Best Tent Camping near Hermiston, OR

Tent camping options near Hermiston, Oregon include several established campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Sand Station Recreation Area offers primitive tent camping along the water with boat-in access. West Park in nearby Umatilla provides shaded tent sites with electric hookups, though fires are not permitted. Juniper Sand Dunes OHV area, located across the state line in Washington, offers free primitive tent camping in a desert environment.

Most tent sites in the Hermiston area feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Sand Station Recreation Area includes picnic tables and allows campfires, but lacks drinking water, showers, and electric hookups. Sites are not formally designated except for two gravel group sites with fire rings and picnic tables that technically require permits. The proximity to both the freeway and train tracks creates notable noise issues for overnight campers. Penland Lake, located south of Hermiston near Heppner, offers multiple access options including drive-in, walk-in, and boat-in camping with trash service and pet-friendly policies.

The tent camping experience varies significantly between locations. Sand Station primarily serves as a day-use area for swimming and beach activities, with most visitors departing by evening. One camper noted, "We were here on a hot day, lots of families with kids using the beach and swimming area." Juniper Sand Dunes provides a more remote desert camping experience with opportunities for stargazing and off-road recreation. According to one visitor, "It's beautiful place to see the stars. Track your hikes, as it's easy to lose your way!" Tent campers should be prepared for potentially crowded conditions at Penland Lake, where sites near the water are positioned close together and may attract mosquitoes in the evening. The lake supports fishing and boating activities, though water quality concerns have been reported.

Best Tent Sites Near Hermiston, Oregon (4)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Hermiston, OR

224 Reviews of 4 Hermiston Campgrounds


  • K
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Plymouth Park Campground

    Clean campground

    $12 a night for water and electricity. Clean area with grass and playground. Some areas appear to be under construction or upgrade. Dumpster and restroom available. Showers closed because of covid-19. Sights are on paved roadway with firepits and picnic tables. Easy in and out for our 32' Class A. Hermiston Oregon is 6 miles away.

  • S
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Hood Park

    Hood Park

    Do not try to check in before 2 pm!!!! No alcohol allowed in park!

    Typical Park campground outside of urban area. Decent swim beach area a lot of algae outside of swim area. Town is close by so you can do other things ( Groceries, laundromat etc…..) while waiting for check in. Spider issue others write about appears to be controlled. However every picnic table has lots of spider webs underneath!!!!

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Threemile Canyon Park

    Convenient Camping Off I-84

    This spot was great for an overnight stay! Gravel lot and some small pull outs with plenty of space for multiple rigs. There was a vault toilet available for use, which was pretty clean. This is a pack it in, pack it out area, so be prepared to take your trash with you! No fires allowed! We pulled in around 9:00 PM and there were maybe 5 others there set up. It was pretty quiet, but there was some road noise, and you could hear the train when it went by, but we didn’t think it was bad at all. We also woke to gunshots in the distance early in the morning due to some others hunting, didn’t bother us at all though. Definitely a great spot if you want to do some fishing, as there is access to a boat ramp/dock and the lot is adjacent to the water… Overall we thought it was a pretty great spot for a free overnight stay and it comes with a nice view!

  • Alissa K.
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Beach RV Park

    Great tent site with WiFi

    Great site off the freeway- but because it’s close, you’ll hear cars all night. We were the only tent campers so we had a bunch of space. Fire rings and picnic tables at every site as well as a bunch of firewood. There are 2 bathrooms and showers that look pretty new. WiFi works closer to the RVs.

  • Jen R.
    Sep. 19, 2020

    Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area

    Beautiful campground too close to Intestate

    We stayed here in a tent site (no hookups) on our way back to Portland from Nevada. As an overnight cut-off campground, it’s lovely: Nice-sized sites set in beautiful Oregon forest (we’d been out of state for a couple weeks and REALLY appreciated the trees); clean bathrooms and showers; long “tent” sites that allowed us to back in our 18ft trailer without uncoupling for the night.

    However, it’s right on the interstate. While you kind of tune it out after a while, the road noise is constant and definitely interferes with any sense of “wilderness”.

  • J
    Jul. 15, 2020

    Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park & Tipi Villiage

    Shady park like view

    Fairly level site 95 fit our trailer & truck totaling 55”. People tend to not leash their dog which is a problem for my dog. Full hookups, check in is 3pm out is 11am. About 10 miles outside of Pendleton, OR (post office for mail and packages, Walmart Supercenter and Safeway. Arrowhead travel center for gas or munchies that has easy RV access. Free WiFi and 2 bars of Verizon LTE. Just off of Hwy 84. We did not enter the casino. Roosters restaurant in Pendleton provided safe distance dining in a clean environment.

  • Nathan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2021

    Hood Park

    Very Comfortable with Manicured Lawn and tons of space

    Lots of options in this campground from drive through big trailer spots to back in spots to tent only areas. 

    Tons of wide green lawns with lots of space, camp sites end up pretty well spaced apart so you might only have 2 or 3 neighbors then a ton of lawn before another neighbor.

    It's right on the snake river, so you can practically fish from your camp site if you want. There is a connected wildlife preserve that you can walk around in and also fish in that is a sperate area. Lots of birds to watch. 

    There is also a connected park that is only open during the day with a beach. 

    Fully facilities including water and power hookups, a central dumping station. Flush toilets and showers included. A playground for the kids. 

    River barges keep things along the river interesting. Maybe road noise from the nearby highway was a bit louder than we'd like.

  • a
    Jun. 28, 2022

    Sand Station Recreation Area

    Mostly day use

    We were here on a hot day, lots of families with kids using the beach and swimming area. There are no designated camp sites except for two gravel group sites with fire rings and picnic tables that you are supposed to have a permit for. We were not group camping but used one of those sites anyway as it seemed the only place to camp and no one else was camping.

    The site is right next to the freeway and train tracks, so is noisy. I used my ear plugs.

    All the day users were gone by 9pm.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Crow Butte Park

    Fun stay

    Spent a fun weekend here. Site was easy to back into. Clean and level. Lots of shade and grass. Allows pets (on leash) fun little park for the kids and nice little beach for swimming.


Guide to Hermiston

Tent camping near Hermiston, Oregon centers around the Columbia River and surrounding high desert terrain. The area sits at approximately 640 feet above sea level in Oregon's northeastern region, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while winter nights can drop below freezing. Camping options range from primitive sites near water recreation areas to established campgrounds with limited amenities, typically located within a 30-mile radius of the city.

What to do

Stargazing opportunities: The remote setting of Juniper Sand Dunes OHV offers exceptional night sky viewing. "Beautiful place to see the stars. Track your hikes, as it's easy to loose your way!" notes camper Holly R. The dark skies and minimal light pollution make this area ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.

Fishing and boating: Penland Lake supports multiple water-based activities. "You can do pretty much anything here from kayaking to fishing to swimming and overnight camping," according to Primetime V. The lake features a boat launch suitable for small watercraft but requires a valid fishing license for anglers.

Off-road recreation: The desert terrain surrounding Hermiston provides extensive trails for dirt biking and OHV use. As Jess G. describes Juniper Sand Dunes, it's "Desert camping off the beaten path! Lots of fun! Good trails, tons of dirt biking." Riders should bring adequate water supplies as no services are available on-site.

What campers like

Shaded campsites: West Park offers relief from the intense summer heat with tree-covered sites. James T. describes it as "a nice, shady campground. It is well-kept and on par with many other state park campgrounds I've been to." The canopy provides natural cooling during hot summer days when temperatures frequently reach 90°F or higher.

Secluded spots: At Penland Lake, campers can find more isolated sites away from crowds. "The one positive note is that there are a few campsites further away from the water so you're not so crowded," reports Ashton B. These sites typically require slightly longer walks but offer increased privacy.

Family-friendly beaches: Day-use swimming areas at some locations provide safe water access. Sand Station Recreation Area serves primarily as a popular swimming destination during summer months, with most visitors departing by evening, creating quieter overnight conditions.

What you should know

Seasonal crowds: Water access points become heavily used during peak summer months. At Sand Station Recreation Area, day-use patterns follow predictable patterns. "We were here on a hot day, lots of families with kids using the beach and swimming area... All the day users were gone by 9pm," reports aregan.

Water quality concerns: Some water bodies may contain parasites or contaminants. At Penland Lake, one camper reported: "It smelled awful and wasn't really the ideal wading water but we made it work. Unfortunately, when we got out of the water we found leeches attached to our feet." Swimming is not advisable in all locations.

Limited amenities: Most tent camping near Hermiston requires self-sufficiency. Few sites offer drinking water, and some lack even basic facilities like toilets. Campers should pack in all necessary supplies including drinking water, food, and waste disposal bags.

Tips for camping with families

Noise considerations: The proximity of transportation routes affects sound levels at some campgrounds. At Sand Station Recreation Area, one camper noted: "The site is right next to the freeway and train tracks, so is noisy. I used my ear plugs." Families with light sleepers should consider sites farther from major roads.

Site spacing: At lakeside locations, expect close proximity to neighboring campers. At Penland Lake, a visitor observed: "The tent sites were extremely close to each other and the water so I would imagine, come evening the mosquitoes would be awful!" Setting up mesh shelters for eating areas provides relief from insects.

Activity timing: Plan water activities during morning hours when temperatures are cooler and crowds smaller. Many day-use areas near the best tent camping near Hermiston, Oregon become congested by midday during summer months.

Tips from RVers

Access limitations: Some campgrounds near Hermiston have challenging entry points for larger vehicles. At Penland Lake campground, a visitor noted: "If you go further into the campsite area you will find a dirt road and a few more campsites near the water. Very tight and looks difficult to get an RV in, but there was a small one parked there." RVs exceeding 25 feet should confirm access before attempting entry.

Utility restrictions: Electric hookups are scarce among tent camping locations around Hermiston. Most sites require generator use for power needs, though West Park does offer electric hookups while prohibiting campfires, providing a trade-off for RV campers seeking basic amenities.

Seasonal closures: Several access roads to primitive camping areas become impassable during winter months. Camping near Hermiston outside summer season requires calling ahead to verify road conditions and campground status as many operate seasonally without formal closure announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best tent camping sites near Hermiston, Oregon?

Hermiston offers several quality tent camping options nearby. Sand Station Recreation Area is popular for its beach and swimming area, making it ideal for families with children. While it lacks formally designated individual sites, it does offer group sites with fire rings and picnic tables. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Penland Lake provides campsites both near the water and further away, giving you options to avoid crowds. The lakeside sites are specifically designated for tents with separate parking areas.

What is the best season for tent camping in Hermiston?

Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the best tent camping conditions in Hermiston, with summer being particularly popular but potentially very hot. If you're looking for unique experiences, consider Juniper Sand Dunes OHV, which provides excellent stargazing opportunities and trail access for hiking and dirt biking. This desert camping location is best enjoyed in spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate. Summer camping in the Hermiston area generally means hot days, but the numerous water recreation opportunities at local campgrounds help offset the heat.

What amenities are available at tent camping grounds in Hermiston?

Tent camping grounds around Hermiston offer varied amenities depending on the location. West Park (OR) provides a well-maintained, shady campground experience comparable to many state parks, with the added benefit of being close to water recreation. For more basic amenities, Penland Lake offers vault toilets and accommodates various outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and swimming. Most campgrounds in the area provide standard amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, though facilities tend to be more rustic than luxurious.