CampgroundsDB

Summit Lake

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping costs Single Site: $21 per night; additional vehicle $8 per night, and it is open from May 22, 2026 to September 13, 2026. Summit Lake is a National Forest campground near Government Camp, Oregon.

Closed First-come, first-served

National Forest · Government Camp, Oregon

Managed by
National Forest
Max RV length
16 ft

Summit 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
Single Site: $21 per night; additional vehicle $8 per night

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

Sites and hookups

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

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

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

Access and cell service

Elevation
4,183 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.2 mi away
T-Mobile
No coverage mapped
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.

45.0325, -121.7897 in Clackamas. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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Season and winter services

Summit Lake is open from May 22, 2026 to September 13, 2026 , at 4,183 ft.

Sources: epqs.nationalmap.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Current conditions

Closed Agency notice, as of 2026-09-29: Site closed: fire closure (see the Mt. Hood National Forest alerts).

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Summit Lake?
No. Summit 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 Summit Lake?
Camping at Summit Lake costs Single Site: $21 per night; additional vehicle $8 per night.
Is there drinking water at Summit Lake?
No. Summit Lake has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
When is Summit Lake open?
As of 2026-09-29: Site closed: fire closure (see the Mt. Hood National Forest alerts). Normally, it is open from May 22, 2026 to September 13, 2026.
Is there cell service at Summit Lake?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from Verizon at Summit Lake. It shows none at Summit Lake from AT&T, though AT&T shows 4G LTE and 5G about 0.2 mi away. It shows none from T-Mobile at or within about half a mile. 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 Summit Lake?
Summit Lake is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Summit Lake

Hot springs and swimming nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

Nearest to Summit Lake, in straight-line miles: Breitenbush Hot Springs (hot spring, 20 miles), Bagby Hot Springs (hot spring, 20 miles), and Opal Creek / Little North Santiam (swimming hole, 26 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

Reservable Clackamas Lake Government Camp · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $30 per night Reservable Stone Creek Group Horse Camp Government Camp · National Forest Season Friday of Memorial Day weekend to Second full weekend of September Fee Group campsite: $168 per night; additional vehicle $10 per night; holiday weekend $2 per night Reservable Joe Graham Horse Campground Government Camp · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Not on record Reservable Stone Creek Government Camp · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $28 per night

More campgrounds: camping near Government Camp and campgrounds in Clackamas.

Sources

First-come, first-served Single Site: $21 per night; additional vehicle $8 per night
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