3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several RV parks operate year-round near Carson, Washington, providing access to Columbia River Gorge recreation. Elk Meadows RV Park in Trout Lake accommodates large motorhomes with full hookup sites and operates from April through November. Lewis & Clark Campground & RV Park in North Bonneville offers water, electric, and sewer connections with both pull-through and back-in sites. Timberlake Campground & RV in Stevenson features big rig friendly spaces with 50-amp service, operating seasonally from March to October. Gorge Base Camp RV Park in White Salmon provides full hookup sites with 50-amp electrical service. "Large spaces, easy to drive through, 30 and 50 amp, most sites had full hookups with fire pits and picnic tables," noted one visitor about Elk Meadows.
Dump stations are available at most parks, though some charge additional fees for non-guests. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with stronger signals in towns and limited coverage in more remote locations. Many parks accommodate pets but enforce leash requirements. Propane fill stations can be found at select locations, including Elk Meadows RV Park. Winter camping options are more limited, as several parks close seasonally due to mountain conditions. Train noise affects some riverside locations, particularly near Stevenson and North Bonneville. A review mentioned that "the train next to the park is regular so be prepared for consistent train noise." Reservation requirements become more stringent during summer months when tourism peaks in the Columbia River Gorge.
"Our spot was a 40ft pull through with full hookups, cable, a fire pit, and a picnic table. We were parked next to the bathroom that was in the area and the facilities were very clean."
"We decided to make this RV park our maiden voyage in our new Travel Trailer."
"Most spots were pull-though with decently wide streets to drive in. Even though it's just off a semi-major street, it's set back enough and surrounded by trees to be more quiet."
"The previous Google and Dyrt reviews made us a little nervous as well as the things we’ve heard about the location. But we were very pleasantly surprised with how nice it was."
"Then you drive out and around the corner and you get to where the RVs and cabins are. It's mostly a long driveway/road with cabins and spots for RVs on each side."
Available this weekend
from $45 - $800 / night
"Large spaces, easy to drive through, 30 and 50 amp, most sites had full hookups with fire pits and picnic tables."
"Elk Meadows is far up a well paved road just before the entrance into national forest land. "
"Nice quiet campground, some long term campers. Close to the Columbia River. Beautiful view nice established old timber. It is close to the train track. Enjoyed our stay here"
"If meeting a big rig coming the opposite way. The view of the river is fun to watch, and the locomotive trains had to the experience, but the trains run most of the night"
"The tracks are below the level of the park, and we quite like the train rumble. The highway is at a higher elevation than the park, so that noise didn't particularly bother us either. "
from $30 - $60 / night
"Nice park, dog friendly, right on the river, friendly staff. Train bridge across from the park so there is train noise."
"Concrete pads with extra parking space make for level camping. Book early to enjoy the spaces that overlook the Sandy River, otherwise you’ll just be looking at other RVs."
"Located at the northern end of Portland not too far off the 1-5 freeway."
"The biggest pros are the location and the facilities. Being right on the Columbia River is a major plus; we enjoyed a beautiful sunset walk along the waterfront after a day in the city."
from $30 - $150 / night
"Nice large sites, lots of communal areas like grass areas and river access. Went during COVID so restrooms were closed, but toilet/shower rooms were there."
"Lots of shade. Enough space between sites. Easy back-ins and some pull-throughs. A lot of background noise bordering on white noise, so not bad. Spotless restrooms. Beautiful views of the river."
from $40 - $45 / night
"Jantzen Beach RV Park feels like a real-world stop straight out of a Subway Surfers World Tour—a lively, convenient, and colorful place where travelers pause, recharge, and enjoy the surroundings before"
"This sounds like a pretty mixed experience at Jantzen Beach RV Resort."
from $40 / night
TravelerSeveral reservable, paid spots near the lake, but if your vehicle can make it there is free dispersed camping farther down a forest road. Took a long time to find but there was a gorgeous clearing I could back my truck into and a rock fire-ring I found that I improved upon. Beautiful woods all around the spot and very secluded.
RangerNot a camping spot. Just a rest area with no camping signs throughout the parking areas. Bathroom was open and fairly decent. We did stop after dark, rested a few hours and were gone again by sun up.
TravelerBeautiful park. The bathrooms are heated, with space to hang your jacket or backpack. Flushers with a sink to wash up. The RV space was large, with shade and a beautiful view of Mt Adams. Showers and laundry available- bring some quarters along.
TravelerWe camped here for 4 days, rangers were nice we hauled in our wood since we didn’t want to buy a lot, and can’t gather wood there. Plenty of trees between campsites, The Bathroom and showers were really nice and clean!! lake was also nice but small. Enjoyed our stay!!
ScoutPretty cool little campground. Multiple sites right on the river, but some might be a bit precarious for some to navigate. Facilities were clean and you can tell the camp hosts care. Recommend for an easy getaway for a couple days.
ScoutTrains keep coming through 😭. Tent sites are small.
GuideCold plunge and sauna in the woods amazing. Hot showers, clean bathrooms. Nice campgrounds. Enjoyed our stay.
TravelerStayed for one week. Have a smaller rig and was assigned a tight spot but the across the street neighbor helped me back in. Tucked away from the main road there wasn’t too much traffic noise. Office staff was friendly. Laundry facilities clean. Walking distance to a very neat arboretum and about 20-30 minute drive to other areas of the city. Very reasonably priced for weekly and monthly stays.
GuideThis Campground is certainly the best on the swift river. Bathrooms are nice & clean and access to water as well as Mt. St. Helens are the pros.
The reservoir is used for hydroelectric power so it can receed quickly. Your experience here greatly relies on your neighbors and the camp hosts. Some of the regulars can be obnoxious. There are no hookups and no showers so plan accordingly. There is a dump station in the day use area.
The Columbia River Gorge area near Carson offers diverse camping options across the forested mountainsides of southern Washington. Located at elevations ranging from 400 to 2,000 feet, this region experiences mild summers with average temperatures of 75-85°F and cold, wet winters. The landscape transitions dramatically from temperate rainforest to drier pine forests within a 20-mile radius of Carson.
Waterfront access: Several campgrounds provide direct river or lake access for swimming and fishing. At Timberlake Campground & RV, campers can utilize "the magical, large grassy lawn" that leads toward water access points, according to Michelle K.
Mountain biking: The Sandy Ridge Trail System across from Mt Hood Village Resort offers premier trails. Joel H. notes it has "some of the best Mountain Biking in the country" and makes an excellent day trip from Carson-area campgrounds.
Hiking with dogs: Many trails throughout the region welcome pets with proper leashing. Lawrence P. from Timberlake Campground mentions the area is "back in the mountains. Quiet and serene" with numerous trail access points nearby for day hikes with four-legged companions.
Wildlife viewing: The meadow areas near Elk Meadows RV Park provide opportunities to spot local animals. Matthew describes seeing "elk splashing through the meadow at night while we watched stars and satellites."
Shade coverage: Many Carson-area campgrounds feature significant tree cover for summer heat relief. At Timberlake Campground, Kimberly Y. appreciates that it's "away from the railroad tracks. Great sites for tent camping," with ample shade throughout most sites.
Local dining: The region offers unique food options within short drives of most campgrounds. Joel H. recommends "Koya Kitchen, that serves sushi and ramen with plenty of outdoor seating and a full bar" and "Skyway Bar and Grill with amazing BBQ, full bar and live music on the weekends" when staying at Mt Hood Village Resort.
Train noise: Railroad tracks run through the Columbia River Gorge, affecting some campgrounds. At Lewis & Clark Campground & RV Park, Wes B. notes the "only downside is frequent freight trains throughout the night."
Bridge considerations: The Hood River Bridge connecting Oregon and Washington presents challenges for larger vehicles. Jim J. warns when visiting Gorge Base Camp RV Park: "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."
Variable site privacy: Campground layouts range from spacious to compact. At Elk Meadows RV Park, Michell C. appreciates the "large spaces, easy to drive through" while Matthew notes "spots at the northern edge of the park look out over a beautiful meadow backed up by astonishingly huge and beautiful Mt Adams."
Indoor options for rainy days: Some campgrounds provide indoor recreation areas for poor weather conditions. At Mt Hood Village Resort, Tyson C. mentions "there is a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds include dedicated play areas. Portland Fairview RV Park visitor Jon F. describes it as "very family friendly" with a "nice indoor pool and hot tub. Good playground for kids."
Swimming areas: During summer months, riverside campgrounds offer swimming opportunities. At Columbia River RV Park, one camper notes the location is "right near Portland and just steps away from the beautiful Columbia River. It was so nice to take walks along the waterfront."
Hookup consistency: Electrical service varies between campgrounds, with some offering higher amperage options. At Elk Meadows RV Park, Michell C. found "30 and 50 amp, most sites had full hookups with fire pits and picnic tables."
Tight navigational challenges: Some campgrounds require careful maneuvering despite being advertised as big-rig friendly. At Timberlake Campground, Maggie notes "some of the sites are on the smaller side and a little tricky to back into but doable."
Extended stay options: Several parks accommodate longer visits with weekly or monthly rates. At Columbia River RV Park, C.H. mentions "daily, weekly, and monthly rates, which vary with the size of the space. Our space is $500 per month. There is free Wi-Fi, cable, trash service, and water."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Carson, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Carson, WA is Mt Hood Village Resort with a 4.5-star rating from 43 reviews.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Carson, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 216 RV camping locations near Carson, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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