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.
$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."
$25 - $60 / night
"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."
"It's an hour drive from our house in portland and though you feel like your out in the middle of the woods your only 10 mins from hood river and most of what it has to offer."
$27 / 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."
$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."
$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."
"A bit of a drive to get there but worth it. Extremely well-run campground in a beautiful setting with good access to the town of Hood River."
"Important to know … it is situated on a hilly property, so it’s not an easy stroll to the restrooms and showers unless one is young/athletic."
$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."
GuideThis site is close to a road. A decent amount of traffic went by when I checked it out. Would be a hard area to set up a larger tent. Would be ideal for rooftop tent or hammock camping. Creek near by with short trail to creek.
ScoutOut and back road, with 8 or more pullouts with fire pits. No services.
GuideIts a really nice park with large trees everywhere for shade. Some sites right on the river. Its clean, showers and bathrooms nice. Sites were really close together though. And its right next to I82 so there is constant freeway noise. And worse, train noise. One track going east - west and another going north south - both with loud horn blowing active trains.
GuideThis is a nice campground, lots of trees, clean restrooms. We visited Mt Hood and got snow. We also did the Historic Highway 30 and saw all the waterfalls. Stop in at Gorges Brewery, nice beer, I loved the Stout. The staff at the campground were so helpful, letting us know the “must sees”, I would stay again. If you don’t like train sounds, you will need to find a place away from the river.
TravelerWe lucked out and got a site right along the Columbia River. There are also lots of other camping sites (see pics) No services and we bought Starlink for our phones and TV. We have Verizon and I believe that we got good cell service here. It's not quiet however, besides the Interstate 84 and trains along both sides of the River can be distracting but the view is fabulous! Also expect winds, it was very windy here, 23 mph winds with 40 mph gusts. Wind surfing is very popular here and fun to watch.
TravelerOriginally wanted to stay at a disperse up the way but snow became a factor.
Found this campground and it was perfect! We stayed in spot 4, very spacious! Small creek running between camp sites. Bathroom was across a small bridge and was well maintained. Beautiful trees around but there was a few down around the sites but weren’t in the way. Great views along the drive to get there, no views from the site itself.
TravelerWe had a great time camping near the stream. It was quiet and easy to find. The surrounding buildings are fun to explore! If you like quirky areas with bare bones amenities, but plenty to get refreshed then this is a great place to stay.
GuideGreat 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.
GuideThis road the site is on has a lot of traffic on the weekend day I stayed. No cell service. Fire ring but burn ban right now. Road wasn’t bad getting here. A couple of rougher spots. Many sites along this road. Many that are tucked back. So a little less road noise and dust. Very busy area.
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 367 campgrounds and RV parks near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and 62 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 Lost Lake Resort And Campground — Mt. Hood National Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 54 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 62 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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