Camping Near Columbia River Gorge

Lodge In The Heart Of The Columbia River Gorge

This beautiful little cottage has everything you need and more as a base to explore the Columbia River Gorge. The cute space has an open layout with a full kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom and, although snug, can comfortably fit four people.

The views are stunning as you look out over the Columbia River and Washington syncline, and you are just a few miles away from the Hood River as well. Added extras include a grill, a hammock, washing machine and dryer, bike storage, and a lovely porch.

The nearest restaurant is walking distance away if you didnt fancy cooking yourself.

Where To Stay In Hood River When You Can’t Find A Campsite

Luxury and Mid-Range Hotels:

• On the edge of town overlooking the Columbia River, the Columbia Cliff Villas Hotel offers beautiful, large suites with balconies. Each suite is different but all are tastefully decorated. This is the perfect place to treat yourself to a luxury stay.

• , which leans more to mid-range, has wonderful views of the river from its manicured grounds. Many of the rooms have balconies.

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Outdoor Destinations in Oregon: Take some time to explore the attractions in Hood River, including nearby Mount Hood National Forest. When you’re ready to move on, consider a stop in Bend. This city has become incredibly popular with outdoor adventurers due to its beautiful nearby natural areas. The surrounding mountains, volcanic wonders, waterfalls, and lakes are just perfect for hiking, camping, and mountain biking.

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Tucker County Park Campground

Image from The Dyrt camper Amanda W.

As a native Oregonian, the Columbia River Gorge has been a regular destination for me since I was young. And personally, Id have to say that Tucker County Park Campground is my favorite spot in the area. While this campground is not directly on the shores of the Columbia River, its still just a 10 minute drive from the waterfront. Its also close to downtown Hood River, making it very convenient for restocking on any camping supplies. Plus, the views of Mount Hood in this area are pretty jaw-dropping.

The campground itself sits right on the banks of the Hood river, and has a total of 88 sites to choose from. The campsites at Tucker Park vary in size and privacy. I would recommend you get one on the outskirts of the campground, especially ones near the river, because they tend to be larger, more private, and the white noise of the river hides sounds from neighboring sites. Guests have access to showers, drinking water, and flushing toilets. They even have a machine to take credit card payments when no employees are at the front office. Tent camping sites and RV sites are available, however anyone bringing an RV or trailer over 30-feet long should call ahead to make sure they currently have room for a vehicle of that size. Smaller RVs and campers should be a-okay.

Go Glamping At The Gorge Your Columbia River Gorge Camping Trip Is Just A Click Away

Searching for Columbia River camping spots? Its doubtful that there is a nature-lover out there that doesnt have a visit to the Columbia River Gorge on their bucket list. This stunning canyon in Washington is over 80 miles long, and it is located within the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, which has hundreds of thousands of acres of stunning wildlife and scenery. Its clear why this is a fantastic luxury camping destination since the area has opportunities for recreational activities including hiking, fishing, cycling, and horseback riding. Those who choose to go glamping near this stunning canyon in the Pacific Northwest will find themselves soaking in breathtaking scenery day after day and will have plenty to do right at their fingertips. Go glamping at the Gorge! Your Columbia River Gorge camping trip is just a click away.

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Columbia River Gorge Campgrounds

The magnificent beauty of the Columbia River Gorge beckons travelers to slow down and spend some time along the banks of this historic river. A number of Oregon State Parks and spaced along the river, providing outstanding camping amenities. In addition, several Forest Service campgrounds, a Port of Cascade Locks Campground, and Hood County’s Tucker Park Campground offer alternative camping destinations.

The maximum length of stay at most campgrounds is 14 days.

Group Camps: Eagle Creek Overlook Group Camp

Campgrounds with Hiker/Biker Campsites: Ainsworth State Park Campground, Cascade Locks Marine Park Campground, Tucker Park Campground,

Closest Columbia River Gorge Campground To Portland

Right off of I-84, this Columbia River Gorge campground is located in the National Scenic Area, Ainsworth State Park has easy access to Portland and is minutes away from the many hiking trails located on Historic Highway 30. The campground is only a short hike away from a stunning overlook of the Columbia River Gorge and the infamous Multnomah Falls.

Ainsworth State Park. Photo by brx0 via Flickr.

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Best Riverside Columbia River Gorge Campground

Tucker Park Campground is located on the outskirts of Hood River, OR, along the banks of the Hood River. Fall asleep to the river sounds as it flows right next to camp. On the border of Hood River and Mount Hood National Forest, its easy to access the town of Hood River for shopping and dining, or to escape into Mount Hood National Forest for a hike. In the spring, you can even raft the Hood River!

The Hood River flows right by Tucker Park. In the spring, you can raft the Hood River!

Your Rv & Other Vehicles:

RVs cannot exceed 10 years old. RVs must be in good working order and fully functioning. No leaking RVs or tarps will be allowed. Two street legal vehicles are permitted per site. Repairing and maintaining vehicles is prohibited in the park. All vehicles must be parked within your site only, off the blacktop and not over the grass. If you are found hanging over or parked in the driving paths you will be towed at the owners expense.

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Best Columbia River Gorge Campground For Families

Trillium Lake Campground is a quiet campsite near Government Camp on the south side of Mount Hood. The lake is perfect for swimming, paddling or fishing and has a 1.9 mile hiking loop surrounding it. Nearby is Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl. The winter ski resort transforms into a wild summer adventure with alpine slides, disc golf, and bike parks that will entertain your kids for hours!

Photo by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife via Flickr

Deschutes River State Rec Area

At the confluence of the Columbia and the Deschutes River sits the Deschutes River State Recreation Area. This gorgeous, tree-shaded, grass-covered portion of the gorge is an ideal Columbia River camping destination. Its waterfront location makes it a great option for campers that want to go fishing, boating, windsurfing, or mountain bike riding on the 24-miles of gravel paths. The campground is divided into four loops:

• A Loop: Open year-round and has 34 campsites with electrical and water hookups. Suitable for both RV and tent camping. This loop also has flush toilets, hot showers, and paved parking pads.
• B Loop: This smaller loop has 14 primitive RV and tent sites, with vault toilets and drinking water nearby. B Loop closes in the winter.
• G Loop: Designated for group camping, this area has four reservable primitive sites that are available to RVers and tent campers. Each group site accommodates up to five RVs or tents for up to 25 people. Vault toilets and drinking water is available nearby. Closed in winter.
• T Loop: The smallest loop of the four is made up of 11 primitive sites for tent camping and small RVs or trailers . This area is close to vault toilets and drinking water as well. Plus, its right next to the trailhead, the waterfront, and the parking lot for added convenience.

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Best Columbia River Gorge Campgrounds

Nestled between Oregon and Washington are some of the best Columbia River Gorge campgrounds for those looking for an adventurous vacation. Within the Gorge are hundreds of activities and hours of fun, from rafting down the White Salmon River, to mountain biking, to windsurfing, the Columbia River Gorge has all the outdoor action, and most activities have beautiful campgrounds close by. Columbia River Gorge campgrounds are a great option for anyone looking to add a little extra adventure to their vacation while saving on the cost of hotels or AirBnBs. These are our picks for the best Columbia River Gorge campgrounds!

Best Free Camping Near The Columbia River

Whether youre looking for an out-of-the-way, rugged hangout or just a place to put your van for the night, youll be able to find both within a couple of hours of the Columbia River Gorge. Whether youre on the Oregon or Washington side, the scenery will vary between open, rocky expanses and scrubby, tree-covered ridges. However, the farther you are from a town, the better the stars will be.

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Amazing Places To Van Camp Near The Columbia River Gorge

From shady, sun-dappled glades to expansive river views, the Columbia River Gorge is sure to keep you busy with land and water activities, wildlife sightings, and vast skies full of stars. Whether you are taking a road trip down I-84 or are looking for a relaxing weekend getaway, there are many places to van camp along this wide rivers banks as well as further inland in both Oregon and Washington.

The campgrounds close to the river on the Oregon side are located between I-84 and the Union Pacific Railway, but you will find more privacy on the Washington side though the sites are also more rugged. Either way, as the second U.S. National Scenic Area ever established, you will not be disappointed by the Columbia River Gorges beauty and breathtaking scenery.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Overview

West End: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Map.

East End: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Map.

Collecting water from as far east as the Rocky Mountain Continental Divide in both the United States and Canada, the Columbia River discharges more water into the Pacific Ocean than any other river in North or South America. This massive river has cut a narrow channel directly through the Cascade Range, a nearly 600-mile chain of volcanic peaks, in order to reach the Pacific. Sculpted by tremendous geological events such as the Missoula Floods, cataclysmic floods at the end of the last ice age that exposed the area’s basalt layers, the Columbia River Gorge stretches roughly 80 miles from east to west, up to 10 miles from north to south, and measures up to 4,000 feet deep.

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was created in 1986 to protect the natural beauty of the Gorge. It includes both public and private land in Oregon and Washington with countless stakeholders, and it is by far the nation’s most extensive National Scenic Area. Managed by the Forest Service and the Columbia River Gorge Commission, it extends 83 miles from the confluence of the Sandy River to the Deschutes River on the east side and encompasses 292,500 acres.

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Amazing Spots To Go Camping On The Columbia River Gorge

– Last updated: June 15, 2022

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From simple tent sites, to RV slots, to glamping, we have you covered on all the cool places to camp at The Columbia River Gorge! We even added in a few cottages and cabins at the end for good measure in case youre needing to treat yourself but dont want to stray too far away from nature or the Gorge.

For the best spots to go camping at the Columbia River Gorge, this is the only list youll need. Be sure to check out our guide to the best things to do at the Gorge as well!

Beacon Rock State Park

The 5100-acre Beacon Rock State Park has you covered when looking for a scenic spot to camp. With 26 sites, it offers quiet, scenic camping near Columbia River Gorge, with plenty of natural attractions to keep you entertained.

In addition to these main sites, there are a few more RV sites and two horse camps set at Woodward Creek and a few at the marina, so there are plenty of options.

If you have time, try the switchback trail to the top of Beacon Rock itself, which is the core of an ancient volcano. You will get a stunning view of the Columbia River Gorge from the top overlooking the Washington side into Oregon!

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Lt Murray Wildlife Area

Speaking of stars, adventurous campers with an all-terrain van will love this secluded site. Located in the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, near Selah, WA, this area has wildflowers, big game, and not many people. There are many dispersed camping sites you can drive up to for an enjoyable, quiet stay.

A few notes about this location:

• A Washington Discover Pass is required.
• There is a gate you need to open to enter. Make sure to close it once through.
• No water or dump station: pack in your water, pack out your waste.
• Rough road: High clearance vehicle with AWD recommended. Rocks on the road are large, sharp, and loose.
• Land Type: Wildlife Area
• Things to Do: Wildlife Viewing, Stargazing, Photography

Location: Selah, WA 98942

GPS Coordinates:46.799878934257926, -120.54032875452307

Directions: Follow I-90 E and I-82 E/US-97 S to WA-821 N in Yakima County. Take exit 26 from I-82 E/US-97 S. Turn right onto WA-821 N. Turn left onto WA-823 S. Take a sharp right onto N. Wenas Road, right onto Sheep County Road, then continue on Old Durr Road.

Nearby Attractions: From here, its a bit of a drive to the Columbia River Gorgeabout 1-2 hours, depending on where you go. When you get there, youll find much to do in the Wanapum Recreation Area or Hanford Reach National Monument, where you can enjoy water sports, hiking in the Ginkgo Petrified Forest, and bird or wildlife watching.

Best Columbia River Gorge Campground For Hiking

Located five miles outside of Hood River, OR, Viento State Park has easy access to some of the best hikes in the area. Within a five-mile radius there are four waterfalls and three different trail systems, making this the best Columbia River Gorge campground for hiking. These trails are fantastic for day hikes or backpacking. There is electricity, hot showers, and flush toilets accessible at the campground.

Starvation Creek is just a one-mile walk from Viento State Park along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Photo by Rachel Sandwick via Flickr.

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Excellent Hipcamps For Camping The Columbia River Gorge

Hipcamps are a fun way to elevate your camping experience, think Airbnb but for camping! Some of these spots are only accessible by private access so owners have opened up their land to allow you to camp or glamp on their property.

These are also a great back up when the state parks are full!

Dont forget to grab your FREE $10 Credit to try out Hipcamp.

Rufus Landing Recreation Area

Are you looking for a quick stop for the night off I-84? Are beautiful views a bonus? At Rufus Landing, you can get both! This gravel flat is a great place to pull off for a peaceful night among the stars and right beside the river. This location is a no-frills, free RV, and tent camping spot that is all about convenience. You can choose to make a day of it and take part in boating or wind-surfing, which is popular in the area.

A few notes about this location:

• No tree cover, so it may get windy.
• No hook-ups or potable water on site.
• Water access to Columbia River and a small rocky beach nearby.
• Right off the highway so expect some background noise.
• Land Type: Army Corps of Engineers
• Reservations: No

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Making Reservations For Van Camping

Some of the campgrounds listed above include first-come, first-serve sites, so arrive early. Most state and national parks require reservations, which can fill up fast, so book in advancesome even have 48- or 72- hour requirements. Other campgrounds have optional reservations, which means you can usually get a spot if you show up without one.

To confirm your preferred site allows van camping, its always best to contact the site and describe the type of van you are using. If you know before you go, it will ensure a seamless van-camping vacation.

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