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Timothy Lake

4.3 (20 reviews)

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View of Mt Hood over the lake from the South Shore trail
Sarah C.

Sept 26th, 2021 was the last day of the season to camp at Timothy Lake's "Hood view" campsite and I am so glad I did! Pros: -Located just a two hour drive outside of Portland -Beautiful views of Mt Hood across the lake -13 mile trail around the lake -Well maintained lands with lots of native plants, happy birds, skittering chipmunks, and (I'm told) fluttering dragonflies -Lots of options for accessing the water whether it be beach, boat ramp, or kayak dock -Dog friendly campsite and trails, and most people seemed to be good dog owners (picking up poop and keeping leashes on) -Each campsite is big, with picnic table and fire pit -Lots of trees to hang a hammock, both at the campsite and lakeside Cons: -Outhouse style toilets, slightly dirty and limited lighting -No showers? -$8 firewood is slightly more than I'm used to -I think it's just the one trail, really, that goes around the lake... so not a ton of options, just whether you want to set off clockwise or counter clockwise See the pics for a glimpse of this pretty place and book your campsite for next year because the spots do fill up!

Little Crate Lake - Drink
Roger M.

all about that Timothy Lake flow It's all about the flow around Timothy Lake let the fat tires go all about that flow, that flow come up big rock get up on that booty pump pump pump it out pop that fatty stick stick stick it land it straight back fatty follow kick kick kick it power up that rock all about that flow, that flow come on single track, run it out get up on that booty look ahead, don't look back let it go go go keep the fatties on the track fast fast faster go Oregonian green green green all about that flow, that flow spin out to the edge blue blue blue lake keep that booty in the saddle brake brake brake it down modulate the brakes don't look around slow slow slow it down slowwww flowwww all about that flow, that flow Mo mo momentum is your friend flow flow until the end booty booty shake shake go go with the flow mo mo momentum mo mo stay with the flow flow flow all around Timothy Lake all you need to know power, fast and slow it's all about that flow all about that flowwww--motion Mountain biking for 17 miles, 1,080 feet elevation gain, on sky blue sunny day, mostly in the shade, fast rollin with some technical spots, rocks and tree roots, mostly all single track. Check out Little Crater Lake turn off to see a deep clear blue artisanal well you can drink coming up from the center of the Earth! Get after it! Get after it! Get after it! Out to Timothy Lake!

Quinn A.

Very gentle 8 mile out and back from the campground to meditation point. Lots of other trails to suit your needs. There is a trail that goes all the way around the lake and I'm thinking to try that one with my mountain bike. I left Portland at 0700 and got there at 0830. Had the trail entirely to myself for the first hour and a half. It was a clear, crisp (32 degrees) morning with fog on the lake. Incredible beauty in every direction. Be ready for the duck hunters. You'll know what I mean if you hear it. Scared me out of my boots a couple of times, honestly. They are early morning folk and don't stay out after the fog burns off. Otherwise no sound except the birds and the slight breeze. The entire trail was soft pine needles with very little gain. Good choice if you are hiking with kids, as there are no scary drop offs. Great for trail running. The lake is magical. Mirror surface, clear water. If you read this far, here is the bonus. 1/4 mile on the trail, right at the start, there is a small lake - Little Crater Lake. It is one of those blue holes. Deep, scary deep, and you can see straight down to the bottom. Its surreal. Don't miss it!

Frances L.

Love this lake it's a 13 mile hike around the circumference the water sees the sun 90% more then Portland so it's warm compared to the river the campgrounds are spacious and clean, there are SEVERAL other lakes nearby so if you get a chance check them out... Happy Hiking

Katrina W.

Timothy Lake is a beautiful spot about 2 hours east of Portland, with plenty of campsites, day use areas and endless opportunities for getting out and in the water and trees and sun. We've been camping there a few times, and my only complaint is the carelessness of people. In walking down to the lake from our secret spot (no I won't tell you where), and then swimming in the lake, we have picked up too many abandoned cans, fishing line & hooks, cigarette butts, shotgun shells and just garbage. It's not a big junk yard by any stretch of the imagination, but we don't want it to become one either! Come on, people. We are so lucky to have a place so beautiful so close to home. Don't muck it up, mmkay?

May 2013
James D. H.

I really like Timothy Lake. Just spent a week there at Gone Creek Camp Grounds. I enjoy the clean, clear water. All the times I have been here the water has been calm. The lake becomes so calm, it's like a pool. Fishing is great. Fish jumping out of the water. A fly rod would do well here I think. I like the Crayfish. I just left and can't wait to go back.

Mt. Hood peeking out in the distance.
Amber F.

We came here while the campground was still closed. Parked out on the road and walked in. It was incredibly peaceful without campers and other people around. The view of Mt. Hood is spectacular. I definitely see us coming back in summer for swimming and general lake fun.

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Review Highlights - Timothy Lake

Although I've never seen so many employees at any campground, the grounds were kept pristine and every staff member encountered was friendly.

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Clackamas River - Clackamas River

Clackamas River

(7 reviews)

This is a long, meandering river offering you a ton of recreationally minded activities. Much to…read moresee, much you can do and enjoy - worth your time to top in at one of the points you have access to stop in at along the river. The water is typically a perfect temp in the summer and the current is ideal for tubing - especially in the Clackamas area. Safe enough for the family, pretty enough you want to go alone and soak it in....

The Confession: I'm a masochist. Despite being clumsy and lacking any visual depth perception…read more(seriously, it's clinically proven), I can't really use those excuses when it comes to my persistent ability to get injured. If you see me, chances are I have band-aids on. So, I'm pretty sure it's just that I actually LIKE getting hurt. This is a case in point: The Prelude: Since I was about 3 years old, I have enjoyed exploring the depths of the woods, especially near some giant, rushing body of water that drowns out all the mundane commotion in my head. I like being surrounded by towering trees, waist-high ferns, and little, precious wildflowers. I've run into grizzly bears while huckleberry picking, yet never, ever have I been afraid in the woods. Not even at night when I have to go pee. I actually want to get lost and find my way home. This is my idea of fun, especially if I have a cold beer in hand. Problem is, I usually get hurt while I'm out there. In fact, I judge my excursions as such: the more I get hurt, the more fun I had. The Rub: This is where the Clackamas River is GOD to me. Yeah, I love to come here to swim, hike, camp, float down the river, picnic, etc. But I always leave with excessive scrapes, bruises, scratches, and bloodied body parts. Could be I just play hard. But I think it's more than that. It's as though the river gives me so much pleasure, it demands a little sacrifice from me. Not all rivers have this affect on me, mind you. Yesterday, it took a few pieces of skin from my arm when I fell down a hill, clambering to get to the water on a hot day. Last weekend, it took a chunk out of my leg when I foolishly attempted to mount a log in the river. Painful, yes. But these are battle scars of love, people. This is my idea of heaven. No other river has loved me this much and, I must say, vice versa. The 411: If you want to kayak, raft, camp, hike, lay on the rocks, float in an inner tube, or whatever...check out the Clackamas. Drive straight through Estacada and follow Hwy 224. Or take the fork at the Ranger Station and head down Forest Road 46. There are tons of campsites, both official and just off the road. The water is cold, but refreshing on a hot day. Or, you can head south on 46 to it up Bagby Hot Springs. But please be careful out there, kiddos. People do die on this river every year (in fact, a young woman just drowned 2 weeks ago), so treat it with respect and be aware of the dangers. And if you like getting (safely) beat up by nature, like me, take your neosporin and head out. You're going to get your ass kicked and you'll keep coming back for more.

Oak Fork Campground

Oak Fork Campground

(4 reviews)

NEW & CLEAN We were…read moresurprised to find good-smelling and clean restrooms when we arrived to this campground. We stayed in one of the cabins and by the looks of it, they seem to have been built in 2016 (There was a sticker that showed when they were build). Mt. Hood is not entirely visible from this park, or at least not as visible as it is from Lake Trillium or Lost Lake. Nonetheless, the lake is beautiful and the park is well maintained. This park is maintained by PGE and they organize cool events occasionally, such as a piano concert that we missed by one day (Really would have been nice to attend!). You may find out more by tracking their Instagram or Facebook accounts or the hashtag #PGEparks on these social platforms. They also offer free nights if you post a nice picture with their hashtag.

Any camp spot on Timothy Lake is awesome! Water is really clean. Each campground has it's own boat…read morelaunch. Fishing is great for both fish and crayfish. The camp site's at Oak Fork are a bit close to each other but still cool. There is a trail that goes (I'm told.) all the way around the lake. I hear it's about a 12 mile hike. Any view of the lake from any spot is killer! Oak Fork is the only campground you can't see Mt. Hood from. On 7-18-13. I checked the surface Temp. @ 9:30am. It was 69.8 (F) degrees. That's pretty warm for a lake way up in the mountain's. There is so much to do and see here. Don't forget the bat's. After the sun goes down and right before dark they come out to eat bugs near the surface of the water. If you get near the water look within 2' of the lake and you can see a colony of bat's getting a meal. The trick is to not flail around as they fly by you. They will fly by you!

Progress Lake

Progress Lake

(2 reviews)

Im not sure how successful folks are with catching fish in this large pond, but sitting by the dock…read moreis very peaceful. The lake is centered around the shopping mall so there are a few restaurant that overlook the lake. There are also ducks that live there.

Came here today with fishing friend who did some actual fishing. Nothing was caught (fish 1 -…read morehumans 0), but it was really OK, and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in my camping chair and watching the fish jump in the air and the world passing by. A few other people were down on the dock casting for fish, others sat on the various rock formations sort of zoning out, and it was a real pleasure to see the children and parents sharing something they really loved. If the youngsters aren't interested in the fishing, they can come down and feed the ducks - such fun. The water is so clear you can see down to rocks and plants on the bottom and also nearest the dock flashes of the goldfish as they glide along (these goldfish eventually grow into some very large carp). There are evidently some sturgeon as well along with the rainbow trout, and also lots of ducks and other water birds (a few still with babies). Oh yes, lots of dragonflies - flashes of black and fiery orange red - add to the charm. People who fish welcome you right into their society and talk readily about their fishing experiences and how the big one got away and even why. This is a terrific family experience and for those who want to come out alone. The best time is to come early, before 7, and especially after the lake has been re-stocked, if you want to catch some fish. But like I said, it's a wonderful experience whether fish are caught or not. Give it a try. And remember if you don't catch any fish, you can hike back up to the shopping center above and get some breakfast. Not a bad day at all, in fact a damn fine one if you ask me.

Timothy Lake - lakes - Updated May 2026

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