CampgroundsDB

Boulder Lake

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Boulder Lake is a National Forest campground near Dufur, Oregon.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Dufur, Oregon

Managed by
National Forest

Boulder Lake sits inside Mt. Hood National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Free

Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28

What's there

  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

Rules

Stay limit
14 consecutive days; 28 days total per calendar year

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation
4,541 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.3 mi away
T-Mobile
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.3 mi away
Verizon
4G LTE
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

45.2579, -121.5652 in Hood River. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Boulder Lake?
No. Boulder Lake is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Boulder Lake?
Camping at Boulder Lake is free.
Is there drinking water at Boulder Lake?
No. Boulder Lake has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
How long can you stay at Boulder Lake?
The stay limit at Boulder Lake is 14 consecutive days; 28 days total per calendar year.
Is there cell service at Boulder Lake?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from Verizon at Boulder Lake. It shows none at Boulder Lake from AT&T or T-Mobile, though AT&T shows 4G LTE and 5G about 0.3 mi away and T-Mobile shows 4G LTE about 0.3 mi away. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.
Who manages Boulder Lake?
Boulder Lake is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Boulder Lake

Public land · within 15 miles

Public land within 15 miles: Badger Creek Wilderness (5.8 miles to its center) , Lower White River Wilderness (8.8 miles to its center) , and Mount Hood Wilderness (12 miles to its center) ; publiclandsdb.com has each unit's camping rules and boundary.

Waterfalls nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

The nearest waterfall to Boulder Lake, in a straight line: Punch Bowl Falls (waterfall, 30 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

First-come Bonney Meadows Maupin · National Forest Season Mid May to Mid October Fee Single Site: $10 per night First-come Badger Lake Wamic · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $10 per night First-come Barlow Creek Government Camp · National Forest Season May 22 to September 7 Fee Single Site: $16 per night First-come Barlow Crossing Government Camp · National Forest Season May 22 to September 7 Fee Single Site: $16 per night

More campgrounds: camping near Dufur and campgrounds in Hood River.

Sources

First-come, first-served Free
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