Hoodview Campground (Timothy Lake, OR)

The Hoodview Campground sits on the shores of Timothy Lake, in the shadow of Oregon's Mt. Hood. The surrounding forest setting offers spectacular views, miles of trails for exploration and abundant fishing. The campground offers dozens of single-family campsites for tent and RV camping, each equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided, and a campground host is available on-site. The nearest gas station/convenience store is about 18 miles away, west on Hwy. 26; the nearest grocery store is in Government Camp, about 23 miles away. The campground is situated on the southeastern shore of the roughly 1,400-acre lake at an elevation of 3,400 feet, nestled in a mixed conifer forest with many sites near the water's edge and views of Mt. Hood. A thick understory of rhododendron bushes provides privacy between sites. Timothy Lake was created in 1956 as a storage reservoir for the Oak Grove Hydroelectric Project and is one of the larger lakes in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Proximity to the lake allows campers to enjoy boating and sailing, as well as swimming, windsurfing and fishing; anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon and a variety of trout. The Timothy Lake Trail is popular for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding — 12 miles of relatively level terrain looping around the lake with scenic views. It connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which extends across three states from the Canadian to the Mexican border, and portions of that trail lead southwest to Clackamas Lake Campground. The Clackamas Lake Ranger Station Historic District is less than 3 miles from the campground. Built to house forest service workers in the early 1900s, its rustic architecture and historic setting draw thousands of tourists each year. Hoodview is about 28 miles from the base of majestic Mt. Hood, the highest point in Oregon; the historic Timberline Lodge in Government Camp offers scenic views of the snow-capped mountain.