Frog Lake, Oregon: Mt Hood campground, trail + polliwog paradise!

In the Mt. Hood National Forest, you’re hard-pressed to find a lake that isn’t gorgeous. Each of these alpine lakes has its own personality, highlight or claim to fame—and Frog Lake, Oregon is no different! This small lake on Mt. Hood is home to tens of thousands of tadpoles (aka polliwogs) in the summer, which of course grow into tiny frogs. And in the early summer, you’ll see a kaleidoscope of butterflies.

(That’s truly the real name for a group of butterflies! Isn’t the English language beautiful?!)

Just past the Frog Lake Sno Park, you can stay overnight at the Frog Lake campground or come to the day-use area where you can go swimming or hiking. Either way, you’ll need to watch your step! Butterflies, tadpoles and, later, frogs call this Mt. Hood lake home—and you’ll definitely want to be invited back.

At just over an hour and a half away from downtown Portland, Frog Lake, Oregon is a lovely off-the-beaten-path destination. Here, you’ll read about Frog Lake’s tadpoles, frogs and butterflies; the Frog Lake campground; hiking near Frog Lake; as well as fishing and other activities to do at this awesome lake near Mt. Hood.

Say hi to the tadpoles for us!

Frog Lake, Oregon: Unforgettable moments at this spectacular Mt. Hood Lake

Sometimes people ask me why I, as a family travel blogger, am so focused on traveling with my kids. I could name many reasons, but one of the biggest is to create indelible, one-of-a-kind memories with my children.

Hiking Frog Lake, Oregon definitely does that.

We first went to Frog Lake on Mt. Hood at the beginning of last summer. I’d just gotten back from a long trip without my kids to South America, and I wanted to soak them in. Literally. I wanted to be so close to them that I absorbed them, I was so in love!

Visiting Frog Lake in the summer

Although I didn’t actually succeed (thank goodness), I spent a lot of time simply being present with my girls and spending quality time together. We headed up Mt. Hood near Portland for a new adventure—and stumbled across Frog Lake. To date, it tops my list of best lakes near Mt. Hood and I cannot wait to explore the area again.

When we arrived, we were greeted by clouds of orange and black butterflies. It turns out that in early June to early July, thousands—and up to millions—of California tortoiseshell butterflies arrive in Central Oregon. Scientists say they’re particularly drawn to water, which is probably why we saw so many at Frog Lake!

Frog Lake, Oregon on Mt. Hood from Catherine Ryan Gregory on Vimeo.

Butterflies weren’t the only wildlife we saw. My girls waded through Frog Lake, Oregon, giggling as tadpoles darted away from their toes. We had to move through the shallow areas of the lake in slow-motion so we didn’t step on any!

We returned later in the summer, in early August, to see the tadpoles all grown-up. Sure enough, all the polliwogs were gone, leaving oodles of frogs the size of a fingernail. I don’t know what species they are, but they sure are cute!

In addition, the girls and I spotted lots of other critters: a bald eagle, a small snake, and an osprey.

***Safety warning: One time when we visited, flyers announced that a black bear had been seen nearby. This isn’t out of the ordinary in Mt. Hood National Forest. It’s also a good reminder to keep children and pets close and under supervision at all times. ***

What to do at Frog Lake, Mt. Hood

Frog Lake makes for a fun day trip for the whole family as there are so many things to do. Or better yet, go camping at Frog Lake and explore the beautiful surroundings over a few days. Here are just a few activities to include in your itinerary!

Swim in the lake

Yes, like just about all Mt. Hood lakes, the water here is cold. But honestly, that never stops my kids!

If you aren’t up for full immersion, bring your swimming suit anyway. You can always wade in the water. Frog Lake is quite shallow for a long way out, so you can walk without swimming. You might also want to bring camp chairs and set them up in the shallows of the lake for the perfect amount of cool-down immersion!

Frog Lake fishing

The US Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks this lake with hatchery rainbow trout, making Frog Lake fishing a popular activity here. You can cast from spots all around the small lake.

So, if the beach around the day-use picnic area is taken, just walk away in one direction or another and you’ll find a fishing spot.

Float on Frog Lake

No motorized boats are allowed on this pristine, small lake, but you can bring your pool floaties, paddle board, or other person-powered watercraft.

My favorite activity on Frog Lake: paddle boarding! We recently brought my SUP and explored the whole lake. (It’s quite small, but Maxine was impressed!)

There are no paddle board rentals on Frog Lake so you’ll have to BYO SUP.

Hike around the Frog Lake trail

A short, flat trail circles Frog Lake—perfect for even small kids. (My younger daughter had just turned 3 when we last hiked Frog Lake, and she made it the whole way on her own.)

You can also use Frog Lake for a jumping-off point for more ambitious hikes. You can access the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) #2000 from the Frog Lake Sno Park lot.

You can also hike to Twin Lakes, which we did two years ago. That trail takes you to two beautiful lakes around Mt. Hood but has an elevation gain that wears out young children. I recommend skipping the hike to Twin Lakes until kids are in 3rd grade or so, unless you’re prepared to carry/babywear your kids, as we did.

Look for frogs, of course!

Depending on when you visit in the summer and what time of day you explore Frog Lake on Mt. Hood, the frogs may be everywhere—or they may be hiding.

Frogs dry out in the sun and heat, so you may need to peek under rocks to find them.

And if you stay overnight in the Frog Lake campground, you’ll hear them go peep-peep-peep throughout the night!

Camp at Frog Lake Campground

For around $20/night, you can pitch your tent just yards from this Mt. Hood lake. Campsites are nestled among the forest and have basic amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings and vault toilets. The campground includes 33 sites.

How to visit Frog Lake

If you’re coming from Portland, drive east on Highway 26. About 10 minutes past Government Camp, you’ll turn left into the Frog Lake Sno Park. Don’t park here, though. Continue to the right down a bumpy dirt road toward the Frog Lake Campground.

You’ll bear right, away from Frog Lake Campground, toward the day-use area. There, you’ll find a spot to pay the $5 day-use fee, and shaded spots to park. A day-use area includes picnic tables and a vault toilet.

I recommend not staying right in the main day-use area. On weekends, other visitors will set up there, and I personally prefer a little more space (including for Finn, our pup!). If you walk left from the main day-use area, you’ll find other picnic tables in the shade that are more secluded.

Or if you prefer, go around the entire Frog Lake, Oregon, like we did. You’ll find your own just-right spot!

Family fun at one of the best lakes on Mt. Hood 

If you’re in Portland and are looking for a family-friendly outdoor activity, Mt. Hood is just a short drive away. Frog Lake, Oregon is one of our go-to spots and my personal favorite Mt. Hood lake, in part because the girls adore chasing tadpoles and hunting for frogs.

We’re planning our first of several trips up Mt. Hood to visit Frog Lake this summer. After all, this family-friendly spot in Oregon is the perfect place to learn about a frog’s life cycle—and to simply make the best kind of childhood memories: the ones that involve a long stretch of afternoon, some sun, and no agenda.

Frog Lake is also a terrific halfway stop on your way to Bend, Oregon. If you’re looking for things to do in Central Oregon with your family, you’ll definitely want to read my posts on hiking underground lava tubes and visiting the hands-on play at the High Desert Museum.