Best Campgrounds near St. Helens, OR

The Columbia River waterfront shapes the camping landscape around St. Helens, Oregon, with several river-oriented camping options. Bayport RV Park and Campground offers water and electric hookups with boat launch access on Scappoose Bay, while Sand Island Marine Park provides tent camping on a river island accessible only by boat or kayak. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate RVs, with several also offering tent sites. Camp Wilkerson, located inland, provides cabin options alongside traditional camping in a more forested setting.

Access to many sites requires advance planning, particularly for boat-accessible locations like Sand Island Marine Park. "This is on the Columbia River water kayak trail," notes one visitor about Sand Island, highlighting the unique water access requirements. Road quality varies throughout the region, with paved access to developed sites like Bayport RV Park but more limited access to remote locations. Seasonal considerations include Columbia River water levels and potential flooding in spring months. Summer brings busy periods at waterfront campgrounds, while winter camping options remain limited to year-round facilities. Cell service is generally reliable near established campgrounds but may be spotty in more remote areas.

Columbia River views distinguish many camping experiences in the St. Helens area. Several visitors mention spotting river traffic, with one camper noting, "The host told us about app vessel finder to track boats coming by the camp area." Water recreation access represents a significant draw, with opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and boating at multiple locations. Bathroom and shower facilities receive mixed reviews across campgrounds, with some visitors praising cleanliness while others report maintenance issues. Camping experiences vary widely between the more developed RV parks with electrical hookups and the primitive, boat-in only experiences on Sand Island. Noise levels depend heavily on proximity to main roads, with several reviewers mentioning road noise at Scappoose Bay Marine Park but praising the quieter waterfront settings at other locations.

Best Camping Sites Near St. Helens, Oregon (235)

    1. Paradise Point State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    La Center, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    "Relaxing Getaway at Champoeg State Heritage Area Champoeg State Heritage Area near Newberg, Oregon, is a great spot for campers seeking peace and nature."

    "Close to freeway for easy access. Nice walking paths. Typical state park yurt set up."

    2. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Heisson, WA
    16 miles
    Website

    "Battleground is a nice and well loved state park not far from Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington."

    "My friend and I had a great three day weekend here at one of the walk-in sites. Sites fill up quick and I recommend reserving online in advance. Important takeaways: 1."

    3. Reeder Beach RV Park & Country Store

    17 Reviews
    Scappoose, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 621-3970

    "Flat gravel for most part, steps away from the Columbia River, decent space between sites with good shade depending on your site. Only reason for 4 starts is because the water is dirty."

    "Nice quiet campground along the Columbia river in Oregon. Minutes from Portland, with lots of fun farm stands and rural experience."

    4. Jantzen Beach RV Park

    39 Reviews
    Vancouver, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 289-7626

    $40 / night

    "Arrived here late for a single night stay on the way to the Oregon Coast. This is a very convenient stopover for those needing a place to stay near Portland."

    "The park's location is very convenient, with easy access to downtown Portland and nearby attractions."

    5. Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

    39 Reviews
    Buxton, OR
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 324-0606

    $24 - $39 / night

    "As we had been here before, it was an easy drive in on US-26 to the campground (CG)."

    "Quick drive from SE Portland (or bike out all the way on a lovely trail if you are so inclined). We drove up to meet up with friends who biked in so we could camp a few nights."

    6. Bayport RV Park and Campground

    10 Reviews
    St. Helens, OR
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 397-2888

    $30 / night

    "Location is close to town but still feels like you are in your own little world. Beautiful walking paths line the water. A must visit for sure!"

    "Next to a moderately busy road, but paved spots, WiFi, lovely walking trails and bathroom and showers are clean and maintained! Must have a tent pitched, if traveling and staying with your vehicle."

    7. Columbia River RV Park

    32 Reviews
    Vancouver, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 285-1515

    $30 - $150 / night

    "The location couldn’t be more convenient, right near Portland and just steps away from the beautiful Columbia River."

    "One star off for density, you’re right next to each other, and for the very bright street lighting in there. We thought it overkill, but perhaps they have their reasons. Super nice facilities."

    8. Sand Island Marine Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    St. Helens, OR
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (503) 310-0235

    $30 / night

    "Island is lovely to walk around, our site had beach access. Site to reserve has pictures. Will definitely return!"

    "This is on the columbia river water kayak trail."

    9. Camp Wilkerson

    9 Reviews
    Vernonia, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 366-3984

    $50 / night

    "Stayed the night in one of thier small cabins, very nice sat outside by the fire and just watched the stars, this is a primary horse camp and is surrounded by trails, seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes"

    "Since the camp is planned predominantly as a youth recreation center, I was a bit worried that it would be a pretty loud campsite due to lots of kids running around. That was not the case for us!"

    10. Columbia Riverfront RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Woodland, WA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 225-2227

    "It was conveniently located close to Portland and stores. The staff was really friendly and the facilities are super clean. And guess what…. The laundry machines actually work!"

    "It's close to home, so we will definitely be back."

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Recent Reviews near St. Helens, OR

1333 Reviews of 235 St. Helens Campgrounds


  • John F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

    Large level sites

    We stayed in Dairy Creek West Campground. The sites are larger than at most of the Oregon state parks we have been to. The site was the levelest we have ever stayed in, usually there is a slight tilt one way or another. This was dead on level. The area for the trailer is pea gravel with an asphalt parking are in the front of the site. I forgot to fill our propane tanks a did that at the Cheveron in nearby Banks which is 10 miles away. There is no wifi unless you use your own. Cell service seems to be ok. Trash is located at a central area opposite the Welcome Center.

  • Jenna C.
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground

    Peaceful Escape at Champoeg State Park

    Champoeg State Park is such a peaceful and well-kept spot, perfect for both weekend campers and road-trippers. The mix of open fields, riverside views, and walking trails makes it ideal for a relaxing outdoor getaway. What I really like is how easy it is to plan your stay, even using a simple camping trip calculator or planning tool helps figure out travel time, supplies, and costs before heading out. Definitely one of Oregon’s hidden gems for nature lovers.

  • Richard C.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Silver Lake Resort

    Nice Place - Great Hosts

    This was a great place to stay at when visiting our daughter.  We checked in after hours and the hosts were waiting for us and even opened the store for us to get some ice.  They were very friendly and made sure we had all we needed.  Sadly Silverlake itself is not very clean due to Weyhauser logging they are ruining the lake but if you are staying in Castlerock/Silverlake area I would recommend staying here

  • Emille R.
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Oxbow Regional Park

    Most Beautifil Place Oxbow Regional Park

    https://thecelebjackets.com/the-wrong-paris-movie-outfit-collection/

    Recently i visit this place such a great experience, Nestled along the wild and scenic Sandy River, Oxbow Regional Park is a natural sanctuary offering a classic Pacific Northwest escape. The park's 1,200 acres of ancient forest are crisscrossed with hiking trails and provide habitat for elk, deer, and osprey. Visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, and rafting in the river, or reserve one of its rustic campsites for a truly immersive experience in nature, all just a short drive from the Portland metropolitan area.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Columbia Riverfront RV Park

    Unexpected gem

    We only stayed a couple of days, but the views, Columbia River waterfront, and open spaces were wonderful. The spaces were a little close, but not enough to make me drop my rating. It's close to home, so we will definitely be back.

  • Anna D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Ainsworth State Park Campground

    Good location

    Location is great, road traffic is loud can hear the train as well. Most sites look good. I booked day of and it wasn’t level at all 🙂. Clean showers and bathroom!

  • Anna D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Eagle Creek Campground

    Great location and clean

    Bathrooms are clean, vaulted toilets. Water available. Site is level…camp host is really nice!

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Hudson-Parcher Park

    Great for the night

    This campground is actually pretty cute and they have three options on how you wanna camp. You could do tint camp where there’s no water or electricity hook ups, water and electricity or water, electricity, and a dump station. There is a park in the middle of the campground for smaller kids and it’s spaced out quite decently. You can hear traffic from a side road, but nothing that’s too crazy. The restrooms are very clean and the camp post were amazing.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    North Fork Trask

    Trask River

    Super big spots off side of forest roads. Nice and quiet back there other that locals and loggers through the night. Lots of trash too.


Guide to St. Helens

St. Helens, Oregon camping destinations sit just over an hour from Portland at an elevation of approximately 60 feet above sea level. The Columbia River and nearby Scappoose Bay create a camping environment primarily focused on water recreation opportunities, with multiple boat launches providing direct water access. Several campgrounds offer year-round availability though seasonal water shutoffs occur during winter months.

What to Do

Hiking trail access: At L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, numerous paths accommodate hikers, bikers, and equestrians. "Lots of hiking including a nice trail between the campground and the day use area," notes one visitor. The park features both forest trails and a paved rail-to-trail path.

Disc golf: Paradise Point State Park provides a unique 9-hole course for disc golf enthusiasts. "The disc golf course is entertaining, but not super challenging. Located on barely 10 acres the designers have done a good job using every bit of theland here," writes a reviewer. Hole one plays under a freeway overpass for an unusual start.

Boat watching: Columbia River campsites offer close-up views of marine traffic. At Columbia Riverfront RV Park, "The host told us about app vessel finder to track boats coming by the camp area." Commercial ships, pleasure craft, and occasional cruise vessels regularly pass within viewing distance.

Kayaking: Bayport RV Park provides direct access to Scappoose Bay's protected waters. "Located right next to a public boat ramp and Next Adventure where you can rent boats... or bring your own for kayaking on Scappoose Bay," explains one camper. The calm waters make this location suitable for beginners.

What Campers Like

Island camping: Sand Island Marine Park offers boat-in camping on an island in the Columbia River. "Sites are primitive, no tables," notes one visitor. The island provides a unique camping experience that requires watercraft to access but rewards with seclusion.

River proximity: Many campsites feature direct Columbia River access and views. At Reeder Beach RV Park, "We got a river view campsite and it was completely worth the extra fee. Seeing the big ships was an absolute favorite." Sites along the riverfront often command premium pricing but provide unobstructed water views.

Clean facilities: Battle Ground Lake State Park maintains well-kept facilities. "This campground isn't near some major hwy so you don't hear car noise... The campsite was clean and raked upon arrival too! They have a camp store open for snacks and they have flushable bathrooms!" reports a recent visitor.

Natural swimming: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas in natural settings. Battle Ground Lake State Park contains "a cool volcanic lake with a swimming area and great fishing. Its like a mini crater lake. I mean mini like pond size," according to one camper. Designated swimming areas with floating markers appear at several parks.

What You Should Know

Water quality issues: Some campgrounds report water concerns. At Reeder Beach RV Park, "The water is dirty. It's brownish and smells like metal. Make sure to bring your own fresh water." Similarly, at another campsite, water contains "arsenic and is no good to drink or cook with. You have to bring your own water, or buy theirs."

Highway noise: Paradise Point State Park sits adjacent to a major interstate. "It's basically two different types of campgrounds in one: there's the sites more out in the open that are closer to the freeway. Then there's a bunch further away in both a meadow and the woods. Obviously if possible, stay away from the freeway," cautions one reviewer.

Limited privacy: Jantzen Beach RV Park features closely spaced sites. "Feels more like a small village with a combination of a trailer park on one side, full-timer RVers in other places as well as spots for overnighters," explains a visitor. RV parks closer to Portland generally offer less privacy than more distant options.

Site selection importance: At Camp Wilkerson, choosing the right site matters significantly. "The tent loop only has a porta potty but it doesn't stink... The lower bathroom is old and needs updated. The showers are free but the water just sprays everywhere and you have to keep pushing the button for more water. The upper bathrooms are amazing and worth the walk near the horse camp."

Tips for Camping with Families

Swimming options: Battle Ground Lake State Park provides designated swim areas with kid-friendly features. "There's a swim area roped off, and a small sand area for the kids to play," one visitor notes. Water depth gradually increases, making this lake suitable for various swimming abilities.

Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds for children. At Jantzen Beach RV Park, "my kiddos absolutely loved the three pools, playground, and basketball hoops. Plenty to check out and explore for them even if this was not your typical 'campground' experience."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening hours often present wildlife sightings. At Reeder Beach RV Park, "This morning, Dec 1st, I woke up to the sound of frogs croaking, birds chirping... I can hear nature, farm, and city here from my picnic table or lying in bed with my window open." The park also features "osprey nests" observable from campsites.

Multiple accommodation options: For families not ready for tent camping, cabin options exist at several parks. L.L. Stub Stewart State Park "has tent sites, RV spots, yurts, and cabins" while Camp Wilkerson offers "lean to that can accommodate many people in the bunks."

Tips from RVers

Boat launch access: For RVers with boats, Bayport RV Park offers conveniences. "All sites have water, 20/30 or 50amp service, a fire ring, and a picnic table. Both paved and gravelled sites are available." The adjacent boat launch provides easy water access without having to detach towing vehicles.

Size restrictions: Paradise Point State Park has limitations for larger RVs. "We put the size of our RV in the state website and it gave us site 50. We arrived and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get our rig in that site due to the trees. We couldn't even continue out the secondary loop because it was so narrow and had trees on the inside of turns."

Park quality variations: Columbia River RV Park receives positive reviews despite urban proximity. "Located at the northern end of Portland not too far off the 1-5 freeway. RV campground with wide streets, nice office staff, and clean facilities including laundry, clubhouse, group kitchen area and free wi-fi."

Mt St Helens camping alternatives: When camping near St. Helens, Oregon doesn't meet needs, consider Woodland, Washington sites with better mt st helens camping access. Columbia Riverfront RV Resort offers "a cool setting right on Columbia River" while remaining within driving distance to the mountain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you camp inside Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument?

Yes, limited camping is available within Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Base Camp Mt St Helen's offers beautiful campsites close to the Science Learning Center within the monument boundaries. For those looking to stay just outside the monument, Cougar RV Park and Campground provides an excellent base for hiking adventures on the mountain. The monument does have restrictions on where camping is permitted, with much of the area designated for day use only. Backcountry camping requires permits in designated areas. Always check current regulations with the monument before planning your trip, as rules may change seasonally and some areas remain closed for ecological recovery.

Where are the best camping spots near Mt. St. Helens?

The Mt. St. Helens area offers several excellent camping options. Kid Valley Campground provides a serene forest setting that serves as an ideal base for hiking, biking, and exploring the volcanic landscape. For tent campers seeking privacy, Merrill Lake Campground offers free, secluded sites with lake access, though you'll need to pack in all supplies and hike a short distance from the parking area. Other notable options include Cougar Park & Campground for tent-only camping near Yale Reservoir, and Seaquest State Park for family-friendly sites with playground access. Each location provides unique advantages, with proximity to Mt. St. Helens visitor centers and trails being a common benefit.

Do I need to make reservations for camping near St. Helens, Oregon?

Reservations are highly recommended for camping near St. Helens, Oregon, especially during the peak season (late spring through early fall). Popular campgrounds like Paradise Point State Park Campground and Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground fill quickly on weekends and holidays. Most state parks and private campgrounds in the area offer reservation systems, typically opening 6-9 months in advance. Some campgrounds maintain first-come, first-served sites, but these are limited and fill early in the day during busy periods. For more spontaneous trips, consider weekday visits or the shoulder seasons when competition for sites is less intense. Always check the specific reservation policies for your chosen campground, as they vary by location.

What amenities are available at St. Helens campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Mt. St. Helens offer a range of amenities depending on the type of facility. Seaquest State Park Campground provides clean restrooms with showers, playground access, and well-maintained trails, plus easy access to the visitor center. For those seeking more amenities, Silver Lake Resort offers lakefront views of Mt. St. Helens with a variety of accommodation options including RV sites, tent spaces, cabins, and motel rooms. Many RV parks in the area, such as Toutle River RV Resort, feature full hookups, bathrooms, and pools. Primitive campgrounds like Merrill Lake have basic pit toilets only. Cell service varies significantly by location, with many forested areas having limited to no coverage, so plan accordingly.