Gold Lake Campground


Area Status: Open

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

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 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.


 

Fish Species Brook and Rainbow Trout
Fishing Method Fly fishing only
Water/Flow Level Lake is 25 feet deep

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

Viewing Wildlife

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:

The adjacent Gold Lake Bog is another special attraction where one can often see deer, elk and other smaller wildlife.

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

Boating - Motorized

Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:

Gas motors prohibited.  Electric motors allowed at slow-no wake speeds only.

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Highlights

Location

 
  Latitude : 
43.62947883761313

  Longitude : 
-122.0491284857086

  Elevation : 
4800 feet