Little Crater Lake

Little Crater Lake

Date Visited: July 2013

Location: Mt. Hood Area

Type of Campground:  Forest Service

Reservations: Yes can be reserved online

Description:  This was a pretty forested campground.  It is a small loop of 16 campsites but they are fairly spread out with a few outhouses.  The lake is a tiny beautiful deep blue lake more for enjoying with the eyes then swimming since it is really tiny and soooo cold.  The PCT is a close hike from the campground and so there is lots of exploring to be done by foot.  Timothy Lake is nearby and can be hiked to or driven to. This lake is definitely for swimming and boating with gorgeous views of Mt. Hood.  There is camping there as well and I will have a post about one of the campgrounds that we stayed the next summer. One downside of this campground that I can remember is that there is only one water pump and it is a bit of a walk- so bring large containers to fill up with water.  There was some serious partying going on one of the nights there too - I don't know if that is the norm or if we just hit it on a bad night.

Pros:   Beautiful campground near Mt. Hood, lots of hiking and swimming nearby

Cons: Walk to water, Little Crater Lake is not for swimming (though of course Timothy Lake is nearby)

Hikes Nearby: PCT which heads North to Mt. Hood and South to Timothy Lake.

Red Bridge Wayside

Red Bridge

Date Visited: August 2013

Location: Eastern Oregon near La Grande, OR- 8 miles west of I84

Type of Campground:  State Park

Reservations: First Come Serve

Description:  This is a quiet beautiful out of the way campground.  There is easy access to the Grande Ronde River which runs all along the tent area and the day use area.  In the middle of August it was low enough for the kids to explore and play in it with no danger.  At Red Bridge there is a day use area, some RV sites and then a large grassy area for folks with tents.  We were there for a Saturday- Tuesday and two of the nights we were the only group in the tent area.  There are flush toilets a small walk from the tent area.  The day use area was almost always deserted and it left much to be explored!  We saw snakes, elk, a hunting bird of prey- a wonderful spot to be out in nature.  Across the highway from the campground there was a hike up through some beautiful Eastern Oregon forests to a gorgeous view.  A mile or so down the road there was another nice hike along the Grande Ronde.  La Grande is also close enough for an ice cream adventure.  The only bummer I can remember is the yellow jackets were very persistent.  If I were to go there again I would purchase a couple yellow jacket traps to keep them away. 

Pros:  Quiet, Gorgeous Eastern Oregon Forest, Access to the Grande Ronde, 

Cons: Some of the RV sites are right near the road, yellow jackets  

Hikes Nearby: I am not sure of the names but there was a hike directly across the street from the campground and then another a mile East of Red Bridge on 244.