Lake Camping Near Wamic, Oregon, US: 12 Best Lake Campsites 2025

Set up camp by the water in Wamic, where over 1,350 lake-side spots put you right on the edge of swimming, fishing, and horseback-riding territory. Prices start at $25 a night, with the average landing around $90. Showers, toilets, and campfire rings are common, so you can rinse off, cook up dinner, and sleep easy. Top picks include Zigzag Mountain Farm on Mount Hood (342 reviews), Justesen Ranches (92 reviews), and Nadja's Hideway (49 reviews). You’ll find everything from tucked-away coves to open lakeshore stretches, all with easy access to the water. Bring your rod, your swimsuit, and a sense of adventure—Wamic’s lakes are waiting.

98% (259)

Top-rated campgrounds

Set up camp by the water in Wamic, where over 1,350 lake-side spots put you right on the edge of swimming, fishing, and horseback-riding territory. Prices start at $25 a night, with the average landing around $90. Showers, toilets, and campfire rings are common, so you can rinse off, cook up dinner, and sleep easy. Top picks include Zigzag Mountain Farm on Mount Hood (342 reviews), Justesen Ranches (92 reviews), and Nadja's Hideway (49 reviews). You’ll find everything from tucked-away coves to open lakeshore stretches, all with easy access to the water. Bring your rod, your swimsuit, and a sense of adventure—Wamic’s lakes are waiting.

98% (259)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Little House On The Mountain

100%

(30)

32mi from Wamic · 1 site · Lodging · Rhododendron, OR

I grew up in the Philadelphia area and in 2002, I followed my calling and moved out to Portland, OR. I am a nature lover and enjoy everything that the Pacific Northwest has to offer -- the mountains, unlimited hiking and biking trails, beautiful lakes and rivers. Not to mention the abundance of good IPAs, coffee and delicious food. Over the years, I camped in several places in the area and always dreamed of owning a cabin near Mt. Hood. In 2008, my dream came true when I purchased my cabin and land in ZigZag. I am very excited to share this magical place with you and hope that you enjoy your time!

2. Justesen Ranches

96%

(195)

6.2mi from Wamic · 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.

3. Casa Del lago 2 Lake Billy Chinook

97%

(19)

48mi from Wamic · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Culver, OR

Learn more about this land: Pull up and let the vacation begin. The Lake Billy Chinook area has everything for the perfect camp trip. There is bike riding, boating, fishing, hiking, ATV riding, swimming, kayaking, lounging and enjoying nature. When you arrive just park in your site. We have 30-amp service but no RV septic hookup. The site is gravel so you may need to level your rig. We have a fantastic outdoor area complete with couch, loungers, BBQ and fire pit. The high desert offers some of the most amazing views of the Cascade Mountains with clear blue skies and some of the best star gazing around. Casa del Lago is a dark sky site. There is a fantastic view of Mount Jefferson from the couch and the sunsets are absolutely beautiful. During the Summer we usually enjoy beautiful sunny days and cool comfortable nights. You can hang out down at the lake and find a spot on the beach to have a picnic. You can also bring your boat or rent one at the Cove Palisades Marina and enjoy water sports. Hosts live in house on property. We are located 4 miles from the lake and are nestled in a rural country neighborhood.

4. Mt. Hood National Forest

92%

(191)

1295 sites · Government Camp, Oregon

Explore mountains, lakes, hot springs, and hiking trails in this expansive forest near Portland.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

5. Columbia Hills State Park

19 sites · Dallesport, Washington

Follow in the footsteps of Native Americans and pioneers along the Columbia River.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

6. Nadja's Hideway

100%

(55)

34mi from Wamic · 4 sites · RVs · Lyle, WA

Open for the 2025 Season Play in Hood River during the day, relax in the country at night. We're 6.5 miles up in the hills, called High Prairie, above the sleepy town Lyle. Enjoy the peace on our 5 acre hideaway, wake up with the chickens. Take a walk to look at Mt. Adams which is just around the corner. Hiking, biking, kite boarding, windsurfing all within a few miles of reach with never ending opportunities to get your exercise. Just ask for tips. The land has mostly Oak trees where you can take your nap in your hang matt. The place is easy accessible, far away from all but still close to all Gorge attractions during the day. The town has a nice little convenience store, country cafe, Chinese restaurant, and new to our town "Confluence Cafe" right at the entrance by the Klickitat River - Awesome views - yummy treats and coffee. Matt and Ali are super cool, go check it out. Grocery shopping is best done in Hood River, White Salmon or The Dalles. Once up here, there isn't much, so come prepared.

7. The Burke Cabin

95%

(10)

33mi from Wamic · 8 sites · Lodging · Rhododendron , OR

My husband, Chandler and I were both lucky enough to have grown up in the beautiful Mt. Hood area. Now with hard work and determination we are raising our five children in this magical place. A few years ago Chandler sold a large portion of his company and we purchased our rustic log cabin. We love the idea of sharing our peaceful cabin and property with the world! We recently decide to put our primary home on the site, to allow us to catch up on our debt. We are so thankful that both our places are loved by our guests. Renting our homes has allowed us to work a little less and enjoy our little ones while they are still little. Learn more about this land:Rustic log cabin on secluded 34 acres with exceptional Mt. Hood and Zig Zag wilderness views all around. Only 3.3 miles from highway 26. The property is horse trailer accessible. Just moments away from endless hiking, horse trails, and sandy river beaches...not to mention all the other Mt. Hood area attractions. We also rent our property for weddings, family reunions, camp-outs, graduation parties and other events. Bring your own bedding and towels or we can supply them for you to use for an additional fee. Pets welcome with additional $65/pet cleaning fee. Additional $50 per person fee after first two people.

8. Camping under the Stars

98%

(27)

49mi from Wamic · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Culver, OR

We are sharing our property with guests who have good reviews and are invited to the property. Our strict rules about --NO FIRES-- is strictly in effect all summer long. We do provide some outdoor propane firepits which work great for heat and marshmallows !! We love our property close to the lake and the great grasslands, and also love to share it with responsible groups for camping. Please note that we are only sharing our property and that this is not a full-time campground or RV park with any specific layout. There are no services offered, other than a Bathroom which is serviced regularly. Come camp with us, we look forward to hosting you and your friends/family.

9. Winter Creek Acres

93%

(15)

48mi from Wamic · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Culver, OR

Come enjoy 80 acres of beautiful central Oregon! Ancient Junipers, stunning views of the Sisters and Mt. Jefferson, breathtaking sunsets…our property has it all. Escape the chaos and enjoy the peace and quiet and wide open space. We are also 20 minutes to the marina and swimming beaches for those hot summer days. Please do not camp near owner’s trailer. Porta-potty is NOT available to campers.

10. 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

Potable water

Toilets

11. Gifford Pinchot National Forest

93%

(80)

954 sites · Packwood, Washington

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

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

12. Wheels on the ground

100%

(1)

49mi from Wamic · 1 site · Lodging · Sandy, OR

We live in a mountain town and host a parked Rv on site. We are walking distance from food carts, small businesses and quaint coffee shops. We are 25 minutes from skiing and even less to more than 15 hikes. We are a 1 min walk from a Forrest trail. With bridges and a continuous creek. Our rig sleeps 8 and is comfortable and cozy. With an outdoor fire pit and all you need for a relaxed stay.

Camper favorites near Wamic

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Nadja's Hideway

100%

(55)

34mi from Wamic · 4 sites · RVs · Lyle, WA

Open for the 2025 Season Play in Hood River during the day, relax in the country at night. We're 6.5 miles up in the hills, called High Prairie, above the sleepy town Lyle. Enjoy the peace on our 5 acre hideaway, wake up with the chickens. Take a walk to look at Mt. Adams which is just around the corner. Hiking, biking, kite boarding, windsurfing all within a few miles of reach with never ending opportunities to get your exercise. Just ask for tips. The land has mostly Oak trees where you can take your nap in your hang matt. The place is easy accessible, far away from all but still close to all Gorge attractions during the day. The town has a nice little convenience store, country cafe, Chinese restaurant, and new to our town "Confluence Cafe" right at the entrance by the Klickitat River - Awesome views - yummy treats and coffee. Matt and Ali are super cool, go check it out. Grocery shopping is best done in Hood River, White Salmon or The Dalles. Once up here, there isn't much, so come prepared.

The Burke Cabin

95%

(10)

33mi from Wamic · 8 sites · Lodging · Rhododendron , OR

My husband, Chandler and I were both lucky enough to have grown up in the beautiful Mt. Hood area. Now with hard work and determination we are raising our five children in this magical place. A few years ago Chandler sold a large portion of his company and we purchased our rustic log cabin. We love the idea of sharing our peaceful cabin and property with the world! We recently decide to put our primary home on the site, to allow us to catch up on our debt. We are so thankful that both our places are loved by our guests. Renting our homes has allowed us to work a little less and enjoy our little ones while they are still little. Learn more about this land:Rustic log cabin on secluded 34 acres with exceptional Mt. Hood and Zig Zag wilderness views all around. Only 3.3 miles from highway 26. The property is horse trailer accessible. Just moments away from endless hiking, horse trails, and sandy river beaches...not to mention all the other Mt. Hood area attractions. We also rent our property for weddings, family reunions, camp-outs, graduation parties and other events. Bring your own bedding and towels or we can supply them for you to use for an additional fee. Pets welcome with additional $65/pet cleaning fee. Additional $50 per person fee after first two people.

Camping under the Stars

98%

(27)

49mi from Wamic · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Culver, OR

We are sharing our property with guests who have good reviews and are invited to the property. Our strict rules about --NO FIRES-- is strictly in effect all summer long. We do provide some outdoor propane firepits which work great for heat and marshmallows !! We love our property close to the lake and the great grasslands, and also love to share it with responsible groups for camping. Please note that we are only sharing our property and that this is not a full-time campground or RV park with any specific layout. There are no services offered, other than a Bathroom which is serviced regularly. Come camp with us, we look forward to hosting you and your friends/family.

Winter Creek Acres

93%

(15)

48mi from Wamic · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Culver, OR

Come enjoy 80 acres of beautiful central Oregon! Ancient Junipers, stunning views of the Sisters and Mt. Jefferson, breathtaking sunsets…our property has it all. Escape the chaos and enjoy the peace and quiet and wide open space. We are also 20 minutes to the marina and swimming beaches for those hot summer days. Please do not camp near owner’s trailer. Porta-potty is NOT available to campers.

Wheels on the ground

100%

(1)

49mi from Wamic · 1 site · Lodging · Sandy, OR

We live in a mountain town and host a parked Rv on site. We are walking distance from food carts, small businesses and quaint coffee shops. We are 25 minutes from skiing and even less to more than 15 hikes. We are a 1 min walk from a Forrest trail. With bridges and a continuous creek. Our rig sleeps 8 and is comfortable and cozy. With an outdoor fire pit and all you need for a relaxed stay.

Public campgrounds near Wamic

Rock Creek Campground

4.5mi from Wamic · 33 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

Little Badger Campground

4.7mi from Wamic · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

Bonney Crossing Campground

5.3mi from Wamic · 8 sites · in Mt. Hood National Forest

Post Camp Campground

11mi from Wamic · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

Forest Creek Campground

12mi from Wamic · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

100%

(2)

Keeps Mill Campground

12mi from Wamic · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

Fifteenmile Campground

12mi from Wamic · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

McCubbins Gulch Campground

12mi from Wamic · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

McCubbins Overflow Campground

12mi from Wamic · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

Underhill Site Campground

13mi from Wamic · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

Badger Lake Campground

14mi from Wamic · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

Bonney Meadow Campground

14mi from Wamic · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Mt. Hood National Forest

Stories from the community

Cami

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Little House On The Mountain

The cabin and area were beautiful and peaceful. I enjoyed sitting by the fire pit at night. The details were lovely including the lighting and back window facing the woods/hillside.

C

Claire

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Casa Del lago 2 Lake Billy Chinook

Susan's place is phenomenal. It's a fantastic location right above Billy Chinook Lake. It has a sweet little cabin you can stay in and a tent site area complete with everything you could need for a weekend away. Her attention to detail is impeccable. Each area has outdoor lounging areas, propane fire pits, outdoor cooking areas complete with supplies, a lovely hot outdoor shower, and a cozy hot tub that's perfect for late night soaking and star gazing. She was the best host you could ask for, so friendly, helpful, and responsive.

K

Kelsey

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Justesen Ranches

Such a great site! The lake was awesome for swimming, SUPing and floating. Our group loved it, highly recommend.

T

Tom

August 2025

17 ft travel trailer

With pets

3 nights at Nadja's Hideway

Private and quiet lower camp despite the nearby road. Zero mosquitos. Nadja was a fantastic and authentic host, even gave us baked apricot strudel and extra veggies from her garden! A herd of deer and some wild turkeys came through. We would definitely stay with her again! Note: If you have a dog, keep them near your tent/camper as it is the time of year for burrs. Our dog was covered with them.

M

Mark

August 2025

20 ft campervan

With kids

Weekend Trip to Justesen Ranches

Awesome views and lots of solitude! Mt. Hood and the reflecting sunset is pretty unbeatable.

K

Kambria

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Casa Del lago 2 Lake Billy Chinook

Me, my partner, and our dog really enjoyed our stay at Cabin Del Courtyard. Susan is so communicative and thoughtful. We enjoyed all of the accommodations, especially the Nexgrill, hot tub (once it cooled down at night), and the fire pit. The hosts have really thought of everything that you need and prioritize their guests privacy. We would love to stay and visit the area again.

A

Angie

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camping under the Stars

We had such a wonderful experience thanks to our amazing camp host! We arrived late at night with a last-minute reservation, and he went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. He greeted us warmly despite the hour, helped us get settled quickly, and made everything feel easy and stress-free. What really stood out was his thoughtfulness during our stay—while we were out exploring for the day, the wind picked up and he took the time to stake down our tent so nothing blew away. That level of attention and care is rare and so appreciated. Truly one of the best camp hosts we’ve ever had—friendly, helpful, and genuinely looking out for his guests. Can’t recommend him highly enough!

R

Rachelle

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camping under the Stars

Great camping spot! Directions were clear, beautiful area, and communicative host! We even had water provided, chairs, plus a picnic table. We were there two nights, with great stargazing the second night. Private lots, clean porta potty, Fred was awesome. Would definitely recommend!

A

Alexandra

July 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Justesen Ranches

Great little spot! Amanda was easy to communicate with and provided me with answers to my questions. We had a group of 7 with 3 kids and it was a fun little weekend getaway that’s still close to Portland. Prepare for mosquitoes and horse flies though.

B

Brit

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Casa Del lago 2 Lake Billy Chinook

This stay exceeded any and all expectations I had. Susan truly thought of everything, and makes sure any needs you may have are met and pre meditated. The set up of the cabin is so cozy, and I love that the layout enables and encourages you to spend a lot of time outside as well. I would stay again in a heart beat.

G

Gina

July 2025

With pets

3 nights at Casa Del lago 2 Lake Billy Chinook

We absolutely loved everything about our little stay including our amazing host Susan! I had mentioned my birthday being the reason for our trip, she had a birthday banner set up upon arrival! So cute & thoughtful!! The view of the mountain is incredible. The lil cabin is adorable and fully equipped with essentials such as towels, dishes pots & pans & more! Cleanest porta potty I have ever seen! We will definitely be back!

J

Javen

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Winter Creek Acres

It was very nice we stayed for 1 nigjt and hiked smith rock and went to a waterfall to swim the next day great trip, only downside is that it’s hard to figure out where to set up camp we found a sorta flat spot and called it good wasnt bad at all, overall would recommend especially for the price

J

Janelle

July 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at Winter Creek Acres

What a wonderful experience! Beautiful scenery and excellent location for going to Lake Billy Chinook. Would definitely recommend and plan to visit again!

K

Kelly

July 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Justesen Ranches

We had a phenomenal time at the lake - it was so beautiful and peaceful, and it was so much fun to paddle around the lake and jump off the dock. There were tons of fish jumping, so many different birds, and deer visited in the morning. We also had a rattlesnake join us which we were able to easily relocate, but he blended in so well with the ground so be really mindful of where you're stepping! For those bringing pets: there are foxtail-like plants growing up near the fence and lots of ticks, so make sure you're giving your animals a really thorough onceover when you get home. The bugs are definitely thriving and we got a lot of bites even with bug spray, but I'd happily pay that price all over again for such a lovely campsite. Might be worth bringing a screened in canopy if you're going to be spending a few days there. All in all, a really great experience and I suspect we'll be back!

L

Larry

June 2025

26 ft fifth wheel

Weekend Trip to Justesen Ranches

It was our third time there. We had a great time.

Sally

June 2025

18 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to Justesen Ranches

This was a fantastic spot to camp. The pond is absolutely beautiful, so much wildlife and perfect for paddle boarding, kayaking and fishing! Very quiet and relaxing. We had a lovely time, should have stayed another day. Any poor reviews are ridiculous and should be disregarded, those are really all about that person having a bad day. Bug spray is probably a good idea, though for us circumstances such as wind and cooler nights made it so we didn’t need any. This spot is true to what you see.

X

Xina

May 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camping under the Stars

Our stay at this campsite was truly amazing. From the moment we arrived, the host was incredibly helpful and friendly, making us feel very welcomed. He provided a container of water and explained camp rules. The campsite was clean and thoughtfully maintained, with plenty of room between sites with trees and brush to maintain privacy for a relaxing experience. The location was stunning—I just love the high desert landscape and is surrounded by mountains that lit up at sunset. The skies at night were beautifully dark and clear, perfect for stargazing. It felt like we had a front-row seat to nature’s best show. During the morning, my son had an absolute blast exploring and catching lizards, while I got to unwind in the hammock and soak in the peaceful sounds of birds and the breeze through the trees. It was the perfect mix of adventure and tranquility. All with close proximity to the lake and adventures in the surrounding area. I highly recommend this campsite!!

Kristin

May 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Justesen Ranches

This place was exactly what we wanted. We originally booked a different site thinking we had to since we don’t have a self-contained camp toilet with our popup tent camper, but Amanda read my booking request message about how we wanted to escape to nature and enjoying a chill private weekend outdoors and recommended this site instead. The wildflowers were beautiful, the birds were singing, the lake was gorgeous for sunset, and we didn’t see or hear another person the entire weekend (even though it was super busy Memorial Day weekend)! The frogs were also out in force to help lull us to sleep. If you’re comfortable boondocking and want a peaceful place to get away from people, this spot is amazing. Only 1.5 hrs from bend was a nice plus too. Thanks for the suggestion, Amanda!

C

Cynthia

May 2025

19 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Camping under the Stars

Great communication. Quiet spot, especially compared to park sites we passed on drive. Lots of recommendations for things to do in the area. Was great having someone onsite. Would definitely recommend.

Jessica

May 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camping under the Stars

Wow! We had the most pleasant time camping. Fred, the host, was so accommodating and friendly. He had freshly mowed an area for our Subaru (we car camp). We were offered water, but we brought our own, and there is an extremely clean portapotty. Even though we were near his campsite, it was still private. The stars were incredible! And the scenery was relaxing. We just needed a campsite within driving distance of Smith Rock (it’s about a 50 minute drive) and we got so much more!! I’m saving this place & telling anyone who cares to listen about it.