92% (185 reviews)
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Mt. Hood adventure.
Explore mountains, lakes, hot springs, and hiking trails in this expansive forest near Portland.
Popular ways to camp
Community favorites near Mt. Hood National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
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Top-rated campgrounds near Mt. Hood National Forest
94%
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Nella Chestnut Farm
12 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Hood River, OR
Neal Creek runs through the farm, offering a tranquil ambiance with its soothing sounds, making it a dreamy wake-up call for guests.
Additionally, there's a picturesque 10-foot-deep pond, fed by Shelly Creek, attracting graceful ducks.
Children of all ages can enjoy the thrill of a very tall swing on the property.
There are 2 full restrooms each with a shower, 1 built inside a 20-foot shipping container the other right beside it.
Exploring the farm is a delightful experience, guests are welcome to let their dogs roam freely. No plastic bags left behind please. There is a small garbage can in each restroom or even better grab a shovel, dig a small hole, add nutrients to the soil, cover with dirt & Mother Nature will take it from there .The trees would love to see that.
Skaters ... and maybe some of you ... wait for it ... used to skate ... LOL
... there's a mini ramp inside a 20' shipping container, drop in.
Please remember to dispose of all waste and recyclables responsibly by taking them to the Hood River Recycle and Transfer Station at 3440 Guignard Dr, Hood River, OR 97031.
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Zigzag Mountain Farm
6 sites · Tents50 acres · Rhododendron, OR
Located on Mount Hood about an hour from Portland, Zigzag Mountain Farm is home to an organic garden, old homestead, house, yurts, and barn. 50 acres of open meadows and forest, bordering thousands of acres of national forest. The farm is home to an organic garden, campfire circle, picnic area, a city bus with a campers' kitchen, outdoor seating area with BBQ, kids play structure and hiking trails. The cabin on the property was built by the original homesteaders. Britta and Jim purchased the property in 2009. It had been vacant for a number of years. Giant slash piles scattered the land from previous logging.
The house and cabin were not livable and needed major renovations. In 2019 we purchased and brought in a city bus and converted it to a campers kitchen. A year-round creek flows through the property and 3 major rivers are nearby. The Zigzag Mountain Lookout Trail leaves from the property. The property was homesteaded in the late 1800's. E. Mountain Drive was the wagon train trail into Portland, known as the Barlow Trail. Zigzag Mountain farm offers the perfect escape from the city.
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Naked Falls
21 sites · RVs, Tents130 acres · Stevenson, WA
Naked Falls is the second largest waterfall on the Washougal River. This section of the river has been a hotspot for Kayakers and Cliff divers for decades. If you like watching Salmon run, this is a great place to do it.
This is easy car access to a raw outdoor camping experience. You will be camping next to the crystal clear Washougal River and have access to Naked Falls and Reeder Falls. Come prepared as the nearest potable water source is at least a mile away and you won't see any lights or electrical outlets on the property.
There are portables toilet now between sites 4 and 5 on the east side of the road and between sites 15 and 16 on the west side. Portable toilets taken out in Mid October and put back in in Mid March.
Firewood is not delivered to each site if you order it. There are many good reasons for this, not the least of which is that it can rain and then all the wood gets wet. We keep the firewood in a small woodshed and give you instructions on where to find it and what the code is before you check in.
Also, please remember that I don't live there and there is limited service on the property. If you have questions, please contact me in advance as I may be unreachable when you arrive at the property.
The Campsites mostly go in the order they appear as you drive through the campground. With some exceptions. Sites 8 and 11 (in that order) are up the hill from the fork at site 2. Sites 12 through 19 are in order on the West side of the river. There are signs with the site numbers next to each site. The sites each have their own parking spaces.
Please see the brief descriptions below so you have a good idea of what kind of experience you can expect at each site.
If you are not familiar with the area, or even if you haven't camped there before, I recommend contacting me for directions or information about the area before you go up.
Also, if you have an RV, you will want to contact me to discuss which site you really want to book depending on the size of your RV, awnings, slide outs, etc.
Each booked site is allowed 2 cars or 1 RV.
If you have more than 2 cars or 1 RV, there is a fee of 10.00 per additional vehicle.
Camping was banned all along the upper Washougal River in 2006 due to abuse from the public. An attitude that no one could be trusted up there formed and I lost my favorite place to camp in the whole world...but I understood why they did it. In 2017 I bought the property and worked with Skamania County to restore camping and the public trust in good people who love nature. There are now 20 campsites, mostly along the river, and I'm so pleased that the vast majority of Hipcampers are reliable co-stewards of this amazing recreational resource. It is up to us to keep Naked Falls available by keeping in mind that it is a crucial fish and wildlife habitat and we are but visitors there. Be sure to stick to trails and pack in/pack out. Nothing from town should be left there and nothing there should be brought back to town.
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Site 1: Saltness Creek
This is the only site with direct trail access to the river on the camping side. It's also right on a creek and encompasses a corner of the confluence of the creek and the Washougal River. It's a nice open space right off the gravel road which allows you to park right by where you will set up tents and have your campfire. It also means other campers will drive right by your site and they will need to pass by it to take the trail to the river. This site is very convenient but not very private.
Site 2: Naked Falls
There is a short narrow trail that leads to the campsite on the Naked Falls cliff. It's awesome! This is the original campsite at Naked Falls and has likely been there for 100 years or more. It overlooks the waterfall and island downstream. It's really the coolest campsite but it's not for everybody. The area for pitching tents is smaller than at the other sites. Only 2 medium sized tents will fit comfortably. You may be able to cram 3 tents in but should be aware that it's only really meant for 2. Groups larger than 6 may want to consider another site. Also, it is right on the cliff where people like to jump so, while you have the best view of all the fun stuff happening at the falls, you also have cliff divers coming up to say hi during the day.
Site 3: Desk Job
This site is just past the falls. It has a wide short trail to the camping area and a beautiful view of the river that passes right by the site about 30 ft below it. It is nice, quiet and secluded.
Site 4: Middle Management
This site is nice for pulling vehicles in and around. It loops around some trees in the center. The trees to the east and North are all alders so it has limited shade in the morning when there aren't leaves on the trees (winter and early spring) The trail down is wide and short. There is a small opening with a nice view of the river and it's quiet. A great place to listen to the flow of the river and the beat of your heart.
Site 5: Conference Room
The Conference Room is tucked into the woods a little more than the other sites. It's right over the river just like all the rest of the sites but the trees like living on that cliff...like a whole bunch. You can walk to the edge and see the river but it's not the most open view of the river. I love this site. It has two old growth stumps from the first harvest ever at Naked Falls. They tell stories of the Yacolt burn and a lot of hard winters. A short narrow trail get's you from your car to to the camping area in about 20 steps.
Site 6: Printer Jam
This site is quite large and has the most extensive view of the river. Great for bigger groups or bigger tents. This is a chill spot where you can roast marshmallows while watching the flow of the Washougal River 35 ft below.
Site 7: Budget Meeting
This site is not meant for vehicle traffic! Please do not drive your vehicle onto the site as that has caused damage to the site itself and it needs to recover.
The last site on the road has the longest walk...about 50 yards. It is also a large space and is the most secluded. It's the longest distance from river access but also the most private. The walk down passes an old growth tree that must have fallen decades ago. It has a huge base and the root structure is about 12 ft tall. There are a variety of trees that hug this campsite. If you don't mind the walk, you are sure to dig the vibe at our version of a Budget Meeting.
Site 8: The Slash Pile
Please read this full description before booking. I'm giving this site a go because I think it's a rather unique experience for the right people. This site sits up above all the river sites. It is not on a river but has a river view and view of all the other campsites. It is surrounded by a slash pile which is the wood debris left over from logging. You can drive right to it but only if you have 4wd/AWD. The road is also surrounded by alder trees that might slap the side of your car as you go up so if you are concerned about that, this is not the spot for you. There is not much shade up there either. You may want to bring a shade tent. The site is fairly large and has plenty of room for tents but I don't recommend any trailers or RVs here due to the steep rocky road. Your walk to the river will be about as long as the walk from site 7. It will be an easy walk down and a bit of a trek up. If no one books this site, I will totally understand but It's a cool spot if you are cool with the challenges it presents.
Site 9: Hard Scramble Creek
This site is embedded in the woods and has the most tree cover. It is even further from the river access than site 8...about a half mile walk. There is plenty of room but only one way in and out so turning around should be thought out before you set up your tents. Also, I've seen people pull off trailering large rigs up there but I'm pretty sure it was painstaking. If you have a large RV or Trailer, I would skip this site. Smaller trailers and RVs should be fine if you have some experience and patience. This site is quiet and the sound of the creek is soothing during the day and night.
Site 10: Rock Beach Woods
This site is in the woods along the river near an inviting rock beach that flows into a crystal clear swimming hole. This site is not behind a gate and day use visitors are allowed to use the trail and access the rock beach. The rock beach gets less traffic than we have right by Naked Falls but it is part of the day use area. This is a park and walk site. Parking is along the main road and you hike in about 50 yards to the campsite.
This is one of the coolest campsites we have. Literally cooler as it is along the river edge and not along a cliffside like most of the other sites. Also cooler because it is under deep tree cover with soft mossy terrain. If you like the sounds of the river, shady woods and very close access to swimming, you will love this site!
Site 11: This One Goes to Eleven!
Situated on the top of the hill, this site has the most impressive views of all the sites! About a 270 degree view of the surrounding mountain region give you a great vantage point that often includes eagles flying below you, elk across the valley and a variety of other wildlife. This site is the farthest from the river, civilization and all the other campsites. If you are looking for something remote and have a 4wd/AWD vehicle, this might be the best site for you.
Sites 12-19: All of these sites are right near the West side of the river. They were designed to accommodate RVs and Trailers. They are made for one trailer or RV per site or 2 camper vans. Tents are fine here too. There is easy in and out access to each site. It is nearer to the W2000 road and the sites are a bit closer together. There is still a significant amount of treed space between each site, just not as much as the original campsites. They each have a fire pit and cleared space for tents along with the graveled area for parking your RV. The sites are fairly level but not perfect and some leveling may be required depending on the size of your RV. This area has it's own trail down to the river or you can use the day use trail just a short walk North past the wooden Naked Falls sign. There are 3 total vehicles allowed at each of these sites (no exceptions) that includes the rv or trailer. So, truck and trailer count as one and you can have one addition car...or you can have 3 cars if you are car or tent camping. There is a charge of 10.00 extra for the third vehicle. No parking is allowed along the W2000 road unless you have a Naked Falls parking pass for day use.
Site 0. This is the old site 12 that I had closed down. It is just up the hill from the fork at site 2. So at the fork near site 2, you will take a left and go up the hill about a quarter of a mile. It will be on your right hand side before you get to site 8. This is a large site part way up a hill surrounded by trees about 15 ft high. Very little shade, so you will want to bring a shade tent in the Summertime.
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Action Sports Roamer Sites
28 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents28 acres · Sandy, OR
Attention... Skiers/Snowboarders, MTB'ers, Hikers, Skaters, Adventurers, all outdoor enthusiast. Our outdoor sauna is open and ready for you to heal all your mountain soreness.
The year 1989 birthed the renowned Windells Camp and High Cascade Snowboard Camps at Mt. Hood, Oregon. What resulted today is a 28-acre action sports mecca that serves as the pathway for nearly every action sports professional and these special Roamer Sites give you a sampling of that experience.
Nestled at the foot of Mt. Hood and its year round lift-accessible snow, these adventure rigs sites for #vanlife, roamer trucks, and nimble RVs place you on the campus of one of the world's premiere destinations for actions sports. We also offer glamping tents.
With Sandy Ridge mountain bike trails within a mile, and over 40,000 sf of skateboard park, there is something for everyone. Your Roamer Site one of 18 featuring a communal campfire and picnic tables. From 5-7pm M-F and 7-10AM Sat/Sun you'll have access to our private indoor and outdoor skateboard parks, mountain bike trails, and fitness center. Want coaching and more? We have that! (additional fee and reservation apply).
Guests love it here "Great camp setup with RV sites and tent Glamping site in nice big canvas tents. I had a quick in and out one night stay and enjoy the big trees and peace and quiet. Located next to an actions sports camp, and the hills which allow for lots of hiking and relaxing"
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Mosier creek Camp
4 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Mosier, OR
on the banks of Mosier Creek. Nice shady, private area. Several hikes from your spot. Fly fishing for brook trout, lots if craydads in creek. Wild mint, black berry's, a hammock for a afternoon nap. Flat area foe a tent, RV, small trailer. Chairs, table, hammock ready for you to come and enjoy. Oregon, has mosquitoes, snakes, deer, fox, coyotes. As of Oct 1st. Small fires are allowed. After you turn on Carrol road, you will see a dry creek road sign. The camp site is down over the bank from this sign
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The Falls at Elk Prairie
3 sites · Tents40 acres · Molalla, OR
Learn more about this land:
Centrally located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range between Portland and Salem, The Falls at Elk Prairie is a small, private, adult only campground that has newly opened in the fall of 2021. This isolated and remote campground will provide the quiet, peaceful and semi private camping experience you're looking for. Currently there are three camp sites located at the base of a forty foot waterfall flowing into a damned pond/ swimming hole. Each site has it's own primitive picnic table, seating and fire ring. The rest room is conveniently located nearby for privacy. The camp sites are accessible by a short walk, taking only a few minutes. Enjoy a variety of activities all close by, such as hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing and nature watching. The Molalla River Corridor, Table Rock Wilderness Area and Silver Falls State Park are all close by.
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Crown Point Camp
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Corbett, OR
Crown Point Camp is the perfect gorge base camp on the Western edge of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, Gateway to hiking, biking, kayaking, wind surfing and many other Adventures!
Our camp is right off the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway just minutes away from Portland Women's Forum and Crown Point, the Jewel of the Columbia.
Our facilities include an outdoor shower, a solar-powered composting toilet, fresh water, and plenty of flat ground surrounded by trees for excellent camping!
Please read this whole message so that you are not surprised when you get here!
Our home and farm is on two acres. Your tent site, are all in our ample acreage.
Although pets are welcome, we expect them to be well-behaved around our two cats, our own big sweetie of a pup, Frejya, our two crazy goats Cupcake and Muffin, and our free-ranging chickens. Expect to hear some animal noises here on the farm.
Our property literally borders the scenic highway. Because we are so close, you can hear the sunset-view-seeking drivers, motorcycle riders, and yes, racers who come out this way for a spin on one of the most scenic highways in the world. Traffic quiets down after dark and mornings are quite 'chill'.
If you like what you are reading, please feel free to book with us and take off for your bike journey or hiking adventure from here. Wahclella Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Eagle Creek, and Multnomah Falls are among our favorites.
Larch Mt, trails are always great for mushroom hunting or bird watching.
Rick and Ellen are your hosts. We love welcoming fellow travelers!
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Marmot House Old Growth Forest
13 sites · RVs, Tents13 acres · Sandy, OR
Marmot House is a lush 13 acres of mostly old growth forest in the foothills of Mt. Hood, right on the Historic Oregon Trail. It is close to hiking, biking, and forested waterfalls a short drive away. We have beautiful short hikes on trails in our forest on the property.
World class windsurfing 30 miles away in Hood River, as well as more amazing waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. The Sandy River recreation area is just up the road from us and we are 10 mins. from The Sandy Ridge Trail with its 17 miles of mountain bike trails.
Each campsite is tucked in the woods and has access our communal fire pit at our gathering space. Our well water tastes amazing!
The is not a developed campground, it is our home. We see ourselves as stewards of this hidden forest gem and welcome people to enjoy its beauty. We are avid campers and recently spend 9 months in our teardrop trailer off grid on public lands. Living here we are family of four plus one who all work from home, Arehn a spiritual life coach, who loves to cook, Jim a software engineer and disc golfer, sons Ian, software engineer and writer and Sam, Environmental Science major and elite level Ultimate frisbee player. Tom Brown III (T3), Nature Educator and professional Photographer, lives in a separate apartment on the property.
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WindWoodRivers
7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Home Valley, WA
One of the oldest original homesteads in the area, for nearly 150 years this gem has been in the family. We have shared it with many people over the years and would love to share it with you!
These beloved woods are the remaining part of the once vast, St. Martin homestead-started in the late 1800s. Our family ties and our roots grow very deeply in these woods-we've been born and raised here and continue to strive to be good stewards of these lands.
Pristine woods, trails, river access, and more! Located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, 60 minutes east of Portland, 25 minutes west of Hood River.
A truly tranquil place to enjoy exclusively, or to use as a basecamp for the unlimited adventures possible in this scenic area. Welcome and enjoy!
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Oak Grove suburban RV pads
2 sites · RVs1 acre · Milwaukie, OR
This driveway has 2 full RV hook ups with up to 50 Amps available at each spot. The RV pads are adjacent to a house that is located in the suburbs of SE Portland Oregon. There is Risley park, a great park for kids and dogs, 1 block south from this location. A small grocery and local restaurant within 1 block and major shopping center within 1 mile from this location.
Downtown Portland and the popular SE Hawthorne shopping district are a 10 minute drive by car. The TriMet train station is 1 mile from this location and this train can take you into downtown Portland and to PDX airport. TriMet is an easy walk down the paved bike path from this location. Our driveway RV site is 3 blocks away from the lower Willamette River.
There is excellent river access for people, motor boats, and kayaks at multiple spots, all near this RV location. There is a second great local river, the Clackamas river, which is only 3 miles away. This river has excellent white water kayaking and tubing through class 1 and class 2 rapids. A paved walking and biking trail leads you to both rivers is located within 1 block of our property. This bike trail will take you North into Downtown Portland and the river front and South to the Clackamas river and on towards Oregon City. In Oregon City you can rent kayaks and paddle to the Willamette Falls. The 2nd largest waterfall, based on water volume, in the United states.
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Molalla Ripple
11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Mulino, OR
Welcome to Molalla Ripple!
Enjoy the sound of the Molalla River rolling over the rocks.
Wake up to birds chirping and tall trees swaying in the breeze.
The campsites are sixty feet apart for privacy and one path leads to the river with two private beach areas to relax.
NOTE, Please use the clean bathrooms provided. DO NOT USE THE WOODS or camp site as your bathroom room. Thank you, let's keep things clean and safe for others to enjoy!
Jsm Ranch started in 2004 when we moved from Oregon City.
This once was a working farm with two chicken barns and a meat locker barn. All had been fallen into disrepair before taking owner ship.
In 2007 we planted 200 tree's and 100 shrubs to build a new fish and wildlife habitat along Woodcock Creek. We then focused on building fence along the Molalla River to protect water quality.
From there, we started raising Black Angus in 2008 after spending four years cleaning up the fields to make it safe for animals. We strive to be good stewards with our land as we continue to work with Clackamas Soil and Water to make better working lands.
You're only minutes away from the town of Molalla to grab a bite, groceries or other camp items. Also have Molalla Rodeo just 3 minutes away on
July 1-4th.
You won't be disappointed for a great breakfast at Tammy D's (Mulino, OR), sandwiches at Humble Pig or pizza at Bear Creek Pizza & Pub.
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Enola Hill at Mt. Hood
1 site · Tent80 acres · Mount Hood Village, OR
The property is located on Enola Hill in the Mt. Hood National Forest just above Rhododendron off Hwy 26 before Government Camp. It's a beautiful spot and totally secluded only 1 of 2 private properties surrounded by Forest Service land. It is a journey getting there on the 3 mile Forest Service Road it's located on as it's rough. It's worth the journey if you have the means of getting there.
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The best camping near Mt. Hood National Forest guide
Overview
About
Stretching from the Oregon-Washington border on the Columbia River and extending south to snow-capped Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood National Forest has long been popular with Oregonians looking to get out in nature. The hiking opportunities are hard to beat, with miles of trails traversing over a million acres of wilderness, plus plenty of options for camping, rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, and boating. Winters are equally magical, and popular activities include skiing, snowboarding, and even just relaxing by the fire at the historic Timberline Lodge in the Mount Hood town of Government Camp.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for whitewater rafters: Roaring River Campground is close to excellent rapids fed by the nearby Clackamas River.
- Best for hot springs fans: Bagby Campground gets you easy access to some of Oregon’s most popular hot springs.
- Best for peace-seeking campers: Meditation Point (Timothy Lake) Campground offers walk-in and boat-in tent sites at a lake.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Many campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served (FCFS) basis and can fill up on weekends. If you need a weekend site, you’ll have better luck showing up on Friday evening than on Saturday morning.
- Plan ahead of time. Reservable campsites, cabins, and yurts open up six months in advance, at 7am Pacific daily, and can be reserved online.
- Check with the US Forest Service for last-minute cancellations.
- Reservable sites sometimes open up at the last minute. Hipcamp campgrounds, RV parks, and lodges provide alternative camping options in the area.
When to go
Mt. Hood National Forest is at its most pleasant between the months of July and September, when temperatures tend to be warm and rainfall is limited. If you want good weather without the crowds, come after Labor Day, when Oregon kids are back in school. However, be aware that August and September are wildfire season, and if the risk is high, your campsite reservation may get canceled. May and June are also possibilities for visits, but you’re more likely to encounter rainfall and some parts of the forest may still be blanketed with snow.
Know before you go
- Always check for road closures before heading out. Snowfall, landslides, fires, and road construction can lead to area closures.
- Fire bans are common in this area, particularly in summer, and may extend to propane stoves and other cooking devices. Consider packing food that doesn’t require cooking.
- Be prepared to pack in what you pack out, and don’t forget garbage bags. While there are plenty of campgrounds with amenities such vault toilets, drinking water, and RV hookups in Mt. Hood National Forest, many others are primitive and lack facilities for waste disposal.
- Warm days don’t mean warm nights. Temperatures can drop drastically after dark, particularly in areas of higher elevation.
- Download offline maps before you leave. Cell service can be spotty in much of Mt. Hood National Forest.
- Mt. Hood National Forest
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