Willamette National Forest - Gold Lake Campground

Area Status: Closed

This 21 site campground is situated near the Cascade crest with some sites adjacent to the picturesque Gold Lake. Visitors come for the alpine forest setting, quiet, autumn huckleberries, and wildlife viewing. The adjacent Gold Lake bog is ideal for viewing deer, elk, and beaver.

Gas motors are prohibited on the small lake (100 acres in size and 25 feet deep), but electric motors are allowed at slow-no wake speed. Non-motorized craft are permitted, such as canoes and float tubes. The lake is fly-fishing only; please consult the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for the most up-to-date information.

A historic "Willamette Winged" log shelter exists in the day use area, and provides an overnight place for cross-country skiers during the winter, and a day-use facility during summer. The shelter was designed by William Parke, the Willamette National Forest's first Recreation Planner, and constructed with Civilian Conservation Corps labor during the early 1940s. Parke was a 1932 graduate of the Oregon State College of Forestry, and was training as a Landscape Architect at the University of Oregon when hired by the Forest Service.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Closed for the 2024 season and will reopen in spring of 2025.
Reservations:	No advance reservations. All sites are first come first serve.
Fees:	Single Campsites - $24 per night Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night Download the Recreation.gov mobile app prior to your trip so you can pay the overnight fee digitally onsite with Scan and Pay.
Open Season:	June - October
Usage:	Medium
Best Season:	August, September
Busiest Season:	July, August
Restrictions:	Gas motors prohibited. Electric motors allowed at slow-no wake speeds only. Fly-fishing only Camping is not allowed more than 14 days in a 60 day period. Check-in time: 2:00 pm or later. Check-out time: 1:00 pm Use of chainsaws in the campground is prohibited Dogs MUST be on leash at all times within the campground
Closest Towns:	Oakridge, OR (27.9 miles) Crescent Lake Junction ,OR (10 miles)
Water:	Yes, hand pump
Restroom:	Vault toilets
Passes:	Interagency Senior and Access Passes (and the Golden Age and Access Passes) may receive a 50% discount on the use fee for individual campsites. This discount does not apply to extra vehicle fee or multiple campsites.
Operated By:	American Land & Leisure
Information Center:	Middle Fork Ranger Station

General Information

Directions:

28 miles east of Oakridge, Oregon

From Oakridge, Oregon: From the intersection of Crestview Street and Oregon State Highway 58 (the only traffic light along Highway 58 in Oakridge), travel east on Highway 58 for 25.8 miles. Just below the summit of Willamette Pass ( the Gold Lake Sno Park will be on your right), turn left onto the Gold Lake Road and travel 2 miles to your destination at the end of the road.

General Notes:

Campground Map

Garbage containers, fire rings, boat launch

Close to:

Read about camping rules, regulations and camping tips on our Camping Rules & Things to Know page.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:

Tent, auto, trailer sites (maximum trailer length 24 feet)
Grey water station

No. of Sites	21
Reservation Info	No reservations. Sites are available on a first come, first served basis.
No. of Accessible sites	6 campsites, canoe dock, restroom, 2 picnic tables, compacted rock access routes

Lake and Pond Fishing

Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:

Gold Lake Day Use Area

Gold Lake is very popular for fishing Brook and Rainbow trout. Each season anglers anxiously await the snow melting so they can be one of the first to drop their line in the lake.

Campground/ day use area has a boat ramp.