Searching for the best camping near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla, OR? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Oregon camping adventure.
$40 - $45 / night
"It was during the major fires in Oregon so most of the time it was socked in by thick/heavy smoke. Like brown fog. Not at all the fault of Peach Beach. "
"Tucked away just across the river and close to towns if you need anything."
$13 - $74 / night
"It's the perfect spot if you are traveling across Oregon and need a nice place to stop before continuing to another state, or eastern Oregon.
The campground is relatively small."
"Found this place on the map while searching for a place to camp at the Washington/Oregon border."
"This is along the river bordering WA & OR. There are some nice parks, museums, etc. to explore in the immediate area. The campsite itself is just ok...a little too urban for our tastes."
"This State Campground is very close to the highway, so it is very convenient!"
$15 - $35 / night
"The pull-through sites run along the water’s edge, offering water views but smaller pads and tragically, blocking my view. There’s no shade but the breeze kept things cool enough."
"The edge of the pull-through RV spots follows the river and most spots have easy access to the 10-foot rock access to the water. We visited during the last weekend of July and it was HOT!"
$13 - $74 / night
"I wasn't sure what to expect at this high desert park, but situated deep in a canyon on a once working cattle ranch, this park is poised to become one of Oregon's top state parks."
"Its also a rattlesnake habitat in Eastern Oregon's high desert biome, within 30 miles or so of The Dalles, a city marking the change in the Columbia River Gorge from high desert to wooded mountainsides"
"Dog-walking area. Distant traffic noise from I-84. I would stay there again in a heartbeat."
"There is a train track close by and the 84 is also close by. You can stay for free for up to 14 days. We have a generator and a 40’ fifth wheel. We had plenty of parking."
"The surrounding landscapes are ‘stunning’ and the peace and quiet, absolute.
While old, the restrooms and showers were very well maintained and absolutely immaculate."
"After 10 hours driving, I just wanted a quiet place to sleep. This was exactly that. I paid $35 for a pull through and a 30amp hookup for my teardrop."
"Great little swimming spot steps from our spot. Trains will come every hour and tracks are close to sites. A few wineries within a mile and one about .5 miles from spot."
"Very close to the railroad tracks and there are a lot of trains, mostly during the day. There is also a lot of truck traffic during the day. It doesn’t bother me, but your mileage may vary."
GuideBlm land next to the river only 5 spots all with tables and fire pits. Pit toilet across the way. Next to the road way so can be dusty and the trains are on the other side of the river. wildlife abundant and fishing Im told excellent.
TravelerSo far I checked in just today so haven’t explored too much I will update when necessary.
TravelerThere are several places along FR 2730 where you can pull off and camp. The road was very accessible, high clearance not required. We found a large pull off with several established fire pits. It's absolutely perfect for a group campsite. I imagine it will be a busier spot in the summer, but we couldn't find a single other person within miles of us in early May. To get up to the group camp site, you may need higher clearance (most SUVs should be fine) and 4wd/AWD, as there is a short rocky section that might cause some issues for FWD/RWD.
Got a little chilly at night with winds whipping down through the area we were in, but overall very peaceful. You can see Mt Hood from the campsite through the trees, albeit it is decently far away and is subject to the visibility at the time you visit. We were able to see Mt Hood just before sunset, but couldn't see her at all the following morning.
ScoutOne of the most memorable places we've ever camped! The host has amazing stories to go along with this amazing property! (yes, all of those exclamation points are justified!)
Don't come here expecting to be catered to and level concrete pads surrounded by manicured lawns; you'll camp in a chestnut orchard and, if you're open to it, have a fun and unique stay with a pizza oven, knife sharpening station, covered skate ramp, a creek crossing , if you have the guts, and so much more. If the host is there, ask him about his pro bicycle racing lounge.
ScoutVery quiet and clean. Spaces felt private. Awesome locations for Adam’s recreation
GuideNice quiet campground right on the Klickitat river. The sites are nicely spread out with lots of surrounding trees, but not so many that you don't get the sunshine in. My spot was right along the river and had plenty of sun for solar and sky for starlink. Each site had a fire ring. There is a clean pit toilet. Was there on a Wed and Thurs night with about half of the sites open.
Use the coordinates to find it as there is no signage from the highway. I drove by it. Look for the cement building (in my photos) sitting in front of the river.
The drive in is spectacular with Mt Adams fully flanking the right side of the road and Mt Hood flanking the left.
GuideEven though the campground is located between I-84 and a railroad track it is surprisingly peaceful. Although the sites were fairly close there were trees and the layout made it comfortable.
The train does run several times through the night, but it didn’t really bother me us.
Clean bathrooms and showers at the larger building, hosts available and ice and firewood to purchase.
Our site had a beautiful view of the river.
Campground is close to many hikes and wineries. We also checked out Ferment Brewing in Mount Hood, which was dog friendly and delicious.
LegendCame here on a hot summer day when I wanted to plug in for A/C. This place was perfect. All sites are First come First serve- and I lucked in when someone was pulling out of a river side site.
Stayed two nights and enjoyed the sound of the river outside by door, cool AC running. The staff is great. It's run by Hood River County.
TravelerBigger than it looks at first. You can pretty much camp wherever you can drive to. Lots of spots right next to the river. In March the river was pretty swift and the edge sort of steep so we stayed near the boat ramp because we didn’t want our dogs to fall in. I’ve been there in late spring and summer and the river is not nearly as swift. Not very busy when we went. Fire circles made it pretty obvious where “sites” were located.
Camping near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla, Oregon, offers a unique blend of outdoor fun and relaxation. With the right preparation, you can enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla offers a wide range of camping options, with 110 campgrounds and RV parks near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla is Peach Beach RV Park on the Columbia with a 3.9-star rating from 24 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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