Willamette National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Oakridge, OR, OR
Price: From $28 per night
Price range: $28–$56 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (56 reviews)
Season: May through October
Waldo Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in Oregon. It offers a uniquely peaceful setting on the water and along remote shorelines, surrounded by forests of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock. Recreation in the area is abundant with the lake an ideal location for water activities like sailing, canoeing and swimming.North Waldo is the most popular of the Waldo Lake Campgrounds.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/north-waldo to be notified when sites open up.
North Waldo offers a uniquely peaceful setting on one of Oregon's largest natural lakes, surrounded by Douglas fir and mountain hemlock forests with abundant water activities like sailing, canoeing, and swimming. The Jim Weaver Loop provides 20 miles of hiking and biking trails circling Waldo Lake.
Wildlife alert: Sierra Nevada Red Fox, Pacific Marten, Bobcat, Great Blue Heron, and Common Garter Snake present in the area.
Insider tips for North Waldo: Book early—this is a popular federal campground with limited availability Bring bug spray for mosquitoes Use the amphitheater as a scenic gathering spot for visitors
Skip North Waldo if: You need RV hookups—no hookups available at most sites. You prefer paved roads—the drive to the campground uses forest service roads. You're visiting outside May through October—seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit North Waldo: May-October — Official operating season for the campground. Clear sunny days — Lake features stunning blue coloring best appreciated in good weather.
Nearby campgrounds: Islet Campground (Oakridge, OR), Shadow Bay (Oakridge, OR), Skookum Creek Campground (Oakridge, OR), Little Cultus Campground (BEND, OR).
Cell signal at North Waldo (Oakridge, 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.
Waldo Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in Oregon. It offers a uniquely peaceful setting on the water and along remote shorelines, surrounded by forests of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock. Recreation in the area is abundant with the lake an ideal location for water activities like sailing, canoeing and swimming.North Waldo is the most popular of the Waldo Lake Campgrounds.
Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Book early
this is a popular federal campground with limited availability
Bring bug spray for mosquitoes
Use the amphitheater as a scenic gathering spot for visitors
Official operating season for the campground
Lake features stunning blue coloring best appreciated in good weather
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.









From Oakridge, follow Hwy 58 east for 25 miles to the Waldo Lake Road (FS Road 5897). Follow Waldo Lake Road for 11 miles to FS Road 5898. Follow FS Road 5898 to FS Road 5895. Continue on FS Road 5895 to North Waldo Campground.
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