How much does camping cost at Barlow Creek Campground?

Camping fees at Barlow Creek Campground are $16/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Barlow Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Barlow Creek Campground 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.

What is the best time to visit Barlow Creek Campground?

Barlow Creek Campground is open Anticipated May 22, 2026 to September 7, 2026 Open 24 hours/day. 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 Barlow Creek Campground?

Barlow Creek Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Barlow Creek Campground?

Fire policies at Barlow Creek Campground: No information provided on fire policies.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Barlow Creek Campground have?

Barlow Creek Campground has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Barlow Creek Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Barlow Creek Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Barlow Creek Campground?

Barlow Creek Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Barlow Creek Campground

2.14

7 reviews

Barlow Road, near Barlow Pass Sno-Park, Parkdale, OR 97041

Quick Facts

3,100 ft

Price

$16/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Anticipated May 22, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

3,100 ft

Price

$16/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Anticipated May 22, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Barlow Creek Campground

$16.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping : 50% discount for single site camping with the Interagency Access Pass or Senior Passes . Overnight Use: Single Site: $16 per night Double...

Standard Site Fee$16.00

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USFS

Provider

(907) 522-8368

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Barlow Road, near Barlow Pass Sno-Park, Parkdale, OR 97041

Barlow Creek Campground

Barlow Road, near Barlow Pass Sno-Park, Parkdale, OR 97041

Nearby places

Sandy (32 miles, approx. 45 minutes), Parkdale (approx. 15 miles, 20 min)

Nearby supplies

Supplies like groceries and fuel are available in Parkdale, approximately 15 miles from the campground.

Driving directionsFrom Sandy, OR - Drive 32 miles east on U.S. 26 and take the exit to OR 35. Drive another 2 miles and turn right onto Forest Road 3531. Turn left onto Forest Road 3530 just past the Barlow Pass Sno-Park. In 5 miles the campground will be on your left off Barlow Road.

Access mostly involves paved roads until entering Forest Road 3530, which may be less maintained. Seasonal closures may affect access.

Weather at Barlow Creek Campground

Current alert: User review mentions that the bridge to the site was out as of 2019, with no updates provided online about its fixing.

Best Time to Camp at Barlow Creek Campground

Fall brings the campground's best conditions. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-40s to mid-60s°F, with nights dropping to 25-40°F. The forest picks up autumn color, trails empty out after summer, and creekside light improves for photography. You'll encounter fewer visitors but should be aware of fall hunting seasons in this part of the Cascades. Winter temperatures drop to 25-38°F, while summer warms to 50-77°F.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Description states fall brings best conditions, autumn color, and cooler comfortable temps.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Anticipated May 22, 2026 to September 7, 2026 Open 24 hours/day

About Barlow Creek Campground

Barlow Creek Campground sits along the Historic Barlow Road in Mt. Hood National Forest at 3,100 feet elevation. The single tent site costs $16 per night and offers a forested, rustic experience near Parkdale. Fair warning: reviews note the lack of potable water and occasional communication issues about infrastructure like bridge outages.

Barlow Creek Campground is suitable for standard camping setups, including spaces for tents. There is no mention of RV-specific sites, group camping, or glamping facilities.

Historical Significance

The Historic Barlow Road runs through this area. Carved in 1846, it served as the final segment of the Oregon Trail, allowing wagon trains to bypass the dangerous Columbia River route. Thousands of pioneer families used this road to complete their westward journey. Wagon ruts and interpretive opportunities remain along the route.

Weather and SeasonsFall brings the campground's best conditions. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-40s to mid-60s°F, with nights dropping to 25-40°F. The forest picks up autumn color, trails empty out after summer, and creekside light improves for photography. You'll encounter fewer visitors but should be aware of fall hunting seasons in this part of the Cascades. Winter temperatures drop to 25-38°F, while summer warms to 50-77°F.

ElevationPerched at 3,100 feet above sea level, this mountain campground offers a true alpine experience. The elevation brings crisp, clean air and cooler temperatures year-round, with winter snowfall creating a magical landscape that transforms familiar trails into winter wonderlands. This height provides a refreshing escape from summer heat while offering spectacular seasonal changes that paint the forest in different hues throughout the year.

Natural Features and SceneryDouglas firs and western hemlocks tower over the campground, creating dense canopy cover. Barlow Creek runs through the site, flowing over volcanic soils shaped by ancient lava flows and glacial carving. The surrounding terrain shows the geological history of the Cascades. Layered volcanic rock, creek-carved channels, and forested slopes. Moss grows thick in the shade. The Historic Barlow Road cuts through the forest nearby, adding a human element to the otherwise wild setting.

Geological RegionNestled within the volcanic landscape of Mt. Hood National Forest, Barlow Creek Campground occupies a fascinating geological crossroads. The surrounding terrain, shaped by ancient lava flows and carved by glacial forces, tells a story millions of years in the making. The creek itself follows paths etched by time through volcanic soils, while the Historic Barlow Road winds through passes that challenged even the most determined pioneers. This convergence of natural forces and human determination makes every vista a testament to both geological wonder and historical perseverance.

Scenic ViewsViews include forested landscapes and creekside scenery.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Open 24 hours/day.

Check-out

Open 24 hours/day.

Stay Limit

Information on stay limit not provided in the authoritative content.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Exact number of guests allowed per site not specified.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSingle site only. No additional layout details available.

Reservation PlatformsReservations may be made; authoritative sites recommend https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes.

Walk-in AvailabilityPossible first-come first-serve availability not explicitly defined but implied in some reviews.

Cancellation PolicyReservation fee applies. Specific cancellation policy not outlined.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesDue to limited availability (only one site), it is recommended to reserve in advance.

Need help booking Barlow Creek Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site.

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotable water is not available, requiring visitors to bring their own water supply. Other hazards may include seasonal road closures as mentioned in user reviews.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

2.1

7 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Barlow Creek Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Barlow Creek Campground are mixed. While the campground appears to offer a historical and rustic experience, some visitors have expressed dissatisfaction with issues like outdated communication and critique of the site's facilities.

Review Summaries

Based on 7 reviews

Common Concerns

Users have expressed frustration such as the lack of updates on crucial information like a bridge being out. One review sarcastically described the site as 'terrible no one should ever camp here...

Based on 7 reviews

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Barlow Creek Campground

$16.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping : 50% discount for single site camping with the Interagency Access Pass or Senior Passes . Overnight Use: Single Site: $16 per night Double...

Standard Site Fee$16.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

USFS

Provider

(907) 522-8368

Go if

Fall solitude-seekers who want creekside forest camping along the Historic Barlow Road with no neighbors. The autumn sweet spot runs mid-40s to mid-60s days, the crowds clear out, and the Senior or Access Pass drops it to $8.

Skip if

No potable water on site, and the bridge access has had unresolved outage reports since at least 2019 with no reliable online updates. Call the Hood River Ranger District at 541-352-6002 before booking, or this could be a wasted trip.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

2.8

(10)

Barlow Crossing Campground

Barlow Crossing Campground, Located along the Historic Barlow Road near the Barlow Creek

Barlow Crossing Campground sits at 3,100 feet in Mt. Hood National Forest, right on the river. A broken bridge limits access, which creates unusual solitude for a campground this close to water. Sites are primitive (tent only) with vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Fees run $16-$32 per night.