Black Lake Campground (Mt Hood NF, OR): which site to take

Black Lake Campground

Little campground by a cozy lake. Great view on the country from the parking lot

Black Lake is a tiny primitive campground on the east shore of a small lake in the hills above Hood River, at 3,740 feet, at the end of a long forest road. There are only a few tent sites, all within about 140 feet of the water, and, as our note says, a great view over the country from the parking lot.

It is first come, cash or check, with no water. When the weather turns, our note sends you a short way up the road to Rainy Lake, where the sites sit back in the trees.

Quick facts

Sites: Primitive tent sites on the east shore; 6 on our map
Booking: First come, first served
Fee (2026): $20 a night, $10 an extra vehicle, day use $10; cash or check
Water: None; pack in and pack out
Toilets: Vault toilet
Elevation: 3,740 feet
Run by: Lost Lake Resort, for the Forest Service
From Hood River: About 20 miles, under an hour, the last stretch on Forest Road 2820
From Portland: About 80 miles, two hours

Which site to take

Closest to the water: 3, South end, 2 About 30 to 55 feet from the shore.
Into the wilderness: The Black Lake trail leads north into the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness.
In bad weather: Our note: Rainy Lake, under a mile up the road, is the better choice.

Every site

Site	To the lake	Next site	In our photo
3	30 ft	70 ft	a table and fire ring, the lake through the trees
2	60 ft	70 ft	a table among firs, the lake just beyond
Among the logs	130 ft	50 ft	fallen logs around an open pad
1	100 ft	50 ft	a tent in the brush; the view from the parking lot
The meadow	80 ft	70 ft	a grassy opening
South end	40 ft	70 ft	a fire ring by a log, the lake right below

Distances are straight lines from each pin, to the water and to the nearest neighbor, so read them as “about”. Photos from July 2019.

Questions

Is there water at Black Lake?: No. Bring all you need, and pack out what you bring in.
Can you reserve?: No. All sites are first come, first served, and fees are paid in cash or by check.
How do you get there?: From Hood River, about 20 miles: the Forest Service’s directions end with four miles on Forest Road 2820.
Where else is close?: Rainy Lake, under a mile further up the road. Our note calls it the better choice in bad weather; its sites are back in the woods.