The best cave campgrounds in Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood towers 11,240 feet over the Oregon countryside, dominating the horizon. On a clear day, you can see the snowy peak from Portland—50 miles away! Surrounded by alpine meadows and Mt. Hood National Forest, this region offers endless ways to get into the wild.

With 71 Forest Service campgrounds to choose from, it’s easy to find one that suits your camping style. Spring Drive offers a popular RV park with full hookups. Families love the boating and fishing at Trillium Lake Campground. If you prefer a cabin or a yurt, head to Lost Lake Resort.

At Mount Hood, you’ll find an adventure for everyone. Climb up jagged rock faces, or go fishing in the Hood River, just steps from your campsite. The national forest has 1,000 miles of trails that are perfect for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Serious mountaineers can make the technical climb to the summit; be sure to get a permit.

For a true wilderness experience, head out into the backcountry. Dispersed camping is legal in many parts of the national forest, so you can pitch your tent in a secluded spot. Local backpackers love the Timberline Trail, which takes about 3-4 days to complete.

The fun doesn’t stop when the snow falls—it’s just getting started. Load up your warmest camping year (or book a cabin) and head for the forest. Six ski areas offer sledding, skiing, and snowboarding. Or, explore the trails using snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobiles.

97% (936) • 35 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood towers 11,240 feet over the Oregon countryside, dominating the horizon. On a clear day, you can see the snowy peak from Portland—50 miles away! Surrounded by alpine meadows and Mt. Hood National Forest, this region offers endless ways to get into the wild.

With 71 Forest Service campgrounds to choose from, it’s easy to find one that suits your camping style. Spring Drive offers a popular RV park with full hookups. Families love the boating and fishing at Trillium Lake Campground. If you prefer a cabin or a yurt, head to Lost Lake Resort.

At Mount Hood, you’ll find an adventure for everyone. Climb up jagged rock faces, or go fishing in the Hood River, just steps from your campsite. The national forest has 1,000 miles of trails that are perfect for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Serious mountaineers can make the technical climb to the summit; be sure to get a permit.

For a true wilderness experience, head out into the backcountry. Dispersed camping is legal in many parts of the national forest, so you can pitch your tent in a secluded spot. Local backpackers love the Timberline Trail, which takes about 3-4 days to complete.

The fun doesn’t stop when the snow falls—it’s just getting started. Load up your warmest camping year (or book a cabin) and head for the forest. Six ski areas offer sledding, skiing, and snowboarding. Or, explore the trails using snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobiles.

97% (936) • 35 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Mt. Hood

1. WindWoodRivers

97%

(916)

7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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!

2. Elk Falls Outdoor Retreat

99%

(347)

3 sites · Tents, RVs · Molalla, OR

Learn more about this land: Please REVIEW THE RULES TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN BE ADHERED TO. Dogs, anyone under the Age of 21, more than 4 people per Permit are NOT ALLOWED. Any Firewood brought onto the Property, must be PREPACKAGED, STORE BOUGHT FIREWOOD ONLY. This is to protect the Property from invasive Insects and Disease. Please disregard any AI generated Information on the Website. It's inaccurate, misconstrued and not up to Date. Thank you for your understanding with this Situation. Centrally located in the Foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range between Portland and Salem, "Elk Falls Outdoor Recreation Retreat" is a small, private, "ADULT ONLY" (minimum of 21 years) outdoor recreation Retreat that provides the general Public with all Aspects of outdoor recreation Activities and Pursuits.. This isolated and remote Outdoor Retreat will provide the quiet, peaceful and semi private outdoor recreation Experience you're looking for. Currently there are three outdoor recreation Permits available. Recreation Permits allow access to forty Acres of private timberland Property for outdoor recreation Activities including, but not limited to, Hunting, Fishing, r/v Parking, dispersed Camping, Hiking, Bicycling, Horseback riding, Swimming and Nature watching. Enjoy Time spent at a forty foot Waterfall that flows into a damned swimming Hole and fishing Pond. The swimming Hole and Pond is accessible by a short Walk from the end of the access Road. Direct Access is also available to hundreds of Acres of Port Blakely Tree Farm Property. Ask about sportsmans Discounts with Proof of valid Oregon hunting and fishing Licenses. The Molalla River Corridor, Table Rock Wilderness Area and Silver Falls State Park are all close by.

3. Justesen Ranches

96%

(195)

23 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Tygh Valley, OR

Justesen Ranches is family owned working cattle, wheat and recreation ranch. Our properties are located in the Columbia River Plateau in North Central Oregon. Enjoy wide open spaces, reservoirs for wildlife watching and clear night skies for star gazing. This is a leave no trace, pack it in, pack it out camping area. The property is located in Tygh Valley and is only a few minutes from the general store and the stunning White River Falls State Park. The Deschutes River whitewater rafting hub of Maupin is just a 10 minute drive away. The lodge two hours from Portland and 30 min from The Dalles.

4. Gifford Pinchot National Forest

93%

(80)

954 sites · Packwood, Washington

Explore old-growth forests, volcanic peaks, and thousands of miles of trails.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

5. Deschutes River State Recreation Area

88%

(7)

25 sites · Oregon

Miles of hiking trails, whitewater, and other outdoor activities make this an exciting spot!

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

A

Adam

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to WindWoodRivers

The sites are all very unique. We loved out stay. Lots of salmon making a run up river right now. It was very cool to watch the salmon and also a big group of kayakers going by. Sites were clean. Wish we would have added the sauna add on. They looked really neat.

Chris

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to WindWoodRivers

Great spot, great family, we will always return! Thanks!

Site 3: Red Alder. This spot is the most private of the three.

M

Monica

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Elk Falls Outdoor Retreat

I loved tent camping here, could hear the falls all night so peaceful even from the furthest spot campsite #3

S

Saira

October 2025

Tent

1 night at WindWoodRivers

Loved the location and the beautiful woods and water access. Will definitely be back!

G

Grant

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to WindWoodRivers

Absolutely loved our stay at WindWoodRivers, the host was extremely responsive and helpful in answering our questions, the campsite and accommodations (ie toilet) were extremely well kept, and the campsites were well distanced to allow for a secluded experience

Kasey

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Elk Falls Outdoor Retreat

Wonderful and magical place to be. Pack light or bring a wagon. It's a hike and incline to go to and from the campsite. Well worth it thought! The water was cold but we jumped in anyway and had a blast. Stargazing is a must!

Sara

September 2025

Tent

2 nights at Elk Falls Outdoor Retreat

We absolutely loved at our stay on Clint's land by the waterfall! It feels like you're in a hidden little magical ravine. It felt clear to me that Clint treats the land with a lot of respect and reverence - please follow his guidelines to help in taking good care of this little oasis.

D

Drew

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to WindWoodRivers

Easily my favorite private camping experience in the PNW. Everything is here, contained, maintained, and beautifully private and safe.

S

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to WindWoodRivers

It was a beautiful site and we enjoyed it very much. We will book again!

H

Hannah

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Elk Falls Outdoor Retreat

The space is beautiful and so well cared for. Very comfortable and a wonderful place to spend a couple days. Clint is a great host!

H

Hannah

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Elk Falls Outdoor Retreat

Absolutely beautiful place! Clint is a great host. 103429054/10 recommend.

K

Kaela

September 2025

19 ft pop-up camper

1 night at WindWoodRivers

Wonderful! Naturally incredible area, but also thoughtfully set up campgrounds and welcoming host.

E

Ezra

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Elk Falls Outdoor Retreat

Beautiful location! Super private. The host was very kind a passionate about sharing the land with others. My partner and I had a great time. Will definitely return :)

A

Ann

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to WindWoodRivers

Beautiful location, great trails, great privacy!!!

S

Shauna

September 2025

17 ft campervan

2 nights at Elk Falls Outdoor Retreat

This place is an absolute dream! Clint is an incredible host, such a kind soul to share this beautiful land! The waterfall is perfect and so soothing! Thanks again for the firewood! I can’t wait to come back! 🧚‍♀️🌲

Gitanjali

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at WindWoodRivers

This is such a lovely spot at the confluence of the Wind River & the Little Wind River. Lots of space for all of our tents and vehicles. Also, the perfect spot for full moon camping and late night skyviews. The soaking & swimming are just dreamy. The composting toilet was really clean. Thank you for sharing this treasure.

K

Kat

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to WindWoodRivers

I loved the land, we stayed in eagle nest and it was very cozy and secluded. Just perfect. The only thing that was annoying is when I asked a question that didn’t get answered. We figured it out but it would have been nice to have peace of mind. The water was amazing, the toilets were clean and very nice ! The access to get in was easy and made you feel very secure. This land is very much loved.

G

Grace

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Elk Falls Outdoor Retreat

Had an excellent time dispersed camping at this sportsman retreat! Options for bike riding, rv, fishing, or dispersed camping all throughout the property. Please respect the rules so that we can all continue to enjoy this wonderful spot:)

Picnic table and lots of flat space for tents or campers

M

Marie

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Justesen Ranches

Nice spot. We used it as a home base for rafting day trips on the Deschutes. About 20 minutes from Sandy Beach. Felt very private and a short walk across the road to hang by White River. Freshly cleaned porto potty. We would stay again. Host warned us about yellow jackets and they were bad. Brought a trap to add to about 6 others already hanging and had to eat in screened in tent. Pretty typical in field like that in late summer in the area though.