Oak Fork Campground (Timothy Lake, OR)

Oak Fork Campground is located 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. Proximity to Timothy 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, with 12 miles of relatively level terrain looping around the lake and scenic views of the area. It connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, and portions of that trail also lead southwest to Clackamas Lake Campground. The Clackamas Lake Ranger Station Historic District is less than 2 miles from the campground; built to house forest service workers in the early 1900s, its rustic architecture and historic nature draw thousands of tourists each year. The campground offers 36 single-family campsites, six cabins and eight hike-to sites, with some accessible sites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided, and an on-site host is available for questions about the campground and surrounding area. Sleeping cabins are furnished with a twin over twin bunk, a twin over full bunk, a table and two chairs; the beds have mattresses, but please bring your own bedding. Cooking and smoking in cabins is prohibited, pets are not allowed in the cabins or at the cabin sites, and cabins are nonelectric. The campground is situated on the southeastern shore of the roughly 1,400-acre lake, at an elevation of 3,400 feet. 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. The nearest gas station and convenience store is about 18 miles away, west on Hwy. 26, and the nearest grocery store is in Government Camp, about 23 miles away. Oak Fork is about 27 miles from the base of majestic Mt. Hood, the highest point in Oregon, and the historic Timberline Lodge in Government Camp offers scenic views of the snow-capped mountain.