Hood River County, Oregon
Black Lake Campground — a quiet stretch of the Pacific Crest corridor where the Columbia Gorge meets the old-growth, and every site opens onto still water and cathedral pines.
The Grounds
Black Lake Campground sits on the northern rim of a high-elevation lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, roughly an hour north of Hood River along Forest Road 2820. The campground is a network of scattered sites along the shoreline and beneath a canopy of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar — the kind of trees that were standing before most of the Pacific Northwest had roads.
Each site is a patch of packed earth and pine needles, roughly level, with a fire ring and a bear-proof food locker. Some sites sit in full sun; others are shaded by overhanging branches that filter the morning light. The lake is cold, clear, and shallow near shore — good for wading, not for swimming in July.
What to expect
Scattered sites for tents and small-to-medium RVs, each with a fire ring, grill grate, and bear-proof food storage locker. No hookups — just space, shade, and silence.
Treated water available at the central spigot near the restrooms. Bring a container — the walk from most sites is short, but the terrain is uneven and best approached carefully.
Clean vault-style restrooms are maintained by the Forest Service throughout the season. Hand-washing stations and toilet paper are provided. No showers on site.
Firewood is available for purchase at the trailhead kiosk during peak season. Each site has a wood stove or open fire ring. Deadfall within the campground may be gathered for small fires — never cut standing wood.
The Pacific Crest Trail runs through the area, and a network of older logging roads and forest trails connects Black Lake to neighboring alpine lakes. Trails range from easy lakeside walks to strenuous ridge traverses.
There is no cell coverage and no Wi-Fi at Black Lake. This is intentional — the forest doesn't broadcast, and neither do we. Bring offline maps, a paper guidebook, and the kind of time that doesn't ping.
Location
Black Lake Campground lies at the end of Forest Road 2820, off Highway 35, approximately 20 miles north of Hood River in the Mount Hood National Forest. The drive from Hood River takes about 45 minutes on paved road, followed by 15 miles of well-maintained forest service road that is passable by passenger vehicles in dry conditions.
The campground is roughly equidistant from the Columbia Gorge's waterfalls and the high Cascades' alpine meadows. On a clear evening, Mount Hood is visible to the south through a gap in the treeline.
Address
NF-2820, Hood River County, OR 97014
Phone
(503) 668-1700Season
June through October, weather permitting
We came for the PCT section hike and stayed three extra nights because we couldn't bear to leave. The lake is the kind of still that makes you question whether the world actually stops turning.
A guest, fall 2024
Get in touch
Call us directly for site availability and seasonal conditions. For general questions, send a message through the form and we'll respond within 24 hours during the season.
Call
(503) 668-1700
Address
NF-2820, Hood River County, OR 97014
