Scappoose camping options extend beyond the Columbia River region into the surrounding forest lands where elevation ranges from near sea level to about 1,800 feet in the Coast Range foothills. The climate remains mild with summer highs typically reaching 75-85°F, while winters bring considerable rainfall averaging 40-50 inches annually. Most campgrounds in the area stay open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling: Bayport RV Park and Campground provides direct access to Scappoose Bay with rentals available nearby. "Located right next to a public boat ramp and Next Adventure where you can rent boats... or bring your own for kayaking on Scappoose Bay," notes one visitor to Bayport RV Park and Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The Columbia River estuary areas offer excellent bird watching opportunities, particularly for water birds. A camper at Reeder Beach RV Park observed, "Great area for birding (osprey nests). Or park your chair on the bank and watch the occasional ship putter by just a stone's throw from shore."
Hiking and biking: Trails range from easy loops to more challenging terrain. At L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, "There are lots of hiking/mountain biking trails. We plan to return to explore more of the mountain bike trails." The Banks-Vernonia Trail, a paved bike path, also runs through the park.
Disc golf: Several area parks offer courses for disc golf enthusiasts. At Paradise Point, "The disc golf course is entertaining, but not super challenging. Located on barely 10 acres the designers have done a good job using every bit of the land here."
What campers like
River views and shipping activity: Watching maritime traffic is popular at waterfront sites. A camper at Reeder Beach noted, "Eating apple pie and watching 20 story tall container ships glide by was neat." The Columbia River provides a constantly changing view with commercial vessels passing regularly.
Forested settings: Camp Wilkerson offers secluded, wooded sites away from urban areas. "It's about 30 minutes from any bigger towns and very relaxing. There are tent sites, RV sites and even a horse camp area! Hiking and horse trails meander through the forest along a creek or two as well," writes one visitor.
Proximity to Portland: Many campers appreciate staying close enough to explore the city while having a natural setting to return to. Columbia River RV Park gives campers this balance: "About as close-in Portland as you can get for an RV park, this place is on the North side of town right next to the river."
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds feature lakes or swimming areas. At Battle Ground Lake State Park, "They have a cool volcanic lake with a swimming area and great fishing. Its like a mini crater lake."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many of the best places to camp near Scappoose require advance booking during peak seasons. For walk-in sites at L.L. Stub Stewart, "If you haven't paid online (reserved spot), you will need to fill in the information on one of the provided permits, write down your car info, put the fee in, and drop it in the box."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have issues with potable water. At Reeder Beach, a camper warns, "The water has arsenic and is no good to drink or cook with. You have to bring your own water, or buy theirs, which they don't mention on their website."
Highway noise: Proximity to transportation corridors affects some campgrounds. At Paradise Point State Park, "Freeway is really really close to the whole camp site. You can hear vehicles at night. If you're a light sleeper or need nature noises when camping - this is not the site for you."
Site layout considerations: The arrangement of hookups and amenities can be inconvenient at some locations. One camper observed, "Many of the sites have really awkward setups—hookups on the wrong side, fire pits far away from pad, etc."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and pools: Some parks offer dedicated recreation facilities for children. Jantzen Beach RV Park features "three pools, playground, and basketball hoops. Plenty to check out and explore for them even if this was not your typical 'campground' experience."
Swimming areas: L.L. Stub Stewart State Park offers family-friendly activities throughout the park. "Since we were here last time, they now have an off-leash fenced dog area. What makes this CG so special is the multitude of hiking, biking, and horse trails. They even have a disc golf course within the park."
Camping carts: For walk-in sites, some campgrounds provide equipment to transport gear. At L.L. Stub Stewart, "If you have a lot of gear they have three carts available to haul everything out in one go."
Life jackets: Safety equipment is sometimes provided at water access points. Paradise Point State Park "day use area also provides life jackets if you forget yours."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Check campground limitations before booking. At Paradise Point, one RVer warned, "We put the size of our RV in the state website and it gave us site 50. We arrived and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get our rig in that site due to the trees. NOWHERE on the parks website has a maximum RV length."
Hookup placement: The location of utilities can make parking challenging. Columbia River RV Park offers "Grass in-between most spots, with some back-in sites and others being pull-through." However, at some parks, utilities are inconveniently positioned.
Water pressure variations: This can affect comfort at some locations. At Jantzen Beach, "Water pressure is the lowest we've ever experienced. Not sure what's going on but all of the folks we've talked to are experiencing the same."
Dump station access: Not all parks with RV spaces have on-site dump stations. At Bayport RV Park, "They do have waste disposal for a fee but they offer drinking water and full Electric and water but no sewage hookup you pay at the dump station."
