Little Crater Lake

Sites are close but private and big! Vault toilets so be prepared for that. There is a pioneer pump for water a bit up the road. Little crater lake is a short walk from the campground and it’s gorgeous. Trail connects to the pct and you can take it to timothy lake so there are things to do. No camp host on site for my visit but that wasn’t an issue for us.

Intimate & quiet little campground close to Portland. Little crater lake is beautiful and a quick walk from the campsite. The PCT is a minute or two walk from the lake. Lots of hiking & lake options nearby if you’re looking for a day-trip. Site size varies a lot — we landed site 11 which was big & pretty private. Bathrooms (not the cleanest), garbage and water were close by.

We stayed in spot 7 and it was absolutely perfect! We were close enough to the bathroom to not have to worry too much about the kids getting there, but far away enough not to smell it. The short trail to the lake is directly across the street. Views are breathtaking and only 1/2 mile hike on the PCT to Timothy Lake. My favorite campground in Oregon, so far.

Little Crater Lake Campground is a small loop with varied sites. We stayed in #7, which is nestled in the interior of the loop and provides a lot of space and moderate privacy. This site does require some steps to the best tent areas over exposed roots, so accessibility is low.

The lake itself is small and pretty. Many people show up in the summer for the day to take a peek at it, so expect it to be busier during that time. The trail to the lake connects to the PCT, which can be taken to Timothy Lake.

There isn't a ton to do close by, and the road in is notoriously potholed, so this is a good place to hang out and relax.

Pump well water is available right outside the loop, and outhouses are well maintained. Firewood is available by the person who checks you in in the evening, but there is no camp host for all-you-can-burn.

This is a quiet place even with plenty of visitors coming in to look at the lake and do a day trip. Bathrooms were something to be desired for. No host on site she was overseeing I believe 3 sites total but was very pleasant and helpful. Clean sites and area in general. No hook ups and vault toilets no recommended for Rvs or trailers over 17ft .

Great little camping area with beautiful scenery. Lots of hiking and large lake not to far away

Campground Review:

If you’ve ever been to Big Crater Lake (as in the actual Crater Lake deep in southern Oregon) you might have some expectations when you head over to this little beauty for a night of camping. Let me reset your expectations if you were expecting a giant lake created by a volcano years ago… Little Crater lake is just that - little. Tiny might even be a better word for it. But let me tell you, it is 100% worth your journey, and the water is some of the bluest I’ve seen! The road to this campground is a bit treacherous, as in one of the potholes even gave my decked out Jeep Wrangler a rattle, so be careful on your way in. This campsite is out there a bit, but you will enjoy striking views of Mt. Hood on your way in, and if you’ve never seen it up close you should definitely make it point to drive those roads. This campground features huge campsites that leave plenty of room for recreation vehicles for overland camping like my Jeep! We weren’t able to enjoy a campfire due to the season, but the morning and evening views at little crater lake are something else entirely. You really have to see it for yourself, and as an added bonus the Little Crater Lake trail connects to the Pacific Crest Trail so you can get a little dose of Wild if you care for a day hike. Nothing gives you a spirit of adventure like running into hikers that are tackling that amazing trail. While this site isn’t luxury by any means, it includes a minimalist bathroom and some of the most beautiful hikes! Highly recommend.

Bring fire wood, bathrooms are clean, easy walk to Timothy lake to swim. Cell service extremely limited

The water is so clear and beautiful!

ok, so little crater lake is appropriately named...it's small but man is it gorgeous!! you can see all the way down and see the fallen trees. the walk from the campsites is less than a city block.

My girlfriend, puppy and I had amazing time here. It's by far one the most beautiful places we have camped since we stared this van trip over a year ago. The hiking trails, crystal clear water...very very cold haha. Small campground to which was perfect for us. Maybe 20 sites I can't remember. I think part of the pacific crest trail ran through as well. Well worth the stop incredibly beautiful.

Absolutely amazing. Little crater lake is spectacular, and only a 5 min walk from the campsites. Clean vault toilets, large campsites pretty well spaced out. Very quite, 10 miles or so from the highway. Pump your own cold spring water to drink. Timothy lake and the Pacific Crest Trail are less than a mile from camp. Timothy lake has good Kokanee fishing and is an easy walk even with fishing gear. Mount Hood is nearby, although not visible from the campground. An alpine meadow nearby makes things a little buggy, but the good far outweighs the bad here. One of the best, if not the best, campgrounds I have visited.

Such a nice getaway spot from Portland in the ever beautiful Mt. Hood National Forest. Not too busy and had a wonderful 3 nights visiting. Great summer weather in August and not too buggy. Short walk to Little Crater Lake and from there you can continue onto the PCT to walk towards Timothy Lake. We did this and had a lovely picnic lunch and afternoon swim in Timothy Lake. Great scenic views and relatively quiet.

We went in July and it was very cold, most of the park was closed, lots of mosquitos. The lake itself was absolutely beautiful... likely the most amazing thing I've ever seen. The campground wasn't bad, but just go during a good season!!!

Incredible blue and wonderful hiking trails all around, including the Pacific Crest Trails. The campsite is small and simple, a short walk to the lake. The campsites are among the trees and lovely, fairly private, great shade. We were lucky to be there in spring for wildflowers with bright sun for rainbow meadows and surreal blue pool. Worth a detour!!

After crater lake, this place really is little. Nice clear water with a decent campground right over the boardwalk

The campground itself is not anything special. Little crater lake is located less than 1/4 mile away from the campground. It is absolutely beautiful, and there are plenty of places to go hiking around it. Timothy lake is located about 5 miles away.