Cascade Locks KOA is a perfect base camp for exploring up and down the Columbia Gorge. The tall pine trees made for great shade and a true campground feel.

The only downside was the train which is really out of the park’s control but if you’re in a tent it will be hard to ignore.

After 2 sleepless nights at a State Park, we were planning to cancel our stay and travel inland to escape the trains that ran 24/7 in the Gorge. However, after expressing our concerns to Catherine, KOA staff at the front desk, she worked her magic, moved us to the back of the park where the noise was more buffered. We stayed for spent 6 days to explore Colombia Gorge and Mount Hood. The staff here were on point! The bathrooms very clean! Even better is that their pool and hot tub were operational and highly maintained.