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Deschutes River State Recreation Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

The sound of freight trains running through the night is one of the first things repeat visitors mention about Deschutes River State Recreation Area, and knowing that upfront shapes the experience considerably. Set where the Deschutes River meets the Columbia River Gorge corridor near Wasco, Oregon, this state park campground draws travelers crossing the region as well as anglers, paddlers, and cyclists who come specifically for the river access. The gorge location also means wind is a regular factor, particularly in summer.

The campground is divided into several loops with meaningfully different characters. The A loop has mature trees, water and electric hookups (50/30/20 amp), and flush toilets with showers, making it the most developed option. It sits closer to I-84, which some reviewers note adds road noise on top of the train traffic. The T loop, at the back of the campground, accommodates vehicles up to 24 feet and has a more open, natural feel with vault toilets nearby. Some sites in the park sit directly on the river. As Jeff O. notes, the campground is "clean, showers and bathrooms nice," a sentiment that comes up consistently across reviews spanning multiple years.

Wildlife is active throughout the park. Geese and goslings are common sights in spring, and reviewers have spotted deer, eagles, vultures, and turkeys. A word of caution: earwigs have been reported in significant numbers at ground-level tent sites, and rattlesnakes have been observed on the hillside trail during early morning hours. The Deschutes River Trail starts from the campground and runs 16 miles, well-suited to mountain biking though it gets rough in sections. An Oregon Trail interpretive display within the park is worth a stop, especially for families.

Cell reception runs one to two bars on Verizon; AT&T users report better results. There is no dump station on-site, though options exist nearby. Reservations are available and recommended for summer weekends, when the campground fills. Rates run $15 to $119 per night depending on site type, and Oregon Disabled Veterans Pass holders camp free. The nearest fuel and supplies are roughly 15 minutes away in Rufus. Campers planning a broader itinerary along this stretch of the Columbia can browse campgrounds near Deschutes River State Recreation Area or consider nearby options like Celilo Park Recreation Area a few miles to the northwest.

This campground works well as an overnight stop on a cross-state drive, and equally well as a base for river-focused activities, provided campers come prepared for train noise and wind.

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Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Emerald Ash Borer, a highly invasive insect, has been sighted in Oregon for the first time. Help contain this extremely damaging insect by following these firewood tips: - Buy locally harvested firewood at or near your destination. - Buy certified heat-treated firewood ahead of time, if available.

RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsDeschutes River State Recreation Area is located in Oregon near Wishram

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Directions to Deschutes State Recreation Area Traveling east: On I-84 travel 12 miles east of The Dalles to the Deschutes State Recreation Area exit 97/Biggs Rufus Hwy. Continue eastbound 4 miles, cross the Deschutes River Bridge. The park is the first right after the bridge. Traveling west: On I-84 travel 34 miles west of Arlington to exit 104, turn left on Hwy 97. Go 1/4 mile and turn right on Biggs Rufus Hwy. Continue westbound 4.5 miles, turn left into park before crossing the Deschutes River Bridge. Traveling south: On Highway 97 travel approx. 10 miles from Goldendale, WA. Cross the Columbia River to Biggs Junction. Turn right on Biggs Rufus Hwy. Continue westbound 4.5 mile. Turn left into park before crossing the Deschutes River Bridge. Traveling north: On Hwy. 97 from Bend travel to Biggs Junction, turn left on Biggs Rufus Hwy. Continue westbound 4.5 miles. Turn left into park before crossing the Deschutes River Bridge.

Address

89600 BIGGS-RUFUS HWY
Wasco, OR 97065

Coordinates

45.63335654 N
120.90877836 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 7/20/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 25 users
    Last on 7/20/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 7/20/26

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 7/20/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 25 users
    Last on 7/20/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 7/20/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Electric Hookups
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

Drive Time


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Reviews35 Camper Reviews - Deschutes River State Recreation Area

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46%
11%
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4.0

out of 5

35 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the clean facilities, flat sites, and excellent river access for fishing and recreation. Train noise from nearby tracks was frequently mentioned as disruptive, especially at night. The campground offers various camping options from primitive to full hookups with helpful staff.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2026

Nice but Trains and highway noise

Nice site . Can walk, fish along Deschutes River in camp and some nice trails around. Train and highway noise was constant. When talking on phone with reservation guy he made it sound like there were no none hookup sites for trailers to parkbut only for tents, but after exploring there were some sites further back in CG and away from hwy and train noise. So if ya don't need power check those out! CG was well maintained .

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by lee's freelance M., July 16, 2026
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by lee's freelance M., July 16, 2026
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by lee's freelance M., July 16, 2026
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 3, 2026

Beautiful but right next to a freeway and two active train tracks

Its a really nice park with large trees everywhere for shade.  Some sites right on the river.  Its clean, showers and bathrooms nice.  Sites were really close together though.  And its right next to I82 so there is constant freeway noise.  And worse, train noise.  One track going east - west and another going north south - both with loud horn blowing active trains.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jeff O., May 3, 2026
Reviewed Jun. 2, 2025

I wanted to love this place

This campground is right on the river which provides a peaceful and scenic atmosphere. There are showers with hot water and good pressure. Host was friendly. The major downfall was that our camp was infested with flies and earwigs which did not provide a good experience. Train does come by often but I knew that before. We stayed in the T loop in our truck camper, no hookups in this loop. But they have them in the A loop.

SiteT76
Month of VisitJune
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Reviewed Aug. 16, 2024

Nice Campground

We had no issues finding this campground(CG). We followed the instructions on our confirmation email where we got off I-84 east of the CG where there was signage to the Recreation Area and CG. We entered the park and there was no check-in gate, so we proceeded to back-in site A-27 with water and electric(50/30/20 AMP). Our nightly rate was$0 due to the Oregon Disable Veterans Pass. You do not have to be a state resident to get this pass. The back-in was fairly easy with plenty of room to maneuver. We had enough room for our 40’ fifth wheel and parking our F450 truck at an angle. The electric worked fine and the water pressure was on the low side, but fine for our overnighter. The A loop has water and electric where the other loops are dry camping with B loop able to support RVs or tents. Our site was about 50 yards from the Deschutes River and there are tie downs along the river for boats. There are a lot of mature trees in the A loop so satellite could be iffy. We did not put out Starlink for this overnighter. We got 1 to 2 bars on Verizon. There was a shower house not too far from our site. There isn’t dump station in the CG, but there’s a COE and other options near the CG. We had a nice view of the Deschutes River. There was loud train noise as they blow the horn and the trains run all night. There's an Oregon Trail and other historical memorials within the CG area that are worth checking out. The nearest gas/diesel and minor amenities are about 15 minutes away in Rufus. All in all we enjoyed our overnighter and would not hesitate coming back.

SiteA27
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by MickandKarla W., August 16, 2024
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by MickandKarla W., August 16, 2024
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by MickandKarla W., August 16, 2024
  • (14) View All
Reviewed Jun. 14, 2024

Got some Small Mouth

Caught 4 Small Mouth Bass out of the river. The campground is clean. There is $10 Tent spots on the river.

SiteA29
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Matthew Z., June 14, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 12, 2024

Earwigs!!!

I loved this campground, until I had to pack up & move on. My tent was infested with earwigs. Hundreds crawling around under my tent, & all over the inside & outside.

Aside from that, I had a great time. The campground itself doesn’t allow for much privacy, but if you explore up & along the river, there are a few access points that you can enjoy by yourself. Great for birdwatching, & swimming.

I didn’t mind the train sounds, I actually kinda liked them.

SiteT71
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by hal B., June 12, 2024
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by hal B., June 12, 2024
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by hal B., June 12, 2024
Reviewed Apr. 22, 2024

Beautiful and very clean.

Beautiful camp right along the Deschutes River. Very peaceful except for trains that go by and blow horn. Full hook ups and tent camping areas. Bathrooms are very clean. Good hiking trails along river.

Site17A
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Richard H., April 22, 2024
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Richard H., April 22, 2024
Reviewed May. 21, 2023

Beautiful in May!

Lovely peaceful campground. Very quiet except when trains go by and they blow their horn. Very well maintained with a great field for kids to play in. The trees smell amazing in May in the evening. We would definitely come back.

SiteA30
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Apr. 2, 2023

A favorite spot

We’ve been camping here for over 20-years and every time a memorable experience. Whether your needs are for a full hookup or a simple tent site, they’ve got them all. This evening there were only 3 other sites occupied, on a Saturday! With the river song of the Deschutes in the background and a large population of geese, ducks, turkeys, vultures and, eagles, and deer, the wildlife are never far. Also a popular spot with fishermen, rafters and kayakers, it can get busy in the summer but always a people-watching extravaganza.

SiteA17
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Robert P., April 2, 2023
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Robert P., April 2, 2023
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Robert P., April 2, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2022

Great cosy stay

Camp is well located , very clean, super great park ranger and very spacious , beautiful river bank and lots of space to walk with a dogs

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Gintare , October 1, 2022
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Gintare , October 1, 2022
  • Deschutes River SRA campground
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  • (13) View All
Reviewed Nov. 22, 2021

Great spot

Beautiful spot right on the Deschutes. Water and bathrooms closed for the season.

Site13A
Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2021

Mostly grass sites

Bordering the Deschutes River the sites were primarily grass with trees. Not crowded in October. Full hookups in one area and no hookups in another. Clean bathrooms.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2021

Great Escape!

Great setting right in the Deschutes! We loved the scenery here and proximity to the river. We stayed two nights, which was perfect. Not a lot here to do other than swimming, hiking, and fishing. We’ll be back for another quick stay. The only drawback was the proximity to the train, which passes by regularly and is pretty loud.

Site15
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 25, 2021

Beautiful campground along the Deschutes River in the Columbia Gorge

We usually cross the Columbia River into Washington state at Biggs Junction, Oregon. We don’t want to stay at Maryhill State Park in Washington as we had stayed there before. We found this campground on our Benchmark Oregon Atlas.

There are separate areas for RVs who want full hookups and those who don’t plus tenters. We fall in the latter category. Actually, our area was quieter than the full hook up loop which was closer tomI84 and the train tracks.

We had clean vault toilets, potable water, picnic table and fire ring. There were camp hosts for each loop. They sold firewood and were very helpful. There was a garbage dumpster and several recycling bins. The sites were in a grassy area with heavenly scented locust trees. There were geese with their goslings. There were trails along the Deschutes River but our neighbor camper said she saw several large gopher snakes.

The only drawback was the goose poop. And, snakes on the trail.

We would stay here again. B49/$10

Site38B
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Judy T., May 25, 2021
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Judy T., May 25, 2021
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Judy T., May 25, 2021
Reviewed May. 21, 2021

Great campgound near the OR/WA border

This is an update on a previous review I wrote.

We stayed here again this time in mid-May and it was completely full. Despite that, it felt peaceful and lovely.  We stayed in loop T with our van. Only $10 per site plus $8 for the reservation online. They allow vehicles up to 24 ft in this primitive loop and in my opinion is the prettiest, most natural looking and furthest from the highway.  Lots of birds, gooses and goslings and great access to the river for a refreshing swim. Very hot this last week-end!  We used the vault toilets near this loop but there are bathrooms with flushing toilet a little further. Toilets were very clean.  The campground host for this part, had ice and wood to sell.  Good cell reception on AT&T.  This will be our to-go- place to stay anything we are heading south east of the mountains. Highly recommend it!

SiteT76
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Emma A., May 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Emma A., May 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Emma A., May 21, 2021
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2021

Clean, beautiful and lots of activities !

If you enjoy hiking, mountain biking and fishing, then this campground is for you. We typically stay in the first come first serve. Great staff and camp hosts. Love this place!

SiteB-41
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jennifer J., April 25, 2021
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jennifer J., April 25, 2021
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jennifer J., April 25, 2021
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2021

Fine campground

We've camped here twice, and it's a fine campground. There are several campsite areas, and we've only stayed in the "T" loop, at the back of the campground. We did here the trains at night, but it never bothered us and we didn't hear any road noise despite the proximity to the interstate.

Facilities near the T loop consist of pit toilets, but we walked to the nicer bathrooms on the A loop when they were open. Most A loop campers were in RVs, and the bathrooms weren't crowded. The bathrooms were clean as were the shower stalls.

A loops has more trees, so I would suggest staying there when possible as it gets hot in the summer.

The Deschutes River Trail leaves from the campground, and it's a nice 16-mile-long bike ride, though it can get a bit rough. This area can get very windy.

SiteT 17
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Mar. 25, 2021

Great spot on the Deschutes River mouth

Found this place on the map while searching for a place to camp at the Washington/Oregon border. This lovely little state park is near the mouth of the Deshutes River into the Columbia and it’s a great location for somebody heading south from Washington into Oregon and beyond on 97.  Staying here will avoid most of the I 84 and allow you to stay in a pristine natural area right on the river. The only disruption might be for some the noise of trains that ran across the river. The state park has several campsite loops, we stayed in the primitive tent site T Loop were there no hook ups and only a picnic table and fire pit. They also have electrical hooked up sites on loop A. A dump station is also available. Bathrooms with flushing toilets in loop A, otherwise many very clean pit toilets all throughout the park. There are 2 hiking trails and an old railroad bed bike trail departing from the state park and continuing south along the River. Many primitive campsites further up with only hike-in or bike-in or boat access. We saw two cyclist with overnight bikepacking gear staying here. We had reservations but did not need them on a midweek day in March but I suspect this place gets quite busy on weekends and in the warmer season. Good AT&T cell reception.

  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Emma A., March 25, 2021
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Emma A., March 25, 2021
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Emma A., March 25, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 27, 2020

Awesome park except for....

Great park...clean, easy access, good hiking, good fishing, beautiful scenery, sites are flat and not jamb packed. Only problem is trains go by at night and blow their noisy, loud horns. Suggest camping at the back of the park, the horn may not be as bad (we were near the front).

  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Rich J., October 27, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2020

Good location

Lots of amenities, and nicely located on the deschutes and Columbia rivers. The sites are pretty close, but the whole place is very well kept. Bathrooms available. It was very busy for the weekend in the last couple weeks of August as you’d expect. Really beautiful grounds, just felt a bit cramped.

  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Alex P., August 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Alex P., August 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Alex P., August 22, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2020

Well maintained

Not my favorite but a nice park camp area. Nothing too spectacular. Small hiking trail. Beautiful river runs through the ground. Fishing is good. Boat launch on the opposite side of the campground. Privacy is limited between sites.

  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Brian B., August 14, 2020
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Brian B., August 14, 2020
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Brian B., August 14, 2020
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2020

Fun spot to body surf rapids

Camping on this stretch of the Columbia doesn’t offer many choices, but we were so glad to have found Deschutes River SRA. The campground doesn’t seem like much when you first arrive, but walk along the river towards the end of the park and you’ll find lovely shallow beach areas and fun little rapids. Kids had a great time walking among the rocks, building sand castles and swimming down the rapids. I did see a rattlesnake in the beautifully maintained lawn, so be aware when walking around.

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2019

Nice, clean and great location

Had a great time here. Kind hosts, lots of amenities and close to lists of activities. Just a hope to wineries, Stonehenge and hikes. Right on the river. Really enjoyed this campsite and would definitely stay again.

  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Karinne C., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Karinne C., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Karinne C., August 9, 2019
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 29, 2019

Oregon Trail Outdoor Education Classroom

We've stayed at the Deschutes River State Recreation Area twice now. It's the perfect spot if you are traveling across Oregon and need a nice place to stop before continuing to another state, or eastern Oregon. 

The campground is relatively small. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the spots are flat. It has an accessible path along the river and is great for family fishing. 

Due to it's proximity to the gorge, it can be very windy but, it is quaint and the sunsets are amazing.

The best part of this spot is the incredible outdoor Oregon Trail Interpretive display! I highly recommend this park for families with small children.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jill T., July 29, 2019
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jill T., July 29, 2019
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jill T., July 29, 2019
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2019

Right along river

Lovely secluded area. Vault toilets a bit meh (off season, not sure about now). Right along the river. Take a hike up above the river as well, not just along it!

Reviewed Jul. 27, 2018

A Fishers Delight

Our family really enjoyed this campus my spot. It‘s right along the Deschutes River and is a fishers delight. Even the kids were pulling in fish both in the morning and evening.

It is near the interstate and train tracks are across the river so don’t be surprised by a bit of noise. Fortunately, the lovely campground and gorgeous river make up for the noise.

Additionally, they have a nice educational structure that talks about the Oregon Trail. This park was really close to the substation fire. Note how close it came to the ranger station - yikes!!!

  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jill T., July 27, 2018
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jill T., July 27, 2018
  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Jill T., July 27, 2018
  • (12) View All
Reviewed May. 25, 2018

tent, rv or hike/bike in

easy water side access for tents and RVs. Bonus: 24 mile gravel path from the campground with dispersed camping through out the trail of you are willing to make the hike in

  • Review photo of Deschutes River State Recreation Area by Kevin L., May 25, 2018
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Reviewed May. 25, 2018

Great spot!!

big wide open park with lots of green space. overnight parking available for bikers looking to pack in.

Reviewed Jul. 6, 2017

Glamping

The upper hike alone makes this campsite great. It's very clean and well maintained. If you are into glamping this would be a great place for you!

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about camping at Deschutes River State Recreation Area?

Deschutes River State Recreation Area offers a mix of camping experiences suitable for different preferences. The campground features both developed sites with amenities and more primitive camping options. It's situated along the Deschutes River with good fishing opportunities and access to hiking trails. The upper hiking trail is particularly noteworthy. While the campground is relatively small, it offers clean facilities, including showers and bathrooms. Some campers note train and interstate noise, though it's generally not overwhelming. The location makes it a convenient stopover when traveling across Oregon, and its proximity to the Columbia River provides additional recreational opportunities. The area has limited privacy between sites but offers plenty of open green space.

Are there photos available of Deschutes River State Recreation Area campground?

Yes, photos of Deschutes River State Recreation Area campground are available online. These images typically showcase the campground's riverside setting, camping sites with picnic tables and fire rings, and the surrounding desert landscape. Photos often highlight the confluence of the Deschutes and Columbia rivers, the open green spaces, and available hiking trails. To view the most current and comprehensive collection of campground photos, check the Oregon State Parks official website or camping platforms where visitors share their experiences.

What RV accommodations are available at Deschutes River State Recreation Area?

Deschutes River State Recreation Area accommodates RVs with dedicated sites in a relatively small campground. The park offers some sites with electric hookups and access to clean bathroom and shower facilities. RV campers enjoy easy riverside access and plenty of open space. The campground layout is relatively flat, making it suitable for various RV sizes. For specific site dimensions, reservation requirements, or seasonal availability, contact Oregon State Parks directly as these details may change. The campground's location near the Columbia River Gorge makes it a convenient stopover for RVers traveling through the region.