is rattlesnake country.  There are signs poste...
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  • Skamania County, Washington

    Camp Forlorn Lakes & Explore Guler Ice Cave

    Camp at scenic and easily-accessible Forlorn Lakes, where the 25 campsites ($10/night) are both isolated and roomy. Sites have a picnic table and fire ring and provide access to the series of lakes, as well as the East Crater Trailhead which leads into the Indian Heaven Wilderness.Nearby, explore...
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  • Mount Hood, Oregon

    McNeil Point via Top Spur Trailhead

    4.9
    7.17 mi / 2428 ft gain
    The hike to McNeil Point begins at Top Spur Trailhead, in the Mt. Hood National Wilderness. Follow signs for McNeil Point along the Pacific Crest and Timberline Trails heading north. Though there are numerous camping opportunities along the way (most of the route follows the PCT), an old stone s...
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  • Stevenson, Washington

    Three Corner Rock

    4.0
    3.86 mi / 1093 ft gain
    From the Rock Creek Pass Trailhead, begin the short hike to Three Corner Rock by heading south on the Pacific Crest Trail from its crossing of Road CG 2090. After a steady 1.5-mile climb of roughly 600 feet, look for a large fallen sign marking the junction to Three Corner Rock. Shortly after, an...
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  • Skamania County, Washington

    Indian Heaven to Blue Lake

    4.5
    6.71 mi / 997 ft gain
    Crowds and mosquitoes were nonexistent as we went a bit early in the season. The trails were all covered in snow, but we were able to do some way finding with a GPS and topo map. 3.5 miles in we found a dry spot next to Blue Lake and set up shop. After dropping off our gear we climbed up Gifford...
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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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  • 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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  • 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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