Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Cheatham Lock and Dam, OR is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Cheatham Lock and Dam campgrounds just for you. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Cheatham Lock and Dam and user-submitted reviews.
"Nice small first come first service sites along the Columbia and free. We had a great spot on the River with beautiful views of Mt."
"There's a handful of dispersed campsites throughout NF44 and various side roads."
"This is a beautiful, secluded spot."
GuideTook a while to discover this spot, but clearly seems well used for dispersed camping. I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in. For smaller vehicles (e.g. roof top tents), you can get in a little further and off the access road. There was actually someone else back there, and we can't hear nor see each other.
TravelerThis is Army Corps of Engineers recreation site with dispersed camping, vault toilets and a boat ramp. First come first served, $0 and you can stay up to seven days. I have a view of Mount Hood and am parked facing the river.
The downside? Very close to the railroad tracks and there are a lot of trains, mostly during the day. There is also a lot of truck traffic during the day. It doesn’t bother me, but your mileage may vary.
TravelerThere's a handful of dispersed campsites throughout NF44 and various side roads. I had several options to choose from and never saw another person. This was on a Thursday afternoon.
GuideNice small first come first service sites along the Columbia and free. We had a great spot on the River with beautiful views of Mt. Hood and the Gorge. Great little swimming spot steps from our spot. Trains will come every hour and tracks are close to sites. A few wineries within a mile and one about .5 miles from spot. We will be back to this great find.
ScoutCan’t beat a waterfront spot. So far no one else has shown up. It’s about 6pm but been dark for an hour and half. There is a restroom although I haven’t used it yet. I’d say there’s about 5 picnic tables but there’s probably between 7-10 spots if you really tried.
RangerThis was very pretty, down the road from some wineries, and right on the river. Only thing was that the recreation area had a sign that said it was closed for camping and only usable for day use because of covid. There seemed to be some people possibly camping, but I hate to break the rules so we left. There was another road that took you down along the train tracks to a tree lined area, on the river, but we weren’t sure if it counted as the day use only. Very pretty, and lovely views, just be aware and mindful of covid closures, would hate to direct someone to the wrong area!
ScoutI mostly want to balance out these other reviews. No one said something that wasn’t true, but the weight that they seem to put on how disruptive the trains are surprising to me. You don’t just have trains passing, you have them blowing their horn multiple times a night, and they are close enough you can feel their vibration. If you are a very VERY deep sleeper, I’d say this is a 5 star stop. I wore noise canceling headphones and played a white noise machine in the background- and still had to take a sleeping pill at 3am after being woken up multiple times.
GuideGreat spot right on the shores of the Columbia River. There’s a pit toilet, and a garbage dumpster on-site. Over half the “sites” are right on the water, while the others are less than 50 feet away.
It is just a big gravel parking lot, so don’t expect any privacy, but it’s still a great spot with Mount Hood visible down the river.
There are train tracks and a controlled crossing right beside the campground, which means it’s loud - and even through the night, trains do blow their horns at this crossing. I’m not a light sleeper, but it even woke me up a handful of times through the night.
Aside from that, this spot is pretty fantastic though!
TravelerShowed up here during the evening after a long day on the road and if I wasn’t so tired I would’ve kept going. There’s someone that obviously lives here in their RV with a lot of “stuff” scattered about.
Dispersed camping near Cheatham Lock and Dam in Oregon offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for adventurous spirits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cheatham Lock and Dam?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cheatham Lock and Dam is Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Cheatham Lock and Dam?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Cheatham Lock and Dam, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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