The Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks sits at approximately 150 feet elevation where dense Douglas fir forests meet the Columbia River. The area receives about 77 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush vegetation and numerous seasonal waterfalls. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F, with strong winds making the region a world-class windsurfing destination.
What to do
Hiking from camp to waterfalls: Wyeth Campground provides direct trail access to Emerald Falls via a short walk. "The hike to the little waterfall right behind the campground [is lovely]. The same trail leads to the Gorge Trail 400, which leads to the PCT," shares one camper at Wyeth Campground.
Mountain biking access: Tucker Park Campground offers easy access to nearby gravel and mountain biking routes. "This campground is where I love to camp for a day of gravel biking or hiking, as there are many forest roads to meander off from here," notes a reviewer at Panther Creek Campground.
Rock climbing: Beacon Rock State Park features a dramatic 848-foot monolith with established climbing routes. "The climb up the rock is through a well-built trail. It can get narrow at spots and not for those who fear heights. The view at the top, however, is amazing," explains a visitor to Beacon Rock.
What campers like
Large private sites: Lost Lake Resort offers spacious, secluded campsites. "D022 was very secluded. Could fit at least 2 tents," reports a camper at Lost Lake Resort. The resort features multiple camping loops with varying levels of privacy.
Fishing options: Several campgrounds provide direct river or lake access for fishing. "There are nice size trout in this lake that can be caught from the bank if you don't have a boat," mentions a camper at Lost Lake Resort. Similarly, Tucker Park offers creek fishing: "One of the locals stopped by to comment on my tent and said the salmon were biting - he even gave me a lure that he caught a fish on earlier that day."
Swimming spots: Tucker Park features riverside sites with swimming access. "So green and beautiful. Not far from downtown. Lots of space/areas for our kids to run to climb big rocks," shares a camper at Tucker Park, while another notes "The day use and river access from the camping area were lovely and the water was perfect to cool off after a hot day."
What you should know
Train noise: Almost all campgrounds along the Columbia River experience train noise. "At least every 2 hours at night. Very difficult to get a good night's sleep," explains a tent camper at Cascade Locks KOA, though some campers adjust quickly: "The first time was a big surprise, but we got used to it."
Hot summers with limited shade: During peak summer, temperatures can reach 90°F+. "HOT, HOT, HOT! Temperatures exceeded 90 degrees - so staying cool was a bit of a challenge," reports a camper at Eagle Creek Campground. Sites with shade become premium during summer months.
Limited cell coverage: Reception varies widely between campgrounds. "There is no Wi-Fi, Verizon was there but I don't know where. Not at the site. But as we walked around the phone would connect in my pocket," notes a Lost Lake camper. Timberlake Campground guests report: "We didn't have very good reception for WiFi and Verizon was a bit sketch inside the trailer, outside was better."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Viento State Park offers play structures near day-use areas. "The first day use area had a little play structure," explains a visitor. Similarly, Cascade Locks KOA features "a pool and playground for the kids" according to regular campers.
Kid-friendly water spots: Several campgrounds offer safe water access for children. "We came to lost lake with our adult kids and grandkids. The plan was to bank fish and kayak," shares an Eagle Creek Campground visitor who enjoyed the creek despite rainy weather.
Early arrival strategy: Family-friendly sites fill quickly during summer. "We were happy to stumble upon it. Mid-afternoon on a busy day, I expected to be turned away as the park was pretty crowded but instead I was impressed to find that the campground still had a few sites available," explains a Beacon Rock visitor, though this experience varies widely by season.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds have tight turns or limited maneuvering space. "We have a short bed truck and a 22' trailer and had a very hard time getting into the spot we reserved. The site itself had plenty of room for us but the roads are very narrow and are lined with curbs," cautions a visitor to Wyeth Campground.
Length restrictions: Several campgrounds limit RV size. "The sign at entrance says 30 foot max length for trailers," notes a Beacon Rock State Park visitor, while another mentions that although sites are tent-friendly, they can still accommodate smaller RVs: "Every site is big enough to accommodate my 21' travel trailer."
Full hookup options: For those needing services, Timberlake Campground offers complete hookups in a forested setting. "Away from the railroad tracks. Great sites for tent camping. RV spots are a little close. Don't be scared away because there are no pull through spots. The management can coach you into the site," explains a satisfied guest.
