Can you reserve a site at Elk Lake Campground?

No. Elk Lake Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Elk Lake Campground

Campground · Oregon ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Mt. Hood National Forest (NF) · Open Access

3,729 ft
Elevation

This 17 site tent-only campground, located adjacent to the Bull of the Woods and Opal Creek Wildernesses, is full of beauty in the summer. Wildflowers are a beautiful sight in the campground's meadows around July. Swim or paddle in the quiet waters of the non-motorized lake, go for a great hike with views of multiple Cascade peaks, or just kick back and relax in the campground.

The facts

Season: Year Round, weather dependent — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026

Recreation.gov's own page

Getting there

12.1 miles north of Detroit

From Highway 22 at Detroit, Oregon, turn onto Breitenbush Road (FSR 46). Proceed 4.4 miles, turn left onto FS Road 4696. Proceed 0.8 miles, turn left on FS Road 4697. Follow FS Road 4697 for 4.5 miles and turn left at an unmarked junction (still FS Road 4697), continue 2.1 miles to a small spur road located at west end of Elk Lake (FS Road 390). The camping area is about 0.3 miles ahead.

CAUTION: FS Road 4697 is not maintained for the last 4 miles into Elk Lake. Access by low-clearance vehicles and trailers not recommended as the road is rough and rocky.

44.82243, -122.12782 · 44°49'20.7"N 122°7'40.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 81°F in Aug, down to 43°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	43	47	52	57	65	71	80	81	74	61	49	43
Low °F	36	37	38	41	46	51	56	56	53	47	40	37
Precip in	13.1	10.0	10.7	8.6	6.0	3.8	0.7	0.9	2.8	8.0	13.5	15.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

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Common questions about Elk Lake Campground

Can you reserve a site at Elk Lake Campground?: No. Elk Lake Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Also listed by

Elk Lake Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Elk Lake Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Single Campsites - $12 per night
Multiple Campsites - $22 per night
Extra Vehicles - $6 per vehicle, per night

Restrictions:

No camping within 500 feet of Elk Lake.
No motorized boating
ATVs use is only allowed to enter and leave the campground
Camping is not allowed more than 14 days in a 60 day period.
Check-in time: 2:00 pm or later. Check-out time: 1:00 pm
Use of chainsaws in the campground is prohibited
Dogs MUST be on leash at all times within the campground

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Elk Lake Campground

Elk Lake (OR) less than 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Gold Butte Lookout 2.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Humbug Campground 4.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fox Creek Group Camp 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cleator Bend 7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Piety Island 7.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Breitenbush Campground 7.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hoover Campground 7.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Santiam Flats Campground 7.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Upper Arm Day Use Area 5.2 mi · Facility
Opal Creek Trailhead (Gate) 7.2 mi · Facility
Opal Creek Wilderness 7.2 mi · Facility

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Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.