Tent camping sites near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offer alternatives to the RV options throughout the region. The gorge spans 80 miles along the Columbia River with elevations ranging from near sea level to over 4,000 feet at the highest viewpoints. Weather conditions vary significantly between the western and eastern portions, with the western section receiving up to 75 inches of annual rainfall while the eastern end averages just 14 inches.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Within minutes of Mt Hood Village Resort, visitors can access numerous trails. "Close to the ranger station with tons of easy trails around," notes Jessica S. about the resort, which serves as a convenient base for gorge exploration.
Columbia River activities: Peach Beach RV Park provides direct river access. "Access to the Columbia River. They greeted me without reservations but with 2 nectarines from their orchard," shares Jen F. This riverfront location is ideal for swimming and fishing during summer months.
Mountain biking: The Sandy Ridge Trail System across from Mt Hood Village Resort is considered premium terrain. Joel H. describes it as "some of the best Mountain Biking in the country at the Sandy Ridge Trail System. Using this RV park as a jumping off point, there are endless hiking trails and lakes to paddle and explore in the Mt Hood wilderness."
Fruit orchard visits: Several campsites are located near local orchards. Jamie S. mentions Peach Beach RV Park is "tucked away just across the river and close to towns if you need anything," making it convenient for visiting nearby fruit stands during harvest seasons.
What campers like
River views: Many campsites offer Columbia River vantage points. Wes B. notes at Sandy Riverfront RV Resort, "River views are sweet... Book early to enjoy the spaces that overlook the Sandy River, otherwise you'll just be looking at other RVs."
Wildlife watching: At Elk Meadows RV Park, visitors can observe native animals. Richard H. reports, "Saw elk and heard elk bugling every morning in the meadow. Very quiet and relaxed."
Convenient dining options: Locations near the gorge often have quality food options nearby. "Koya Kitchen that serves sushi and ramen with plenty of outdoor seating and a full bar. Also nearby and not to miss is the Skyway Bar and Grill with amazing BBQ, full bar and live music on the weekends," recommends Joel H. about restaurants near Mt Hood Village Resort.
Clean facilities: Lewis & Clark Campground & RV Park maintains quality restrooms. Nicholas & Elizabeth H. describe it as a "Beautiful old gem of a campground, nice quiet campground, some long term campers. Close to the Columbia River. Beautiful view nice established old timber."
What you should know
Train noise: Multiple campgrounds sit near active railroad tracks. Derek & Alex W. note about Portland Fairview RV Park, "The train next to the park is regular so be prepared for consistent train noise."
Bridge access challenges: Reaching some sites requires crossing narrow bridges. Jim J. warns about accessing Bridge RV Park: "First off, if you have an RV and can avoid taking the Hood River Bridge, that is highly advisable. With two 9' lanes, it's a nightmare to get across."
Water pressure variations: Some RV sites have utility limitations. Jennifer H. mentions at Jantzen Beach RV Park, "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."
Site spacing: Many rv sites near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area pack units close together. Angela S. describes Peach Beach RV Park as having "Nicely spaced, clean sites. No sewer hookups if on the river side but the view we woke up to was well worth it."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Facilities with swimming options provide welcome relief during hot months. Tyson C. shares about Mt Hood Village Resort: "This was a good family camping spot. Pros - there is a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids."
Playground availability: Several gorge campgrounds offer play equipment. Jon F. says Portland Fairview RV Park has a "Nice playground for kids. Very family friendly."
Site selection strategies: Choose locations based on bathroom proximity. Tyson C. advises at Mt Hood Village: "If you're tent camping the bathrooms are quite the hike, the tent sites are crammed together, there's only one working faucet in the entire tent camping area... We were in site T4. In my opinion it's the best site in the circle. If you can get T1, that looked like the best spot."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer nature programs. Travis B. mentions that Lewis & Clark Campground has "very clean and well maintained" facilities near interpretive areas where families can learn about local ecology.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup options: Numerous rv sites near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offer complete connections. Jack B. notes at Elk Meadows RV Park, "The full hook up sites are in old growth timber giving each site a feeling is seclusion."
Pull-through availability: Many locations accommodate larger vehicles without difficult backing. Steve R. shares about Mt Hood Village Resort: "Easy to access, even for larger rigs. We stayed in 39 foot 5th wheel. Plenty of pull thru spots, full hookups, regularly spaced bathroom/showers."
Reservation timing: Popular sites require advance planning. Portland Fairview RV Park fills quickly during summer months, with Mitch F. noting it's a "Great park, fantastic staff" but recommending reservations be made well in advance.
Access road quality: Most approach roads are well-maintained for large vehicles. Michell C. describes Elk Meadows RV Park as having "Large spaces, easy to drive through, 30 and 50 amp, most sites had full hookups with fire pits and picnic tables."
