Campgrounds near Clatskanie sit in a transitional zone between the Columbia River and coastal mountain range, with elevations ranging from near sea level to 200 feet. The region experiences mild winters with heavy rainfall (averaging 70 inches annually) and moderate summer temperatures typically below 85°F. Most camping facilities in the area remain open year-round but services may be reduced during winter months when occupancy drops.
What to do
Mount St. Helens exploration: Only 10 miles from Toutle River RV Resort, the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center provides educational displays about the 1980 eruption. "We used this campground as our base camp for exploring the area. Drive up to Mt St Helens visitor's center," reports one camper, highlighting the convenient access to this geological landmark.
Water activities on Scappoose Bay: The proximity to water makes kayaking accessible from several campgrounds. "Pretty clean, but not necessarily level RV parking on asphalt. 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 a visitor at Bayport RV Park and Campground.
Beach excursions: The Oregon coast is within driving distance of Clatskanie area campgrounds. "Cannon Beach is only 30 miles from Astoria too, for you Goonie lovers," mentions one reviewer staying at Rivers Edge RV Resort, pointing out the popular day trip options for coastal exploration.
What campers like
Recreational facilities: Many RV parks near Clatskanie feature on-site activities for guests. "There's a frisbee golf course that we didn't use but looks fun, really nice playground for the grandkids that's a fort, a store, swimming pool, a recreation hall with nice paintings on the outside and showers and bathrooms nearby," describes one camper at Toutle River RV Resort.
Waterfront camping: Access to waterways ranks high among camper preferences. One visitor at Silver Cove RV Resort appreciated "The sites almost all back up to the water and fishing is pretty easy here. Mostly crappie and bass though I've seen a couple trout or perch pulled out."
Urban accessibility: Some campers value proximity to city amenities. "Good for last minute travel/unplanned stopovers. Good access to Mt St Helens. Far away from the popular spots so not usually full," remarks a tent camper about RV Park At The Bridge.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Traffic and transportation noise affects several campgrounds in the region. "Noisy. Highway and airport. It's terrible," reports one camper about Scappoose RV Park. Similarly, at Toutle River RV Resort, a visitor noted it was "hard for us to get a good nights sleep in between a highway and train tracks."
Variable site layouts: The arrangement and quality of sites differs within campgrounds. "If you want to be in more of a tree vibe, ask for the back spots," advises one visitor at Toutle River RV Resort, while another points out that "Sites at the back are not as nice and are near the train tracks."
Winter camping limitations: Cold-weather camping requires additional planning. "Fall and winter travelers should check seasonal availability directly with campgrounds as some reduce services during the off-season months," note multiple reviewers about RV parks Clatskanie vicinity.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-rich campgrounds: Parks with recreational facilities provide entertainment for children. "This is the kind of RV park that I like. Nice spots surrounded by grass, decent space between sites, and most importantly, lots and lots of things for kiddos to explore. There's random trails, a playground, big green fields, volleyball court," writes a family staying at Toutle River RV Resort.
Pool access: Swimming pools rank high for family enjoyment during summer months. "We are enjoying a free year of Thousand Trails membership and this was another last min stay, it was packed! But it's the middle of summer, and we were able to find a spot in overflow same day," notes a visitor at Thousand Trails Seaside, appreciating the last-minute accommodation.
Tent camping options: Most Clatskanie area parks cater primarily to RVs, but some accommodate tents. "Only about 7 minutes to the visitors center for mt St. Helens. There's about 200 rv spots but they do have a couple tent spots," mentions a tent camper at Toutle River RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Experienced RVers recommend researching specific sites before booking. "I like the central area better (closer to facilities). The camp is right off the freeway, but if you're back off the road there's not as much noise," advises an RVer at Toutle River RV Resort.
Seasonal price considerations: Many RV parks Clatskanie Oregon vicinity adjust rates seasonally. "Check out other parks in the immediate area for 1/2 or less than 1/2 of the price," suggests one cost-conscious RVer about Cannon Beach RV Resort, highlighting the importance of comparison shopping.
Internet connectivity: Working while traveling requires reliable internet connections. "We decided to stay for the whole week since the WiFi has been decent (2-5Mb) with no real latency or packet loss," reports a full-time RVer at Cannon Beach RV Resort, providing specific details about connectivity performance.
