Camping sites near Hood River, Oregon range from national forest campgrounds to state parks spanning both sides of the Columbia River. The area sits at the transition zone between the moist western forests and drier eastern landscapes, creating varied camping environments within a 20-mile radius. Summer temperatures often reach 85-95°F during July and August, while spring and fall camping sees cooler 50-70°F days with higher precipitation potential.
What to do
Hiking from your campsite: At Lost Lake Resort And Campground, trails lead directly from the campground. "Take a hike around the lake, it's a little over 3 miles long...bring some snacks, water and your camera!" advises Tom N. The campground connects to multiple Mt. Hood trails.
Water recreation options: Wyeth Campground provides river access plus hiking opportunities. "The area is regrowing after a 2024 wildfire. It's already lush and green but the trails running from the camp still haven't been cleared fully, and you hike at your own risk," notes Ryan W. The campground sits near both river access and forest trails.
Mountain biking access: Toll Bridge Park Campground serves as a central location for cyclists. "Toll Bridge is close to everything. Mountain biking, hiking, fishing, boardsailing, kite boarding... This area is a maca for all season sports," explains Elise C. Sites back up to the East Fork of the Hood River.
Fruit Loop exploration: Many campgrounds provide convenient access to the Hood River County Fruit Loop. "Timberlake is a bit of a drive to get there but worth it. Extremely well-run campground in a beautiful setting with good access to the town of Hood River," shares Todd. The 35-mile scenic drive passes orchards, vineyards and farm stands.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Tucker Park Campground offers prized waterfront sites. "Camp host is super friendly. Get there early and snag a spot down by the river," recommends Matthew F. The proximity to flowing water creates natural white noise many campers appreciate.
Campground amenities: Cascade Locks KOA provides family-friendly facilities. "This place is super kid friendly, as-in, there's kids running absolutely everywhere. Pool and playground were fine, too," notes Corinna B. The campground also offers bike rentals and scheduled activities.
Privacy between sites: Moss Creek Campground features well-separated sites despite its small size. "This particular site which was sloping - and neighbors were noisy and chopping down live trees and limbs on site - disappointing," reports Peter J. Sites 8, 9, and 10 are noted as being more secluded and creek-adjacent.
Protection from winds: Unlike many Columbia Gorge locations, some campgrounds offer wind shelter. "The Gorge is famous for its wind, but here I was protected from gusts by the natural landscape. The sites all push up against the Cascades that hook around the camp," explains Ryan W. about Wyeth Campground.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines. "The train does run several times through the night, but it didn't really bother me us," mentions Caitlyn R. about Memaloose State Park Campground. Some campgrounds even provide ear plugs for guests.
First-come, first-served options: While most popular campgrounds require reservations, alternatives exist. "So nice to have first come/first serve campgrounds so close to Portland. I arrived around 2 on a Wednesday in August and grabbed one of 3 open sites," shares Kathy B. about Wyeth Campground.
Seasonal limitations: Most camping in the area operates from spring through fall. Viento State Park runs "April 14 to October 31" while Memaloose operates "March 10 to October 31." Winter camping options are severely limited due to weather conditions.
RV length restrictions: Many forest service campgrounds have size limitations. "The sign at entrance says 30 foot max length for trailers," notes Abby B. about Wyeth Campground. Check specific campground restrictions before booking with larger vehicles.
Tips for camping with families
Protected swimming areas: Timberlake Campground & RV offers family-friendly outdoor spaces. "Magical, large grassy lawn that our Bernedoodle loved," mentions Michelle K. The campground provides shaded sites with enough distance for privacy.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play structures for children. "We had a blast! So green and beautiful. Not far from downtown. Lots of space/areas for our kids to run to climb big rocks," shares Ketra I. about Tucker Park Campground.
Bathroom considerations: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "Bathrooms and showers were clean. Really the only reason we're not giving this a five star is because of the lack of tent space and privacy between campsites," explains Mackenzie H. Some campgrounds offer flush toilets while others have vault toilets.
Ice cream proximity: Nearby towns provide kid-friendly treats. "Bring your bike for riding around and you can also head into the nearby little town for plenty of good food and ice cream," suggests Corinna B. regarding the town of Cascade Locks.
Tips from RVers
Bridge crossing challenges: The Hood River Bridge presents navigation issues. "With two 9' lanes, it's a nightmare to get across," warns Jim J. about accessing Gorge Base Camp RV Park. Consider routes that avoid narrow bridges with larger rigs.
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds feature sloped sites requiring leveling. "Our site had a beautiful view of the river" but "There are no trees to provide shade or protection from the wind!" cautions Heather H. about Memaloose State Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Full-service options exist but are limited. "Spent two nights here with my kids. It was well maintained, clean restrooms and was right near a creek. It was about .5 miles away from the Columbia but it wasn't really safe to travel by foot since it crossed the freeway," explains Karinne C. about Viento State Park.
Back-in site challenges: Many campgrounds lack pull-through sites. "Some of the sites are on the smaller side and a little tricky to back into but doable," reports Maggie about Timberlake Campground & RV. Staff at some locations assist with backing in.
