Camping options near Hermiston, Oregon sit in the Columbia Basin where elevations remain relatively low at 400-700 feet. Summer temperatures frequently reach 95-100°F, while winter lows average around 34°F. The area receives minimal rainfall, averaging just 10 inches annually, creating dry camping conditions throughout much of the year.
What to do
Columbia River access: At Umatilla Marina & RV Park, campers can enjoy water activities during hot weather. "The marina has a large parking lot and spots to clean fish. There is a nice park and swimming area for kids," notes reviewer Jill T. The marina offers both fishing opportunities and paddle sports options.
Dam tours: McNary Dam sits just a few miles from Umatilla Marina. "The McNary Dam and Fish window are a few miles down the road and well worth a visit (when open)," according to Jill T. Tours provide educational opportunities about regional hydroelectric infrastructure and fish management systems.
Stargazing: Clear desert skies create excellent night viewing conditions. A visitor at Plymouth Park Campground mentioned it "had beautiful views of the starry night sky," making it ideal for amateur astronomy. The park's minimal light pollution creates opportunities for constellation identification and meteor shower viewing.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathrooms receive consistent praise at several parks. A camper at Pilot RV Park noted, "To say clean doesn't do them justice; the facilities were immaculate." Similarly, at Umatilla Marina, Lynn G. observed "immaculate bathrooms/showers."
Marina proximity: Water access represents a significant draw. Ray V. described Umatilla Marina & RV Park's location: "After setup, we walked to the marina and the boat launch with a large parking lot." This proximity allows campers to enjoy water-based activities without driving.
Spacious sites: Plymouth Park offers generous parking areas. One reviewer noted, "The sites are level and paved, easy for any size rig." Katherine K. added that the park has "sights on paved roadway with firepits and picnic tables. Easy in and out for our 32' Class A."
What you should know
Highway noise: Several campgrounds experience traffic sound. At Umatilla Marina & RV Park, one camper mentioned, "truck traffic over the I-82 bridge was noisy," while another noted "you'll get a little truck noise but was worth the $34 for an overnight stay."
Insect activity: Yellow jackets present significant challenges at Plymouth Park during summer months. One camper reported an aggressive presence: "My boyfriend spent the entire evening fighting them away from the van. I got stung." The same reviewer noted spiders were prevalent in shower facilities.
Seasonal closures: Public facilities near Hermiston sometimes close unexpectedly. One visitor reported, "When we were there several public facilities were closed." Hat Rock Campground has transitioned entirely to long-term rentals according to a 2024 review: "Under new ownership and they no longer allow overnight camping only long-term rental."
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: The Columbia River provides cooling opportunities during hot summer months. At Umatilla Marina, Kevin H. noted, "Beach/cove is very nice and good place to paddle-board or kayak." Michelle M. added, "It's nice down by the water you can swim or fish."
Playground access: Hood Park offers recreation areas specifically for children. Chris A. shared, "There is a playground and interpretive events for kids in the evenings. They even had some movies on the weekends." These structured activities help keep children engaged.
Lawn space: Grassy areas provide play space at several campgrounds. A Hood Park visitor described, "Tons of wide green lawns with lots of space, camp sites end up pretty well spaced apart." At Plymouth Park, Katherine K. noted the "clean area with grass and playground," providing safe recreation areas.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: At Plymouth Park, pull-through sites accommodate larger rigs. Katherine K. noted it was "easy in and out for our 32' Class A." The paved surfaces minimize setup challenges for inexperienced RVers.
Hookup reliability: Water connections may require testing. One visitor at Umatilla Marina reported, "Went to hook up water on second day and it didn't work, they did move me to another spot." Checking utilities immediately upon arrival helps avoid disruptions.
Off-season value: Pasco Tri-Cities KOA provides year-round camping with full services. A visitor explained, "We initially scheduled for a two day stop but stayed for four. This park is very clean, extremely well maintained, quiet, and has lots of dog walking areas." Winter rates offer better value during non-peak travel periods.
Overnight convenience: For travelers passing through the pet-friendly camping areas near Hermiston, Oregon, Tom C. at Pilot RV Park shared, "They took our reservation from the road so we could drive right into our pull-through space." This allows for efficient stops during longer journeys.
