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Campgrounds near Multnomah Falls range from full-hookup RV sites to walk-in tent camping, with most options within 30 minutes of this popular waterfall destination. Ainsworth State Park Campground, located just minutes from the falls, offers full-hookup RV sites, walk-in tent sites, and access to nearby hiking trails. Other options include Oxbow Regional Park with tent, RV, cabin, and yurt accommodations, and Eagle Creek Campground providing more rustic settings for tent and RV campers. The region includes several state parks and private facilities like Cascade Locks KOA that provide varying levels of amenities from basic tent pads to luxury glamping experiences. These Multnomah Falls camping areas serve as ideal bases for exploring the spectacular waterfalls and scenic hiking trails throughout the Columbia River Gorge.
Camping is primarily seasonal in the Gorge area, with most facilities operating between March and October due to winter conditions. "Multnomah Falls is one of the great treasures of the Columbia River Gorge in northern Oregon along the Columbia River," noted one visitor, highlighting the area's primary attraction. Road noise and train tracks affect several campgrounds in the corridor, particularly those closest to Interstate 84 and the rail line along the Columbia River. Reservations are essential during summer months when waterfalls attract peak visitation. The Historic Columbia River Highway provides scenic access to camping areas but may not accommodate larger RVs due to narrow, winding sections. Travelers should note that some trails and camping areas still show impacts from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire.
Campers frequently mention the trade-off between convenience and solitude when staying near Multnomah Falls. The walk-in tent sites at Ainsworth State Park receive positive reviews for providing more privacy than the RV sections. A reviewer explained, "We stayed in the C Loop, walk-in camping... The C loop is great! More secluded than most state park tent camping areas." Many visitors use the campgrounds as base camps for exploring the area's numerous waterfalls rather than for the camping experience itself. The proximity to Portland makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations, with sites often filling completely during summer months. While campground facilities provide showers and flush toilets, some campers mention traffic and train noise as drawbacks to the otherwise scenic location.
"Situated at the eastern end of the Historic Columbia River Highway, the park also marks the eastern end of the popular "Waterfall Corridor" that begins at Crown Point and includes the majestic Multnomah"
"Close proximity to Multnomah Falls and Columbia River. Cell service is decent. The only complaint is that there is a rail line and you frequently hear freight train noise and vibration."
from $29 - $53 / night
Check Availability"Close proximity to Multonomah Falls. Pros - bathrooms with electric outlets, free showers, deer come close and are fun to watch, quiet & fairly private stay."
"There is distance between you and other guests but if you want to meet your neighbors you can. They have ADA sites, a lake, play grounds and a welcome center."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Lost Lake is so magical! The crystal clear waters and perfect views of Mt Hood made this an incredible spot to camp."
"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."
from $45 - $125 / night
Check Availability"There is a playground onsite for those with children and plenty of bike paths and walking paths to keep you busy."
"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."
"Eagle Creek is a small campground (something like 20 sites) located high above the Columbia River. The sites offer good privacy and are quite large."
"But nice hiking trails near by. Close to highway so can be kinda noisy. Very close to Portland. Camp host could pick up more garbage though."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"There is a train that runs along the back of the campground which can be loud if your site is close by. The train noise did not bother us in the center of the park where we were."
"We also did the Historic Highway 30 and saw all the waterfalls. Stop in at Gorges Brewery, nice beer, I loved the Stout."
from $41 - $195 / night
Check Availability"In the morning we walked to the semi private beach spot, a tired swimming hole that is great for kids."
"We got lucky and scooped a very secluded camp spot close to the bathrooms. The firepit was scooped free of ashes and well kept. The site was pretty much completely debris free."
"The climb up the rock is through a well-built trail. It can get narrow at spots and not for those who fear heights. The view at the top, however, is amazing."
"Not only can you do the less-than-two-mile hike up famous Beacon Rock, just off the Columbia River, you get even better views from the eight-mile loop around Hamilton Mountain, just across Hwy. 14 and"
from $12 - $29 / night
Check Availability"We didn’t have any issues at the site, but noticed that spots RV4 and RV5 were relatively distanced from each other, while spots RV1-RV3 were pretty close to each other."
"Not only is the campground itself a woodland wonderland with winding paths through tall old growth forest areas, but the surrounding area of the park itself is impressive with exciting things to do around"
from $29 - $46 / night
Check Availability"11 is a walk I’m site that offers the most seclusion in the campground. You are away from all other campers and surrounded by river and trees."
"Got our 25’ tow behind in here just fine. Lovely campground that could use some better maintenance… saw toilet paper hanging from trees, and trash along the river."
from $20 / night
Check Availability
GuideThe only dispersed camping is in the south side of the mountain, and it is disconnected except by hiking trail to the north side. The drive to the north from the south is very very far. We missed out on the north side trails, views etc but the dispersed camping on the south side was excellent. Very clean, interesting geology and waterfalls. Plenty of good spots
ScoutCamp host is very nice and helpful, gave brief history of the camp!
GuideThe campground is clean and full of dense forestry. This gives it a semi-private feel. Close proximity to Multnomah Falls and Columbia River. Cell service is decent. The only complaint is that there is a rail line and you frequently hear freight train noise and vibration.
GuideWe spent one night here. Beautiful place. Good phone service and really clean restrooms!
ScoutLoved the unique setting of camping among the hazelnut trees. Good way to “commune with nature”. Very quiet, except for the occasional sound of hazelnuts falling to the ground or the picnic table or the car, etc. It was kind of comical! The “cricket choir” (as Shane, the host describes it) was very soothing and peaceful. No issues with mosquitos, etc. Didn’t even use bug spray. Saw a couple of earwigs, but no other critters. Only gave 4/5 stars as I only had one to two bars of reception on my Verizon phone. I understand that it was probably because of the trees, but I was expecting better coverage based on previous reviews.
ScoutGrounds were very well kept. Laundry facilities clean, indoor pool, hot tub pet laundry (first I’ve seen this)
GuideThe quarry is now closed to camping but this spot is right next to it. Very short but slightly rough road up - needed 4wd to get the trailer up here. Lots of bullet casings; you’ll definitely get a few visitors wanting to shoot.
GuideWe thoroughly enjoyed the campsite and facilities. Camping during the week just after labor day, the campgrounds were splendid.
GuideThe campground is level and clean. Staff is friendly. There's a great dog walk area. Only good things to say. ☺️
Camping sites near Multnomah Falls, Oregon range from densely forested riverfront locations to elevated mountain settings with distinctly different seasonal access periods. The Columbia River Gorge experiences summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F, while winter conditions frequently limit campground operations to the May-September window. Train and highway noise affects most camping locations near the falls, with sites further from Interstate 84 generally providing quieter overnight experiences.
Disc golf at McIver Park: Milo McIver State Park Campground offers two competition-quality disc golf courses attracting serious players. "That's right, two competition quality disc golf courses. Not into disc golf or rafting? Then you probably won't see those folks at all," notes one camper who appreciated the separation between camping and activity areas.
Waterfall hikes beyond Multnomah: Several trails connect multiple falls in sequence, with campers at Beacon Rock State Park Campground using their site as a base camp. "Have you ever wanted to climb a piece of history. Beacon rock is believed to be the core of a volcano that blew off and landed near the columbia river," explains a reviewer who completed the two-mile summit trail.
Swimming holes for hot days: Natural pools provide relief from summer heat at many camping locations. At Dougan Creek Campground, a reviewer explained, "The campsite was clean and enjoyable! Spot 8 has a trail that leads directly to one of the MANY river spots! You do need a discover pass for camping and day use."
Access to multiple waterfalls: The proximity to numerous falls beyond just Multnomah makes camping in the area worthwhile. A visitor to Eagle Creek Campground found it "a great jumping off point for the various hikes and falls located in the gorge. Multnomah Falls, Larch Mountain, Eagle Creek Trail among others are all located nearby."
Secluded walk-in sites: Several campgrounds offer walk-in tent sites that provide more privacy than standard drive-up locations. At Ainsworth State Park Campground, a camper suggested, "The walk-in tent sites look nice... book well in advance. Very popular in the summer."
Mountain views from select locations: Some camping areas offer direct views of Mount Hood on clear days. A visitor at Lost Lake Resort And Campground shared, "Beautiful views of Mt Hood and the lake is breathtaking," highlighting the dramatic backdrop visible from many campsites.
Train and highway noise impacts sleep: Proximity to active rail lines affects nearly all camping locations in the Columbia River Gorge corridor. At Cascade Locks KOA, a camper warned, "What they don't tell you is the freight train runs about every 30 minutes including overnight. The first time was a big surprise, but we got used to it."
Seasonal bathroom limitations: Several campgrounds operate with limited facilities outside peak season. A visitor to Eagle Creek noted, "The bathrooms were out of order when we were there. Portapotties were available. We only came across one water spigot, which was by the host."
Fire restrictions vary by location and season: Campfire policies differ significantly between locations, with some implementing bans during dry periods. A recent camper at Milo McIver reported, "The only bummer is in my app. It said camp fires allowed. And they ARE NOT allowed at this time."
Look for playgrounds and swimming options: Several campgrounds combine play structures with water access. Oxbow Regional Park offers "a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers and warm water and activities during the day for kids."
Consider noise levels when selecting sites: Highway and train sounds can disturb light sleepers, particularly children. A parent at Beacon Rock advised, "It is close to Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington and very popular and busy," suggesting families book sites farther from main roads.
Check accessibility limitations: Not all facilities accommodate mobility challenges. At Lost Lake, a visitor reported significant issues: "The handicapped parking is inconveniently located nowhere near an ADA-accessible lakeside spot. We were forced to camp in the parking lot near a bathroom, which was hardly the experience we were hoping for."
Limited full hookup availability: Few campgrounds near Multnomah Falls offer complete RV services. At Ainsworth State Park, an RVer noted, "There are 40 full hook-up sites, 6 walk-in tent sites and a hiker/biker campground with no reservations required," making advance booking essential.
Maneuverability challenges on historic roads: The Historic Columbia River Highway presents navigation difficulties for larger vehicles. A reviewer cautioned about tight turns and steep grades when approaching campgrounds from certain directions.
RV length restrictions vary by campground: Many Forest Service and state park campgrounds limit maximum vehicle length. At Beacon Rock, a camper observed, "Camp sites are kind of small, with most in forested areas... It is best for tents only or a smaller trailer."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the closest campgrounds to Multnomah Falls?
Ainsworth State Park Campground is the closest established campground to Multnomah Falls, located just a few miles east in the Columbia River Gorge. It offers both tent and RV sites with amenities including showers, hiking trails, and clean bathrooms. Another excellent option is Eagle Creek Campground, a small campground with about 20 spacious, private sites situated above the Columbia River. Both campgrounds provide ideal bases for exploring the Waterfall Corridor, with Ainsworth marking the eastern end of this popular scenic route. These campgrounds fill quickly during peak season (late spring through early fall), so reservations are highly recommended.
Can you park an RV near Multnomah Falls for overnight camping?
There is no overnight RV parking at Multnomah Falls itself – the parking area is day-use only and requires reservations through Recreation.gov. For RV camping near the falls, Spring Drive RV Campground is an excellent option with full hookup sites and privacy among tall trees. Another good choice is Cascade Locks KOA, which offers boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access with reservable sites that accommodate big rigs. Both locations provide convenient access to Multnomah Falls while offering the amenities RV campers need. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak season when the Columbia River Gorge sees high visitor traffic.
Is Oxbow Park a good camping option when visiting Multnomah Falls?
Oxbow Regional Park is a good option for visiting Multnomah Falls, though not the closest. Located about 30-35 minutes away by car, this park offers drive-in camping with amenities including water, toilets, and spacious sites that accommodate larger vehicles. For a closer alternative, consider Port of Cascade Locks Campground, which offers impressive river views and is accessible by public transit or car. While Oxbow lacks the immediate proximity of campgrounds in the Waterfall Corridor, it provides a quieter experience with the Sandy River running through the park. The driving distance to Multnomah Falls is reasonable for day trips, making it a solid choice for those who prefer more space and riverside camping.
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