Map showing campground location near Wishram, Oregon

Camper submitted image from Celilo Park Recreation Area

Celilo Park Recreation Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Water access sits at the center of what Celilo Park Recreation Area provides. Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers along the Columbia River near The Dalles, Oregon, this free campground draws paddlers, anglers, and families who want direct shoreline access. The park features a grassy lawn running from the parking lot down to a rocky beach, with the Columbia River front and center. Campers arriving by boat or by vehicle will find picnic tables, drinking water, and ADA-accessible facilities on site.

Noise is the most consistent detail across reviews. Train tracks run along the highway side of the parking lot, and freight trains pass through regularly, with whistles. Interstate 84 adds to the ambient sound. As Sahale M. notes, "Across the Columbia you can clearly hear the other railroad." Wind is also a factor at this exposed site. That said, multiple visitors report neither the trains nor the highway bothered them significantly during overnight stays.

The campground is divided between day-use and overnight areas, and signage inside the park clarifies the boundary. Restrooms have drawn mixed feedback over the years, though recent reviews describe them as clean. No showers are available. The site can accommodate large rigs, including 40-foot fifth wheels, and cell service is listed as available. Those exploring the Columbia River Gorge corridor can also consider Deschutes River State Recreation Area to the southeast. Celilo Park works best as a short overnight stop for travelers moving through the gorge who want free, no-frills access to the river.

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Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Air Quality at this campground may currently be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

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Map & DirectionsCelilo Park Recreation Area is located in Oregon near Wishram

Public Campground

Coordinates

45.64982459 N
120.96127297 W

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Connectivity

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Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/3/26
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Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 8/3/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 9 users
Last on 8/3/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/3/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 8/3/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 25 min from Portland, OR
1 hr 35 min from Yakima, WA
1 hr 37 min from Kennewick, WA
2 hrs 4 min from Longview, WA

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Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Celilo Park Recreation Area

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Free camping spot with grassy areas and Columbia River access draws visitors despite significant train and highway noise. Bathroom availability varies, but the spacious layout accommodates larger RVs well.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Laura S.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2026

Celilo Village

Beautful park along the Columbia River. Interesting history. Day use, tent camping Friday through Sunday, or seven days in the designated parking area. Restrooms, garbage dumpsters, veiws of barges or cruise paddle boats on the river. Cell service works great. The only drawback is if the interstate noise or traffic from trains bothers you. Located right next to both.

Siteparking lot

Month of VisitJuly

Deb F.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 12, 2026

Convenient but trains are close.

Just off of 84. Frequent trains and a busy highway. Neither one bothered us. Beautiful shoreline on the Columbia River.

Sitebig parking lot.

Month of VisitApril

Ben P.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 26, 2025

Train

It's a beautiful place next to the Columbia River. However, there are so many trains passing by. It is very noisy.

SiteParking lot

Month of VisitFebruary

Jenna M.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2021

A River dream! Trains for kids

So we love water. This place is dog and kid friendly. It has beautiful green lawns that run from the parking lot to the beach. There is a train track close by and the 84 is also close by. You can stay for free for up to 14 days. We have a generator and a 40’ fifth wheel. We had plenty of parking. Restrooms are very clean, but no showers.

We also have a four year old son and a dog.

Sitewe parked parallel to the fence on the south side of the parking lot

Month of VisitSeptember

Jill T.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 7, 2020

Day use only

Pulled in to find a sign that read “Now Day Use Only.” A large and long parking lot with grassy areas and beachfront. An active train runs on the highway side of the parking lot. Restrooms are closed.

There were a A LOT of dead fish along the beach.

(11) View All

Alex P.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2020

Pretty, but just parking lot camping

This place was a little unclear about the day use/camping areas. However, there were signs inside that said “no camping between signs and so we assumed that the further end was ok for camping, which it is. There is easy ever access which is nice and the grassy park is quite pretty with lots of tables. There were portable bathrooms near the camping end that had notices they they were full and to not use, not sure if they were just for covid or what, but we didn’t need to use. Trains nearby weren’t terrible for us, but maybe we just got lucky. Wouldn’t stay for more than a night, but it serves a purpose!

Sahale M.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2017

Meh

Half the parking lot is Day use, half overnight. Right next to railroad tracks- trains blow whistle as they role through. Directly on the other side of tracks is I84. Across the Columbia you can clearly hear the other railroad. Big grassy park that is clean, poorly maintained bathrooms. Very windy. Decent rocky beach. We stopped in transit for a place to crash- ended up sleeping on the concrete next to our boat trailer to guard our gear. But it was free.

SiteNo sites. Open parking and BIG grassy area.

Month of VisitJuly

Frequently Asked Questions

What do visitor reviews say about camping at Celilo Park?

Campers highlight Celilo Park's beautiful waterfront setting and spacious green lawns that run from the parking lot to the beach. The park is described as dog and kid-friendly with easy water access. However, noise is frequently mentioned as a significant drawback, with trains regularly passing on nearby tracks and I-84 contributing to the sound levels. Bathroom maintenance is noted as subpar, and some confusion exists about which areas are designated for camping versus day use.

What camping facilities are available at Celilo Park?

Celilo Park Recreation Area offers free camping for up to 14 days in a designated section of the parking lot. The park features grassy areas extending from the parking lot to the beach, making it ideal for both tent and RV camping. While the park can accommodate larger rigs like 40' fifth wheels, amenities are limited. Bathroom facilities are available but may have maintenance issues or seasonal closures. The park also has day-use areas with beach access along the Columbia River.

Are there photos available of Celilo Park camping areas?

Photos of Celilo Park typically showcase its extensive grassy areas, Columbia River waterfront, and parking areas where camping is permitted. Images often highlight the park's open layout with views of the river, beach areas, and surrounding landscape. To find current photos, check The Dyrt website, official U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pages (who manage the recreation area), or Oregon state tourism resources. These visual resources can help you better understand the camping layout and waterfront setting before your visit.

Where is Celilo Park located and how do I get there?

Celilo Park Recreation Area is located along the Columbia River in northern Oregon, adjacent to Interstate 84. The park sits between The Dalles and Biggs Junction. To reach the park, take I-84 and look for the Celilo Park exit. The recreation area is positioned between the highway and the Columbia River, with railroad tracks running alongside the property. The location offers easy highway access but also means you'll experience both road and rail noise during your stay.

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