Frog Lake is a small lake great for swimming and finding tadpoles.

We LOVE Frog Lake for many reasons but mainly because, in the late spring and beginning of summer (end of May and all of June typically), there are thousands of tadpoles swimming around that eventually turn into the smallest frogs you’ve ever seen. In addition, the lake is relatively shallow and warm, so great for swimming for the smaller kids. Finally, it is a non-motorized boat lake so bring your kayak and paddleboard or small boat for fishing. 

The day-use area has views of Mt. Hood on a sunny day, some parking spots, and some picnic tables along with a vault toilet. The spots are first-come, first-served but there’s plenty of space to spread out and have a picnic. There isn’t a trail that loops around the lake, but you can wander around. We prefer to park near the campground and play along the marshy beach area since that’s where most of the tadpoles hang out. There are tadpoles in the day-use area, but not as many. 

The campground is rustic has 33 sites (tent and small RV), vault toilets, and water. Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov up to six months in advance. The sites along the lake have trails to the water, but it’s such a small campground that all campsites are pretty great. 

It’s very easy, flat, and wide to snowshoe in the winter, which is great for those just starting or bringing kids. The trails are shared with snow machines, so keep an ear out for them. They are hard to miss.  

The NW Forest pass is required in the summer, and Sno-Park Pass is needed for the winter. The parking lot also has vault toilets and another trailhead for the Twin Lakes hike.

Dogs allowed on leash, cell reception is good at the lake but spotty in the campground for those camping.