Looking for an adventure where you can explore Boardman and then fall asleep in your tent? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Boardman campgrounds for you and your tent. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Oregon tent camping excursion.
Camping is now 'group camping' only, and requires a permit
West Park is located within McNary Dam Wildlife Area just downstream of McNary Dam in Eastern Oregon on the Mid-Columbia River.
The park provides two softball fields and a playset for the children to enjoy the park. There is also close access to the McNary Dam Wildlife Areas and its trail system.
West Park offers two reservable picnic shelters. West Park #1 Steelhead Shelter has eight picnic tables and two fire grills and West Park #2 Coho Shelter has 10 picnic tables and two fire grills. Both shelters also offer electricity.
The park is located within the McNary Dam Wildlife Area. Day users enjoy the beautiful park with its mature shade trees.
The Pacific Salmon Visitor Center, Oregon Fish Viewing Room and the McNary Dam Wildlife Area with its beautiful natural trails are all in close proximity to West Park.
$70 / night
Legend
This review is for the main campground, there is another group/horse campground across the highway that I did not stay in. The small campground is right off Highway 97. The first part of the campground is where the hook ups, large RV's, small trailers and tent campers are located. The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces. Some spots looked barely big enough for a 2 person tent. In this same area is the only flush toilets/showers (Coin operated). Continuing past this main area and over a small hill is where the tent camping/sheep herders tents are located. Since it was located away from the main camping area it was quiet with regards to hearing fellow campers, the downside is the spaces are closer to the Highway. Day and night, semis speed past the state park on either a downhill straight away or an uphill straight away, regardless it sounds like a freight train or military landing pad all night/day long. It was so loud you had to stop talking until the semi passed. The space I was in was so small my 3 person tent only fit if one side was touching the fire ring. Luckily there was a fire ban so no fire to melt my tent. The space also had full view of the pit toilet, since it was the only toilet on that side, I saw everyone come and go. It was also super close to one of the sheep herders tent site. There were 2 sheep herder tents sites. The spots looked large and the tents looked like they would sleep at least 4-5 people. The other tent sites where much larger, but still all the sites could hear the highway. Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy. There were a bunch of trails that ran through out the park that provided a nice alternative to get to the other side of the park or climb to the top of the hill near the power lines. The camp host was also a very nice gentleman who suggested activities in the near by area. I was exploring the area cause it's new to me, but I wont return cause it's not my type of camping.
Traveler
Easy to pull into tent camping spots. Recommend if traveling and need an easy sleep spot.
Scout
This is a nice little park, it’s a little misleading when you pull in as there is an Indian reservation next to it that looks like a bunch of homeless camps, so be careful where you park your rig. Also if you’re tent camping, I found out from the camp host that you may want to check with him before you set up a tent as there are automatic sprinklers that come on certain days
Guide
This is NOT a secluded wilderness campround where you will have a epic back to nature experience. Having said that, if you want a place to park your rv (they do have tent sites also), with full hook ups while you explore the local wineries, with a pool and a shuttle van, then this place is amazing.
Guide
The campground is right off the freeway so very easy access. plenty of sites available. The signs, however, point to Day Use and Campground. Tent sites are in the Day Use area. We didn’t know this til after we had our site all set up. Winds kicked up before midnight and stayed strong all night. It even snapped the poles on our tent. Free showers and a swimming hole are a plus!
LegendAt first sight, LePage doesn’t seem that awesome, but the more we stay here, the more we love it!
It’s right off of the Columbia River highway, so you can hear a bit of traffic, but it’s not nearly as bad as other camp sights we’ve stayed along I84.
There is a huge grassy area for tents and pavement sites for RV’s. Personally, I like the separation because it allows for two different experiences and separates the unique noises that come with both types of camping; RV generators and group tent camping.
There is a really large beach and roped off swimming area, as well as a boat ramp, dock for fishing, and trails for hiking.
It gets dark enough for night photography and there are always plenty of eagles and hawks for bird watching.
COVID-19 kept this park closed for most of the summer but we were thrilled when it opened up in September.
Scout
Cottonwood Canyon is a beautiful, well-maintained state park. We have not camped here because it is not our camp vibe (too developed), but I just want to clarify that there is NO dispersed camping here. This page incorrectly states there is dispersed camping in Cottonwood Canyon SP. There are a handful of what the park has called “hiker” spots, which are about 25 feet from a parking lot. Campsites on literally on top of each other. Camping is prohibited essentially everywhere else on park land, which is frustrating because it’s over 800 acres and there’s plenty of room to accommodate the handful of adventure seekers to disperse. Piggybacking what others have said: canyons get very windy and tent camping can be tricky in these conditions.
Overall, a lovely campground for families and campers who prefer less primitive amenities.
TravelerThis beautiful campground was loaded with amenities. The gorgeous John Day River, was perfect for fishing, swimming, floating. There was several trails within the campground as well as trailheads around the perimeter. We brought our own bikes but if you don’t bring yours, they offered loaner bikes and there were little bike workstations on the grounds. Pet friendly! Including a fenced in dog area (about an acre) and doggie poo bags readily available. We have a truck with camper but the tent sites each had a solar panel to provide electricity for charging the essentials. The grounds must have been a farm originally and the campground designers did an awesome job of using the existing structures to add to the rustic nature and maintain the land’s historic relevance. Cottonwood Canyon surpassed our expectations, especially considering the very low price tag. I cannot recommend highly enough.
Guide
So… many… spiders! I paid 20 bucks for 1 night tent camping for me and 2 dogs. The campground is absolutely gorgeous with lots of trees and water views. A little confusing to get to since there isn’t much signage to guide you and I ended up going to wrong way the first time. They have bathrooms with showers available for use. I was very very satisfied here but once it got a little darker, all the creepy crawlers started coming out and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many spiders in one place. In the morning, I had spiders in each of my door handles, my mirrors, when I turned on my car they started crawling out of the hood of my car, and I had spiders coming out of my trunk for a week. I am not a “beginning camper” so I’m used to bugs and spiders on my trips but I’ve never had this many in one place. There are really cute baby frogs hopping all around in the mornings though which was very cute. Just watch your step. Probably won’t be going back because of the spiders though…
Guide
Let's start with the positive folks. This site as an amazing parking area that is large enough for rvs and horse trailers to be able to turn around without any issues. There's a wooden pin to be able to keep horses safe and secure over night. Almost all campsites are shaded. There is a trail for either a long hike or a short one. With two littles, we did the short on which around trip was under 3 miles. It looks like if we would have kept going there is definitely an uphill climb to continue the treck, but I'm sure the few is gorgeous on top! Now is time for the negatives that really just makes this place not that great. The campsites are very close together. The ground isn't very level, so tent camping would be bumpy and on an incline. There's also little tree trunk scattered out through out the whole place so it is kinda dangerous for kids to ran around a play. Mosquitos can be murdereres so lots of bug spray! Last thing, it is rather close to the main highway so lots of noise from the traffic.
LegendRanger Review: Stream2Sea Sunscreen Products at LePage Park
Campground Review:
Gorgeous but beware of goat-heads!!
This is a gorgeous camping spot along the confluence of the Columbia River and the John Day River. It is perfect for fishing, boating, and general family fun. The winds can be high (22MPR during our stay) but still a family favorite! There are 22 sites with electrical hookups(on the pavement without shade) and a couple of dozen grass tent sites. The restrooms are okay and there are showers and a dump station. The edge of the pull-through RV spots follows the river and most spots have easy access to the 10-foot rock access to the water. We visited during the last weekend of July and it was HOT! It was great to be able to jump in the river to cool down but make sure to bring thick water shoes as the goat-heads have taken over!!!
Top reasons I love this campground:
Product Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt, occasionally I get to test products. At this campground, I tested Stream2Sea sunscreen products. This is a new family favorite product!! As an avid camper, swimmer, fisher, and scuba diver, we are thrilled to use ocean and coral reef safe products that are eco-conscious! Their products are packaged in mini
Pros:
Cons:
Overall, I give the product five stars
GuideStayed here a couple of nights. Our site was a tenting site, but we were in our mini Meerkat camper and we fit (our choice). Almost abandoned, probably because of huge hail storm. Friendly host “Dutch” and a few walk about simple hiking paths. Bathrooms and showers very nice (coin op on the showers). Road noise was pretty loud, especially for the campsites further into the campground. But, tall pines all around us, and very uncrowded. Wouldn’t want to come here if it were full, the sites are very close together. We were at the end of a very long trip, and we were happy to find any easy place to stay just inside WA. There are no stores nearby, so get your groceries in Goldendale!
Traveler
Would be five stars but train is very loud. Still, has all you could ever need. Boardman is nearby and there is a laundromat, a food truck court that’s open for breakfast, water fill station, bathrooms at campsite, and ample gas stations/other resources. Plus, you can wake up right on the water for free!
TravelerCcottonwood Canyon State Park Campground is a lovely, remote primitive camp experience. For the uninitiated, this means no electric sites, no running water, no flush toilets. Its also a rattlesnake habitat in Eastern Oregon's high desert biome, within 30 miles or so of The Dalles, a city marking the change in the Columbia River Gorge from high desert to wooded mountainsides. This camp ground us located deep in a canyon 15 miles from Wasco, Oregon. Before descending into the canyon, you'll see Eastern Oregon's classic golden wheatfields, then a wind farm, with scores of white windmills. The evening I arrived was the night before a full moon, so the setting sun over the canyon and the waxing moon gave a lovely glow to the sights. Unfortunately, my camera phone and photographer skills are lacking; sorry. If you love truly getting away from it all, as I do, you'll appreciate the absolute peace at Cottonwood Canyon. We arrived at dusk, late in July, and as is typical for the region, it was still 90 degrees. Fortunately, my summer tent is mostly screen, allowing the cool canyon breeze in, and it erects quickly and easily. It was full dark by the time I'd pitched it, and outfitted it with my airbed. Because of all the rattlesnake warning signs, I kept my dog leashed or tied out on a campsite-length cable. We parked across the campground from the pit toilets, which were not lighted, so bring a flashlight, cell phone, or lantern for inside the biffy. If this kind of camping appeals to you, you'll be rewarded with a quiet night of no traffic noise, only the sound of the nearby murmuring creek and the breeze in the trees. The other campers here were very quiet and respectful of the rules. The beautiful moonlight set one side of the canyon aglow and the clear sky was filled with stars. I didn't need my rain fly, so could enjoy finding the constellations as I lay in my tent. In the morning, I awoke just before dawn when my dog sat bolt upright and intently watched with me as an elk cow walked through our campsite. The fee here is $10 a.night, and worth every penny!
Here is the one caveat: as of this writing, (late July 2018) the loud diesel pickup truck that came through to empty trash bins at 6am was jarring. It was followed by the back-up beeping of heavy machinery by 6:30am, as work on a new building commenced near the campground. This was so unfortunate, and I pity the folks that had hoped to sleep in.
Traveler
Giles French Park (GFP) is one of two adjacent free camping / bookdocking sites owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) along the Columbia River near the town of Rufus, Oregon. I was there on opening day, 2021. I didn't see any tents. I also didn't see any signs saying tents aren't permitted. I saw several motorhomes and travel trailers parked far apart. I think the Native American fishermen dropped off some of the trailers to stay in when the spring salmon run begins. There's a 7-day stay limit. No open fires (campfires) are permitted. I assume this is is because of the frequently gusty wind conditions. I used a butane camp stove. There's no television reception unless you have a satellite dish. Cell service is good on both Verizon and AT&T. The water is unsafe to drink unless it is boiled first for five minutes. (I have no idea why. Don't the dam employees have potable water?). There's exactly one flush toilet (for men anyway.) It's in the restrooms nearest to the dam. This restroom is in poor condition. The stall door lock is broken. The urinal is out of service. The lavatory drain is clogged. (You get the picture. If not, look at my pictures.) All the other restrooms have vault toilets and no running water. The restrooms are spaced very far apart. The only trash dumpster is near the vault toilet that serves the boat ramp parking lot. No camping is permitted near the restrooms. Keep all this in mind when you select your site. There are only a few picnic tables. Most are situated where there's not much of a view. The best views are in the third parking lot away from the dam, where the Native Americans have several closely spaced fishing scaffolds. That was where I parked. I had one neighbor on April 1-2, 2021. A couple of non-Native American anglers showed up at the crack of dawn. They didn't have any success as far as I could tell. But, the spring salmon run had not started yet. Similar to an island if you didn't bring it, it isn't at GFP. There are no amenities other than the mentioned restrooms and non-potable water. The views are spectacular, especially at sunset. GFP sits in a canyon with sheer basalt cliffs on either side. The play of sunlight on the Oregon side at sunset is colorful. The dam is lit up with red, white and blue lights at night. Barges sometimes pass through the lock at the north end of the dam. Trains run along both sides of the Columbia River, BNSF on the Washington side and UP on the Oregon side. These are noticeable but not particularly noisy since there are no crossings nearby. I-84 creates more noise than the trains do. Since the site is free and the amenities are few, it's good for a night or two in my opinion, but not much more. I rated it low because of the poor condition of the restrooms. Apparently the Army Corps of Engineers cannot open a stopped drain.
ScoutCamping here is nice on the Columbia River Washington side. Little breezy at times. $40.00 a night for RV $30.00 for veterans $20.00 for tents
Traveler
Not sure of the price for an Rv slot. Beautiful river view. Some tent pads, level area for my van to park and sleep. Great breezes today.
TravelerThis State Park is absolutely a beautiful part of the country. The canyon is steep and unique with the John Day river running right through it. The campground is nestled right near the water and has gorgeous 360 views. The campsites are well kept and have all the amenities for a nice pull in site to camp with either a trailer, van, or tent. The only downside is how windy this canyon can get. The state park definitely took this into consideration and provided each campsite with a wooden wind break for tents. So they make it manageable but be prepared! Heads up, there's no cell service at this campground.
Guide
Good experience camping here. Really loved watching the sunset over the water while taking a stroll by the shore. Metal fire pit made perfect for dinner, and the ground was mostly even for our tent.
Scout
Great site off the freeway- but because it’s close, you’ll hear cars all night. We were the only tent campers so we had a bunch of space. Fire rings and picnic tables at every site as well as a bunch of firewood. There are 2 bathrooms and showers that look pretty new. WiFi works closer to the RVs.
Traveler
We do an annual trip here every Father’s Day weekend. Close to the river, plenty of fishing and swimming. The trees are nice. This is an Army Corp of Engineers campground so some federal rules apply: no firearms, no alcohol(at least not openly)
The only issue we have is the sprinklers come on Friday nights and wash the tents for us. it’s good and bad.
ScoutI have been going here for 20 years it's very nice clean and friendly people that run it. Great for tents or RVs. Full facilities with showers. You can watch the river traffic has a small marina by it that you can get gas at for your boat if you have those. Very busy Campground hard to get into at times.
TravelerFirst come first serve sites with fire rings. There is overflow camping in the lawn without a fire ring but with a picnic table. Restrooms are very clean and campground is well maintained. Winds can pick up in the canyon so be sure to have strong tent stakes. Right next to the John Day River great walking path along the River. Fenced dog park for your pet and free bicycles for use.
ScoutWe reserved 4 nights here and left after two because we had to do everything inside our camper, otherwise there were spiders (and not the little ones) on us, on our chairs, on our everything! Black spiders, red spiders, brown spiders and spider sprays don't work. After spraying the outside of our tent trailer within minutes they were back. They were hanging from the trees! And no matter what you left out, the were webs on them the next morning! I WILL NEVER GO BACK THERE!!!!
Guide
This park is well kept. The grass is green and luscious in the common area near the swimming. They have a boat launch as well as a separate dock for picking up passengers. If you walk along the shore line, you can find a flat area to set up your day in the water with chairs and floats. Bring a pop-up tent to create some shade and it is a great place to hang towels.
Scout
$12 a night for water and electricity. Clean area with grass and playground. Some areas appear to be under construction or upgrade. Dumpster and restroom available. Showers closed because of covid-19. Sights are on paved roadway with firepits and picnic tables. Easy in and out for our 32' Class A. Hermiston Oregon is 6 miles away.
RangerOnly a mile off I-84 down an easy dirt road, this little site sees some day use for kite surfers, kayakers and fishermen, but also has plenty of space for a number of RVs to set up camp, just feet above the Columbia. We arrived right at sunset, which was gorgeous over the mountain tops and river. There ended being 3 or 4 RVs set up overnight, plus 2 tent campers on a Saturday night. Peaceful and quiet, easy on and off the highway, perfect little overnight stop while driving back to Portland. Didn’t hear highway noise, even though we were that close to the interstate. Would definitely use again.
Had 2 of 4 bars on AT&T. This site is also known as Threemile Canyon Park according to the signs from the highway.
Tent camping near Boardman, Oregon, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts, from serene riverside spots to family-friendly areas. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a lively atmosphere, there's something for everyone.
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