Clackamas Lake
Mt. Hood National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Estacada, OR, OR
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (60 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Clackamas Lake Campground is a great camping destination, especially when nearby Timothy Lake sites are full. The facility is located in the Clackamas Lake Historic District in Mt. It provides access to fishing, swimming and leisurely boating, as well as a number of trails and historic points along the way.The campground is nestled in a heavily wooded forest of pine trees, with partial views of Oregon’s highest peak.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/clackamas-lake to be notified when sites open up.
Clackamas Lake offers a peaceful camping alternative when nearby Timothy Lake is full, featuring beautiful lake views, large sites, and a helpful camp host. Anglers will enjoy fishing opportunities and visitors can access swimming, boating, hiking, and historic sites within Mt. Hood National Forest.
Wildlife alert: Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Varied Thrush, Barrow's Goldeneye, Sandhill Crane, Canada Jay. Mosquitoes reported by campers.
Insider tips for Clackamas Lake: Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available Sites are very large; plan to stay multiple days for a peaceful retreat The lake is small and shallow—bring a wetsuit if swimming, as water is very cold
Skip Clackamas Lake if: You need RV hookups—none are available. You prefer motorized boating—only non-motorized boats are allowed. You're sensitive to mosquitoes—they are active during camping season.
Best time to visit Clackamas Lake: Year-round — Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted in known issues.
Nearby campgrounds: Clackamas Lake Historic Cabin (ZIGZAG, OR), Oak Fork Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) (TIMOTHY LAKE, OR), Gone Creek Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) (Timothy Lake, OR), Stone Creek Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) (Timothy Lake, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Clackamas Lake
Cell signal at Clackamas Lake (Estacada, OR): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Clackamas Lake Campground is a great camping destination, especially when nearby Timothy Lake sites are full. The facility is located in the Clackamas Lake Historic District in Mt. It provides access to fishing, swimming and leisurely boating, as well as a number of trails and historic points along the way.The campground is nestled in a heavily wooded forest of pine trees, with partial views of Oregon’s highest peak.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available
Sites are very large; plan to stay multiple days for a peaceful retreat
The lake is small and shallow
bring a wetsuit if swimming, as water is very cold
Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted in known issues
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Sandy, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 40 miles to Skyline Road (Forest Road 42). Turn right on Skyline Road and continue south for 10 miles to the Clackamas Lake entrance sign. Turn left and head east less than half a mile to the campground entrance.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Mt. Hood National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Mt. Hood National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Clackamas Lake cost per night?+
What season is Clackamas Lake open?+
Does Clackamas Lake have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Clackamas Lake?+
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What is the cell service like at Clackamas Lake?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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