Best Tent Camping near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla, OR

This review is for the main campground, there is another group/horse campground across the highway that I did not stay in. The small campground is right off Highway 97. The first part of the campground is where the hook ups, large RV's, small trailers and tent campers are located. The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces. Some spots looked barely big enough for a 2 person tent. In this same area is the only flush toilets/showers (Coin operated). Continuing past this main area and over a small hill is where the tent camping/sheep herders tents are located. Since it was located away from the main camping area it was quiet with regards to hearing fellow campers, the downside is the spaces are closer to the Highway. Day and night, semis speed past the state park on either a downhill straight away or an uphill straight away, regardless it sounds like a freight train or military landing pad all night/day long. It was so loud you had to stop talking until the semi passed. The space I was in was so small my 3 person tent only fit if one side was touching the fire ring. Luckily there was a fire ban so no fire to melt my tent. The space also had full view of the pit toilet, since it was the only toilet on that side, I saw everyone come and go. It was also super close to one of the sheep herders tent site. There were 2 sheep herder tents sites. The spots looked large and the tents looked like they would sleep at least 4-5 people. The other tent sites where much larger, but still all the sites could hear the highway. Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy. There were a bunch of trails that ran through out the park that provided a nice alternative to get to the other side of the park or climb to the top of the hill near the power lines. The camp host was also a very nice gentleman who suggested activities in the near by area. I was exploring the area cause it's new to me, but I wont return cause it's not my type of camping.

Beautiful camp right along the Deschutes River. Very peaceful except for trains that go by and blow horn. Full hook ups and tent camping areas. Bathrooms are very clean. Good hiking trails along river.

Viento is a nice state park along 84 right outside of hood river. It is along the columbia river and has beach access. The campground is split in two with the tent sites on one side and the rv sites on the other. The highway and a railroad track run right through the campground. There are mulitple trails perfect for day hikes. The sites and bathrooms are clean. Oregon State Parks offer free showers.

This is a nice little park, it’s a little misleading when you pull in as there is an Indian reservation next to it that looks like a bunch of homeless camps, so be careful where you park your rig. Also if you’re tent camping, I found out from the camp host that you may want to check with him before you set up a tent as there are automatic sprinklers that come on certain days

Stayed here one night at the recommendation of a fellow camper in an Oregon Park. Tent camping close to the Columbia River, though your view is also the highway. And at night? So much noise. Between the trains and the surrounding highways, it was easily one of the worse night's sleep we have ever encountered camping. The spaces are also VERY close to one another, no privacy what so ever. There are nice showers and flushing toilets, and with AT &T full phone service. Park is very clean and well maintained. Short walk to a delicious fruit stand. Would not stay here again on our travels due to the lack of sleep, maybe it is different in an RV?

We’ve been camping here for over 20-years and every time a memorable experience. Whether your needs are for a full hookup or a simple tent site, they’ve got them all. This evening there were only 3 other sites occupied, on a Saturday! With the river song of the Deschutes in the background and a large population of geese, ducks, turkeys, vultures and, eagles, and deer, the wildlife are never far. Also a popular spot with fishermen, rafters and kayakers, it can get busy in the summer but always a people-watching extravaganza.

Cottonwood Canyon is a beautiful, well-maintained state park. We have not camped here because it is not our camp vibe (too developed), but I just want to clarify that there is NO dispersed camping here. This page incorrectly states there is dispersed camping in Cottonwood Canyon SP. There are a handful of what the park has called “hiker” spots, which are about 25 feet from a parking lot. Campsites on literally on top of each other. Camping is prohibited essentially everywhere else on park land, which is frustrating because it’s over 800 acres and there’s plenty of room to accommodate the handful of adventure seekers to disperse. Piggybacking what others have said: canyons get very windy and tent camping can be tricky in these conditions.

Overall, a lovely campground for families and campers who prefer less primitive amenities.

This beautiful campground was loaded with amenities. The gorgeous John Day River, was perfect for fishing, swimming, floating. There was several trails within the campground as well as trailheads around the perimeter. We brought our own bikes but if you don’t bring yours, they offered loaner bikes and there were little bike workstations on the grounds. Pet friendly! Including a fenced in dog area (about an acre) and doggie poo bags readily available. We have a truck with camper but the tent sites each had a solar panel to provide electricity for charging the essentials. The grounds must have been a farm originally and the campground designers did an awesome job of using the existing structures to add to the rustic nature and maintain the land’s historic relevance. Cottonwood Canyon surpassed our expectations, especially considering the very low price tag. I cannot recommend highly enough.

Lots to offer here and is good for one night for more avid tenters wanting the sights or nature, or multiple nights for social campers or RVs. Good trails, well run, clean, and smack dab in the middle of Columbia Gorge, one of the most beautiful places in the country. Plenty of tall trees. I grew up next to a freeway and I love trains, though the highway and train honks are substantial if your idea was to relax in nature for the weekend. Would be four stars if the sites were a little more spread out, I reckon'. Bring your kayak, fishing pole or wetsuit - as of today, theswimguide.org indicated locations up- and downriver from Viento were safe (though it's harder than it should be to find that kind of information). Video from the tent sites south of I-84, most of the photos are from the north, river more RV-ish side.

We stayed here in April and got lucky with beautiful 70° weather. It's a great spot- easy to get to from Hwy 216. There are some gravel roads but they are well kept. I don't think you would need a 4x4 car. We tent camped but other spots had camping trailers. There weren't hookups but there was a clean pit toilet (stocked with TP 👏). The river seemed accessible from most camping spots, if not all. Each site had a table and fire pit. These are first come first serve and there is a fee, so bring cash. We got their Friday evening and the only spot left was the group spot which was $25 a night in the off season (more during the summer). The spot was away from others so we had privacy, which was great and worth the extra cost. One thing to note is that there are ticks. We didn't get any on us but our dogs did. Thankfully they are on medicine for that so it wasn't too bad. I definitely recommend this campground. Everyone was fishing and kayaking and it is absolutely beautiful there!

Found this place on the map while searching for a place to camp at the Washington/Oregon border. This lovely little state park is near the mouth of the Deshutes River into the Columbia and it’s a great location for somebody heading south from Washington into Oregon and beyond on 97.  Staying here will avoid most of the I 84 and allow you to stay in a pristine natural area right on the river. The only disruption might be for some the noise of trains that ran across the river. The state park has several campsite loops, we stayed in the primitive tent site T Loop were there no hook ups and only a picnic table and fire pit. They also have electrical hooked up sites on loop A. A dump station is also available. Bathrooms with flushing toilets in loop A, otherwise many very clean pit toilets all throughout the park. There are 2 hiking trails and an old railroad bed bike trail departing from the state park and continuing south along the River. Many primitive campsites further up with only hike-in or bike-in or boat access. We saw two cyclist with overnight bikepacking gear staying here. We had reservations but did not need them on a midweek day in March but I suspect this place gets quite busy on weekends and in the warmer season. Good AT&T cell reception.

June 2021 this campground is full of trees that give shade all around most of the campsites. We stayed at site A-13 which is up against highway#84 westbound traffic so there is noise 24hrs a day especially when trucks are using their Jake brakes to slow down with. There are loops A and B. So, B loop starts inside the middle of the park and A loop goes around until about A-45 then it meets B loop then continues around the outside of the campground back to A-1. Site A-1 thru A-15 and most all of B loop have full hookups otherwise there are many tent sites that have water and a sewer drain at each site. The sites on the lower part of the campground against the river are quieter and have a wonderful view of the river and the Washington side of the river along with some river traffic. However there still is some noise from the railroad tracks once about every 2-3 hrs. But not nearly as noisy as the highway side. All and all this park is very nicely laid out and has many amenities to offer.

The facilities are great! If you're looking to do activities along the Deschutes River this is a great spot to call home! We are more into camping/car camping than "Glamping" (i.e. running water onsite, electric onsite, flushing toilets very near by, shower facilities very near by) and the A loop fits more into the Glamping. That being said, the facilities were very clean, the host was seen cleaning the bathrooms every morning. The host was friendly and welcoming to us and also were the park rangers that were there. There is a beautiful day use area that was utilized by many and a great break from the heat due to all of the trees and the breeze off of the water. Our site was in the sun during the majority of the day which seems more passable when not in a tent but rather a pop up or RV unit. There are great hiking trails right from the camping grounds. There is also a great trail that goes up to a high hill point that offers a beautiful view. We saw lizards, red ants, dragon flies, butterflies, birds, geese and a friend saw 2 rattlesnakes (he did an early morning hike on the hill). The other campers were friendly and nice to talk to. There were lots of families and dogs and enjoyment. If we return to these grounds we are going to camp in a spot that is more geared towards tent camping. This is only because of our personal wants. It is great that these grounds offer such an array of camping options!