Super clean & clear lake. Perfect for an afternoon outing on the beach or paddling on the water. Pretty large with a 12 mile walking/biking path circling the entirety of the lake. Day use areas are scattered all along the shore of the lake, very accessible from path. The rocks in the water are smooth, so less chance of cutting your foot. $10 parking fee 10 mph speed limit on water -- no wake entire lake read more

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This visit we finally got to do some kayaking on Timothy while staying the night at Pine Point. It was a great weekend on the lake. Beautiful waters perfect for the kayak, fun hiking, a beautiful camp site, lots of adorable ducklings...and although a wildfire popped up within eyeshot, we got to witness planes working through the evening dipping into Timothy and ultimately taking the fire down. Yay! Although I've never seen so many employees at any campground, the grounds were kept pristine and every staff member encountered was friendly. No complaints, just fabulous fun at Timothy! read more

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We've been here a few times over the past couple years or so. Never too crowded so easy to park and find a spot to post up for some lakeside fun. Great views and trails to check out. Lake is pretty calm and you'll see people swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, it's pretty nice for all of it. We camp nearby and come here for some good water access during the day. Always upset at having to pay day use fees for spaces like this, but it is what it is. I don't suggest not paying because I see PGE up there every day checking. I will say that they do keep the bathrooms pretty clean, which is very nice. I just wish I didn't have to open a giant dumpster with my hands to dump trash (I prefer a bin I can just discard). I'm not a germaphobe, but it's gross to touch random dumpsters. Small complaint in the overall. Plus I usually see some ducks and such which I love. It's a good option for outdoor water activities. read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

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A real gem for both Oregonians like myself and implants from other states. Parking is going to be extremely difficult over the weekends especially in the summer. Day parking will nearly be impossible, but you'll have some luck parking off road where all other cars are parked in a neat row. As for activities, BBQing, inner tubing, floating, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding are all excellent options. Watch out for the guy with a boat (there is always that "guy") who will create some turbulent waves for everyone. People here generally keep the bathroom clean but be sure to bring your own kit of sanitizer, wipes, and face masks. There will occasionally be that rude person camping right at the beach where people want to go in for a swim or to set off on their floating equipment. Ignore that person and find a better drop off zone. read more

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! read more

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If you can, hike to or stay closer to Little Crater Lake, which is at the north arm of Timothy Lake. Its beautiful and much quieter than the larger portion of the lake. I reserved a site for two nights to tent camp and get away from the city noise. I stayed at Gone Creek campground. I cannot believe how noisy it was. It is a well-kept campground, just at the shore of Timothy Lake. The toilets are clean, drinking water is abundant. But also abundant are shrieking babies, crying children, barking dogs, RV generators running, and the kind and diligent camp host almost constantly driving around and around in a noisy little maintenance car. Just beware, it echoes and is not the place to go if you're looking for a quiet couple of nights to camp. It is the place if you are looking for more of a noisy playground environment with lots of families and dogs. I left after one night. Just couldn't take the noise. This was in September. read more

love this campsite went to it my whole life would totally recommend, great for fishing kayaking and an abundance of more stuff to do also great for kids lots of places to explore amazing hikes and swiming opertunities. read more

This is a pretty awesome place to camp. We came a day earlier than our reservations and the hosts were able to accommodate us. The hosts were lovely! They even delivered firewood each night. The campground has two sides each with a bathroom and drinking water. The campgrounds are a decent size but I like a little more privacy. They have a launch and dock in the middle that is free for campers! There are several great hikes and I love that they allow mountain biking around the lake. read more

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 read more

Timothy Lake - Lakes Near Me - Estacada, Oregon

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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? read more

Timothy Lake - Lakes Near Me - Estacada, Oregon

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. read more

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The lake is nice, but it's ran by PGE and the place is full of glampers and PGE parking lot Karen's, im never gonna go back again. PGE needs better parking for sure lack of parking is a problem for such a huge place. This place is all about making PGE money. The trail around the lake is flat and borning. Honestly if you love camping and freedom this is not the place. read more

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. read more

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We went to Timothy Lake to Paddle board and do an overnight backpacking trip. The walk-in sights were really nicely situated along the lake shore with privacy for each sight. The lake was quite windy when we first arrived but the wind calmed and it was the perfect day spent on the lake. Can't wait to return. The hike from the dam to the camp sites on meditation point was only 1 1/2 miles, a nice beginner backpacking overnight for my kiddos. read more

My favorite lake in central Oregon! Usually I don't write super enthusiastic reviews because that darn review filter catches those and thinks I'm like a business owner or something, but ASK ME HOW I CAN OWN A LAKE. Anyway, I usually come to this place for the crayfish. I'm a really hardcore crayfisherman, and I come with lots of traps to catch the little critters. And I can say that this is one of THE best lakes in the area to do it. Practically the entire lake is rocky shoreline. It also is a great place for natural beauty of the Cascades. Because of the lake's size, it is easier to escape the crowds there than at the other, smaller lakes in the area. I highly recommend it! read more

This place is pretty great. The water and cites are clean and spacious, its not hard to find and the lake is quiet. There are many trails to explore and a lot if species of birds to watch for. As far as I could tell, there are no drive up cites so bring a cart with big wheels or a canoe would be better if you have one. I deducted one star because the trail that campers use to pack in and out their gear is also filled with joggers and bicyclists. Its just not wide enough for everyone to use without chance of injury. The second reason is the parking is scarce. They didn't have enough spaces for campers and day use patrons. All and all, its a beautiful place to visit and camp. read more

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I think this spot has excellent potential for kokanee if you have a boat, it could definitely make for a good camping trip as well as there are plenty of campsites. Only star off is that I wouldn't recommend bank fishing here; I would prefer Trillium when it's just stocked (sometimes earlier in the season you may need to hike 2 miles) or Mirror Lake (with brook and cutthroat trout that also has a similar length but more difficult hike). read more

The lake is AWESOME and at night there are craw dads and so many stars!! You can see Mt Hood hanging out nearby, and the surrounding forest is pretty cool, too. The hike around the lake is so nice, full of crazy picturesque vistas, and the trail is very well maintained and mostly flat. The beaches are really rocky (so many rocks) and I got a sunburn??? I didn't even care though because it was so awesome. 10/10 read more