Best Campgrounds near Washougal, WA

The campsite required a fee outside of a recreational pass. The campground states fee area no reservations for campsites but every single site was labeled with a reserved sign. It was extremely packed and the sites were super close. This would be good for a large group of people who know and like each other. The day area which was a fee area as well and did not allow a laundry list of things was way better and left you wishing you could camp there over night. If it was allowed or things were different we would have probably stayed. I had heard so many good things about this place. We still enjoyed the lake for fishing and had fun while we were there. Very pretty view of Mt. Hood!

On a Friday, I was still able to snag a site early afternoon. I planned on a hike but really ended up taking a leisurely stroll a short ways to Emerald Falls. The area is regrowing after a 2024 wildfire. It's already lush and green but the trails running from the camp still haven't been cleared fully, and you hike at your own risk.

The campsite loop is about 15ish sites with a hiker/biker section as the camp is right on the off-road trail system running the Gorge. Everything is green and tall and possibly poisonous. I really have a hard time recognizing poison oak, so I always wear pants in a place like this.

The Gorge is famous for its wind, but here I was protected from gusts by the natural landscape. The sites all push up against the Cascades that hook around the camp. Winds still moved the trees around up high but on the ground it was minimal. I didn't have a campfire, but I could see where it would be deceiving if a spark caught an updraft and took off, so please be careful. 

The host was non-existent for the entire stay. There was a tent in the host site, but no people or vehicles. However, the camp was fairly well maintained. The bathrooms are dated but with flush toilets and running water. Reasonable rate at $20 makes this a great stop if you're passing through or exploring the waterfalls along the river highway. Plus, easy access to Hood River or Bridge of the Gods to Washington.

No campfire wood for sale.

Herman Creek Campground is currently closed indefinitely. The roads to the campground are blocked by barrels and logs. The website states that the campground had to be closed due to laminated root rot after the Eagle Creek Fire. If you park at the trail head during day use hours, you can still walk around the old campground, but most of it is already overgrown, and the outhouse has been permanently locked. The website states that this campground is currently being redesigned by the Forest Service, so maybe it will open again someday, but it's closed indefinitely at this time. There are still a few picnic tables set up in the parking area overlooking the Gorge although they are largely blocked by trees. The PCT has an auxiliary trail from Herman Creek to Cascade Locks which takes you right by Dry Creek Falls. Day use parking costs $5 or is free with a qualifying pass.

We recently camped here and loved absolutely everything about this campground except for the rabid raccoons. We camped in the tent only section, which is a small section of six sites tucked behind the RV sites near the river. The sites were close together but neighbors were super considerate and we even ended up making friends with the woman camping next to us. The best thing about this campground is of course the access to biking trails. There are even some that run right through the campground. A short ride in one direction takes you down a lovely route by the river, while the other takes you to the store and ice cream shop. Sadly these were only open a few hours a week while we were there. We did need a code for the showers and had a little trouble finding a camp host, but once we found one we had a great shower. Prices were a little higher than similar campgrounds but justified by the beauty and the showers. Our only major issue was that the entire tent area was descended upon by rabid raccoons around 3am, and they would not leave the area until everyone had moved every bit of food from their tents to their cars. I realize there will be wildlife at any campground but this was actually one of the worst wildlife encounters I've had anywhere. But aside from that we absolutely loved it.

We recently camped here this past weekend, which was the last weekend of June. The sites here are very spacious compared to the campgrounds were used to in California. This is a very small campground with only 13 regular sites and a few group sites. Regular sites are only $20 and you can get half off with a pass. Unfortunately there is no shower, but the bathrooms were very clean and well stocked. The camp host was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. She answered all of our questions about the Columbia River Gorge and even recommended some great spots to eat nearby in Cascade Locks. Unfortunately we did notice that some teenagers from one of the group sites dumped an entire bucket of refuse from their RV all over the women's handicapped stall after the police came to their site to ask them to pick up their mess and quit making so much noise, which led to that stall being closed for the rest of the weekend. Other than that, the rest of our neighbors were great. We loved the hike to the little waterfall right behind the campground. The same trail leads to the Gorge Trail 400, which leads to the PCT. Overall we're so glad we stumbled upon this gem of a campground in the Gorge and would definitely camp here again.