Promontory Park

A fishing lake just for kids

If you’re looking for nostalgic, family-friendly camping in the Portland area, Promontory Park is the place. This 1950s alcohol-free campground on the North Fork Reservoir of the Clackamas River offers a variety of camping options and recreational activities all in the same location.

• Tent and small RV sites

• Cabins and yomes

• Restrooms and showers

• Family activities

• Nature play area and kids’ fishing pond (only stocked in early summer)

• Picnic areas and electric cooking facilities

• Reservable picnic shelter (accommodates 75)

• Boat launches and motorboat, kayak, paddle board rentals

• Fishing docks and fish cleaning stations

• Marina and camp store

A yome is cross between a rustic yurt and a dome, with canvas walls on a platform. Each is equipped with bunks and sleeps five. There is an outlet, but there are no heaters or air conditioning units. Cabins have two sets of bunk beds and also accommodate five. If you reserve a yome or cabin all you need to bring is your cooking gear, toiletries and bedding.

The park store offers groceries, ice, fishing tackle, boat rental, fuel and more. There is no speed limit on most of the reservoir, but the upper end has an enforced limit of 10 miles per hour. Small Fry Lake was developed exclusively for young anglers. Kids up to 17 years old can fish for two trout per day on this pond stocked in early summer. Nearby is the North Fork Lower Boat Launch, a free day-use area; the Wild and Scenic Upper Clackamas River, one of the best whitewater paddling rivers in Oregon; and the Mt. Hood National Forest, a mecca for hikers, cyclists, anglers and nature enthusiasts. The park has barrier-free restrooms, campsites and fishing areas. Directions to Promontory Park

Promontory Park campground at a glance

Promontory Park is open for reservations from the Friday before Memorial Day through the second weekend in September. It opens the week prior for first-come, first-served camping.

Campers can make online reservations for the upcoming season beginning the first business day in January at 8 a.m., or by phone/email starting the first business day in March at 8 a.m. Before making a reservation, campers should be aware that this campground was designed in the 1950s and, although it has been renovated, it maintains some of that 50s charm. The roads are narrow and winding and the sites are best suited for tents or very compact camping units.

The campground is also built into the landscape, so sites are carved into hillsides, lined along the reservoir and tucked in among giant boulders. Some sites are close together (great for booking with a friend), while others are more removed. Filled with character, Promontory is not your cookie-cutter campground.

Pets are only permitted at pet-friendly designated cabin and yome sites. They are permitted on leash at tent sites. All pets must be attended at all times.