Kalama, Washington sits at a strategic point along the Columbia River, providing campers with access to both riverside recreation and forested mountain terrain. Camp Kalama RV Park offers year-round camping with full hookups and river access for kayaking, while Kalama Horse Camp in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest provides a more rustic experience with trail access. Within a 30-minute drive, Seaquest State Park offers tent sites, RV hookups, and yurts near Mount St. Helens, while Paradise Point State Park provides riverside camping closer to Interstate 5. The region balances developed campgrounds with more remote forest service sites.
Road conditions vary significantly between the riverside campgrounds and those in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Forest Road 81 near Kalama Horse Camp requires careful navigation, with several miles of gravel that can be rough in sections. As one camper noted, "Due to the narrow road, it may be a bit more snug with bigger rigs over 25 feet long." Cell service is spotty throughout the region, particularly in forested areas, though some campgrounds like Seaquest offer Wi-Fi in certain loops. Washington's Discover Pass is required for state park day use, while national forest camping may require Northwest Forest Passes or specific campground fees. Weather remains mild year-round near the river, but mountain areas can experience significant temperature drops and occasional snow from late fall through spring.
Proximity to Mount St. Helens creates a popular draw for many campers in the area. "Seaquest is a great place to launch your Mount Saint Helens exploration, with a Washington State Visitor Center you can walk to from the campground," reports one visitor. Waterfront access represents another key attraction, with the Kalama River providing kayaking opportunities and fishing spots. Campers frequently mention the extensive trail networks, particularly around Kalama Horse Camp where "there are several awesome trails you can take right from the campground." Highway noise affects some riverside campgrounds, particularly those near I-5, while forest service campgrounds offer more seclusion but fewer amenities. Most established campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and at least vault toilets, with many offering shower facilities.
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Round 1 of 5
"Close to freeway for easy access. Nice walking paths. Typical state park yurt set up."
"It is a very convenient place to camp being close to the interstate. We stay 3 nights. the bathrooms were clean and the dumpsters were close by."
"I love Seaquest for their beautiful campsites and the proximity to a wonderful forest to bathe in."
"I gave this park a high rating primarily because of its location."
$10 - $75 / night
"Not much distance between sites. I was there in May and it was super quiet. Plenty of sites open. Very friendly host- Kathy. Not much to do though. Close to the road."
"There was a stream behind our site. Lots of playground area (3 of them). It was very muddy on the roads and in the sites."
"The lake is small but awesome. Bald eagles flying overhead. Close to Battleground Washington."
"Battleground is a nice and well loved state park not far from Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington."
"Access to the kalama river. We kayaked around it was nice."
"Campground was clean, access to the river . Great fishing very chill quiet campground right off I-5 and close to shopping. I will stay again."
$45 / night
"Stayed the night in one of thier small cabins, very nice sat outside by the fire and just watched the stars, this is a primary horse camp and is surrounded by trails, seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes"
"Since the camp is planned predominantly as a youth recreation center, I was a bit worried that it would be a pretty loud campsite due to lots of kids running around. That was not the case for us!"
$30 / night
"Location is close to town but still feels like you are in your own little world. Beautiful walking paths line the water. A must visit for sure!"
"Next to a moderately busy road, but paved spots, WiFi, lovely walking trails and bathroom and showers are clean and maintained! Must have a tent pitched, if traveling and staying with your vehicle."
$30 / night
"Island is lovely to walk around, our site had beach access. Site to reserve has pictures. Will definitely return!"
"This is on the columbia river water kayak trail."
$32 - $57 / night
"We stopped here on our way south from Washington. Had a nice stay. Campsite was so clean, even the gravel was raked. Plenty of room at each campsite. Bathrooms were old but very clean and well kept."
"As we had been here before, it was an easy drive in on US-26 to the campground (CG)."
"It was conveniently located close to Portland and stores. The staff was really friendly and the facilities are super clean. And guess what…. The laundry machines actually work!"
"It's close to home, so we will definitely be back."
GuideDrove in with our camper van. Right off of forest rd. Little creek you can hear and easily walk to with a little waterfall just up a few feet. Nice rock fire pit. Secluded and flat. Soft ground.
TravelerThe free dispersed camping at Riffe Lake was wonderful. The views were amazing. It was quite accepting for the few RV’ers who ran their generators all night. But it didn’t bother us since we were in an RV ourselves (we just didn’t run our generator after 8pm). It was clean accept for a pile of trash bags left by one rude family. The lake is gorgeous, the rocks and driftwood were fun to sift through and the sunset was breathtaking. I highly recommend and we will stay again!
TravelerThe dispersed campground at Riffe Lake was such a peaceful spot everything was clean, quiet, and well kept. The view of the lake and surrounding mountains was absolutely beautiful, especially during sunset. It was the perfect place to relax, enjoy nature, and escape for a little while.
GuideThis is a nice county park with both full hook ups and partial hook ups available. The campground itself has very nice established trees and foliage around all sites. Some sites are closer together towards the back of the campground on the highway that will have more road noise then the river side. There is a large field with swings, volleyball net, tetherball, and general area for families and kids to enjoy. There’s a public wash house/restroom, but not sure the cleanliness status since we use our Airstream facility. This park is heavily used on holiday weekends but seems quieter on a non-holiday weekend when we were here last. Six of the sites back up to the river that have full hook ups. There is a ramp available but mostly dirt packed and fitted for more for the floatation/kayak/paddle boarding use and Family swimming then motorized water craft. The Eddie itself is fairly shallow and great for kids and families to enjoy but still deep enough to float a kayak. The Verizon cell service is fairly poor with only one to two bars. The camp hosts are very nice. There is wood provided to purchase and delivered to your site by the host. We stayed in site seven this time which is probably the busiest for bike and foot traffic as it is also the turnaround for the boat ramp and will most likely choose another site next time we visit. We will definitely be back to the Big Eddy.
GuideOff the side of a logging road but beautiful views. Little fire pits overlooking the mountains. No signal. Lots of recreational vehicles and logging trucks.
GuideThis is a small and tightly-packed park with all amenities. Although the spaces are close, there is a nice plot of grass and a table. There are many full-timers here, and their spaces are nicely kept/decorated.
There are many places to eat, shop, coffee, etc. in the nearby downtown area and just beyond. It was a perfect stop for stocking up on supplies and enjoying the river, and only about half hour away from Portland.
The park is full of furry friends & friendly people, but we were disappointed that our dog was not allowed at the Glenn Otto park across the road. We walked up a couple of blocks and found a nice little trail behind the Harlow House Museum for an evening hike.
We didn't make reservations, but got lucky on arrival as there were only a handful of available sites. Ours was a pull-thru, and our 25' trailer fit easily, although it was a tight fit with our truck. There were many there with much larger rigs than ours, so it's obviously doable. This park has a lot of R&Rs, which isn't our favorite way to camp, but they were so friendly and gracious, that it gets 5 stars easily! It will be our go-to when visiting the Portland area!
TravelerBeautiful wooded campground! Like all TT campgrounds a touch on the rustic side. Large, well spaced private sites. We visited mid-May and the campground was very quiet.
ScoutJantzen Beach RV Park resembles a real-life destination reminiscent of a Subway Surfers World Tour—a vibrant, accessible, and colorful location where travelers can take a break, recharge, and appreciate the environment before resuming their journey. Situated just minutes away from downtown Portland, the park provides that exhilarating feeling of having a"new city unlocked," featuring clean facilities, spacious sites, and numerous modern amenities. Much like navigating a new map in Subway Surfers, visitors here experience a blend of enjoyment and relaxation: heated pools, ubiquitous Wi-Fi, a fitness center, billiards room, game room, playground, and scenic walking paths along the stunning Columbia River shoreline. The sites are spacious, tranquil, and well-kept, with many guests valuing the serene atmosphere despite the park's convenient access to the city. Although the park can become busy—akin to a crowded tv station—and some long-term residents reside on-site, the overall experience remains smooth and accommodating for travelers. With full hookups and 60’ pull-thru sites, as well as pet-friendly areas, it offers everything necessary for you to continue your real-life"world tour" in comfort. If you are passing through Portland or considering a longer stay, Jantzen Beach RV Park serves as an ideal checkpoint on your travel itinerary—clean, convenient, and filled with the essentials every traveler requires before embarking on the next adventure.
TravelerThis is a rest area along I-5 in SW Washington, nothing more, nothing less. There are NO RV hookups for stays, just a tank dump area and a place to fill your fresh water tank. Restrooms are clean. RV parking is with the semi trucks, but the dump area is with the car parking (poor design), if you in with the trucks, you can’t dump. If you dump, then parking is a real problem. This is for the south bound rest area, don’t know about the north bound stop.
Campgrounds near Kalama, Washington range from developed RV parks along the Columbia River to state parks with multiple accommodation options. Camp Kalama RV Park provides riverside camping with full hookups and access to the Kalama River for fishing and kayaking. Columbia Riverfront RV Park in nearby Woodland offers waterfront camping with scenic river views. Most locations support both tent and RV camping, with several parks also featuring cabins or yurts for visitors seeking alternative accommodations.
Several campgrounds in the Kalama area remain open year-round with varying amenities and site configurations. Water and electric hookups are common at established campgrounds, though site spacing can be tight, especially during peak season. One camper noted, "The spots were so close together we were sitting next to our neighbors sewer/utilities. We were unable to extend our awning, it would have hit our neighbor." Despite the proximity issues, most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with regular maintenance. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly on weekends and during summer months. Interstate 5 provides easy access to most campgrounds in the region, though some highway noise may be noticeable at locations closest to major roads.
Riverfront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Kalama area. The Columbia River and Kalama River provide opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. A visitor commented, "Access to the river was amazing and a pair of bald eagles were flying and hunting around and over the river." Campgrounds vary in privacy levels, with some offering more spacious sites than others. Public areas along the waterfront often provide additional recreation space beyond individual campsites. Reviews consistently mention the convenience of Kalama-area campgrounds for accessing regional attractions while maintaining proximity to services and shopping. The mix of developed campgrounds with full hookups and more basic tent camping options accommodates various camping preferences and budgets throughout the Kalama region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camping available along the Kalama River?
Yes, camping is available along the Kalama River, with several options depending on your preferences. Lower Falls Campground offers a spectacular riverside camping experience next to what many consider one of Washington's most beautiful waterfalls. The campground features a trail that runs along the river, providing easy access to the water and scenic views. For those with RVs looking for river access, Paradise Point State Park Campground provides campsites with a beach area, though visitors should note it can be noisy due to its proximity to I-5. Camp Kalama RV Park also offers direct Kalama River access, popular with kayakers.
Where are the best camping spots near Kalama, WA?
The Kalama area offers several excellent camping options. Kalama Horse Camp Campground in Gifford Pinchot National Forest stands out with its easy access, varied campsite sizes, and proximity to multiple trails perfect for hiking and horseback riding. For those seeking lake access, Beaver Bay Campground provides a well-maintained private campground about 45 minutes east of I-5 with easy access to Yale Lake for boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Other notable options include Seaquest State Park (great for Mount St. Helens exploration), Paradise Point State Park, and for those seeking a more rustic experience, McBride Lake offers dispersed camping options that can accommodate small trailers.
What amenities are available at Camp Kalama RV Park?
Camp Kalama RV Park offers a simple but well-equipped camping experience with direct access to the Kalama River, making it perfect for water activities like kayaking. The park provides the essential amenities RV campers need for comfortable stays. For those looking for alternatives with more extensive facilities, Seaquest State Park Campground offers RV sites with hookups, though they are arranged in a more parking lot-style setting with less privacy between sites. The park's main advantage is its location, serving as an excellent base for exploring Mount St. Helens, with a Washington State Visitor Center accessible by foot from the campground.
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