Can someone tell me about camping hood?

Sir_SkrillALot

Sir_SkrillALot

Active member
Alright I just needed some basic info or whatever. I heard the easiest/best place to camp is airstrip. I have no idea where this place is, its on like Trillion Lakes is all I have gathered. Is there a better place to camp for free and is it possible to just not pay at like one of the forest service camping areas? Where is the closest access to water at airstrip and like how long does it take to drive from airstrip to the timberline parking lot? Are there alot of people campin this area in late June? I have some more questions too. Thanks so much.
 
airstrip is the best unless you wanna pay. its like a mile from trillium lake, 2 miles to govy and about 8 miles to timberline lodge
 
Yeah thanks but I was kinda lookin for specifics (like how to get there :\) Sorry I havent ever skied at hood or anything so the more specific the directions the better, if you dont want to post something super good please PM me I really appreciate it.
 
Do they have showers? I know we wouldnt do that every night since were staying for a week about and thats alot of money. Is there anywhere to sneak into to bathe a lil or just lake trillion?
 
hahaha yeah man, they have showers. its a super chill place, especially during summer ski camp season cuz theres always a few kids there doing the same thing you are
 
Word, I think we already got a tent and all though so were just tryin to keep it pretty cheap. Is it possible to sneak a shower or somethin just once you think?
 
maybe once, and you'd have to make it quick. but i would just say bring lots of soap and use the lake haha
 
i'd say go lake with a lot of soap.

or get to know someone who lives in the area and shower at their place once or twice during the week.
 
airstrips the place to camp at hood. its free and its near trillium.

you can go bathe in trillium. haha we shampood after skiing everyday.
 
i was there a week ago.. i camped on the airstrip its way easy to find... there will be a trillium(or something similar) lake exit... take that..then you drive down this hill and there will be a sign saying where the airstrip gov camp and trillium lake are.. turn right and you are there..
 
So how much is it to use the camping ground? I might try to head down there and live the dream in august some time hahaha.
 
i'm camping hood also. not sure which camp spot. will be there friday, saturday, sunday. thats the 19th 20th 21st. interesting thread. let me know if anyone else is going those days
 
if u wanna go camping, u should ask SHampson or Big_Spence. they're friends of mine and they were camping last year at hood. they've got some experience and probably could help u out with location and stuff...
 
Yeah dude, its real easy, you can either turn at the trillum lake exit and drive to it or you can get off at the camp ground and drive through it to the airstrip, its impossible to miss, you'll see random campers and then a huge field thats decently wide but its way longer than it is wide, just imagine an airstrip. As soon as you're there, find a good open spot and post up and run shit.
 
great thread. i'm heading to hood friday, gonna be staying at the airstrip now that i know where it is

thanks guys +K
 
I stayed at Trillium lake last year. Super chill and we didn't have to worry about getting our shit stolen like at the airstrip.
 
airstrip yo. if you dont know where it is, use ur internets and google map that shit. its called an AIRSTRIP for a reason. on second thought, maybe you shouldnt camp there
 
I work at the Timberline Atomic Ski Race Camps, and I live in the lodge all summer in the "chalet" hallway on the first floor of the historic lodge. If you're chill and not sketchy or messy, you can totally come into the historic lodge on the mt and shower and shit...like i said as long as you're chill. Idk just ask for "Brina" on the hill and you're pretty much set. It's just all about acting like you own the place and not being disgusting or noisy and it's really not a big deal
 
this thread is sick. six friends and i are heading up to hood right now. will be there in like two days. we in a winnibago, we the kid with broken down rv and bleached hair, fliming. haha. yeah we def all have to chill while there, we gunna be there from like the july 9th to like august 9th. sweet guys
 
Scope that map and realize that Mt Hood is in the middle of nowhere. Pretty much from Hood River to Zig Zag on Highway 26 is very unpopulated. If you camp at someplace designated for camping like the airstrip, you will have to pay camping fees and probably have to buy a park pass if you want to be legit and not be hassled by park rangers. If you want to go ultra cheap, just post up shop in the woods anywhere around government camp. Be discrete and move your campsite once a week and you are all set. Free camping and if you craftily hide you site (always a good idea) you won't have to worry about any other gypsies jacking your gear. Be friendly in the park and I'm sure you will meet the locals. Oh and btw the hostel is not open in the summertime.
 
honestly the 12 or 16 bucks or whatever it is for trillium is worth it. its a nice camping complex. private and legit.
 
My friend and i did this for a few weeks during may, but as more people start getting in around govy, the more creative you have to be with finding a camp spot. Also, another place to get a shower is at timberline lodge;you just tell them you are going to the bar, and walk to the end of the hall and go to shower on the lowest floor. Just don't shower on the weekends, because you have a very high risk of getting caught. Good luck and have fun.
 
PLEASE READ:

When camping, do not use standard shampoo/soap in a stream/lake or any type of natural watershed really.

It's sooo ad for the surrounding ecosystem. If you use any soap, use Dr Bronner's hemp based soap since it's all organic. I use it both camping and for normal use. Plus, you don't need much since it's so concentrated. Seriously, bathing with soaps in natural water sources causes a ton of ecological degradation.
 
the camp sites and timberline arnt associated in any way. why would you get a discount? and its 52 not 55
 
I disagree, why pay when you can camp for free? Sooo many people on the air strip last weekend when I was there, shit was poppin! And if you're scared of shit getting stolen just keep your valuables in your car and you're set. As for saying you could get in trouble if you don't have a park pass or something and that you have to pay, airstrip IS FREE is a huge old airstrip that you are allowed to camp on for free legally for a month.

So if a ranger comes up to you and gives you shit, you have up to a month after they talk to you to legally stay at the airstrip, don't let them kick you out or give you shit! Airstrip is legit, just keep it clean and it will keep being free, i just stayed there for a week and everything was real legit.
 
I just stayed there last weekend. Great place. I just stayed at the Trillium Lakes campground...there was only one site left but we got it. it's cheap, but if you can't get in, go the airstrip. lotsa chill people, free, great lake.
 
oh no im just saying it sucks that hood is expensive regardless, i havent paid to ski in a while since i get a pass through work.. i tend to forget how shitty the prices are.. even though its cheaper then sunday rivers 70+ for a ticket
 
Yes! Picked up some hitch hikers from govvy who were camped there about a week ago while mountain biking. They were hot and the campsite (although very unofficial and probably ilegal) looked legit. Do it.
 
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