CampgroundsDB

Carter Bridge

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping costs Single Site: $17 per night; additional vehicle $8 per night. Carter Bridge is a National Forest campground near Estacada, Oregon.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Estacada, Oregon

Managed by
National Forest
Max RV length
28 ft

Carter Bridge sits inside Mt. Hood National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com. It sits right at the edge of Roaring River Wilderness; its permit and camping rules and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Clackamas Wild and Scenic River: The campground sits on the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River, 14.5 miles southeast of Estacada on OR 224; it was heavily damaged in the 2020 Riverside Fire and repairs are ongoing. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Single Site: $17 per night; additional vehicle $8 per night

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

Sites and hookups

Max RV length
28 ft
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

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

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
874 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage mapped
T-Mobile
No coverage mapped
Verizon
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.4 mi away
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.

45.1681, -122.1573 in Clackamas. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Carter Bridge?
No. Carter Bridge 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 Carter Bridge?
Camping at Carter Bridge costs Single Site: $17 per night; additional vehicle $8 per night.
Is there drinking water at Carter Bridge?
No. Carter Bridge has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
How long can you stay at Carter Bridge?
The stay limit at Carter Bridge is 14 consecutive days; 28 days total per calendar year.
Is there cell service at Carter Bridge?
Not at the campground on the FCC map, but Verizon shows 4G LTE about 0.4 mi away. The FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at Carter Bridge itself, and nothing from AT&T or T-Mobile 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.
Who manages Carter Bridge?
Carter Bridge is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Carter Bridge

Hot springs, waterfalls and swimming nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

Nearest to Carter Bridge, in straight-line miles: Bagby Hot Springs (hot spring, 16 miles), Opal Creek / Little North Santiam (swimming hole, 23 miles), Butte Creek Falls (swimming hole, 24 miles), Latourell Falls (waterfall, 26 miles), and Bridal Veil Falls (waterfall, 27 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

Reservable Lockaby Estacada · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $22 per night Reservable Armstrong Estacada · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $18 per night Reservable Fish Creek Estacada · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $21 per night Reservable Roaring River Estacada · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $19 per night

More campgrounds: camping near Estacada and campgrounds in Clackamas.

Sources

First-come, first-served Single Site: $17 per night; additional vehicle $8 per night
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