How much does camping cost at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)?

Camping fees at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) range from $24-$30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) first-come first-served or reservation?

North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) before I book?

Yes! North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)?

North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) is open May 22 to September 11. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)?

North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) have?

North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) has 18 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)?

Pets are not allowed at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or). This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)?

North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)?

Popular activities at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)

Q: Can I have a campfire at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)?

Fire policies at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or): Firewood: Buy it where you burn it. Did you know? Invasive insects and diseases can hitchhike in on logs, and they can destroy forests. Keep firewood local: under 10 miles is best, and 50 is too far. Learn more: dontmovefirewood.org. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.45

135 reviews

Top 18%Summer

Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietSummer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,400 ft

Price

$24 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Portland General Electric, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,400 ft

Price

$24 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Portland General Electric, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)

$24.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

HIKE TO-STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $24.00 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $28.00 (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

503-464-8515pgeparks@pgn.com

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Plan a trip to North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)

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Campground Map

North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)

45.1425, -121.7717

Nearby places

Sandy, OR (40 miles)

Government Camp, OR (19 miles)

Driving directionsFrom 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.

Weather at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)

Current alerts(11)

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.
Dust : This campground can be dusty due to gravel roads and naturally occuring soil types.
Generators : Generator use is permitted from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM . Due to customer feedback, we ask that campers refrain from using open-frame , construction-style generators, as they create excessive noise and may violate our peace and quiet rules.
Maximum Occupancy : Standard Sites = 6 persons. Hike-To sites = 4 persons (small tent only).

Best Time to Camp at North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)

Best season: summer. Summer offers the clearest, warmest weather and full access to Timothy Lake’s water activities — expect daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s°F (18–24°C) and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F (4–12°C). Boating, swimming, shoreline fishing, day hikes and biking are at their peak, and all campground facilities and boat ramps are open. Weekends and holiday weeks are busiest, so reserve early (sites open for reservations May 23–Sept 13) and expect moderate crowds at this small 18-site campground. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 18% in US

Peak season for water activities; reviews highlight summer as best time for visits.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to September 11. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open for reservations May 23 to September 13. Some first-come, first-served dates are available in June.

About North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)

North Arm Campground sits on the northern shore of Timothy Lake in Mt. Hood National Forest, operated by Portland General Electric in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. The small campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Campers fish, boat, hike, and bike along the lake, with spacious sites and direct water access drawing consistent praise for cleanliness and natural beauty.

The campground provides a mix of camping options, including standard tent and RV sites, as well as hike-to sites.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the clearest, warmest weather and full access to Timothy Lake’s water activities — expect daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s°F (18–24°C) and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F (4–12°C). Boating, swimming, shoreline fishing, day hikes and biking are at their peak, and all campground facilities and boat ramps are open. Weekends and holiday weeks are busiest, so reserve early (sites open for reservations May 23–Sept 13) and expect moderate crowds at this small 18-site campground. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation3400 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies land carved by ancient glaciers descending from Mt. Hood, sitting at 3,400 feet elevation on Timothy Lake's northeast shore. Dense conifer forests surround the 1,400-acre lake, creating natural privacy screens between sites. Wetland areas near camp provide habitat for deer and waterfowl. On clear days, breaks in the canopy reveal views of Mt. Hood. The understory grows thick with huckleberry bushes that fruit in summer. The lake itself fills a glacially carved basin enhanced by the 1956 Oak Grove Hydroelectric Project, its shoreline edged with volcanic deposits and glacial moraines that give the terrain its varied topography.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotel-style lodges or other accommodations noted on-site. The campground primarily offers primitive camping options.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are noted.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 9 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Standard sites = 6 persons. Hike-To sites = 4 persons (small tent only).

Groups

No designated group camping sites are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets and drinking water are mentioned. Some campsites also feature a thick understory to enhance privacy.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious and well-laid-out. Specific reviews note that campsites are 'large enough to pitch a large tent' and 'level.

PrivacyThe campground offers a high degree of privacy due to the dense understory and spacing between sites. One user mentions, 'Campsites are well separated for privacy.

Total Campsites18 campsites

Recommended SitesHike-to sites are recommended for quieter, lakeside camping. Sites 8 and 14 are praised for their tranquility and scenic views.

Best CampsitesSites 8, 12, and 14 offer the best privacy and lake proximity according to reviews. The four hike-in sites provide quieter stays and direct lake access, though reviewers recommend bringing a cart to haul gear.

Need help booking North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or)?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

The North Arm (Timothy Lake) Campground provides a variety of essential amenities for campers. Official sources confirm that the campground features 14 campsites for both tent and RV camping, along with four hike-to sites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. Drinking water and vault toilets are accessible on-site. A campground host is also available for assistance. Nearby gas stations and grocery stores are located 14 and 19 miles away, respectively.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The North Arm Campground offers a wide range of activities, leveraging its proximity to Timothy Lake. Campers can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and boating. The location is ideal for both relaxing and adventurous outings.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; only vault toilets are provided. Reviews frequently mention the cleanliness of the vault toilets, with one user stating, 'Vault toilets were the cleanest I have ever experienced.'

Fire PolicyFirewood: Buy it where you burn it. Did you know? Invasive insects and diseases can hitchhike in on logs, and they can destroy forests. Keep firewood local: under 10 miles is best, and 50 is too far. Learn more: dontmovefirewood.org

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are available but are centralized near the vault toilets. One user noted, 'Water/garbage located at centralized toilet site.'

Cell CoverageSome reviews note issues with cell phone connectivity, indicating limited or service-provider-specific coverage. For example, one user stated, 'I was frustrated by a lack of cell coverage but saw other folks able to connect in some areas of the park,' suggesting that service availability may differ by carrier.

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

135 reviews

Recommended

North Arm Campground (Timothy Lake, Or) is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, North Arm Campground is highly praised for its tranquility, scenic beauty, and well-maintained facilities. Reviews frequently mention the cleanliness of the vault toilets, the helpfulness of the camp hosts, and the peaceful environment.

Review Summaries

Based on 135 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 135 reviews.

Site 5 (walk-in)Loved
Site 5 (walk-in) is noted for its proximity to day-use areas and noise, while Site 8 is praised for its seclusion.
Site 11Loved
Site 11 is described as 'spacious and clean,' and Site 3 is noted for its quiet and accessible location.

What Campers Love

Frequent mentions of clean and well-maintained facilities, helpful and friendly staff, and the beautiful natural setting. Many users appreciate the spacious campsites and easy access to the lake.

Based on 135 reviews

Common Concerns

Some complaints include the rough condition of access roads, limited cell phone reception, and occasional issues with reservations (e.g., sites being occupied). A few users mentioned disruptive...

Based on 135 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring a cart for hike-in sites, as noted by one reviewer: 'Loved the Hike-In sites for quiet, beautiful views and access to the lake. Bring a cart!' Other recommendations include taking the less...

Based on 135 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most popular season, with many positive reviews citing enjoyable weather and excellent conditions for water activities. However, the lake's water level may drop during peak times, as...

Based on 135 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Vault toilets were the cleanest I have ever experienced.' 2. 'Loved this location, mosquitoes were bad but the park had no control over it. The host was great… always working hard.' 3. 'Campsites...

Based on 135 reviews

Accessibility Features

Reviews highlight the accessibility of vault toilets and drinking water. Some users note the suitability of hike-in sites for campers seeking solitude.

Based on 135 reviews