Lepage Park Campground

Good weekend getaway from Portland. I had a decent-sized back-in site with fire ring and picnic table and room enough for my hammock. The pull-through sites run along the water’s edge, offering water views but smaller pads and tragically, blocking my view. There’s no shade but the breeze kept things cool enough. Site hookups include 50 amp and water. Dump station was in good shape. The park is well-maintained. My dog had a large area to run off-leash (not sure if this is technically permitted but no one complained), splash around and chase birds. We did the nearby Deschutes River Canyon trail. You can easily put in a kayak or SUP for paddling at the campground.

Beautiful, sites are kinda close and it's got boat ramps amd next to highway. And bathrooms are dirty, which is surprising cause outside is nice , has showers but dirty also.. but manageable. They sell ice lol

The campground is right off the freeway so very easy access. plenty of sites available. The signs, however, point to Day Use and Campground. Tent sites are in the Day Use area. We didn’t know this til after we had our site all set up. Winds kicked up before midnight and stayed strong all night. It even snapped the poles on our tent. Free showers and a swimming hole are a plus!

The park is generally great. The drive way is maybe a bit sketchy but we were able to get our 40ft motorhome in with no issues.

At first sight, LePage doesn’t seem that awesome, but the more we stay here, the more we love it!

It’s right off of the Columbia River highway, so you can hear a bit of traffic, but it’s not nearly as bad as other camp sights we’ve stayed along I84.

There is a huge grassy area for tents and pavement sites for RV’s. Personally, I like the separation because it allows for two different experiences and separates the unique noises that come with both types of camping; RV generators and group tent camping.

There is a really large beach and roped off swimming area, as well as a boat ramp, dock for fishing, and trails for hiking.

It gets dark enough for night photography and there are always plenty of eagles and hawks for bird watching.

COVID-19 kept this park closed for most of the summer but we were thrilled when it opened up in September.

We pulled into this campground in early October on our way down I84. Fortunately we had made a reservation, as the campground was at capacity. The spot I picked was site 9, which is a back-in spot at the southern end of the campground. I really liked the spot as we didn't have a neighbor to the south, just a rock wall for privacy. The freeway made a fair amount of noise that even carried to the southern tip of the campground.

The campground seems to be primarily frequented by fishermen, but still makes for a convenient stopover point for everyone else. There's a beach with a swim area in the day use area that probably is popular in the summer.

Great little campsite. Agree that the highway can be noisy but that’s not a deal breaker. You can still hear the fish jump and the geese honk. Online reservations are easy and park staff are friendly. FYI they are currently card only because of COVID19.

Pretty little park with good amenities. Dump station, potable water fill area. Beautiful views of the Columbia, and the highway noise is not bad at all.

Ranger Review: Stream2Sea Sunscreen Products at LePage Park

Campground Review: 

Gorgeous but beware of goat-heads!! 

This is a gorgeous camping spot along the confluence of the Columbia River and the John Day River. It is perfect for fishing, boating, and general family fun. The winds can be high (22MPR during our stay) but still a family favorite! There are 22 sites with electrical hookups(on the pavement without shade) and a couple of dozen grass tent sites. The restrooms are okay and there are showers and a dump station. The edge of the pull-through RV spots follows the river and most spots have easy access to the 10-foot rock access to the water. We visited during the last weekend of July and it was HOT! It was great to be able to jump in the river to cool down but make sure to bring thick water shoes as the goat-heads have taken over!!! 

Top reasons I love this campground: 

• Right on the John Day River 
• High desert beauty 
• Sun and water

Product Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt, occasionally I get to test products. At this campground, I tested Stream2Sea sunscreen products. This is a new family favorite product!! As an avid camper, swimmer, fisher, and scuba diver, we are thrilled to use ocean and coral reef safe products that are eco-conscious! Their products are packaged in mini 

Pros: 

• Eco-conscious!! 
• High-performance products Water-resistant for 80 minutes 
• Biodegradable 
• No toxins Eco-friendly packaging(sugar cane resin tubes) 

Cons: 

• Not cheap - but well worth it!

Overall, I give the product five stars

This is one of our family's favorite camping spots. Like a gem, it's small, simple and stunning. At the confluence of the John Day and Columbia Rivers, you can swim, fish, and boat. There is a fabulous roped off swimming area and plenty of space for grass games and a nice play structure for kids.