North Arm (Timothy Lake) Campground

Mt. Hood National Forest

The North Arm Campground sits on the shores of Timothy Lake, in the shadow of Oregon's Mt. Hood. The surrounding forest setting offers spectacular views, wetlands, trails for exploration, and abundant fishing. This campground is smaller and more secluded than the others on the south side of the lake.

DRIVING NOTE: There are two routes to North Arm Campground—one is rugged and one is suitable for RVs and trailers. Recommended Route: From Sandy, Oregon, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 40 miles to Skyline Road / FS Road 42. Turn right on Skyline Road, and continue south for about 9 miles. Turn right on FS Road 57, and travel west for approximately 3 ½ miles, crossing the dam at Timothy Lake. Take the 2nd right onto FS Road 5810. North Arm is approximately 5 ½ miles from here. Keep right at all intersections—the road becomes FS Road 5890. The campground is on the right.

The campground offers 14 campsites for tent and RV camping. There are four hike-to campsites available as well. Each site is equipped with a table and a fire ring. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A campground host is also available onsite.

The nearest gas station/convenience store is about 14 miles away, west on Hwy. 26. The nearest grocery store is in Government Camp, about 19 miles away, west on Hwy. 26.

Notifications and Alerts

Timothy Lake is currently only accessible from the east (Hwy 26) due to the 2020 wildfires. Please see the Forest Service closure orders and map for more information. Please see "Facility Information / Getting Here" for recommended route.
NOTICE: In response to customer feedback, we have established generator hours. Effective in 2024, generator use is allowed only from 8 am to 8 pm. It is prohibited to operate generators or idle engines between 8 pm and 8 am.

Need to Know

NOTICE: Driving apps may direct you to rough, rugged roads. We strongly recomment the following route: From Government Camp, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 11 miles to Skyline Road / FS Road 42. Turn right on Skyline Road, and continue south for just over 8 miles. Turn right on FS Road 57, and travel west for approximately 3 ½ miles, crossing the dam at Timothy Lake. Take the 2nd right onto FS Road 5810. North Arm is approximately 5 miles from here. Keep right at all intersections — the road becomes FS Road 5890. The campground is on the right.
Dust: This campground can be dusty due to gravel roads and naturally occuring soil types.
Check-In/Out: Sites must be occupied each night. Check-in starts at 4 PM. Check-out is 12 PM. Sites unoccupied by 12 PM the day after the start the reservation will be forfeited without refund and resold. Call the campground office (503-834-2215) if you cannot arrive the first day of your reservation.
Generators: Generators hours are 8 AM to 8 PM. Generators are PROHIBITED after 8 PM and before 8 AM including to power medical devices or other equipment.
Parking: There is a $10 fee per day for each extra vehicle. One vehicle is included with single campsite, two with a double site. Please check your site's driveway length. This may limit the number and size of vehicles at your site.
Maximum Occupancy: Standard Sites = 6 persons. Hike-To sites = 4 persons (small tent only).
RV Water Tanks: Please fill your water tanks before arriving. We do not have fill stations. Filling at campsite water standpipes is prohibited.
Day Use: Day use parking permits are required at this location. Campers must display their hang tag. Daily parking permits are $10. Northwest Forest Passes and Interagency America the Beautiful Passes are honored.
Registration: If you booked for someone else, please update the reservation with their information. The person listed is responsible for the activities of everyone at the site.
Wildfires: Before arrival, check your destination for wildfires , fire restrictions and air quality .
Non-Refundable Fees: Service fees such as reservation fees, cancellation fees, and change fees are non-refundable. They are retained by the reservation service contractor, not by PGE or the U.S. Forest Service.
This campground is managed by Portland General Electric, under a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service as a part of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2195. Contact PGE Parks and Recreation for more information: PortlandGeneral.com/parks, 503-464-8515, pgeparks@pgn.com.

More Information: Park Rules, Boater R egulations, Mt. Hood National Forest, Portland General Elect ric .

Natural Features

The campground is situated on the northeastern shore of the roughly 1,400-acre lake, at an elevation of 3,400 feet. Timothy Lake was created in 1956 as a storage reservoir for the Oak Grove Hydroelectric Project. It is one of the larger lakes in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The campground is nestled in a dense mix conifer forest close to the shoreline. Most sites have a thick understory to provide privacy between sites. The wetlands nearby provide an opportunity to observe many species of wildlife.

Nearby Attractions

The Clackamas Lake Ranger Station Historic District is less than 10 miles from the campground. It was built to house Forest Service workers in the early 1900s. The rustic architecture and historic nature of the buildings and the surrounding area draws thousands of tourists each year.

Recreation

Proximity to Timothy Lake allows campers to enjoy a variety of water-related recreation, including boating and sailing, as well as swimming, windsurfing and fishing. Anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon and a variety of trout, as well as crayfish. This area has wonderful canoeing and kayaking opportunities. A variety of trails are located in the area. The Timothy Lake Trail is popular for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The 12 miles of relatively level terrain loops trekkers around the lake, providing scenic views of the area. It connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, a lengthy hike that extends across three states, from the borders of Canada and Mexico. Portions of that trail also lead southwest to Clackamas Lake Campground and a historic site. The Little Crater Lake is only a short hike away. Little Crater Lake is a geologic oddity, possibly formed by artesian water forcing its way through soft, volcanic rock. The beautiful, turquoise water is a wonder to see. The surrounding meadow is a great place for observing birds and other wildlife. The region is ripe for huckleberry picking as well.

Changes & Cancellations

A service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see the Recreation.Gov, Rules & Reservation Policies.

Contact Information

Default

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 503-464-8515

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

Recommended Route: From Government Camp, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 11 miles to Skyline Road / FS Road 42. Turn right on Skyline Road, and continue south for just over 8 miles. Turn right on FS Road 57, and travel west for approximately 3 ½ miles, crossing the dam at Timothy Lake. Take the 2nd right onto FS Road 5810. North Arm is approximately 5 miles from here. Keep right at all intersections—the road becomes FS Road 5890. The campground is on the right.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors

Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Recreation.gov!