Columbia Hills Historical State Park offers distinct camping options along the Columbia River. Unlike traditional tent sites, the park provides platform accommodations with canvas roofs that function as sturdy cabins against the strong gorge winds. Campers can find yurt camping near Dallesport, Washington at several locations within a short drive of the state park. The area averages less than 15 inches of rainfall annually, creating a dry climate with temperature extremes between summer and winter.
What to do
Water activities at Horsethief Lake: At Columbia Hills Historical State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and paddling during summer months. One visitor noted, "I didn't really plan on staying here but it was getting late and I was passing through. The actual camping spots though are just basically parking lot spaces lol and a wind breaker and picnic table. But the area is clean and scenic."
Trail hiking at Trillium Lake: Located about an hour from Dallesport, Trillium Lake offers scenic trails with mountain views. A camper shared, "There was a short trail from campground to the lake. Campground was fairly full but very quiet. Sights are fairly private and wooded."
Outdoor adventures at Tucker Park: This park offers river access for cooling off during hot weather. A recent visitor mentioned, "Busy campgrounds, but nice. Variety of sites from small and shaded to open and sunny. Both day use and river access from the camping area were lovely and the water was perfect to cool off after a hot day."
Stargazing at Cottonwood Canyon: The lack of light pollution makes for exceptional night sky viewing. According to one camper, "If you love truly getting away from it all, as I do, you'll appreciate the absolute peace at Cottonwood Canyon. The beautiful moonlight set one side of the canyon aglow and the clear sky was filled with stars."
What campers like
Privacy between sites at Lost Lake: Lost Lake Resort offers secluded camping spots with good separation. A camper observed, "The sites are large and private, lots of amenities such as trails, boat rental, well equipped store, picnic tables and much more."
Clean facilities at Bridge RV Park: Travelers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms and grounds. One reviewer stated, "The park has almost new bathrooms and laundry facilities, it is well maintained and very clean. We will certainly keep this on our list!!"
Spacious campsites at Pebble Ford: The campground provides ample room for activities. A camper remarked, "Small… we're talkin' 3-4 sites… but each site is HUGE! Refreshing to see, and how cool to get here and take over all three with a party."
River views at Macks Canyon: Macks Canyon Recreation Site offers waterfront camping with scenic views. According to one visitor, "We were so glad we kept driving down this road until the very end. The view of the river was amazing and we watched lots of fishing boats and rafting boats go by."
What you should know
Wind conditions can be intense: The Columbia Gorge is famous for its strong winds. At Columbia Hills Historical State Park Campground, a camper warned, "It was SUPER windy, the bathrooms seemed pretty far from the tent camping sites, (they were all walk in) and there was a train track super close."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the area have spotty or no reception. A visitor at Lost Lake noted, "There is no Wi-Fi, Verizon was there but I don't know where. Not at the site. But as we walked around the phone would connect in my pocket."
Noise from transportation: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways and railroads. At Viento State Park, a camper observed, "It is close to the freeway and the sites are not at all secluded. The campground is a non private loop where if you park on one side you are right next to freeway and the other side is a pretty busy rail line."
Site reservations fill quickly: Popular campgrounds book up fast, especially during summer. For Trillium Lake, a visitor advised, "Reservations are hard to get we booked at 6am, six months out and felt very lucky to get three spots for our family Campout."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access at Mt. Hood Village: Mt Hood Village Resort offers facilities specifically for children. A visitor mentioned, "This was a good family camping spot. Pros - there is a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids."
Swimming opportunities in hot weather: Tucker Park has accessible water spots for children to cool off. One camper noted, "We had a blast! So green and beautiful. Not far from downtown. Lots of space/areas for our kids to run to climb big rocks."
Wildlife viewing for children: Early morning animal sightings can be exciting for kids. At Cottonwood Canyon, a camper shared, "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."
Fishing for beginners: Lost Lake Resort provides accessible fishing opportunities for children. A recent visitor stated, "Really easy fishing if you're just learning. They have tons of rentals."
Tips from RVers
Narrow bridge access: RV drivers should be cautious when crossing the Hood River Bridge. A Bridge RV Park visitor warned, "First off, 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."
Level sites at Macks Canyon: Despite rough access roads, the camping spots are well-maintained. A camper noted, "Camped at site 5 with an E-Pro 19FD. 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."
Good hookup access: Tucker Park Campground offers convenient water and electric connections. A visitor mentioned, "For the price you get showers, drinking water, normal toilets and a clean environment. You can pay with card too using their vending machine which was also super convenient."
Wind protection preparation: RVers should secure awnings and loose items during windy periods. An experienced camper at Macks Canyon advised, "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."
