Camping options near Wasco, Oregon span from forested sites to arid desert campgrounds, with temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to over 90°F in summer. This region along the Columbia River experiences strong winds year-round, with gusts frequently exceeding 20-30 mph due to the gorge's unique geography. Several campgrounds offer wind protection features specifically designed to shield campers from these persistent breezes.
What to do
Hiking on unmaintained trails: At Cottonwood Canyon State Park, trails follow the John Day River with varying difficulty levels. "There are some really great hikes you can do nearby. We did the Pinnacles Trail and Lost Corral Trail. Both of these hikes were 'moderate/difficult.' They were both a little over 8 miles roundtrip," notes one visitor who appreciated the scenic river views.
Mountain biking with free equipment: Bring your own bike or use the complimentary ones at Cottonwood Canyon State Park. "We brought our own bikes but if you don't bring yours, they offered loaner bikes and there were little bike workstations on the grounds," reports a camper who explored the park's trail system.
Fishing from shore: The John Day River provides fishing opportunities directly from campsites. At Maupin City Park, anglers can access the Deschutes River without a boat. "There's rafting and fishing. The rv spots have power, water and sewer," notes one camper, making it convenient to stay comfortable while enjoying the river.
Off-grid stargazing: Areas like Macks Canyon Recreation Site offer exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "No AT&T phone service here," mentions one camper, highlighting the remote nature that creates perfect stargazing conditions away from city lights.
What campers like
River access: Many campgrounds provide direct river entry for swimming and cooling off. At Tucker Park Campground, "Both day use and river access from the camping area were lovely and the water was perfect to cool off after a hot day," according to a recent visitor who appreciated the easy water access.
Wind protection structures: Campgrounds in this notoriously windy region often include purpose-built windbreaks. At Macks Canyon, one camper notes, "The only negative is that it can get super windy. At one point we were frantically trying to get our awning down from the Cricket and things were flying everywhere."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer opportunities to spot native animals. "In the morning, I awoke just before dawn when my dog sat bolt upright and intently watched with me as an elk cow walked through our campsite," describes one camper at Cottonwood Canyon State Park.
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and showers. A Tucker Park visitor mentioned, "Hosts were helpful. Bathrooms and showers were clean," showing the commitment to maintaining facilities even in more remote settings.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines. At Viento State Park Campground, "The first night we stayed at Viento State Park I was unprepared for the very active, incredibly loud trains that ran ALL NIGHT!" warns one camper, suggesting earplugs for light sleepers.
Road conditions: Access roads to some sites require careful driving. Regarding Macks Canyon, a visitor cautions, "About 20 miles of gravel road will take you here and some small Rockwall to semi-worry about," highlighting the preparation needed for certain campgrounds.
Extreme temperature changes: The high desert climate means significant temperature swings between day and night, even during summer months. One platform tent camper at Columbia Hills noted their accommodation "got very hot even though it was a cool evening and I had the window open all night."
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "This campground is popular and books up quickly," warns a visitor to Maupin City Park, suggesting early planning for weekend trips during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Spacious group sites: Look for campgrounds with designated areas for multiple families. One camper at Brooks Memorial State Park Campground mentioned, "Tall pines all around us, and very uncrowded. Wouldn't want to come here if it were full, the sites are very close together," highlighting the importance of choosing less crowded times for family camping.
Playground access: Limited play structures exist at certain campgrounds. A parent at Tucker Park noted, "There are only swings at the playground which was a let down for my girls," suggesting bringing additional recreation equipment.
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife safety. "Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy," warns a camper at Cottonwood Canyon State Park.
Natural play areas: River access points offer natural recreation spaces. "Lots of space/areas for our kids to run to climb big rocks," reports a family who enjoyed Tucker Park Campground with children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds provide exceptionally level parking. At Crow Butte Park, an RVer was pleased that "Sites are back in and have well maintained level sites of crushed gravel. The first time I haven't had to level the trailer side to side."
Hook-up reliability: Check what utilities are consistently available. "Water and Electrical hookups well maintained," notes a camper with an E-Pro 19FD trailer at Crow Butte Park, confirming the reliability of connections.
Tight bridge crossings: RV drivers should be cautious on regional bridges. Regarding access to White Salmon, one RVer cautions, "If you have an RV and can avoid taking the Hood River Bridge, that is highly advisable. With two 9' lanes, it's a nightmare to get across."
Campground layout: Some parks have separate sections for different camping styles. At Cottonwood Canyon, "There are two campgrounds; one near the water and train tracks, and the other across the interstate that is for tents only," providing options based on your preferences for proximity to amenities versus quiet.
