Best Cabin Camping near Hood River, OR

Pros: Good lake to swim in, smaller state park so not too busy, kayaks you can rent, small playground if you have kids, pet frIendly cabIn I stayed In was faIrly secluded Cons: because it’s smaller, kids on bikes were on the road often so you have to be aware, only one shower stall in the restrooms

BGLSP is a really lovely park not too far from Portland with camping and rustin cabins. Most of the campsites are large enough for 2 tents, and there were many RVs and popups - good size driveways/parking areas. Cabins C17 and C21 were the most private, though C13 and C15 had a partial view of the lake. Campsites 19 and 20 were really tucked back and adjoined such that two groups could spread out. There is only one bathroom for the entire camping/cabin area, and it got pretty dirty/crowded at times, so that wasn't ideal. I would also recommend checking out the water quality information before going if you plan to do water sports or swimming. There was a high bacteria advisory when we went, so swimming was discouraged. We ended up going to nearby Klineline Pond to swim instead. There is a nice little concession stand, though, and they offer SUP and kayak rentals that looked nice.

Battleground is a nice and well loved state park not far from Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The part itself centers around a clear caldera lake with tent camping, RV camping, cabins, trails, group sites, and the like. The lake is also frequently stocked, and fishing is popular. Not motorized boats, but plenty of kayaks and rafts. There is a small camp store with snacks and fishing supplies on-site. Campground is well appointment with showers, water, etc.

Hiking around the lake is fun. And well a crowded park, it is easy to sneak away to a quiet spot. Some cabins and campsites have nice views overlooking the lake. The town of battleground is nearby with restaurants, grocery stores, and any you might have forgotten.

This camp has RV sites, tent sites and beautiful cabins with porch swings and is located close to the Columbia River waterfalls.

Little luxuries include a camp store where we picked up bacon and eggs, an outdoor pool with hot tub, bathrooms with showers, “wood” ceramic floors and halo lighted mirrors plus facilities with washer/dryers and an outdoor sink to wash dishes.

Some people might find the train coming through right behind the camp several times a day and night a little annoying but we didn’t mind. We realized that the train blew 2 long, 1 short and 1 long whistle right before it reached the camp which is a warning (we googled it) that a train is coming through with engine in front and for cars/people to clear the track....the things you learn when you camp🚂

Decent RV camping. Stayed 2 nights during last weekend of summer break. Packed a little tight but most people were outgoing and friendly while we visited. Very close to summer (and I'm assuming winter) attractions with Ski Bowl nearby. A few nice restaurants within a few minutes drive. Nice indoor pool and hot tub. Good playground for kids. Very family friendly.

Close proximity to many hiking trails, and town grocery store and gas station. Full rv hookups. We chose this campground because we had been traveling up the coast all week and our kids could use a break from”roughing it” this place was full of amenities...laundry, pool, hot tub, playgrounds, store and wi-fi (which we hadn’t had all week) it was definitely a resort type environment, good for families with kids. Some sites are private(because we asked for one) but many are like a parking lot...I would let them know your preference before you book:)

I have been there twice this summer.

Actually, I started camping there more than two decades ago, when it was still being developed.

I am partial to it for that reason.

It is more of an RV campground. But, it does have several yurts, and a tent camping area.

Not the quiet, "roughing it" style I like, but when I just want to chill, and do nothing in particular, this is a decent place to camp. It has a lodge, an exercise room, pool, hot tub, hot showers, bathrooms with indoor plumbing, and outlets for the ladies hair dryers (or charging the battery on your smart phone).

A small store on the grounds provides for the last minute treats to make s'mores, or even a chocolate ice cream sandwich from the freezer.

I actually like using the campground as a "basecamp" for my hikes around Mt Hood.

It's not as quiet as a campsite deep in the wilderness, but sometimes it's nice to get away without getting away from it all.

Oh, and sometimes I prefer indoor plumbing over vault toilets or bushes.

This was our first trip in our new RV. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Our spot was a 40ft pull through with full hookups, cable, a fire pit, and a picnic table. We were parked next to the bathroom that was in the area and the facilities were very clean. The river that runs along the property was very beautiful. The site has a large hot tub in its own separate room away from the pool which was nice because it was quiet. The indoor pool was very large and clean. I didn't get a chance to try it out because we were only there 1 night. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back.

Peaceful setting, room to hike and roam. Across street from east fork of the Lewis River. Cabins, tipis, lodge, and RV park - all for groups such as churches, organizations, schools, etc. No individual camping. Large commercial kitchen and dining hall, Classrooms, nursery, multipurpose building, several fields. Labyrinth. Fire pits. Improvements happening continually.

Cascade Locks KOA is a perfect base camp for exploring up and down the Columbia Gorge. The tall pine trees made for great shade and a true campground feel.

The only downside was the train which is really out of the park’s control but if you’re in a tent it will be hard to ignore.

After 2 sleepless nights at a State Park, we were planning to cancel our stay and travel inland to escape the trains that ran 24/7 in the Gorge. However, after expressing our concerns to Catherine, KOA staff at the front desk, she worked her magic, moved us to the back of the park where the noise was more buffered. We stayed for spent 6 days to explore Colombia Gorge and Mount Hood. The staff here were on point! The bathrooms very clean! Even better is that their pool and hot tub were operational and highly maintained.

This campground is big, with a lot of trees and a good number of sites have shade for the majority of the day (at least where we were), they have full hook ups and partial, cable with a great variety of channels, their WiFi is not good, not even by the “lounge”, tiny house and cabins available for rent (pet friendly options available) which is cool, laundry facility, cafe/bakery on site, nice store with good variety of food and drink options, DVD rental. The bakery is independently owned and opens daily, they bake cinnamon roles daily and the cream cheese is home made...OMG, worth having one or two with coffee! Gas station (72) and great grocery store (thrift away) nearby )1.5 mi away). We had a great corner site and we were not surrounded by a lot of people, there was one family at the site behind us and luckily no one to our right. The fact the campground was packed for Father’s Day and lack of cleanliness at their bathrooms and laundry facility makes me wonder how serious they are taking Covid-19. We’ve been to three campgrounds so far and two of them were taking it very seriously and keeping it clean and limiting the number of people using the laundry. Some didn’t open the bathrooms and the ones who did, kept is very clean. Not so much the case here, which was disappointing as this is a “resort”. If you are looking to spend a few days exploring MT Hood area, this is a good location, not too far out from MT. Hood, fun scenic drive to up to the lodge. We saw people skiing there! If you feel like driving an hour, make your way to Hood River, which is an adorable town, with a few clothing stores, pet store, bookstore, coffee shops, brewers and an amazing river...the Columbia River Gorge. You can take windsurfing lessons (which we did and it was super fun). Hood River is the windsurfing capital of the world. You can also take kite surfing lessons or just sit and watch all of them fly around! Across the Columbia river it is the state of Washington, and you can cross the Hood River toll bridge and explore WA. Riverside is a great Restaurant located at the Best Western Hood River Inn-they have a beet salad that is to die for. Calamari app is yummy as well as the mushroom fondue burger. Next day we had the beet salad again and two pasta dishes which were amazing (chicken Alfredo and Fregula & Sausage), they have a pressed lemonade that’s sooo yummy! Hood River is worth visiting! If it is sunny, pack up some beach towels, swimming suit and head there for a day in the water.

My wife, son, and I stayed at The Klickitat Treehouse for two nights in early March 2022 and had an amazing experience! The treehouse is furnished with 3 queen-sized beds + a couch. It also contains most modern amenities that you would find in a hotel suite, including A/C, 2 heaters (bedroom & bathroom), a wood stove for heating the main area, an indoor shower, a stove, refrigerator, glasses + mugs, board games, plenty of firewood, and much more. In addition, there is an outdoor shower and fire pit available to guests during specific seasons (no outdoor shower in the winter and no fires during fire bans a.k.a. late summer in the PNW). Note, however, that there is no wifi or cell service (this was a plus for me, as I was looking for an "unplugged" experience).

The Treehouse is on private property off of a dirt/gravel road about 15 minutes from downtown White Salmon (AWD not required, but could be useful for rain/snow). We received specific directions ahead of our stay via email that took us directly to the house.

Some other miscellaneous things to note:

• There is a tiny home that shares the property and accommodates overnight guests. It's not close to the treehouse, but expect to share some of the common amenities (e.g. deck, firewood, Mt. Adams bench, etc.) if somebody is staying there.

• If you're coming from Oregon or want to spend some time in Hood River, there is a $4 toll to cross the bridge. So a round trip across the river will cost you $8 as of 2022.

• Everything you need to make meals is in the treehouse, but we explored White Salmon and Hood River for some food. Highlights included White Salmon Baking Co., Everybody's Brewing, Pfriem, Ferment (though there are many more that we would still like to explore!)

The only thing I wish had been provided in advance was fire starters for the wood stove. There were matches, a hatchet, and an instruction manual, but I had to spent quite a bit of time chopping wood to make kindling and meet the wood size specifications of the stove itself.

While the cabin is certainly pricey, it is such a truly unique experience that I would highly recommend for any season. Looking forward to staying here again in the future!

Tent sites are large and spaced out so your not right next to your neighbors. It’s a little bit of a walk to the lake but enjoyable. We stayed in the A-frame cabin which is right off the parking lot so can be busy but is a generous size lot and has some shrubbery and trees for privacy. there’s a trail out right out the back of the lot. The cabin is small and rustic. Non motorized lake. Canoe, paddle board and boat rentals available and I highly recommend.

The lake is great for paddling in sight of near by Mount Hood. Easy access from the Hood River side. Access from the south is through narrow fire roads and not recommended. The trail around the lake is a nice walk. Butte trail gives away to great views of Mount Hood after a climb through the forest. Some camp sites have easy access right along the lake and some are further away and require a short walk to the lake. Camp sites are first come first serve so get there early on busy weekend's as they fill up fast. Since the campgrounds are around a body of water expect mosquitos and bring bug spray.

Stunning view of the mountain backdrop- crystal clear waters-access to a small shop and water activity rentals which is fun. There is a resort , and cabins as well as tent camping which I prefer. The lake itself is “busy”with families and kids during the day but nice clean camping otherwise -some might even call it glamping but it’s worth it for the view and having access to the activities the next morning.

I have kind of a love/hate thing going on for Lost Lake Campgrounds.

Pros: It is beautiful. There's a reason it's one of Oregon's most photographed sites. There's a 3-mile hike around the lake that shows Mt. Hood and its lovely reflection in the lake. There's fishing, swimming, boating, and a camp store that has "It's It" ice cream (definitely a pro). The camp sites are nice, decent sized, and surrounded by trees.

Cons: It is crowded. We're talking thousands of people on a nice summer weekend, traffic jams, and no place to actually make it into the lake (except right at the boat dock) unless you claim your picnic spot really early. There's also no cell phone reception (at all), and while that may sound lovely in theory, when you're a family trying to find each other somewhere on the trail or in the campground it's a real pain.

On weekends and holidays, you also need to book not two, but three nights in a row (Thursday/Friday and Saturday, for example), so if you're trying to get away for a regular 2-day weekend you're out of luck.

In general: 140+ camp sites including several walk-in-only sites right near the lake. There's also cabins and yurts, though those don't include a bathroom on site, so the $70-$150+ seems pretty steep for still having to use an outhouse (we haven't stayed in the cabins personally yet, but have seen them in person). You can book online for both cabins and camp sites (reserveamerica for the camping).

Tips: For day trips, there's a $8 parking fee that you can avoid if you park outside of the entrance and walk the 1/4 mile or so. Also, cabins and yurts are half-price in May, something we may remember for next Memorial Day well in advance (since everything books up so quickly).

This small state park is tucked alongside the Columbia River and Horsethief Lake. The campground is not large with only 4 regular campsites, 4 walk in sites, 8 partial hookups, a Teepee and 2 platform tents. The grounds surrounding the campground and alongside the lake are large, green grass areas with picnic tables everywhere. There are also archaeological sites with artifacts and pictographs within walking distance of the campground. There was a small kayak/canoe rental place that is run by the super friendly camp host.

I reserved the Teepee. I arrived a dusk during what would be a very strong wind storm that would last all night and all the next day. When I first went into the Teepee I noticed the canvas at the bottom was so rotten and the inside flap was secured to nothing so every time the wind blew the inside flap would fill up over half the inside and dirt would swirl everywhere. The front door flap was also very rotten and would not secure, so every time the wind blew, the door would fly open and let in more dirt. Needless to say my dog and I lasted about 5 minutes.

After talking to camp host I was able to get into one of the platform "tents". I later learned from the Park Ranger that stopped by that the canvas on the tents had rotted out in May so he had built what I would call plywood cabins with canvas roofs. There were 2 cabins, each one had 2 windows, 2 sets of bunk beds, a weak light, and a latch secured door. The cabin let in not one bit of wind which was nice, but also got very hot even though it was a cool evening and I had the window open all night. The next day the wind continued, not a big fan of strong sustained wind, but I figured out that when the door was open it created an arc of no wind right in front of the cabin which was nice to sit, watch, and relax. Please note, the cabin is not sealed to the creatures, on the second morning my dog woke me up to a bat that got stuck inside the cabin and was trying to get out, I was able to get the door open and it flew out.

The downside to the platform cabin is the lack of air flow, which in the summer could be rough. Also the only bathroom was a bit of a walk, but was kept clean and had showers. Also the parking was far away, so again a lot of walking. I was also informed by the Park Ranger that the Teepee would be taken down at the end of the 2018 season with no plans to bring it back.

Overall it as a good state park if you don't mind the wind and just want to relax. I'm not sure if I would go back but would recommend it to others.

We have camped here three times over the last 7 years.  Sometimes for full vacations, sometimes just as part of a larger trip, and I always love it.  The lake is beautiful, with great views of Mt. Hood.  The little store has snacks and some food as treats and rents kayaks, row boats, etc.  The showers are very nice and clean.  The campsites are huge and very private.  There are even a few trails which leave from the campground if you want to hike.  And for those that want less rustic they even have yurts!

Now, it is busy, especially on the weekends.  There is a reason for that.  If you want to spend the day at one of the spots on the lake, you have to get up early and get your spot (by 9am, even on a weekday).  On the weekend it can be a bit of a mad house with people coming from outside the campground, so I recommend staying during the week.

Also, the bathrooms are pit toilets.  They aren't bad, but still pits. :)

Pros:

* Beautiful lake

* Close to Hood River

* Hiking from the campground

* Store with treats

* Very nice showers

* Very nice campsites with lots of space

Cons:

* Very crowded on the weekends

OK:

* Pit toilets

A couple years ago I rented a cabin here and it was awesome.  The cabin was very nice.  My buddy and I rented a boat and caught fish like it was going out of style.  It was a fun trip. There is a store there and the people are very nice and definitely  know where to tell the people where to fish.

I love Lost Lake. The view of Mount Hood is spectacular from the middle of the lake. It’s a beautiful, moderate drive from Portland. You’re close to Hood River and all the great fun there. The water is clear and pleasant in the shallows. There’s a little store to rent SUPs, pedal boats and more. You can buy ice cream. It’s a kid paradise, basically!

We were able to snag a relatively private site this past June. The bugs were buggin’ though, if we had a breeze it would have helped immensely. Nothing to do about that but just an FYI to bring all the citronella.

Like others mention, it’s hard for those camping to get into the water since day users come with everyone (and their mom) for the day. So, claim a lakeside spot for swimming EARLY. None of this camp breakfast at 8 AM business. Eat a bar and then grab your spot. It was just super mayhem busy. I would strongly advise to avoid weekends or just understand that it’s sort of like carnival camping. There is no cell service BTW.

It’s not cheap to camp, we paid about $75 for two nights. I think the people running the park (third party for the state?) could have invested more in picking up sites and trail maintenance. Some trails were impassable due to downed trees presumably from winter storms.

Just a heads up, for FCFS camping, you’re supposed to set up your tent then pay. This caused a minor argument when we set up camp and someone drove up claiming to have dibs to the site. Set up your tent first, then pay.

A church camp near Moulton Falls near Washington. The camp has a few RV pull-though spots, but the main part of the campground involves a number of “cabins” that you can only use as part of a large group gathering. Nice playgrounds on site, soccer field, TP, and the like.

Cabins look a bit drab/well loved, depending on your point of view.