RV camping near Pilot Rock, Oregon offers several full-service options within a 50-mile radius. Located in Umatilla County at an elevation of 1,716 feet, this eastern Oregon town experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters with occasional snow. The surrounding high desert terrain transitions to the Blue Mountains, creating varied camping experiences with temperature fluctuations of 30-40 degrees between day and night during summer months.
What to do
Mineral soaking opportunities: Grande Hot Springs RV Resort provides natural hot spring soaking pools with health benefits. "There are natural hot spring soaking pools at the campground. One pool is warm and the other is hot. I was grateful for the health benefits of the mineral soak," notes a visitor who appreciated the therapeutic aspects of these geothermal features.
Water recreation access: Umatilla Marina & RV Park offers Columbia River access for boating and swimming during summer months. "The beach/cove is very nice and good place to paddle-board or kayak. Didn't use restrooms but the rest of the campground was clean and tidy," reports one camper who enjoyed water activities at this location.
Evening entertainment options: Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park & Tipi Villiage has expanded its family activities beyond gambling. "Over the years, the casino has added many family activities, including an arcade, a cinema, a food court, and recently a bowling alley with multiple lanes. Plus restaurants and a sports bar," mentions a camper who found plenty of evening entertainment options.
What campers like
Pool access: Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park & Tipi Villiage offers swimming pools for campers. "Both the hotel and the RV park have separate swimming pools," a reviewer notes, highlighting this refreshing amenity during hot eastern Oregon summer days.
Spacious pull-through sites: Grande Hot Springs RV Resort provides easy access for larger rigs. "Very nice RV park. Very clean and well maintained. Roads and all sites are gravel. All sites are pull through and can accommodate large RV's," explains a visitor who appreciated the accommodation for larger vehicles.
Natural surroundings: Grande Hot Springs RV Resort offers wildlife viewing opportunities. "Nature trail along the creek was cool. Saw huge bull frogs, tadpoles, and fish. Also saw mule deer," shares a camper who enjoyed the natural features adjacent to the developed campground.
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: Some area RV parks have closely positioned sites. "The sites are within a few feet of each other with no privacy. There's no shade or really any vegetation," reports a Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park visitor who found the parking-lot style layout less than ideal for extended stays.
Evening noise factors: Umatilla Marina & RV Park experiences some noise from nearby infrastructure. "During the night, some people camping in their truck would start the engine every hour to keep warm plus the truck traffic over the I-82 bridge was noisy," mentions one tent camper who experienced sleep disruptions.
Weather preparation: Temperature variations require planning when camping near Pilot Rock. "Very quiet wide open campground surrounded by snowy peaks. Full hookups at all sites, mostly 30 amp service but many sites have 50 amp also," notes a camper at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort, highlighting the contrast between warm days and cool nights.
Tips for camping with families
Multi-day activity planning: Umatilla Marina & RV Park offers riverside recreation. "Marina is just down the hill. Pet friendly," notes one reviewer, while another adds, "It's nice down by the water you can swim or fish. It also has a nice view of the sunset."
Movie experiences: Outdoor film viewing creates memorable experiences. "Fun experience: the field next to the campground set up a outdoor movie night with free popcorn. The kids loved it and it was a great memory maker," shares a family who camped at Umatilla Marina & RV Park.
On-site recreation: The Lookout RV Park in Pendleton offers proximity to family attractions. "This site was right next to Fort Walla Walla, with a park and dog park. Not much else here but weird animal statues and long-term RVers," mentions one visitor who found the adjacent recreational facilities convenient.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement awareness: RV sites sometimes require equipment adaptations. "The utilities are towards the back of the pad, so I had to use two sewer hoses to get from the main black tank on our Brinklely G model," notes a camper at Blue Valley RV Park who had to adjust hookup strategy.
Leveling requirements: Site preparation varies between parks. "The sites are annoyingly un-level. Make sure you have pads and a septic ramp," advises an RVer at RV Resort Four Seasons who found site conditions challenging for proper setup.
Internet connectivity considerations: Signal strength affects remote workers and entertainment options. "The only annoyance I had was poor internet service: I needed to download more kid shows for the next stretch of our drive and the signal kept dropping," shares a family staying at Umatilla Marina RV Park who experienced connectivity issues.
