This small, seasonal, first-come, first-served campground in the Three Sisters Wilderness is a great place to use as a base camp to explore the many lakes and trails in the region. The Skookum Creek Campground includes nine walk-in tent sites, half of which are north of the trail and half of which are south. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, although some sites are a little more weathered than others. There are vault toilets in the parking area but no water. Be sure to bring what you need and pack out everything with you when you leave.
Skookum is a Chinook jargon word that means “strong” or “powerful,” and fits nicely with the creek that runs right by the campground.
From the campground, head across the footbridge toward Erma Bell Lakes, Otter Lake, and others. These areas are popular for hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. The easy trails are considered wheelchair accessible by the U.S. Forest Service, but they would be very challenging for those in wheelchairs.
Be warned that the mosquitos can be pretty bad during the summer months. The campground is usually open in late June through the beginning of October depending on snow levels. It’s best to check with the Willamette National Forest for exact dates.
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