Columbia River Gorge camping near Gresham offers varied terrains from wooded riversides to mountain foothills. The area ranges from 600-4,000 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most campgrounds remain open May through October, though several offer year-round access with limited winter services.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Milo McIver State Park Campground features exceptional disc golf courses that attract competitive players. "Milo McIver may be best known for it's twin 18 hole disc golf courses, or single 27 hole layout when tournaments aren't in progress. Home of the annual Beaver State Fling, a PDGA sanctioned National Tour event," notes Steve C.
River recreation: The Sandy and Clackamas Rivers offer multiple water activities within minutes of campsites. "Barton Campground has everything you need for a good trip... The river access down at the day use was lovely," reports Lanae, while another camper mentions "Barton Park is a gorgeous state park in the heart of the Gorge with great hikes and views of the Columbia river."
Nature trails exploration: Most campgrounds feature hiking opportunities ranging from paved paths to forest trails. "There are very active trains nearby that will wake you if you're a light sleeper very early in the morning... Would definitely stay here again. A lot of the larger RV sites are reservation, but we were able to get a site on first come first serve mid September," shares Sarah S. about Ainsworth State Park.
What campers like
Disconnected camping experience: Oxbow Regional Park offers a rare opportunity to truly unplug. "Barely got 1 bar of 4g at the welcome center. There's a guest wifi in the parking lot there too but it's 2 miles further to the camp ground and texts hardly go through," explains Zach S., highlighting the park's genuine digital detox environment.
Swimming spots: Natural water access points provide cooling relief during summer months. "One of my favorite things to do when the weather warms up is to float. I enjoy the Clackamas River. We sometimes start at Barton County Park Campground after lunch. It's lovely all around! Clean and lots of space," shares Rebekah H.
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and organized activities keep children entertained. "Barton Campground has everything you need for a good trip... The kids enjoyed the playground and biking around the loop," mentions Lanae, while another camper notes, "Battle ground lake is a perfect getaway!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. "You can book sites online up to 24 hours in advance, or you can show up to camp one night at one of the few non-reservable first come sites. When I arrived the board read CAMPING FULL, but when I went to the campground I found it to be pretty empty," shares Stephanie Z. about her experience at Oxbow Regional Park.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or railways. "Road noise can be loud here. Try to get a site as close to the river as you can so you can avoid the highway noise at night," advises J W. about Oxbow Regional Park.
Seasonal limitations: Winter camping options exist but with reduced services. "Rolled in January 1st. Self pay. About 5 sites with power and water. We got a nice level one. There are only 5 other sites in the whole campground occupied. Short walk to the lake to fish. Beautiful and quiet... And 25 degrees," reports Chris J. about winter camping at Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Opt for shaded sites: During summer months, temperatures can rise quickly. "I really loved this campground! The Columbia River Gorge is a crazy awesome area with a ton to do. The campground had plenty of amenities like showers, hiking trails, a playground, and clean bathrooms," notes Sam M. about Ainsworth State Park Campground.
Consider walk-in sites: These often provide more privacy for family groups. "The tent/rv loop, sites 1-30 are all in the open along the grass with no separation between them. Sites 31-59 are set back into the woods with a bit more privacy and separation— they're still pretty close together, but the woods and plantings help a lot," advises Reid B. about Battle Ground Lake State Park.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Gresham: Most area campgrounds welcome pets with specific rules. "This little camp ground was great for a two night stay. Lots of hiking near by," shares Laura B. about pet-friendly Battle Ground Lake State Park, while another camper notes, "We don't have a tow car so we relied on public transportation to get to downtown, which was great (though it is a 1 mile walk to the bus stop)... There's a little neighborhood dog park right across the street."
Tips from RVers
Winter access considerations: Year-round camping is available at select locations. "A great place to stop with a motorhome or tent, located on the banks of the Columbia River near Portland. The park is known for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and good amenities: paved parking, electricity, Wi-Fi, showers, and laundry facilities," notes Willeth about Columbia River RV Park.
Hookup availability varies: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups only. "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. Nice store for basic needs, nice laundry room," shares Steve R. about Mt Hood Village Resort.
Consider proximity to activities: Some RV parks serve as excellent base camps. "The main attraction of this place is the nearby recreation. There is a path that leads to the Wildwood recreation area and within the RV park itself there is access to the Salmon River for fishing/swimming," notes Joel H. about Mt Hood Village Resort, highlighting its strategic location for exploring the greater Mount Hood area.
