Best Tent Camping near Boardman, OR

Tent camping near Boardman, Oregon provides limited but accessible options along the Columbia River corridor. The area features two main tent campgrounds: West Park in nearby Umatilla and Sand Station Recreation Area in Hermiston. Both locations accommodate tent campers specifically, with Sand Station offering year-round access. These primitive tent camping areas sit within 15-20 miles of Boardman, making them convenient bases for exploring the region's desert landscape and river activities.

Sand Station Recreation Area offers basic tent camping facilities with minimal amenities. The campground lacks designated individual sites but provides two gravel group sites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables, which technically require permits. Fires are permitted at Sand Station, unlike West Park where no fires are allowed. Both locations have picnic tables, but campers should note that neither offers drinking water, showers, or hookups of any kind. Sand Station does provide vault toilets and trash collection. The area experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters, with spring and fall offering the most moderate tent camping conditions.

The tent camping experience near Boardman reflects the area's riverside desert environment. Sand Station's proximity to the Columbia River provides swimming opportunities, making it popular with day users during summer months. According to reviews, the beach and swimming areas attract families with children during hot days, though most visitors depart by evening. One camper noted, "The site is right next to the freeway and train tracks, so is noisy. I used ear plugs." This ambient noise from transportation corridors is common at campgrounds in this region. Tent campers should prepare for potentially windy conditions, limited shade, and temperature extremes typical of Oregon's high desert. The backcountry tent camping experience here offers scenic river views but requires self-sufficiency as amenities are sparse.

Best Tent Sites Near Boardman, Oregon (2)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Boardman, OR

206 Reviews of 2 Boardman Campgrounds


  • T
    Aug. 5, 2020

    Lone Tree Campground — Cottonwood Canyon State Park

    Hot, dusty, dry and windy

    This campground in along the John Day River with access to the river from the campground but no water views.  Most sites have a pergola over the picnic table for shade and a sturdy wooden fence, I assume for wind protection.  The sites are nicely spaced but the wind, blowing dust and heat made it pretty uncomfortable to be outside. The river here is broad and shallow so not deep enough for watercraft.  The water was pretty warm.  There are several hiking trails along the river.

  • Ashley B.
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Brooks Memorial State Park Campground

    Small State Park off Hwy 97

    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.

  • D
    Apr. 2, 2021

    Giles French Park Primitive Camping

    Great Views, Few Amenities, Good Fishing

    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.

  • M
    Aug. 29, 2019

    Lone Tree Campground — Cottonwood Canyon State Park

    Clean, beautiful, quiet, relaxing, family friendly

    First 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.

  • S
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Lone Tree Campground — Cottonwood Canyon State Park

    Primitive campsites in a quiet, remote canyon

    Ccottonwood 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.

  • K
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Plymouth Park Campground

    Clean campground

    $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.

  • S
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Hood Park

    Hood Park

    Do not try to check in before 2 pm!!!! No alcohol allowed in park!

    Typical Park campground outside of urban area. Decent swim beach area a lot of algae outside of swim area. Town is close by so you can do other things ( Groceries, laundromat etc…..) while waiting for check in. Spider issue others write about appears to be controlled. However every picnic table has lots of spider webs underneath!!!!

  • Natalie B.
    Oct. 29, 2017

    Giles French Park Primitive Camping

    Ok in a pinch

    Not a great place to stay for more than a night. It's basically a pull-out off of the highway. No designated camp sites or fire rings. Only vault toilets. Lots of RV and van campers here. The highway noise is significant. The train also runs right across the river but it's not bad. Beautiful views of the Columbia River, great for star gazing as well.

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Threemile Canyon Park

    Convenient Camping Off I-84

    This spot was great for an overnight stay! Gravel lot and some small pull outs with plenty of space for multiple rigs. There was a vault toilet available for use, which was pretty clean. This is a pack it in, pack it out area, so be prepared to take your trash with you! No fires allowed! We pulled in around 9:00 PM and there were maybe 5 others there set up. It was pretty quiet, but there was some road noise, and you could hear the train when it went by, but we didn’t think it was bad at all. We also woke to gunshots in the distance early in the morning due to some others hunting, didn’t bother us at all though. Definitely a great spot if you want to do some fishing, as there is access to a boat ramp/dock and the lot is adjacent to the water… Overall we thought it was a pretty great spot for a free overnight stay and it comes with a nice view!


Guide to Boardman

Tent camping near Boardman, Oregon centers around the Columbia River in Oregon's high desert region. The area receives minimal rainfall, averaging only 10 inches annually, creating a stark landscape dominated by sagebrush and basalt rock formations. Campers should prepare for temperature swings of up to 40 degrees between day and night during spring and fall seasons, when most visitors prefer to camp in this region.

What to do

Water activities on the Columbia River: Sand Station Recreation Area offers direct river access for swimming during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. One visitor noted, "We were here on a hot day, lots of families with kids using the beach and swimming area."

Visit nearby towns: The small city of Umatilla is approximately 20 minutes west of Boardman and provides access to West Park for tent camping. According to one camper, "It's also close to Geneva On The Lake, a kitschy lake resort town that has been around for over 100 years."

Explore local wildlife areas: Within 30 miles of Boardman camping areas, visitors can observe native desert species including coyotes, jackrabbits, and various raptors. Camping at West Park puts you near several wildlife observation points along the Columbia River migration corridor.

What campers like

Shade coverage: In this typically exposed region, West Park offers a rare commodity. A camper shared, "This is a nice, shady campground. It is well-kept and on par with many other state park campgrounds I've been to."

Low evening usage: Despite daytime popularity, Sand Station Recreation Area clears out in evenings, providing relative solitude for overnight tent campers. A visitor observed, "All the day users were gone by 9pm," making it ideal for those seeking quieter nights.

Proximity to water: The immediate access to the Columbia River at Sand Station Recreation Area creates opportunities for cooling off during hot desert days. The tent camping area sits within walking distance to swimming spots, making it convenient for water-focused camping trips.

What you should know

Limited designated sites: Sand Station Recreation Area lacks traditional individual campsites. As one reviewer explained, "There are no designated camp sites except for two gravel group sites with fire rings and picnic tables that you are supposed to have a permit for."

Expect ambient noise: Transportation corridors impact the camping experience in this region. A Sand Station camper warned, "The site is right next to the freeway and train tracks, so is noisy. I used my ear plugs."

Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures frequently exceed 95°F, while winter can bring freezing conditions. Spring brings unpredictable winds, sometimes gusting over 30 mph through the Columbia Gorge, affecting tent stability.

Tips for camping with families

Day-use popularity: Sand Station Recreation Area attracts families specifically for its swimming areas rather than overnight stays. A visitor observed, "Lots of families with kids using the beach and swimming area," indicating good swimming conditions for children.

Heat preparation: When tent camping near Boardman with children during summer months, bring portable shade structures as natural shade is minimal. Temperatures can remain above 85°F well into evening hours during July and August.

Water safety awareness: The Columbia River current can be strong, particularly in spring when water levels rise. Keep constant supervision of children near the water, especially at unguarded swimming areas like those at Sand Station Recreation Area.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: West Park offers electric hookups only, without water or sewer connections. RVers should arrive with full water tanks and empty holding tanks, planning for a self-contained stay.

Access considerations: Many camping areas near Boardman have unmarked or poorly maintained access roads. Larger RVs should scout locations before attempting entry, particularly at Sand Station where designated RV spaces are not clearly marked.

Alternative overnight options: When established campgrounds are full, some RVers utilize the Boardman Rest Area off I-84, which permits stays up to 12 hours. This provides a legal alternative for tent camping near Boardman, Oregon when other options are unavailable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Boardman, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Boardman, OR is West Park (OR) with a 4-star rating from 1 review.