How much does camping cost at Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area?

Camping fees at Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area range from $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area 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 Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area?

Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area is open null. 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 Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area?

Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area?

Fire policies at Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area: null. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area?

Pets are not allowed at Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area?

Popular activities at Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area include Hiking, Swimming. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area

3.67

8 reviews

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Summer Destination

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Oregon

Quick Facts

3,740 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

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Check Availability Set up an alert →Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

3,740 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Set up an alert →Official Website

Get Directions

Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Single campsite fee is $20/night. Additional vehicles are $10/night. Campsite fees can be paid using cash or check. Interagency Senior and Access...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

3.67

Mixed Reviews

Based on 8 reviews

6 Google reviews

Most mentioned

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"There are no user reviews available to summarize experiences at Black Lake Campground."

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Campground Map

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Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area

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Nearby places

Hood River, OR - 14 miles

Nearby supplies

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Driving directionsFrom Hood River, OR - Take OR-281 about 4 miles then turn right on Portland Drive for 2 miles, turn left on Country Club Road then continue on Binns Hill Drive and turn left on Kingsley Road and follow for 6 miles. Take a left on Dead Point Road and after 2 miles take a right on Forest Road 2820 then left on Forest Road 2820 four miles to the campground.

The campground is accessible via a combination of paved and unpaved roads. Seasonal challenges may not be documented, but the directions include detailed road changes and turns.

Best Time to Camp at Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area

Summer brings the best conditions for camping and lake activities. Daytime highs typically reach 55 to 75°F, with nights dropping to 30 to 45°F at this elevation. Trails clear of snow by mid-July, when wildflowers peak and mountain views open up. Winter dumps significant snow and sends temperatures below freezing, requiring winter travel gear for access. Spring sees gradual snowmelt. Holiday weekends draw moderate crowds in summer, but the campground otherwise maintains a backcountry feel.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Swimming and trail access imply summer is prime season, though no reservations/amenities detail.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: null
Current Alerts: The campground status reads 'temporarily closed,' but operational hours are listed as 'open 24 hours/day.'

About Black Lake Campground & Day Use Area

Black Lake Campground sits on the eastern shore of Black Lake at 3,740 feet in Mt. Hood National Forest's Hood River Ranger District. The primitive campground offers tent sites with vault toilets but no potable water. Fees run $20 per night. The Black Lake Trail heads north from camp into the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness.

Black Lake Campground offers a primitive camping experience with minimal facilities. It is primarily designed for tent camping and caters to visitors interested in a rugged and natural setting.

Historical Significance

The Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness takes its name from the Oregon senator who advocated for wilderness preservation during his decades in office. The designation protects this section of the Cascades as roadless, undeveloped terrain.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the best conditions for camping and lake activities. Daytime highs typically reach 55 to 75°F, with nights dropping to 30 to 45°F at this elevation. Trails clear of snow by mid-July, when wildflowers peak and mountain views open up. Winter dumps significant snow and sends temperatures below freezing, requiring winter travel gear for access. Spring sees gradual snowmelt. Holiday weekends draw moderate crowds in summer, but the campground otherwise maintains a backcountry feel.

ElevationPerched at 3,740 feet above sea level, Black Lake Campground offers a true mountain escape where the air is crisp and the seasons are pronounced. This elevation creates a unique microclimate where summer days remain pleasantly cool, autumn arrives with spectacular color, and winter brings substantial snowpack that transforms the landscape into a pristine wilderness playground. The altitude ensures cooler temperatures year-round, making it an ideal retreat from summer heat while demanding proper preparation for early and late-season camping.

Natural Features and SceneryBlack Lake anchors the campground, its waters bordered by old-growth conifers. The setting sits within a landscape carved by volcanic activity and glaciers, where ancient lava flows and glacial sculpting shaped the current terrain. The forest canopy shades the eastern shoreline. The campground connects directly to the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, part of the larger Cascade volcanic zone that continues to evolve through ongoing geological processes.

Geological RegionNestled within the Hood River Ranger District of Mt. Hood National Forest, Black Lake Campground occupies a geological wonderland shaped by volcanic forces and glacial artistry. This corner of the Cascades, where the campground seamlessly connects to the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, showcases the raw power of the region's volcanic heritage. The surrounding landscape bears the signatures of ancient lava flows, glacial carving, and the ongoing geological processes that continue to shape the Pacific Northwest's dramatic topography.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

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Check-out

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Stay Limit

Null

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

There is no mention of designated group sites at the campground.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation Platformshttps://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes

Walk-in AvailabilitySites may be reservable, and reservation fees apply. There is an indication that walk-up availability exists but details are not specified.

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityThere is no information available regarding accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.

Site SizeThere are no specific descriptions of campsite sizes.

PrivacyNo information is provided about site privacy, such as seclusion or clustering.

Recommended Sitesnull

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Activities you can enjoy

Black Lake Campground offers recreational opportunities centered around its primitive and natural setting. Swimming is noted as an activity, and there are nearby trails like the Black Lake Trail, which connects to the larger trail network in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. The activities are best suited for those who enjoy a less developed, wilderness-focused environment.

Hiking

Swimming

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThere is no potable water available on-site, and visitors must prepare accordingly. Natural hazards such as wildlife and uneven terrain may be present.

Active AlertsThe campground status reads 'temporarily closed,' but operational hours are listed as 'open 24 hours/day.'

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

Fire Policynull

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are null

Emergency ServicesHood River Ranger District, Address: 6780 Highway 35 Parkdale, OR 97041, Phone: (541) 352-6002 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. Closed on federal holidays.)

Trash & RecyclingThere is no detailed information about trash and recycling facilities at the campground.

Water FeaturesLocated on the east shore of Black Lake.

Camp HostThe site is managed by Lost Lake Resort, a concessionaire.