Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers camping options across several developed campgrounds on both the Oregon and Washington sides of the river. Established campgrounds like Lost Lake Resort, Ainsworth State Park, and Cascade Locks KOA provide facilities for tent and RV camping, with some offering cabins or yurt accommodations. Most sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities, with varying levels of hookups depending on the campground. The area includes both forest service and state park operations, with several campgrounds positioned along the river offering scenic views of the Columbia Gorge.
Seasonal availability limits most camping between April and October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months. Tucker Park operates from April through October, while Cascade Locks KOA welcomes visitors from February to mid-October. Road access remains generally good throughout the camping season, with most developed sites accessible by standard vehicles. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months when sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Wyeth is a very nice national campground. It's well maintained, has flushing toilets, and has great access to hiking and biking trails," noted one camper about Wyeth Campground.
Visitors frequently mention the tall trees and natural shade found in campgrounds throughout the region. The proximity to hiking trails and biking paths represents a significant draw, with many campgrounds serving as convenient baselines for exploring the area's waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. Several campgrounds provide direct river access or fishing opportunities. Train noise affects campgrounds situated near the tracks on both sides of the river, which multiple reviewers have mentioned. As one visitor reported about Home Valley Campground, "The train passes right next to this campsite day and night (with horn) so keep in mind the noise from that." Despite this, most campers rate their experiences positively, citing the beautiful forest settings and convenient access to Gorge activities.
$25 - $60 / night
"The campsites are relatively close but not so much that you’re walking over each other we camped in our RV and secured a second spot so we could have the space between the campground is very close to the"
"Excellent faculties with easy access to amenities. Sat by a campfire pit in the evenings and went to sleep with the sound of the river surrounding us. What more could you ask for."
$45 - $125 / night
"I have kind of a love/hate thing going on for Lost Lake Campgrounds. Pros: It is beautiful. There's a reason it's one of Oregon's most photographed sites."
"Lost Lake Resort & Campground is somewhere we go at least once each summer. It has that nostalgic summer-camp vibe. A little more spendy than your typical Oregon campsite, but serene and private."
$41 - $195 / night
"There is a train that runs along the back of the campground which can be loud if your site is close by. The train noise did not bother us in the center of the park where we were."
"We also did the Historic Highway 30 and saw all the waterfalls. Stop in at Gorges Brewery, nice beer, I loved the Stout."
$29 - $53 / night
"All are very close to the highway so you will hear road noise and trains thundering past on the adjacent tracks."
"Picture a hillside with a winding road surrounded by thick green trees. Ainsworth is that place. Absolutely gorgeous."
$24 - $31 / night
"Viento is a nice state park along 84 right outside of hood river. It is along the columbia river and has beach access."
"Great location here in the gorge for hiking biking river access here at the park direct access to the bike trail. large sites, showers and bathrooms hiking trails in the park as well."
$15 / night
"But nice hiking trails near by. Close to highway so can be kinda noisy. Very close to Portland. Camp host could pick up more garbage though."
"Near the Hood River and a short distance to Mt Hood trails and surrounding"
$35 - $80 / night
"The campground itself is quite small, with some sites closer together and not enjoying that much privacy, and others tucked further back with more privacy."
"That’s what led us to Tollbridge, a lightly used campsite 15 miles south of Ukiah on Highway 325."
$25 - $45 / night
"Some camp sots are better situated then others, so do research before making reservation."
"Located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, just north of the town of Carson. Its about a 20 minute drive to the Columbia river, and 10 minutes to the small town of Carson."
$20 / night
"So unless you find a place away from the river and out of the gorge, you will just have to deal with that. So bring ear plugs if you're not a very heavy sleeper. The camp hosts were super friendly."
"Tons of boats here during spring salmon runs at Drano lake and the wind river but we would absolutely come back. "
$20 - $30 / night
"So nice to have first come/first serve campgrounds so close to Portland. I arrived around 2 on a Wednesday in August and grabbed one of 3 open sites."
"Easy access to biking along the Columbia River. Sites are well distance apart, some more private than others depending on trees and terrain.
Water, trash and toilets available."
GuideThe only dispersed camping is in the south side of the mountain, and it is disconnected except by hiking trail to the north side. The drive to the north from the south is very very far. We missed out on the north side trails, views etc but the dispersed camping on the south side was excellent. Very clean, interesting geology and waterfalls. Plenty of good spots
ScoutCamp host is very nice and helpful, gave brief history of the camp!
GuideThe campground is clean and full of dense forestry. This gives it a semi-private feel. Close proximity to Multnomah Falls and Columbia River. Cell service is decent. The only complaint is that there is a rail line and you frequently hear freight train noise and vibration.
TravelerRiver is beautiful, trains are few, but ridiculously loud. View of Mt Hood down the center of the river is a nice bonus
GuideWe spent one night here. Beautiful place. Good phone service and really clean restrooms!
TravelerVery easy to find and if the highway and train noise off in the distance don’t bother you, you’ll love it. Very spacious so you don’t have to be right next to anyone.
When we were here mid September there was around 8-10 other campers/vans also here and it’s open enough you have an all the room you need.
2 toilets near by which was a added bonus
GuideThe quarry is now closed to camping but this spot is right next to it. Very short but slightly rough road up - needed 4wd to get the trailer up here. Lots of bullet casings; you’ll definitely get a few visitors wanting to shoot.
GuideWe thoroughly enjoyed the campsite and facilities. Camping during the week just after labor day, the campgrounds were splendid.
GuideRight off Hwy 84 great for a quick stop. Easy to pull into with any sized rig. Flat, level, clean and free. Vaulted toilets. Many spots right on the river. Lots of beach to run dogs and where kids can play. Beach is covered with the best skipping rocks. Only down side is you hear trains on both sides of you all night long. Would stay here again for a quick overnight stop.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area campsites span across forested slopes ranging from near sea level to 4,000 feet in elevation, creating diverse camping microclimates throughout the region. Most campsites are tucked into Douglas fir and western hemlock forests that provide natural shade and wind protection. Several campgrounds remain open year-round despite the region's 70+ inches of annual rainfall concentrated between October and April.
Waterfall hikes from camp: Several trails lead directly from campgrounds to scenic waterfalls. At Eagle Creek Campground, "a trail and stream to explore right from the campground" make it easy to discover nearby cascades. One camper noted that Wyeth Campground provides "great access to hiking and biking trails" with "a short ways to Emerald Falls."
Water sports access: The Columbia River offers multiple water recreation opportunities. At Toll Bridge Park Campground, you'll find "many places to sit in the water and play and it doesn't move too terribly fast." The park's location makes it "close to everything. Mountain biking, hiking, fishing, boardsailing, kite boarding... This area is a maca for all season sports."
Mountain biking: The region offers extensive trail systems for cyclists of all abilities. Wyeth Campground features "a paved off-road bike trail. I took it 6 miles up to Venieto State Park. Along the highway, but still very pretty." Another camper noted that Timberlake Campground's camp host "noticed we were traveling with mountain bikes and was kind enough to lead us to some great trails just outside of Hood River."
Tent-specific sites: Some campgrounds offer special accommodations for tent campers. Ainsworth State Park features "6 walk-in tent sites and a hiker/biker campground with no reservations required," which often remain available when other sites fill up. At Wyeth Campground, "the walk-in tent sites look nice" according to multiple reviewers.
River proximity: Many campers appreciate sites positioned near water. Tucker Park Campground offers riverside spots where "we spent two nights at one of the river sites with easy access to the river. The campsite was scattered with smooth rocks perfect for tanning and nice sandy beaches along the river for your fur companions to cool off."
Swimming holes: Natural swimming areas provide relief during summer heat. At Lost Lake Resort, "the lake is always cold no matter the season. Really easy fishing if you're just learning." Another camper explained that Tucker Park has "both day use and river access from the camping area were lovely and the water was perfect to cool off after a hot day."
Train noise: Railroad tracks run alongside several campgrounds, creating significant noise disturbances. At Cascade Locks KOA, "the freight train runs about every 30 minutes including overnight. The first time was a big surprise, but we got used to it." The campground has adapted by providing "ear plugs" for guests.
Highway proximity: Many campgrounds sit close to Interstate 84, resulting in traffic noise. Viento State Park is "very close to I-84 and to a very active railroad, so it's pretty noisy." Another camper noted, "You can hear the highway from the sites" at Wyeth Campground, though they added there are still "lots of trees and lots of privacy."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Lost Lake Resort, "most day-use sites are first-come, first-served. By the time we arrived, all the sites that were accessible for someone with disabilities were occupied." Another camper advised, "DO NOT DRIVE YOUR RV DOWN TO THE STORE. Park at your site or somewhere near it and walk to the store. Not great for large equipment."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Panther Creek Campground offers "multiple access points to the creek" where families can explore safely. At Tucker Park, there's "a playground and well maintained showers and bathrooms (very clean). The real magic here though is the sound of the river as you drift off to sleep."
Swimming opportunities: Family-friendly water access points make hot weather more bearable. Toll Bridge Park has "a childrens park and covered picnic area. Nestled at the base of Mount Hood, this is an area not to be missed." Tucker Park features "many places to sit in the water and play" with relatively gentle currents.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer organized programs and amenities designed for children. At Cascade Locks KOA, "there's kids running absolutely everywhere. Pool and playground were fine, too." Another camper noted, "Bring your bike for riding around and you can also head into the nearby little town for plenty of good food and ice cream."
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger rigs. At Timberlake Campground & RV, "Some of the sites are on the smaller side and a little tricky to back into but doable." However, "Don't be scared away because there are no pull through spots. The management can coach you into the site. They were great."
Hook-up availability: Electrical services vary widely between campgrounds. Toll Bridge Park offers riverside sites with electrical connections, where one camper "came here on a hot summer day when I wanted to plug in for A/C. This place was perfect." At Viento State Park, RV sites are better equipped than tent sites, though campers noted the "sites are small" overall.
Size restrictions: Many gorge campgrounds have specific length limitations. At Wyeth Campground, "The sign at entrance says 30 foot max length for trailers." Another camper with "a short bed truck and a 22' trailer" had "a very hard time getting into the spot we reserved (site 8)" because "the roads are very narrow and are lined with curbs."
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits are required for camping in the Columbia River Gorge?
Camping permits in the Columbia River Gorge vary by location. Most developed campgrounds like Deschutes River State Recreation Area require standard campsite reservations through state park systems or recreation.gov. For day use at popular attractions like Multnomah Falls Parking Lot (Day Use), a $2 timed-entry reservation permit is required during peak seasons. Washington State Parks like Beacon Rock and Maryhill require Discover Passes for day use and separate camping fees. Some recreation sites along the Lower Deschutes River operate on a first-come, first-served basis. National Forest campgrounds typically require Northwest Forest Passes for parking and separate campsite fees. Always check the specific campground's website before your trip as permit requirements can change seasonally.
Where are the best camping spots in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area?
The Columbia River Gorge offers diverse camping experiences for all preferences. Beacon Rock State Park Campground provides a popular base with amazing views and access to the iconic rock formation trail. For those seeking riverside camping, Macks Canyon Recreation Site offers primitive sites at the end of the Lower Deschutes Access Road. Water enthusiasts will appreciate Columbia Hills Historical State Park Campground near Horse-thief Lake, though be prepared for gorge winds. Just outside the immediate gorge area, Trillium Lake provides stunning Mount Hood views across pristine waters. For convenient interstate access with full facilities, consider Cascade Locks KOA or Eagle Creek Campground.
What camping is available near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers a wide range of camping options, with 378 campgrounds and RV parks near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and 71 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is Tucker Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 71 free dispersed camping spots near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
What parks are near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area that allow camping, notably Mt. Hood National Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
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