Timothy Lake
Oregon campgrounds with many activities and breathtaking scenery in the forests of Mount Hood.
Visiting Timothy Lake
At Timothy Lake, you can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking, paddling, mountain biking and horseback riding – all with a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. Around the 1,500-acre lake, nine campgrounds provide over 250 campsites, and there are several picnic areas along the shore. PGE manages this site in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.
Timothy Lake is fished for rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, and kokanee. It's also one of the best crawdad (crayfish) spots in the state. Motorized boats are allowed at a 10 mph speed limit, and canoes, kayaks, sailboats and other non-motorized watercraft are welcome.Â
Day use requires a $10 daily vehicle parking permit or a valid annual Northwest Forest Pass or federal Interagency Annual Pass.Â
Campground locations and reservation info
Campgrounds, group camps, cabins, even campsites you can hike, bike, or boat to — Timothy Lake has it all! (Except electricity. And hook-ups. Ironic, we know.)
Directions: Follow Highway 26 east from Portland. After you pass Government Camp, watch for the Timothy Lake turnoff at the Skyline Road junction. Follow signs for Timothy Lake and continue on to the campsite of your choice.
Make a reservation: Click on a campground below for the link to make a reservation or call 877-444-6777. Campsite reservations open up to 6 months in advance on a rolling basis. Select campsites open on a shorter, 2-week window. All sites at these campgrounds are reservable except Meditation Point.
Gone Creek
At the southeastern corner of the lake, near Oak Fork, Gone Creek has barrier-free sites, as well as parking, restrooms, water and a boat ramp for registered guests. Mt. Hood is visible from the shoreline. Gone Creek is open the Friday before Memorial Day through the second weekend in September.
Hoodview
Hoodview campground is on the southern tip of Timothy Lake, with parking, restrooms and water. Sites nearest Forest Road 57 may catch some road noise. True to its name, campers can catch a view of Mt. Hood on clear days. Hoodview is open the Friday before Memorial Day through the last weekend in September.
Meditation Point
Meditation Point is not reservable. This first-come, first-served hike-to, bike-to, boat-to campground is about a mile hike from the trailhead and features seven primitive, private sites next to the lake. There is a $10 campsite fee for this campground(waived in 2025 while restrooms are under repair), as well as a $10 fee to park in a nearby day-use area. Meditation Point is open from the Friday before Memorial Day through the second weekend in September.
North Arm
This smaller, more private campground is on the northern end of the lake, a short hike from Little Crater Lake. On the cusp of the wetlands where Cooper Creek and Crater Creek flow into Timothy Lake, this serene, scenic campground has your best wildlife viewing. North Arm is open the Friday before Memorial Day through the second weekend in September.
Oak Fork
Oak Fork is near the Gone Creek Campground at the southeast corner of the lake. There are barrier-free sites and cabins (pets only permitted at those designated) as well as a day use boat launch — making this campground busier than some others. Oak Fork Campground is open the Friday before Memorial Day through the second weekend in September.
Pine Point
Pine Point is next to the Pine Point day-use area. It has a handful of double-occupancy sites so it can be a little noisier than other campgrounds. Pine Point is open the Friday before Memorial Day through the last weekend in September.
Pine Point Group Camp contains two loops which can be reserved together or separately. Each loop has six individual campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and can accommodate an RV or trailer and two tents. Each group site also has a vault toilet, parking area, water spigot and common picnic area with a large charcoal grill.
Stone Creek
Stone Creek is one of our newest campgrounds, opening the summer of 2023. Nestled in a cove between Hoodview and Gone Creek, this campground includes a day-use area with a non-motorized boat launch, trail access, picnicking and a view of Mt. Hood. Campsites are set back from the water with more privacy between sites than other campgrounds. There are separate tent and RV loops to limit the sound of generators. Stone Creek’s season runs through the second weekend in September.
Stone Creek Group Camp opens July 1, 2025 and was designed for equestrian users. Non-equestrian users are welcome to make a reservation, but we respectfully ask you consider alternative options first. This group camp contains two loops which can be reserved together or separately. Each loop has six individual campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and space to accommodate an RV or trailer and two tents. Each loop also has a vault toilet, parking area, water spigot, corrals and common picnic area with a large charcoal grill.
Timothy Lake campgrounds at a glance
Timothy Lake campgrounds open on the Friday before Memorial Day. Each campground has a different closing date—see details below. Enjoy barrier-free campsites, boat launches and some hike-to sites. Checkout the Timothy Lake recreation guide.
* Holiday weekend rates are an additional $2 per night
| Campground | Gone Creek – standard, non-electric/double |
|---|---|
| Fee* | $26/$52 |
| Sites | 49 |
| Campground | Hoodview – standard, non-electric |
| Fee* | $26 |
| Sites | 45 |
| Campground | Oak Fork – standard, non-electric/cabin |
| Fee* | $26/$70-$80 |
| Sites | 50 |
| Campground | Meditation Point – boat/bike/hike-to |
| Fee* | $10 |
| Sites | 7 |
| Campground | North Arm – standard, non-electric |
| Fee* | $26 |
| Sites | 19 |
| Campground | Pine Point – standard, non-electric/double |
| Fee* | $26/$52 |
| Sites | 25 |
| Campground | Pine Point group/both loops |
| Fee* | $156 per loop/$312 |
| Sites | 12 (6 per loop) |
| Campground | Stone Creek – standard, non-electric/double |
| Fee* | $26/$52 |
| Sites | 43 |
| Campground | Stone Creek group/both loops |
| Fee* | $156 per loop/$312 |
| Sites | 12 (6 per loop) |
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Want more solitude?
There are nearly 40 designated dispersed campsites around Timothy Lake. These first-come, first-served sites can be accessed by foot, bike or boat. We recommend you park in the lot on the northwest side of the dam. These unimproved backcountry sites are free; however, rules and requirements apply.*
* Permits are required from self-service registration stations between Memorial Day weekend and the second weekend of September. A valid parking permit is also required. Camping is only permitted in designated sites and campers are subject to Forest Service rules.
Thinking ahead
We’re committed to keeping our parks safe, clean, sustainable and welcoming – but we need your help.
Know before you go
Make a plan: Check for road closures, construction, fire bans, swimming restrictions or other conditions that may hamper your visit.
…and a plan B: Make a backup plan in case of crowds. Try visiting on weekdays or at off-peak times to beat the masses!
EV adventuring? While our parks do not have charging stations (yet!), check here for nearby locations that do.
During your visit
Stop campfires from becoming wildfires! Keep campfires small, make sure your tent and anything that can burn is a safe distance from your fire, keep water nearby and never leave a fire unattended.
Keep it clear: Park only in designated areas. Do not double-park or block entrances.
Leave no trace: Help us protect these natural areas by staying on-trail, packing out your trash, and admiring wildlife from a distance.
More information and resources
For more information, use our contact form or call the PGE Parks Information Line at 503-464-8515.
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