Tent camping opportunities surround the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area on both the Oregon and Washington sides, with several small, primitive tent sites located in Mount Hood National Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Rainy Lake Campground in Oregon offers just four tent sites near Hood River, while Black Lake Campground provides walk-in tent camping with sites spread along a hillside next to the lake. Dispersed camping options can be found above Panther Creek Falls and along Panther Creek itself on the Washington side, offering more secluded experiences for tent campers seeking backcountry settings.
Most tent sites in this region have minimal amenities, with vault toilets being the only facility at established campgrounds like Rainy Lake and Wahtum Lake. Fire pits and picnic tables are typically available at designated sites, though dispersed camping areas may require campers to build their own rock fire rings. Potable water is not available at most locations, so campers should bring all necessary drinking water. Forest service roads accessing many campgrounds can be rough and potholed, requiring slow driving and sometimes high-clearance vehicles. Seasonal access varies, with many areas open from May or June through October, while higher elevations may remain snowy until early summer.
The tent camping experience in the Gorge area offers significant privacy at dispersed sites and small campgrounds. Areas near Panther Creek provide opportunities to camp within earshot of rushing water, while higher elevation sites offer cooler temperatures during summer heat. Sites at Black Lake and Rainy Lake provide direct access to hiking trails, including connections to the Pacific Crest Trail network. Tent campers should be prepared for varying weather conditions and potentially abundant mosquitoes near water sources. A review mentioned, "The sites are extremely close to each other, especially up near the pay station," at Wahtum Lake Campground, while another camper noted, "We stayed in the large open area at the top of the rock outcrop above the trailhead parking area and it was perfect" when describing dispersed camping above Panther Creek Falls.
"We have lots of people that like to camp around here. If you arrive and find it full, continue one more mile down the road to Black Lake Campground, which has 4 more spots."
"Site 1 was a little more blocked by 2 and 3 by a large log. 3 was a good site with enough level ground for 2 tents."
$15 - $23 / night
"I stumbled on this campground while visiting Rainy Lake, which is one mile North of Black Lake. This is a fun campground with a unique layout."
"4 camp sites surrounding a small lake. 1 and 2 are private While 3 and 4 are right next to each other. Campsite 2 is on the way to 3 and 4 so not to private."
$49 - $375 / night
"Everything was perfect from start to finish and hands down one of the best weddings we have been to from the stunning Ceremony site overlooking the luscious forest to the fun event space perfect for any"
"From being greeted by name as I pulled in to time spent talking with the owners under their lovely shared social hangout area with other campers, it was a very welcoming experience."
"A great spot with privacy ! Lots of turnouts along the road with river accesses just steps away ! Definitely recommend!"
"A bit of trash but nothing crazy. Fantastic place to stop even just for one night. Would definitely visit again."
"Goose Lake is one of my favorite places to camp. It is a smaller campground and pretty secluded, so it's nice and quiet/private."
"The day use area was clean and had a handful of different people fishing every day starting around 7-8."
"These are walking distance to the waterfall which is awesome, but there are about 10 additional spots with existing fire pits on the road up there."
"To access it, as you are driving on NF 65 you will see a small road to the right just a bit before you see the parking for Panther Creek Falls also on the right."
"There are sites right near the parking lot (and pit toilet) that are flat, plenty of wood for building a fire, picnic tables and fire pits, great for care camping."
$15 - $30 / night
"I discovered these lakes about a year ago and OMG I am obsessed. The campsites are unparalleled. All are lakeside on "private lakes"."
"Great camp spot at site 16 with lots of room for tents and two picnic tables for a large group. The private path to the lake was the best part. "
"Bathrooms are vault toilets and were kept clean enough."
LegendCamped here for the second year in a row, and it did not disappoint. We got lucky with a nice spot on the creek this year, which I would recommend for the best experience. The sites are spacious and most are pretty private which is great. It is primitive, no showers and just one vault toilet. I will say that the site did have a fair amount of trash on it which was disappointing, but we cleaned it up before heading out. Remember to leave no trace!!
ScoutStayed just one night in site 1, which was the only one available. It’s very private being far from the trail and has good access to the shore but is very shady at all times, although also sheltered from the wind. There was a fire ring (although no fires allowed) and a table. Several viable tent spots on the site. The toilets were closed and, unfortunately, previous campers weren’t so great at “leave no trace” because we found a bunch of dog and human feces around.
ScoutThe tent sites are very large however they have minimal grass or shade. RV sites are very close to each other. There are two bathrooms of one toilet, shower area combined. The shower is coin operated so unless you plan ahead with quarters you are out of luck. It has a card option but does not work. The bathrooms are also not clean. There are 2 portable toilets that were very clean. They advertise quiet hours after 10 pm but it is not in-forced. There was a group partying until 1am next to us. Neighboring property was also blasting music into the morning. There are many other options in the area I would look into one of those.
ScoutI camped there in my RV several times and always tried to get slot A13. It’s all the way at the end and has a nice amount of space and only a potential neighbor on one side. I also tent camped and, after scouting the sites, chose C6. That site is a bit small but is away from the rest and above them on the slope so you don’t need your rain fly for privacy.
Legendanother site where you park and walk in! 8 sites, some are more private than others. 2 vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables! great lake to kayak on.
LegendRead up on this location with some good info. Flat paved sites for dry camping.
Lost Creek Campground has 10 single-family campsites and is located on one of the largest pyroclastic volcanic mudflows from Mt. Hood’s “Old Maid” eruption in the 1700s. Fortunately all of the mudflows have cooled. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Two yurts are also available. Campground amenities include a picnic area, drinking water and vault toilets. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host.
Lost Creek / Mt. Hood Area Recreation
Outdoor recreation includes fishing. Visitors also enjoy fishing, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. The Wild and Scenic Sandy River is also not far from the popular Ramona Falls Trailhead. Mt. Hood is just southeast of the campground offers visitors the opportunity for a nice a day trip.
AMENITIES
BBQ Grills
Campsite Tables
Comfort Station
Drinking Water
Fire Pit
Fire Rings
Firewood Available
Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
Grills
Pets OK
Picnic Tables
Restrooms (Vault Toilets)
ACTIVITIES
Biking
Bird Watching
Creek
Fishing
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Nature Trails
Photography
Picnicking
River
Walking Trails
Wildlife Viewing
GuideConnected to a rest area. $19 camping no hookups. Water, pad, picnic table, and fire ring in site. Free showers. Clean bathrooms. Freeway noise not bad.
RangerThe campground is pretty remote-don’t expect any cell service-I didn’t have any with AT&T. The last 15 miles on the road to the campground is very winding and narrow-you have to drive 25mph for safety. The road was in good condition though. The campground is also very hilly. The C loop that I was on was pretty steep but the campsites had some privacy and decent space between spots for the most part. My campsite had 3 different areas that you can set up a tent on. The parking area at my campsite was actually pretty flat despite having to back up the hill to get to the spot. My campsite had quite a bit of shade in the afternoon which was great since it was in the 80’s and kinda humid. The only complaint I had was the flies! There were TONS of them everywhere and bug-spray did nothing to keep them at bay-then again you are in the forest so it’s bound to happen. My suggestion is to bring a screen tent. Parking is a premium by the general store and the boat launch and lake. It was packed when I got here around 4pm on a Saturday (not surprised) and I couldn’t get a spot so I drove to my campsite and walked there on the trails instead. It is a lot longer of a walk than I really thought and I was exhausted by the time I got to the lake and then even more tired when I got back to camp. The old growth trail and rhododendron trail had some beautiful trees. I was the only one on the trails at the time. The walk along the lake itself by the north day use area was shaded, flat, and pretty nice. Lots of picnic areas that were tucked away just off the trail. Some picnic spots were literally right on the waters edge. There was a fire ban but I saw people with little propane grills or hot plate stuff to cook yummy food. Lots of people were swimming. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards. The water was super clear and clean and a bit chilly but refreshing on a hot day. The toilets in the campground loops are vault toilets but they are pretty clean and even had hand sanitizer in them-which was a first that I have seen this summer. The showers are near the general store and you have to pay to shower. It was $6. They give you a key and take your ID and when you give back the key they give you back your ID. The shower room was super nice. Definitely looked like something that would be in a fancy hotel and was very clean. For $46 for 1 night with no electric or water hookup I was hoping that the shower would be included so that was a bit disappointing-although I was just grateful for the shower so $6 was worth it. The general store had lots of souvenirs and clothes (I bought a lost lake puzzle, a new hat, and water shoes). The store also sold hot food, coffee, snacks, soft serve ice cream, and some basic camping gear-which is nice in case you forgot something. Overall I would come back here.
GuideWe camped here for one night and it was delightful. Bathrooms are vault toilets and were kept clean enough. The drive to this specific location showed us a ton of other dispersed sites along the side of the road; we saw plenty of other cars that pulled into one of them before we got to the main campground at the trailhead. This place is a popular spot for PCT hikers, on the day we arrived we ran into a group that had organized a camping meetup.
We camped here in early June which meant mosquitos; I was definitely under-prepared, so I'd advise anyone coming here to bring lots and lots of bug spray. Not the organic stuff that fades after 2 hours, but actual Deet. Our Thermacell and citronella candles did nothing in preventing mosquitos.
If you're into it, there are popular dirt biking trails around. We saw many people hauling their bikes up to the campgrounds.
Some sites have picnic tables, others do not. We built a small fire pit out of rocks and were able to find some dried wood that had fallen around us to burn. There were also plenty of pinecones to use as fire starter.
Dispersed camping opportunities near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area provide alternatives to the established campgrounds in the surrounding national forests. Sites along forest service roads offer more remote camping experiences at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 4,500 feet. Weather conditions vary significantly by elevation, with higher sites experiencing temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than valley locations during summer months.
Fishing at alpine lakes: Goose Lake Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities with no motorized boats allowed. One visitor noted, "My husband kayak fished everyday and said it was great! Especially first and last light." The day use area draws anglers starting around 7-8 am daily.
Waterfall exploration: Camp near Panther Creek Creekside Camp for easy waterfall access. A camper shared, "Always love spots by the river. There are several sights that get secluded from others with a very short drive off the main road." These sites provide quick access to multiple waterfall viewing areas.
Hiking to viewpoints: The area around Black Lake Campground offers trails with views of Mount Hood. One camper reported, "The camp is a close walk to many trails and other sites." These trails connect to larger networks with moderate difficulty ratings.
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation sites provide relief from summer heat. At Rainy Lake Campground, a camper observed, "Visited in late June, and the weather was amazing, 15 degrees lower than in town, but the bugs and mosquitoes were overwhelming (even with deet)."
Riverside camping: Many visitors prefer sites near water. At Panther Creek, campers appreciate the natural soundtrack: "This was an awesome stay right on the creek which was secluded and nice to hear the rushing water of the creek."
Star visibility: Ridge camping areas provide excellent night sky viewing. At Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls, a camper noted, "Super dark at night with plenty of stars." Light pollution is minimal at most sites due to distance from urban areas.
Seasonal access limitations: Many forest roads remain impassable until late spring. For Forlorn Lakes, the season runs "July 15 to October 15" due to snow lingering at higher elevations.
Road conditions: Forest service roads require careful driving. A visitor to Forlorn Lakes warned, "The road turns to gravel about 15 minutes before you reach the site and its pretty bumpy in some spots. Take it SLOWWW."
Bug preparation: Insect activity can be intense, particularly near water. A camper at Rainy Lake reported, "Beautiful lake and quiet camp spots. Bugs can be overwhelming (even with deet)." Thermacells and citronella candles may prove ineffective against local mosquito populations.
Site availability strategies: Popular areas fill quickly on weekends. For Forlorn Lakes, a camper advised, "Unless you arrive on a Sunday afternoon or Monday, I think you are SOL."
Lake swimming spots: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly lake access. At Columbia Gorge Getaways, families appreciate the setup: "The kids loved running around the safe and friendly campsite and playing in the play space."
Campsite selection for privacy: Choose sites strategically for family comfort. At Black Lake Campground, a camper recommended specific sites: "4 camp sites surrounding a small lake. 1 and 2 are private while 3 and 4 are right next to each other."
Play areas: Some campgrounds feature designated recreation spaces. A visitor to Columbia Gorge Getaways mentioned, "Our kids loved play area and fun lawn games!"
Site access limitations: Many forest campgrounds have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Goose Lake, sites are "all tents and all walk-to along a hill" making them unsuitable for most RVs.
Parking considerations: Look for designated parking areas at walk-in campgrounds. At Black Lake, a camper explained, "There is no vehicle parking, but I could see bicycles and motorcycles having easy access to each campsite. A 4-wheeled vehicle will not fit in here."
Seasonal road hazards: Forest roads may have deep potholes after winter. For the best tent camping near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, remember that "Roads can be very bump but it's worth it" as one Forlorn Lakes visitor noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is Rainy Lake Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 97 tent camping locations near Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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