Cabin accommodations near Mosier sit within the Columbia River Gorge at elevations ranging from 100 to 2,000 feet, where seasonal temperature swings can exceed 50°F between summer and winter. During peak summer months, temperatures regularly climb into the 90s, while wind conditions along the Columbia River create a natural cooling system. The terrain varies from riverside flats to forested slopes.
What to do
Explore local petroglyphs: Columbia Hills Historical State Park Campground offers access to nearby Native American rock art. "One of the best aspects was the petroglyphs that were along trails near the campground. This was a great spot and I highly recommend it!" notes Mary C. Guided petroglyph tours start just a 3-minute walk from the campground.
Fish on Horsethief Lake: Columbia Hills provides multiple fishing options directly from camp. As Eric P. from Lost Lake Resort And Campground points out, "There are nice size trout in this lake that can be caught from the bank if you don't have a boat." The lake remains stocked throughout summer.
Visit ice caves: The Guler Ice Caves near Peterson Prairie Campground offer natural air conditioning during hot summer months. "Close to the incredible Guler Ice Caves. Simple campground in the national forest and not far from town. Excellent hiking nearby," shares Harry H. The caves maintain temperatures below 40°F year-round.
Mountain biking: The Sandy Ridge Trail System sits directly across Highway 26 from Mt Hood Village Resort. As Joel H. mentions, it's "some of the best Mountain Biking in the country." The trail system offers over 15 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails for all skill levels.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many visitors appreciate the spacing at Peterson Prairie Campground. Linda N. explains, "We walked around the campground and found that most other sites were large and relatively private." Most sites include natural vegetation barriers between neighbors.
Wildlife viewing: Wildlife encounters are common at several area campgrounds. At Elk Meadows RV Park, Richard H. reports, "Saw elk and heard elk bugling every morning in the meadow." Deer sightings are frequent at Peterson Prairie as well.
Huckleberry picking: Late July through August brings wild huckleberry season. "It was the start of a very good huckleberry season and the entire campground was full of huckleberry bushes. I was able to gather several cups just from my camp spot alone," reports Ashley B. about Peterson Prairie Campground.
Clean facilities: Several parks maintain high standards for bathrooms and common areas. At Wind Mountain RV Park, S. Renae M. appreciated that it was "Rustic, clean and safe!" The campground host "takes great care of this place," ensuring consistent maintenance.
What you should know
Train noise: Multiple campgrounds along the Columbia River have nearby train tracks. At Cascade Locks KOA, Steve H. warns, "What they don't tell you is the freight train runs about every 30 minutes including overnight." Some facilities provide earplugs to guests.
Limited supplies in cabins: Pack accordingly when staying at cabins like the Yurt at Rivendell Romance in the Forest. Robert S. notes, "Very nice and secluded... Only critique is not stocked with much of everyday things." Basic supplies like coffee aren't always provided.
Wind conditions: Strong winds are common along the Gorge. At Columbia Hills, Katherine M. mentions "The unrelenting Gorge wind is something to be prepared for!" Wind speeds can reach 30+ mph regularly, requiring secure tent stakes and proper tie-downs.
Cell service gaps: Many forest cabins lack connectivity. At The Klickitat Treehouse, Marty J. points out "there is no wifi or cell service" but considered this "a plus" for an "unplugged" experience. Signal strength varies significantly by location and carrier.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mt Hood Village Resort features dedicated play areas. Tyson C. shares, "This was a good family camping spot. Pros - there is a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids." The playground accommodates multiple age groups.
Swimming options: Several lakes provide kid-friendly swimming. Natalie G. highlights Columbia Hills: "There's also a lake for swimming which is awesome because it gets super hot here in the summertime." The water remains relatively shallow near shore at many designated swimming areas.
Easy fishing for beginners: Lost Lake Resort offers accessible fishing experiences. ChiAnn M. mentions it's "Really easy fishing if you're just learning. They have tons of rentals." The lake is regularly stocked, increasing catch rates for novice anglers.
Kid-friendly hiking: Wildwood Recreation Area connects directly to Mt Hood Village Resort via walking paths. Amy H. notes it "boasts an underwater salmon viewing area as well naturalist inspired boardwalks and walking paths." These trails feature educational signage suitable for young explorers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Columbia Hills, site location significantly impacts experience. Adalia C. warns, "The site had said it was good for an RV or 2 tents. It is basically a large parking spot on gravel and our tent space was sandwiched in between 2 RVs in a long line of RVs." Request sites away from main parking areas.
Seasonal closures: Check operating dates before planning. Peterson Prairie Campground operates only "May 24 to September 24" according to listing information. Several facilities close during winter months or operate with reduced services.
Leveling considerations: Magnus S. appreciated Columbia Hills' "well maintained level sites of crushed gravel. The first time I haven't had to level the trailer side to side." Other campgrounds may require significant leveling blocks on uneven terrain.
Dump station availability: Mt Hood Village Resort provides full hookups, but smaller facilities have limited options. Steve R. notes the resort has "plenty of pull thru spots, full hookups, regularly spaced bathroom/showers," reducing the need for off-site waste disposal.
