RV campgrounds near Umatilla, Oregon provide access to Columbia River recreation and convenient stopovers for travelers. The area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation in the Columbia Basin, characterized by a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. Winter camping remains viable at most Umatilla area campgrounds, though summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making riverside locations particularly desirable.
What to do
Boating access: At Umatilla Marina & RV Park, the marina features a large parking lot with spots to clean fish, making it convenient for anglers. "The marina has a large parking lot and spots to clean fish. There is a nice park and swimming area for kids," reports one visitor who gave the park a 4-star rating.
Swimming opportunities: During summer months, cooling off in designated swimming areas provides relief from the heat. "It's nice down by the water you can swim or fish. It also has a nice view of the sunset," notes a camper about the Umatilla Marina area, highlighting the recreational versatility of the waterfront location.
Wine tasting excursions: Wine Country RV Park in nearby Prosser serves as an excellent base for exploring local vineyards. "This could be a nice basecamp spot for people who love exploring wineries. The small town of Prosser has almost 30 wineries and tasting rooms in the immediate area and this park is in the midst of them all," explains a visitor who appreciated the convenient location.
What campers like
Shaded spaces: During hot summer days, tree cover provides essential relief. "There were shade trees and a nice lawn area, but the area with hookups was further from the traffic," observes one visitor about their stay at Umatilla Marina & RV Park.
Clean facilities: Horn Rapids RV Resort receives praise for its immaculate facilities. "We had a family emergency and stayed at this RV resort for almost two months. Crista was very accommodating and helpful to find us a monthly spot. The bathrooms are spotless. There's plenty of them too," shares a guest who stayed for an extended period.
Convenient overnight stops: Pilot RV Park offers convenient pull-through spaces for travelers needing a quick stopover. "They took our reservation from the road so we could drive right into our pull-through space. Since we were stopping for a weather delay, we just hooked up electric and used their restroom and shower. To say clean doesn't do them justice; the facilities were immaculate," reports a satisfied traveler.
What you should know
Highway noise levels: Traffic noise affects some campgrounds more than others. At Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park, one camper noted, "Mostly quiet (except for semi trucks parking for the night on the road near park running their equipment all night)."
Weather considerations: The area experiences temperature extremes. "There were tent sites available for $20 so we checked in at the office to be assigned our spot... 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. This was in late October 2020 during a cold snap," recounts a camper who stayed at Umatilla Marina & RV Park during colder weather.
Irrigation schedules: Some parks water their grass during the day. At Horn Rapids RV Resort, a visitor warned, "The only complaint I have is that the sprinklers go on in the middle of the day. So if you are doing anything outside there is a good hour break to avoid the irrigation water."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Look for campgrounds with designated water access points. "The marina has a large parking lot and spots to clean fish. There is a nice park and swimming area for kids," notes a visitor about Umatilla Marina & RV Park.
Entertainment options: Some resorts offer additional activities. At Columbia Sun RV Resort, "Heated pool and hot tub, game room and more. Excellent bathroom facilities as well," according to one reviewer who found the amenities particularly suitable for family stays.
Movie nights: Check for special events at campgrounds. "The field next to the campground set up an outdoor movie night with free popcorn. The kids loved it and it was a great memory maker," shares a camper about their experience at the Umatilla Marina area.
Tips from RVers
Early reservation benefits: Making advance arrangements ensures better site selection. "Called last minute and was able to get a water and electric only site which is all we needed. The park is well maintained and it's all gravel. However the sites are all flat and easy to pull into," reports an RV owner about their experience at Umatilla Marina & RV Park.
Site levelness: Most RV parks in the region feature level sites for easier setup. "Level gravel sites with grassy area between sites," notes a camper about their experience at Umatilla Marina & RV Park.
Big rig accessibility: Many campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles with pull-through sites. "Pulled in right before 5:00PM on a Sunday and was able to check in before the help went home. I had made previous reservations so checkin was a snap. Have a 28' class C with a toad. The pull-through site was able to accommodate both vehicles without a problem," shares an RV camper about their stay.
