A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service campground

Ripplebrook

Forest Service campground in Mt. Hood National Forest, Clackamas County, Oregon. About 1,400 feet. 20.6 miles from Estacada.

Managed by
Forest Service Mt. Hood National Forest
Elevation
About 1,400 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
13 9 tent only non-electric, 4 standard non-electric
Longest rig
24 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Ripplebrook Campground is a charming facility for nature enthusiasts and lies in a beautiful forest setting. Fly fishing and whitewater rafting are popular near the campground, as it neighbors the Clackamas Wild and Scenic River. The small facility is geared more toward tent camping, however, tent trailers and RVs under 19 feet are welcome.

Recreation

Fishing is very popular in the Clackamas River and anglers can expect a catch of winter steelhead, spring chinook and late summer kokanee salmon, as well as other species of freshwater fish. Whitewater rafting is also a favorite pastime. The Clackamas provides miles of wild water as it bends through the scenic Cascade Range.

The 5-mile Riverside National Recreation Trail, popular for hiking and mountain biking, is located not far from the campground. The surrounding area provides numerous additional trail opportunities.

Facilities

The campground offers single-family sites for tent and small RV camping. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets are provided. Utility hookups are not available. Parking surfaces are paved and gravel.

Natural Features

The campground borders the Oak Fork of the Clackamas River in a dense forest of mature maple, cedar and fir trees. Large shrubs and ferns blanket the forest floor, providing privacy between campsites. The campground is situated at an elevation of about 1,400 feet. The Ripplebrook Ranger Station and Ripplebrook Pond are close by.

The river 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

Bagby Hot Springs is located about 14 miles southwest of the campground. A popular site for soaking and relaxing, the springs are in a heavily wooded area in the scenic Cascade Range. The available bathhouses are fed by three major hot water springs and several minor outlets in the area. A historic guard station was built there in 1913.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • fishing
  • water sports

The land around Ripplebrook

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.