Ottertail Lake Dispersed Camping Area
Open for free dispersed camping year-round, weather and road conditions permitting. No reservations required or accepted. Forest roads may be impassable due to snow during winter months; check current conditions with the Hood River Ranger District before traveling.
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order. Some examples of these include hay bales, hay…
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Prescribed burning near Rock Creek Reservoir
Forest wildland fire staff will be conducting a very small prescribed burn near Camp Cody and Rock Creek this week, with post-burn patrol continuing through the weekend. Recent rain and higher relative humidity levels have allowed fire staff to conduct this burn safely before the summer begins.…
Erosion hazards on Pioneer Bridle Trail
Caution: Pioneer Bridle Trail has heavy damage in multiple sections due to erosion from winter storms. Deep ruts could be dangerous for mountain bikers and other users. Bikers should be prepared to dismount for stretches. Trails staff have flagged and signed a particularly dangerous section of…
Hazards from Winter Storms
Heavy rains and strong winds created many hazards across Mt. Hood National Forest and surrounding areas during December storms. Although the storms have passed, conditions across the Forest may still be unsafe. Multiple trails and recreation sites across the Clackamas River, Hood River, and Zigzag…
Eagle Creek Fire Area Closures
In 2017, the Eagle Creek Fire caused extensive damage to surrounding areas in Columbia River Gorge and parts of Mt. Hood National Forest. Some trails are closed to the public in both the Gorge and Hood River Ranger District, pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b). This closure is…
Health and Safety Closure Due to Roadside Danger Trees
This Order prohibits using any type of motor vehicle upon the following NFS Roads as described: 1) NFS Road 45 (Memaloose Road) from the bridge at highway 224 to the junction with NFS Road 45-310 and 2) NFS Road 54 from the highway 224 junction (at the bridge gate) to NFS Road 5410.
Bull Run Watershed Closure
This Order prohibits 1) Going into or being upon the area which is closed for the protection of public health or safety, 2) Being on a road, 3) Being on a trail within the area described in Exhibit A, except to travel on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 and Huckleberry Trail #617, and…
Camping Stay Restrictions
This Order prohibits 1) Camping in a single location for a period longer than 14 consecutive days and 2) Camping at any location for more than 28 days total during a calendar year on all National Forest System lands as described in this order.
Crane Creek bridge closed on the Barlow Road
The Crane Creek bridge on the Barlow Road (Forest Road 3530) is collapsed and closed. The Barlow Road is open, but it can't be driven from end to end.Crane Creek bridgeLocated approximately 0.4 miles east of the Forest Road 4885-Barlow Road junction.There are temporary barricades and signage…
Sportsman's Park Fire & Occupancy Restrictions
This Forest Order prohibits 1) Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire and 2) Camping on the Mt. Hood National Forest, Barlow Ranger District; T4S, R11E, Multiple Sections - Sportsman's Park Wildland Urban Interface Zone.
Gordon Creek Watershed Restrictions
This Order prohibits 1) Using a motor vehicle on Forest development roads, except Forest Road 15, which is also known as Larch Mt Road, 2) Using a motor vehicle on Forest development trails, 3) Possessing or using a motor vehicle off Forest development roads, and 4) Camping within the Gordon Creek…
The Dalles Watershed Closure
This Order prohibits visitors from entering or being on the roads or trails of The Dalles Watershed.
About
Ottertail Lake Dispersed Camping Area sits at the terminus of Forest Service Road 2810 in the Waucoma backcountry region of Mount Hood National Forest. Once a developed campground, the site was decommissioned but continues to welcome dispersed campers seeking a primitive backcountry experience near the shores of Ottertail Lake. This is true dispersed camping with no facilities whatsoever. There is no potable water, no restrooms, no picnic tables, no fire rings, and no trash service. Campers must be entirely self-sufficient, packing out all garbage and digging cat holes at least 100 feet from the lake for human waste. Standard National Forest dispersed camping rules apply: stays are limited to 14 consecutive days and 28 days total per calendar year at any single location. The surrounding Waucoma area offers opportunities for hiking and exploring old logging roads, with views of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams. Access requires navigating forest roads that can be rough and challenging, particularly for low-clearance vehicles.
Directions
From Hood River, travel south on Highway 281 approximately 11 miles to Dee. Bear right at the old Dee Mill Site and cross the East Fork Hood River. Turn right and continue 1.2 miles up Punchbowl Road until it crosses the West Fork Hood River. The road becomes Dead Point Road (Forest Service Road 2820). Follow FS Road 2820, then turn onto FS Road 2810 and follow it to the end near Ottertail Lake.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 352-6002 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Mt. Hood NF Dispersed Camping | |
| Hood River Ranger District |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!