Lake Wallula, Oregon features several established campgrounds along the Columbia River, providing both tent and RV camping options. Umatilla Marina & RV Park offers water and electric hookups with river access, while Plymouth Park Campground provides spacious sites with hookups and shade trees. The region includes a mix of Army Corps of Engineers facilities and privately operated campgrounds, most situated along the shoreline with views of the Columbia River. Most campgrounds in this area maintain developed sites with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms, though amenity levels vary between locations.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability around Lake Wallula, with many sites open year-round while others operate only from spring through fall. Plymouth Park typically opens from early April to late October, while Umatilla Marina & RV Park maintains year-round access. "The park is clean, well maintained, and has water, electricity, and a dump station," notes a visitor about the marina facilities. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F in this high desert region, making shade and water access important considerations. Highway noise can be noticeable at some locations, particularly those near Interstate 82 and 84, with one camper noting "truck traffic over the I-82 bridge was noisy." Reservations are recommended during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly.
Riverside camping represents the primary draw in the Lake Wallula area, with several campgrounds providing direct access to the Columbia River for boating, fishing, and swimming. Campers consistently mention the well-maintained grounds and water access as highlights of their stay. "Right on the river! Little bit of freeway noise, but otherwise very quiet and peaceful. Level gravel sites with grassy area between sites," reported one visitor to Umatilla Marina. Most campgrounds feature level gravel pads suitable for RVs with hookups, while tent camping is available at designated areas. Facilities like the Boardman Marina Park and Hood Park provide additional amenities including boat launches and swimming areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the area, though the landscape is predominantly characterized by the wide Columbia River and surrounding high desert terrain rather than dense forests.
$22 - $50 / night
"Close to shopping in Oregon. Adjacent to fishing, boating and more. A delightful place to camp solo ir with the entire family young or not so young!"
"Hermiston Oregon is 6 miles away."
$20 - $34 / night
"The Umatilla Marina & RV Park is a small park on the edge of Oregon and Washington along the Columbia River."
"After setup, we walked to the marina and the boat launch with a large parking lot. Since we only stayed one night, we were not able to see what the area offered. "
"The drive here was a great drive. Great places to sit and eat a picnic at. Had a spot to use the bathroom. The hiking was really good easy kid friendly"
$30 - $110 / night
"Lovely campground with access to the lake. Not the most beautiful view with the industrial buildings on the other side, but it’s peaceful and quiet. Electrical hookups."
"Lots of options in this campground from drive through big trailer spots to back in spots to tent only areas. "
"They are in process of completing a playground and dog walk. They have a pool and hot tub. All laundry, bathroom and shower facilities require a code. Sites are average."
"It’s relatively quiet given that it is in town, and near the highway. It’s convenient stop along the highway for needed respite."
"Close to town, convenient store close by. Showers, restrooms and laundry available for campers."
"Nice RV park with amenities close by."
$65 - $80 / night
"Gorgeous location on the outskirts of town. Has all the amenities and activities you want in a semi-urban RC resort / glamping get away. Heated pool and hot tub, game room and more."
"Gas and diesel near by. Very quiet and very cozy. Grounds keepers make this place top notch visually and the pull through and back ins are perfect. Great hookups! Would be nice just to walk through!"
$70 / night
"The proximity to Lake Erie is nice. It’s also close to Geneva On The Lake, a kitschy lake resort town that has been around for over 100 years."
"We got to park with a view of the river and away from other RVs. The spaces are large, there is a bathroom and showers on site."
"Nice walking trails and access to brewery. Beautiful shade trees!!"
ScoutSuper nice, friendly staff. Amenities such as showers and laundry a plus. Close to shopping in Oregon. Adjacent to fishing, boating and more. A delightful place to camp solo ir with the entire family young or not so young!
RangerFabulous park right on the Columbia River. We’ve stayed here several times passing through. Heard there was a bad fire in town. Haven’t been through since. Stayed in42’ 5th wheel.
ScoutWe booked site 42...there was no site 42. There is trash everywhere. Dilapidated trailers. Office was closed when we arrived at 2pm. My husband was being stared down by a couple of men. We left
RangerThis 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!
Travelerconveniently located , Large sites.
ScoutSites are clean, level and well manicured. Showers are clean and spacious. Staff are friendly and very accommodating.
GuideThe sites are level and paved, easy for any size rig. But there is little to no shade, and the sites have no space between or privacy.
Lawns are irrigated and green so that is a nice touch. Host is sweet and seems to be on top of things
GuideCampsites are large. And level. There’s lots of grass picnic tables fire pit. there’s a walking trail along the river and it’s close to town. There are clean restrooms with free showers and paid laundry facility. Seems to work pretty well.
RangerGreat spot to spot up and explore the tri cities area. Definitely a lot of spots to get on the river!
Lake Wallula campgrounds stretch along the Columbia River with distinct high desert characteristics. Summer temperatures consistently reach over 90°F while spring brings moderate weather suitable for outdoor activities. The camping areas near Lake Wallula combine irrigated lawns with desert landscapes, creating green oases amid the arid terrain where the Snake and Columbia rivers meet.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Hood Park offers access to nearby McNary National Wildlife Refuge. "There is a connected wildlife preserve that you can walk around in and also fish in that is a separate area. Lots of birds to watch," notes a visitor to Hood Park.
Riverside trails: The 2.8-mile trail at Boardman Marina Park provides excellent biking and walking options along the river. "The trail has a great little microbrewery that serves pizza so bring your wallet! If you venture down to the Rivers Edge Lodge you'll find the trail continues a bit further along the river out in front," reports a camper at Boardman Marina Park.
Swimming access: Sand Station Recreation Area provides designated swimming areas for families. "We were here on a hot day, lots of families with kids using the beach and swimming area," shares one visitor about the day-use facilities.
Easy river access: The Columbia River offers boating, fishing and swimming opportunities directly from many campsites. "The marina has a large parking lot and spots to clean fish. There is a nice park and swimming area for kids," explains a camper at Umatilla Marina & RV Park.
Level, well-maintained sites: Plymouth Park Campground provides accessible camping areas with consistent upkeep. "The sites are level and paved, easy for any size rig. Lawns are irrigated and green so that is a nice touch. Host is sweet and seems to be on top of things," notes a visitor.
Affordable options: Several campgrounds in the area offer reasonable rates with good amenities. "Pay in cash and get a good deal. Nice RV park with amenities close by," mentions a visitor to Pioneer RV Park in Hermiston.
Noise considerations: The proximity to highways and railways affects some camping areas. "Be advised that the train tracks are nearby BUT there are no crossings, so no horn. The campground itself is like a city park, many of the spots have quite a bit of room," notes a camper at Boardman Marina Park.
Insects and wildlife: Some campers report seasonal insect activity. "When you arrive a sweet lady warns you about the snakes. But what she failed to warn us about is the swarming yellow jackets," cautions a visitor to Plymouth Park Campground.
Facility maintenance issues: Campground facilities may have seasonal closures or maintenance problems. "The setting is lovely, but the bathrooms/showers/campsite sewer hookups were all out of order. It would have been super helpful to know this while I was on the phone booking my spot for the night!" reports a camper at Plymouth Park.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment for children. "This campground offers developed sites with hookups for campers. There is a playground and interpretive events for kids in the evenings. They even had some movies on the weekends," notes a visitor to Hood Park.
Swimming safety: Designated swimming areas provide safer options for children. "The overflow parking offers water and electric in a concrete parking lot, dump station is located at campground. It is walking distance to swim and/or fish," explains a camper at Boardman Marina Park.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer organized activities. "Columbia Sun RV Resort has all the amenities and activities you want in a semi-urban RC resort. Heated pool and hot tub, game room and more," shares a visitor to Columbia Sun RV Resort.
Site selection: Choose sites based on your priorities for space or view. "In site 45, I think the dump ended up being almost uphill from my trailer, so it was an interesting challenge to get my tanks emptied. Overall spent a restful afternoon there - will be back," notes an RVer at Boardman Marina Park.
Leveling considerations: Some areas have uneven surfaces that require adjustment. "Some of the pull throughs do have quite a bit of pavement buckling, so it can make leveling a bit more work," cautions a camper at Boardman Marina Park.
Hookup availability: Seasonal changes affect water availability at some locations. "Be advised that if you go in the off-season the spots are first come first served. We were disappointed to find there was no water hookup as they had already winterized," advises an RVer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lake Wallula?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lake Wallula offers a wide range of camping options, with 69 campgrounds and RV parks near Lake Wallula and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lake Wallula?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lake Wallula is Plymouth Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lake Wallula?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Lake Wallula.
What parks are near Lake Wallula?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Lake Wallula that allow camping, notably Lake Sacajawea and Bennington Lake.
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