USDA Forest Service · Oregon
Little Crater Lake
USDA Forest Service · Oregon, United States
- Sites
- 15
- Hookups
- 15 no hookups
- Season
- May 23 to September 21
- Max RV length
- 26 ft
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 3,307 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- LITTLE CRATER LAKE CAMPGROUND (NFSR 5800230) · bituminous surface treatment · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Mt. Hood National Forest
- Address
- OR
- Phone
- 503-630-5721
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Historic Sites, Wildlife Viewing
15 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
15 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
Overview
Little Crater Lake Campground is one of the most scenic spots in Mt. Hood National Forest and a very comfortable place to camp. It is not far from Little Crater Lake, a cold, crystal clear, spring-fed pond. Also nearby is Timothy Lake, where boaters and anglers enjoy recreating, all in the shadows of Mt. Hood, Oregon's highest point.
Recreation
A short path to view Little Crater Lake begins in the campground. It connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which winds its way through the area, past Timothy Lake and up the slopes of Mt. Hood. The long-distance trail is popular among hikers and backpackers, stretches 2,650 miles through California, Oregon and Washington, from Canada to Mexico.
Visitors enjoy fishing at Timothy Lake, which covers roughly 1,400 acres. Anglers will find Kokanee salmon and a variety of stocked trout.
Facilities
The campground offers more than a dozen single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets are provided. A hand-pump water spigot is located near the campground's entrance and is the only source of water within the facility. Utility hookups are not available. Parking surfaces are grass, dirt and irregularly shaped.
Natural Features
The quiet campground is nestled in an evergreen forest at an elevation of 3,300 feet. Little Crater Lake is a geologic oddity, possibly formed by artesian water forcing its way through soft, volcanic rock. The beautiful, turquoise water is a wonder to see.
The surrounding meadow is a great place for observing birds and other wildlife. The region is ripe for huckleberry picking as well.
Nearby Attractions
The Clackamas Lake Ranger Station Historic District is less than 10 miles from the campground. It was built to house forest service workers in the early 1900s. The rustic architecture and historic nature of the buildings and the surrounding area draws thousands of visitors each year.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (503) 622-3191.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39° | 29° | 0° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 29° | 8° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 43° | 30° | 17° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 47° | 34° | 15° | 73° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 57° | 42° | 33° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 67° | 45° | 34° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 78° | 52° | 42° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 81° | 53° | 43° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 48° | 35° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 58° | 41° | 34° | 75° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 45° | 34° | 18° | 61° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 37° | 29° | 13° | 59° | 9 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Joe Graham/Pacific Crest Trailhead · 3.3 mi as the crow flies
Pct: Mt Hood 75 mi Hike · Drive there - Timothy Lake - West Shore Day Use · 3.8 mi as the crow flies
Timothy Lake 7.3 mi Hike · Drive there - Frog Lake Sno-Park/Trailhead · 5.6 mi as the crow flies · Drive there
- Frog Lake Butte Trailhead · 6.1 mi as the crow flies
Frog Lake Butte 2.9 mi Hike · Drive there - Dry Fir/Veda Lake Trailhead · 7.2 mi as the crow flies
Dry Fir 2.9 mi Hike, Veda Lake 1.2 mi Hike · Drive there
All 347 trails in Mt. Hood National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Timothy Lake- North Arm Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, OR) · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 20 sites
- Clear Lake Cabin Lookout · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 1 sites
- Oak Fork Campground (Timothy Lake, OR) · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 50 sites
- Timothy Lake-meditation Point Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
All public campgrounds in Oregon · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.