Where to Camp with a View of Mount Hood
Who says the best views are reserved for the priciest hotel rooms? The region’s campgrounds invite visitors to spend nights near the waterfront and wake up to views of Mount Hood. Here are the best places to camp with a view of Mount Hood.
Trillium Lake Campground, Government Camp
Situated a short walk from its namesake lake—perhaps the most popular summer destination on Mount Hood—this campground also boasts postcard-worthy views of the iconic mountain. Spacious sites offer a bit more privacy than you’d expect from such a popular campground. A day-use area just a five minute walk away from the campground grants impressive views of Mount Hood and lake access. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but most are reservable—book six months in advance if you’re planning a visit July-September. All of the campground’s nearly 60 sites are suited for tent camping, and many are suited for RVs of up to 40 feet (12.2 m), though utility hookups are not available. Vault toilets and potable water are available.
Marine Park Campground, Cascade Locks
This campground is a short walk from town and affords lovely views of Thunder Island and the Columbia River. With a peaceful natural setting that’s still close to the action, Marine Park Campground offers the best of both worlds. The campground is open year-round and is just a five-minute walk from downtown Cascade Locks, offering 15 sites (11 with power and water hookups) and views of the Columbia River and Thunder Island. Amenities include picnic tables, showers, restrooms, and free Wi-Fi. The dispersed camping area on the lawn is popular with PCT hikers in July and August. May 15-September 15, you must have a reservation (available in person or by phone). Fires and generators are not allowed.
Ready to start planning your adventure?
- Diverse Hiking Options: Whether you plan to take peaceful walks along the coast or challenging treks up Mount Hood, enjoy outdoor getaways ranging from easy day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips
- Find Your Hike: Looking for something specific? Choose from strategic lists of the best hikes for wildflowers, waterfalls, or hiking with your dog, plus a breakdown of the best hikes by season
- The Top Outdoor Experiences: Explore a Mars-like red rock landscape in the Alvord Desert, or marvel at one of the 90 rushing waterfalls in the Colombia River Gorge. Peer into the mouth of a volcano crater, gaze at the Portland skyline from afar, or climb to the top of a picturesque lighthouse. Take a dip in relaxing hot springs, study real wagon ruts on the historic Oregon Trail, and spot puffins, pelicans, and plovers along the coast
- Nearby Fun: Spend a night under the stars at a nearby campground, sip a refreshing local brew after a day of hiking, or enjoy fresh-caught fish at a beachfront restaurant
- Essential Planning Details: Each hike is described in detail and marked with round-trip distance and hiking time, difficulty, terrain type, elevation gain, and access points
- Maps and Directions: Find easy-to-use maps, driving directions to each trailhead, and details on where to park
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Deschutes River State Recreation Area, The Dalles
This quiet campground is a prime spot to spend a night under the stars. Situated in a forested canyon along the eastern banks of the Deschutes River, near its confluence with the Columbia River, and 16 miles (26 km) east of The Dalles, the park hosts more than 60 campsites for tents and RVs (electrical sites with water available) spread across four loops—one of which welcomes campers all year long. All sites come with a picnic table and fire ring, and hot showers are available (8am-8pm daily spring-fall). Several hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails leave from the campground, and anglers, boaters, and paddlers shove off from the Heritage Landing boat ramp on the river’s western shore. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes late spring-early fall.
Maryhill State Park, Maryhill, WA
Campgrounds don’t get much more scenic than this one, nestled on the waterfront of the sparkling Columbia River. The campground is open year-round and hosts 20 standard sites, 50 full-hookup sites, and 2 primitive sites, along with restrooms, showers, and an RV dump station. A camp host sells ice and firewood. Little ones can play in the shallow beach area along the Columbia River, a dock makes it easy to cast a line or hop into a kayak, and the campground is close to Maryhill’s attractions.
Hoodview Campground, Government Camp
Perched on the southern shore of Timothy Lake, this aptly named campground delivers sweeping Mount Hood views. Hoodview is among the busiest of the lake’s already busy handful of campgrounds—so don’t expect solitude. That said, some of the sites at Hoodview (sites 32-34, specifically) sit along the lakeshore and offer impressive Mount Hood views; in addition, the road that connects Hoodview’s sites ends at the shore of Timothy Lake—popular for swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing, and magical sunset views. Vault toilets and potable water are available.
More guides to the Pacific Northwest:
- Strategic, flexible itineraries, including a 10-day road trip to see the best of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia
- Can’t-miss experiences and unique activities: Watch the fishmongers at Pike Place Market, tour iconic lighthouses, or visit the charming towns of the San Juan Islands. Sip high tea in Victoria, go wine tasting in the Willamette Valley, and relax in a cozy coffee shop
- Outdoor adventures: Wander through wildflower meadows in Mt. Rainier National Park, stroll through the lush Hoh Rainforest, and take a whale watching trip on Vancouver Island. Hike to rushing waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, catch a sunset at iconic Haystack Rock, and ski fresh powder in Whistler
- Expert insight from local authors on when to go, where to stay, and how to get around
- Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
- Thorough background information on the culture, landscape, climate, and wildlife, plus handy recommendations for families with kids, seniors, travelers of color, solo travelers, and more
- Focused coverage of Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula, the Cascades, the San Juan Islands, Portland, the Oregon Coast, the Columbia River Gorge, Bend & Southern Oregon, Vancouver, Victoria, and Vancouver Island
With Moon’s expert tips and local know-how, you can find your adventure in the Pacific Northwest.
Looking to hit the trails? Check out Moon Pacific Northwest Hiking. Sticking to one region? Try Moon Washington State, Moon Oregon, or Moon Vancouver & Canadian Rockies Road Trip.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
- Multiple Routes: Take the full two-week trip or mix and match suggestions for spending time in the Olympic Peninsula, Seattle, Portland, the Oregon Coast, Vancouver, and more
- Eat, Sleep, Stop and Explore: With lists of the best hikes, views, and more, you can venture through lush rainforest in search of towering waterfalls, race across sand dunes on the Oregon Coast, and kayak the Puget Sound. Marvel at totem poles carved by First Nation tribes in Vancouver, study the contemporary masterpieces at the Seattle Art Museum, or tour Oregon’s collection of picturesque lighthouses. Indulge in a food truck feast in Portland, sample cheese and ice cream in Tillamook, or snack on authentic Canadian poutine
- Maps and Driving Tools: Over 30 easy-to-use maps keep you oriented on and off the highway, along with site-to-site mileage, driving times, detailed directions, and full-color photos throughout
- Local Insight: Native Washingtonian and outdoorswoman Allison Williams shares her favorite spots and experiences in the Pacific Northwest
- Planning Your Trip: Know when and where to get gas, how to avoid traffic, tips for driving in different road and weather conditions, and suggestions for LGBTQ+ travelers, seniors, and road trippers with children
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
