Lost Lake Resort & Campgrounds

Couldn’t have asked for a better first camping experience!
My boyfriend and I came here on a Thursday and Friday night camping trip in the beginning of September, and it was absolutely perfect. There weren’t too many people, although it was still lively and fun, and we were easily able to find a campground that fit our needs perfectly.
Once we entered the grounds, we made our way to the store, and they suggested where to drive around to find a spot based on the availability for the nights we were there. We drove around and came across a site perfect for just 2 people towards the back of the A Loop. This was a short walk to the store/​lodge, and made access to the lake extremely convenient.
Our first day, we rented a tandem kayak and made our way around the lake. The second day, we rented a fishing boat and bought some bait (wishful thinking, seeing as we were at the end of fishing season). Both rentals were fairly priced, and we had a great time on each! Sitting out in the middle of the lake with a beautiful view of Mt. Hood can’t be topped. There are also plenty of hiking trails to try! We did the one around the lake, and it was beautiful.

What a fantastical place to get away from it all or as my husband puts it, this would be the place to hide out from the law… no cell, tv, and the internet. That’s right folks, it’s all about bonding with the nature. We set up our tent at lot F, which has about 30 units and a few walk in tent sites total. Lots F and G are designated for the first come and first serve basis. Each unit in lot F is secluded, big enough for 2 large tents — max of 6 people allowed, has a firepit, no electrical plug ins, and with some facing the lake. The check out time is by 2pm. So the key to finding an unit is to not to get there too early but not too late. We arrived at 10am on a Thurs and by 1040ish we found multiple vacant units facing the lake. When you spot a vacant unit you like, set up your tent first and then go pay at the general store. Speaking of the general store, it’s very basic with a small café. They way overcharge for the firewood and alcohol. So prepare ahead and bring your own. Also, this is the area where you can rent out multiple types of non motorized boats and stand up boards. Or you can bring your own. At lot F, I saw multiple boats tied up at various docks overnight. This campground is very dog friendly, offers hot showers for a fee — bring own towels, and only has outhouses for the toilets. Also, bring a board game or deck of cards as the evening whines down.

Beautiful campground with plenty of shades. There are enough tall trees to set up your hammock if you own one.
Shower is behind the store and office.
If you ever camp here, take the Lost Lake Butte trail up to the top, from there you can see Mt. Hood on a sunny day.

This is my 1^st review & after this weekend I just had to write one. I went to Lost Lake 14 years ago & stayed in D loop and had a good time. It was a bit disappointing that the campsites were so far from the lake but we had a good time. After seeing many posts on Facebook I decided to take my family back to Lost Lake. We have a travel trailer but sometimes it can be bit of a pain so when I saw that there were yurts available I jumped at the chance thinking it wouldn’t be as much work & would be a nice relaxing weekend. …boy was I wrong! Not only did we pay $ 70 a night for a basic yurt we also had to pay $ 35 for a pet deposit (non refundable). I double checked the confirmation email & the details tab on the online reservation to make sure I had all the info needed. It noted we needed linens & mattresses. No problemo! Imagine our surprise when we finally found the E loop & saw the sign noting the yurts were walk in sites! Nothing on the email & nothing on the details tab. Not only were the yurts walk in sites but it was about 300 – 400 feet uphill!!! Bathroom & water was also 300 – 400 feet away. Never again!!! We spent almost $ 200 just to stay in an oversized tent. I highly suggest to whoever does the reservation site to update the details tab so people are aware of the terrain & that you’ll be walking in all your supplies UPHILL! We ran into several others staying in the yurts that had NO IDEA as well. Way too expensive & definitely not enjoyable especially having hip & knee problems. We won’t be returning to Lost Lake.

First let me say I love this lake, love the location, love the way the sites are laid out. I even like having to walk for water and garbage. I love that the spaces are not bumper to bumper and if you are at a site you may not see your neighbor at all.
There is a store but it is terribly priced to be expected in such an out of the way place. I remember it having more of a convenience/​general store feel as a kid now it is over half merchandise for the lake where it would have had camping gear before. Not bad for a snack, some kindling, or a bag of ice though.
One great bonus is that they do rent boats to mess around with a two person paddle boat goes for $ 14 an hour which is decent in my opinion for the amount of fun that is. They also have row boats and canoes but I am unsure of the pricing.
The toilets are simple pit toilets but they are okay and well spaced throughout the camp grounds.
Now finally the reason for the two star review on a place I have obviously enjoyed my whole life. This camp ground is STAFFED which is a good thing, but the staff is 80% snotty high schoolers on summer break who treat you like the dust they have to kick of their shoes.
I had several very negative experiences which lead me to NEVER wanting to return to this otherwise charming lake.
The one which has me most upset was because I brought my own canoe. After having unloaded it (at a HORRIBLE 40% grade public boat launch) I went to find parking, finding none to be had I went back to a place I had seen about 30 cars parked the day before. After turning around and getting situated completely out of the way and off the paved road into the gravel I want locking up headed a long distance back.
I was stopped by one of three of the staff on a quad. He said «Are you parking there?» I responded with a questioning «yes?» As I had seen many people parked there before. To which he snidely said and this is a quote «Could you NOT?» I wish I could type the tone. When I explained that I had no problem moving, but that I was with a large group and had launched a boat and would need my vehicle to collect it and needed a place to park it in the mean time he simple said «There are lots of spots available USE one!» I asked where these spots were pointing to two signs which indicated full lots. He responded «Just drove around, those signs are never right.»
The exchange made me want to ask for his manager, never have I been met with such open hostility while trying to enjoy my family vacation. If I wanted to deal with jerks being jerks for jerks sake I could have stayed home.
That was only the worst encounter I had my sister had another with someone totally different. I also had a few more. Way to ruin my family «get away» I wont be back.
In defense of the lake this was the weekend before 4^th of July, it was at capacity. That said I wish I had just worked instead of taking time off. Really ruined my memories of this lake. My kids still liked it though. So they get two stars.

We camped here over Memorial Day Weekend and it was fantastic! Truly beautiful scenery, well kept hiking trails, and the camp site itself was well maintained! The camp site had a huge fire pit with a rotating grill so we could cook right over the fire. The general store was convenient and stocked with tons of firewood, kindling, beer and whatever else you might possibly need. We rented kayaks one of the days for $ 13 an hour. The staff was very nice and accommodating to our needs. Great experience!

One of my new favorite places to camp! Was very busy even mid-​week in mid-​July. We started packing up and we had a handful of people asking if they could have our site once we cleared out since the campsites were first come first serve. I wanted to rent a boat but the lake was a little rough during our stay, maybe next time!

We spent the last weekend in September here. We stayed in lodge room 3. The lake is beautiful, and we had a wonderful hike around the trail.
But… Aside from that and the $ 12 an hour boat rental… There isn’t much to do. I think it would have been better if we had camped, since that adds it’s own thing to it. But, the lodge was boring. No option for building a fire really, no tv, and despite having wifi, they won’t give you the password.
It wasn’t bad… But, for $ 125 a night, not providing us towels for bathing, paper towels in our kitchen, a tv, an internet source, a way to have a fire and do marshmallows, and with a shared bathroom, it seems like too much money. We had to buy a cheap beach towel there from the store for $ 25.
There are better lodge options in Oregon that cost about the same, and offer a better experience. They are charging you a price for a nice room, but the amenities are not there. I say this as someone who camps every summer… But, the lodge rooms are not supposed to feel like camping for $ 250 for the weekend, and we had thought that something called a «resort» would feel more… Like a resort!
We would go back to the lake for a day trip from Portland, but wouldn’t stay there again. If you go, bring a board game or cards… Its the only thing that saved us… That and the trail!
We left pretty disappointed, and would have maybe asked for some money back, except there’s a giant sign in the store/​lodge checkin that states they don’t do refunds on anything :/

Went camping here over the weekend. Call ahead for a campsite or come early to try and stake one. It seems like a very popular place to camp, pretty much all the sites were full.
Tips:
Quiet time after 10PM. They didn’t seem to have many rangers out and about, but someone from the lodge did come by to remind us of the «curfew»
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The Lost Lake Butte Trail is a must. I think it’s about 4 miles RT, but the end of the trail has a gorgeous view of Mt. Hood. Highly recommended.

Absolutely beautiful campground and recreational spot! We stayed in the tiny cabin #1 and it took care of our needs. This little space had a very comfortable bed, a small cooking/​prep area with a two burner gas stove, small dining table and two chairs, and pretty much everything you would need to cook a simple meal (including pots and pans and even plates to eat that meal off of). The cabin area did not permit much privacy.
Lost Lake was spectacular! The water was clear and refreshing to swim in. The scenery found on the hike around the lake was beautiful. We stopped many times to swim, picnic, and chat with other visitors. Or just to gawk at the scenery. The view of Mt. Hood at Lost Lake Resort is priceless.
My one issue with Lost Lake Resort is that there is no place to clean oneself. There are few showers available. We did take showers the first night but felt interrogated about our stay and had to leave a drivers license in order to get a key to the gross duct taped and dirty shower. Pit toilets are available to do your business. A nearby water spigot will serve as a place to rinse you hands. Those spigots must be covered in germs too since people coming from the pit toilets… oh, never mind! Soap and water, a place to brush my teeth, a flush toilet… those kinds of conveniences would be nice. By our third day I tried to «hold it» as much as possible in order to avoid the yucky pit toilet. Seriously GROSS. (I was wondering how many people are peeing in the lake in order to avoid the pit toilets :)
We had a great time visiting Lost Lake. Lounging on the boat dock while eating ice cream and reading, soaking in the sun, floating around the clear lake on inflatables, and star gazing on a clear night makes a nice summer stay.

This review is regarding the cabin we stayed in:
To say that this place is a «Resort» (Lost Lake «Resort» and Campground) is false advertising. When I think of a resort at a campground, I think of– nice cabins, maybe a nice pool for the children to swim in, perhaps a spa treatment, a lovely restaurant on the grounds… This was NONE of that. We rented a cabin for approximately $ 180 a night for 2 nights, but unfortunately the cabin had NO running water or toilet in the cabin (had to go out around the corner for a spigot and toilet). It smelled like vinegar in the corner of the cabin (eeww!). The cabin also tilted to one side (woah, i’m sliding!). The paint on the outside of the cabin was coming apart. Mind you, the website does say that the cabins are «rustic». «Extremely rustic» is what they should say… For $ 180, I would expect at least a 4 star cabin/​hotel. The only redeeming thing about the cabin was that it had a really nice bed, pillow, sheet and cover.
The only way I can see Lost Lake Resort and Campground justify charging this much is that you are paying for the convenience of being a few hundred feet away from the lake. Please save your money and just get a tent site at this place. You and your pocket book will be happy!

Amazing gem tucked away about 2 hours from Portland. Campsites aplenty without being stacked on top of each other. The views at the lake are incomparable. Reasonable rates for tent camping, camper camping with lodge and cabins available, also. The general store is stalked with all you need if you forget to bring it up with you. Hiking trails abound! I will be going again and again!

Great campground. What’s that? You’re glad I told you? Well, chief… it ain’t a secret.
If you want incomparable views and a secluded campsite, you had better get your ass up the mountain by early Thursday afternoon. If you can snag yourself a campsite, then you’re getting civilized camping at its very best. It has pit toilets, paved parking lots and a camp store with loads of wood. We came up Thursday evening and got a walk-​in site with two tent spots, a grill and a fire pit. We had more room than we knew what to do with, and we had plenty of privacy even though we were only 200 feet from the next site. This is a great place for beginner campers or when you don’t feel like working too hard for it. Just make sure you get there early. You’re a helluva long way from a comparable alternative.

UNBELIEVABLE!
Lost Lake is one of the most beautiful and tranquil places I have ever been in the United States. As I walked the trail around the lake my jaw was hanging open at the beauty I was experiencing. That day, I knew there was a God.
I think I have shared enough to tell you I would go back in a heartbeat. Its not the easiest place to find and that is good. So it is not over run by tourist. I went in the month of August.

Just spent three nights here with some girl friends camping. We stayed in one of the the walk-​in tent sites on loop E. The sites were spacious and spread far apart, which was a good thing because «girls camping» is really more like «girls drinking and gossiping» and we get a little loud. It was very, very quiet at night and we couldn’t hear any of our fellow campers even though the campground was completely full. I am mostly a backpacker and was impressed at how secluded the sites felt on a busy summer weekend. It was certainly no worse than being up at Jefferson Park in August. The lovely lake was about a ten minute walk from loop E and the water was surprisingly warm. It is all very forest-​y and peaceful.
Be warned that Lost Lake is in the flight path to PDX and every so often you hear a strange, very loud noise that sounds a lot like the Smoke Monster from Lost. My theory is that it is the sound of the landing gear coming down, but it is much louder and stranger than your average air plane noise. There was no sign of an actual Smoke Monster. In fact, the only animals we saw were chipmunks and camp jays who were very interested in our food. No mosquitoes!
We really wanted to stay at one of the lakeside tent sites (an extra $ 5 per night), but when we got there around 2pm on a Thursday afternoon, there were only a couple of tent sites left in the entire place. We scoped out the lakeside sites when we walked the easy 3.2 miles around the lake and they looked divine. A lot of people showed up on Friday and were S.O.L. with «first come, first served» policy. It rained Sunday morning and the entire place was mostly empty by about 11am. Early Sunday afternoon is probably a great time to snag a choice spot if you are lucky enough to have your week days free.
FYI, you can get cell phone service about one mile up the road from the park entrance. This came in handy for giving the later arriving members of our party instructions on how to find us. You can also post a note on the bulletin board just past the entrance letting your friends know where to find you.
We drove in from the Zig-​Zag side over Lolo Pass. We had a map and didn’t get lost, but I recommend a map or GPS because a lot of the signs are missing. At one point we followed a brown arrow with no road number because it seemed like the right thing to do. Luckily, it was. The directions on the Lost Lake website say «continue for several miles» on Lolo Pass road. That is only accurate if your idea of «several» is actually about 20. It took about an hour and 15 minutes from the turn off from Hwy 26 because the road is narrow and a 4 – 5 mile stretch is unpaved but currently in decent condition. There’s some washboard, but no chassis breaking pot holes.
My only complaint is that for the cost of a tent site ($ 25 a night) I would expect the pit toilets to be checked a couple times a day and the toilet paper re-​stocked. By Saturday night there was no T.P. and the «bathrooms» were trashed with paper all over the floor, etc. I’ve been in both better and worse pit toilets. They were OK.
As other people have mentioned, bring your own stuff because the store is expensive. I would especially suggest bringing your own firewood if you have room. The stuff up there was $ 6.00 a bundle for fast burning wood. The stuff at Freddie’s is seasoned and slower burning and I think costs a buck or so less.
Go, have fun! Total travel time from Inner SE Portland was about 2 hours and 15 minutes via Lolo Pass. Another friend took the Hood River route and it took her closer to 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Great for camping or just a day trip. Very crowded during peak weekends in the summer — I was here last summer over July 4, but surprisingly, it was quiet at night — generators off!
Some things to note: The general store is way overpriced, and since the drive up is long and the location is remote, come prepared. Stop in Hood River to pick up any snacks or supplies you’ll need if you’re daytripping. No cell phone reception, either.
There are some great hikes here — the 3 mile loop around the lake is easy and beautiful, and if you’re motivated and/​or crazy, the Lost Lake Butte Trail (2 miles, 1400-​ft elevation) is a killer, but so worth it. At the summit you get perfect 180-​degree views of Hood and Adams in the distance.
As camp sites are first-​come, first-​served, it can be tough to find a spot on crowded weekends. Get there early and be patient.

I love heading up to Lost Lake during the summer — especially the hot asphalt melting week we seem to get every summer when it is 110 and dead calm.
It is great for a day trip (get there early to pick your spot on the water) but the real gem is camping. The sites are amazing, well laid out, clean and great places to hang out and roast marshmallows in the evenings. No waterfront camping (you still have to snag day use spots in the am) but a great way to soak up the beauty of Mt. Hood.
As with any campground, your mileage may vary with regards to neighbors (it *does* get crowded for camping in the prime weeks of summer) but it is worth the drive even if you have to put up with noisy neighbors for a few hours each evening.

It was a quick drive by tour of the Mt Hood region and I’d heard good things about this park. After an adventurous tour of the back roads towards this lost lake we stumbled into the entrance. The $ 7 fee to get in was worth every penny.
If your passing through the area, add this to your list and be sure to take some time to talk to the wonderful lady that runs the entrance station. She is very knowledgeable about the area and doesn’t mind putting down her knitting to give you directions.
We were only there an hour, so not too much to write about.
Maybe next time…

Lost Lake isn’t lost at all… we found it just fine, and it was a good escape from the sweltering heat & numerous home improvement projects we are currently immersed in. Anything pertaining to a lake or getting lost is A-​Okay by me, but here’s my conclusion:
American wilderness=Rednecks=garbage of fast food containers
WHY??? This is so disturbing…
Lost Lake has all the beauty & surreal grandeur of Mt. Hood, greenery & trees beyond compare, a crystal clear lake where the bottom is visible & the fish abound. It also, in my humble opinion, could be called ‘The Redneck Riviera’ on a hot Sunday afternoon. Since there is absolutely NO motors of any kind allowed, you are spared the jet-​ski, speed boat crap, but there’s plenty of Big Gulps, giant bags o’ fried calories, and more than my fair share of the obnoxious ‘Min Pin“s around. For those of you unfamiliar with this last term, this would be ‘Mini Pincers”…another dogue du jour of the sort reserved for folks who like to accessorize, you know, punch up their look a notch, by carrying around a yapping little rug rat… Sorry, got carried away…
We saw salamanders, newts, fish… the water is clear, clean, & cold. Mt. Hood is just spectacular. Parking is not a problem (the toilet facilities are, however… hey! How about cleaning up??). The flying insects, especially the May Flies, got to me after awhile. It’s that time of year, and, as my son pointed out to me,
«Mom, they don’t have mouths. They can’t bite you. All they do is mate, then die»…
Still, I just can’t get into being surrounded by a swarm of insects.
Would I return? Possibly. I liked the day & the canoe rental was fun (tho’ not cheap…$ 12.00/hour). A great day with kids. Make sure to bring your own food as the general store doesn’t have a wide variety. Check it out. It’s a good get-​away, and with gas prices being what they are, it feels pretty luxurious. The drive up past Multnomah Falls is beautiful, too.
PS For added allure, local legend has it that an enormous fish, dubbed ‘Walter’ is in the lake… complete with full beard of lures, tackle, bait, etc which have been ‘lost’ due to his wily ways. Also many Native American legends abound regarding lost spirits. Worth checking out.

I am in awe of the beauty here. We came here for a day hike and it was overcast and raining, but that did not stop us. The resort and campground were empty and we had the place to ourselves. The circuit hike around the lake was just spectacular. We had hoped that the clouds would clear so we could see Mt. Hood, but no luck. We were not disappointed since this place is heavenly.