Viento State Park Campground

When I camped here it felt like I was at a local park. The sites here are walk in and it is not necessary to make a reservation. Came in on a weekday and a local told me that if you were to camp here on the weekend the sites would be full. There a two sections where you can camp: a north and south. The north had a majority of the campgrounds.

The weather was pretty unstable and drizzled in the middle of the night. The sites were pretty beautiful. There is a fire pit and table. The restrooms were surprisingly clean and well stocked but had no lights and was pitch dark

Like a local Park

Viento is a nice state park along 84 right outside of hood river. It is along the columbia river and has beach access.  The campground is split in two with the tent sites on one side and the rv sites on the other.  The highway and a railroad track run right through the campground.  There are mulitple trails perfect for day hikes.  The sites and bathrooms are clean.  Oregon State Parks offer free showers. 

stoping place between hood and helens

Lots to offer here and is good for one night for more avid tenters wanting the sights or nature, or multiple nights for social campers or RVs. Good trails, well run, clean, and smack dab in the middle of Columbia Gorge, one of the most beautiful places in the country. Plenty of tall trees. I grew up next to a freeway and I love trains, though the highway and train honks are substantial if your idea was to relax in nature for the weekend. Would be four stars if the sites were a little more spread out, I reckon'. Bring your kayak, fishing pole or wetsuit - as of today, theswimguide.org indicated locations up- and downriver from Viento were safe (though it's harder than it should be to find that kind of information). Video from the tent sites south of I-84, most of the photos are from the north, river more RV-ish side.

Shade, Trails, Large River Access vs. Noise, Small Sites & Neighbors

Nice campground. Clean, plenty of rv hookups. 

Short, 5 minute walk to the river.  

A train track runs throught the middle of the campground. Trains run every hour or so. VERY loud. 

Tent spots were $8. Rv spots were $24. 


Train lovers paradise

Spent two nights here with my kids. It was well maintained, clean restrooms and was right near a creek. It was about .5 miles away from the Columbia but it wasn’t really safe to travel by foot since it crossed the freeway. It’s right by I-84 and the railroad track so there was constant noise. Bring ear plugs and be prepared for the sound of cars, trucks and trains at all hours. It’s about 5 miles south of Hood River, so it was easy to hop in the car and have some fun there as well. Despite the noise, we had a great time. My kids enjoyed themselves, made friends and even had a visit from a friend beaver passing out stickers and junior ranger pins 

Cute, cozy and a little noisy 

The first night we stayed at Viento State Park I was unprepared for the very active, incredibly loud trains that ran ALL NIGHT! I was ready to pack up immediately until my family told me that they hadn’t slept that GOOD in forever. They loved the trains. It wasn’t until we spent time walking along the beach, took a few good hikes and bike rides that I started to see the charm in Viento. 

There are two campgrounds; one near the water and train tracks, and the other across the interstate that is for tents only. 

Take your bikes for a great ride along the Historic Columbia River Highway, or your kiteboards to play in the gorge!


All in all, I think this a great camping spot. Just be prepared for the sound of trains!