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Lockaby Campground is ideally located next to the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River in the lush, green mountains of northern Oregon. It provides access to some of the area's greatest whitewater rafting, as well as a famous place to fish. Whether it is relaxation or recreation, there's something for everyone at the campground. Recreation Fishing is very popular in the Clackamas River and anglers can expect a catch of winter steelhead, spring Chinook and late summer Coho salmon, as well as other species of freshwater fish. The Clackamas contains miles of wild water as it bends and drops through the scenic Cascade Range, creating prime whitewater rafting opportunities. A hiking trail follows the river north and south and begins about a mile away at Fish Creek Campground. Scenic driving is also available on the West Cascades Scenic Byway, which travels alongside the river. Facilities The campground offers more than two dozen single-family sites for tent and RV camping, though RVs over 16 feet are not recommended due to the steep terrain within the facility. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided, but no hookups are available. Parking surfaces are paved and gravel. Natural Features The campground is situated along the river at an elevation of about 900 feet in Mt. Hood National Forest. Most campsites are within a dense stand of cedar trees overlooking the river. Sites are fairly close together and there is very little vegetation on the forest floor. The forest provides habitat for the federally protected bald eagle and northern spotted owl, as well as an occasional peregrine falcon. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area. Nearby Attractions A boat ramp is available at Fish Creek Campground, which is less than a mile south of the campground. It provides a convenient river launch for kayaks, canoes and rafts. Just below nearby Indian Henry Campground, the Clackamas River offers 12.5 miles of class III-IV whitewater. The Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival is hosted annually in May, attracting rafters from all over the country. ADA Access: N
From Estacada, take Highway 224 east for 15 miles to the campground.
I regret telling you about this hidden gem (why am I even typing this right now!?). Lockaby is a simple campground (pit toilets and hand-pumped well water). There aren't a ton of amenities and that's just perfect, because the campground itself is lovely. The sites are spread out beneath towering trees that keep the ground cool and shaded most of the day (adding to that the high hills to the East and West and things never really heat up in the campground). That makes this place perfect for hot summer days down at the river (which the campground is next to) and long evenings relaxing by a fire that is just barely necessary due to the coolness of the air preserved by the trees.
I REALLY shouldn't have told you about this!
Reservations online were easy. Vital stats that were hard to find though:
1.NO running water. Anywhere. Vault toilets and a hand pump
2. The firepits DO have grates to cook over.
3. Wood is avail, it was $7/bundle on a holiday weekend.
4. It's shady so bring a jacket, but the sunshine is just at roadside if you want to be warm
5. No animals sited. From chipmunk to raccoons to bears. Didn't need a food safety container.
6. NO recycling, just garbage bins. If you want go recycle, take it home
Peaceful secluded campground with only a
Few spots so it’s not crowded. One side of the loop is river front, the other side is right on the highway so you hear and see the cars go by. The vault bathrooms smell strongly of the chemicals they have to use.
*If you have small children many of these sites are dangerous, there’s no barrier between them and a cliff to the river or on the other side they could run into highway traffic. I wouldn’t consider this a family friendly campsite.
The campground has various sized sites be aware of #23; this site is tiny and not meant for a large two-room tent. Really it only has room for one car too. #24 is much bigger with room for two tents and two cars. These are both on the highway side, which is a drawback but not too bad. The site host is friendly and has a beautiful sweet dog.
Beautiful, peaceful camp ground with many sites right above the river. Well kept & maintained. Spacious sites with privacy. Will return again & again.
