Keeps Mill South

Total Miles 18.1
Technical Rating
2 Easy
Best Time Summer, Fall
Trail Type Full-Width Road
Accessible By
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Trail Overview

This is an access route to a remote campground along the edge of Mount Hood National Forest. The terrain is mixed gravel and pavement along NFS roads until the last few miles down into the campground. At this point, the road is rougher, one-lane and has exposure as it drops into the canyon to access the campground along the White River. There is an old, unmaintained river crossing that accesses a single camp site and then continues on to the north to connect with the historic Barlow Road route. This crossing is only achievable during low water and with 35"+ tires and lockers, due to the boulders along the south bank. Conditions here will change after each storm season.

Photos of Keeps Mill South

Difficulty

This route as a whole is easy, with the switchback descent being a little more difficult. The river crossing would itself may be very difficult depending on current and bank conditions.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

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Matt D
Jun 13, 2026
Open
Drove from Frog Lake most of the way to Clear Creek. Road is closed by gates between the 2610000 and 4300000 intersections, but you can use those same roads to detour around the closed section easily enough. Various dispersed sites along road with only a few campers even on a sunny Saturday. Potholes may be prohibitive for low-clearance vehicles but otherwise a very easy drive. Unsure of status beyond Clear Creek.
Dave Friesen
Aug 30, 2025
Open
Disco Overlander
Jun 23, 2025
Open
locked gate just past 2610000
Phillip Yurov
May 21, 2025
Open
Made it to the camp ground by the river crossing. The path across to the river had downed trees. If someone comes by and chop it up shouldn’t be a problem for lifted vehicles.
Phillip Yurov
May 14, 2025
Open
Came from cedar burn road. Gate was closed
Theodore Nolan
Jun 23, 2024
Open
McCubbins Gulch gate is open
Shaun Cook
Jun 01, 2024
Open
Heather Dunn
Jul 03, 2023
Open

Keeps Mill South Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Keeps Mill South Map

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