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Tent campers near Dallesport, Washington can access several established campgrounds along the Columbia River Gorge and within Mount Hood National Forest. Carbon Farm Yard offers tent camping on private land with mountain views and hiking trails across 100 acres, while Leidl South Campground provides riverside tent sites with basic amenities and access to the Klickitat River. Several tent-friendly options exist within a 30-mile radius, including Pebble Ford Campground in Oregon's eastern Mount Hood Wilderness.
Most tent campsites feature dirt or gravel surfaces with minimal site preparation. Fire rings and picnic tables are common at established sites like Pebble Ford and Macks Canyon, though drinking water is rarely available. Vault toilets serve most designated campgrounds, but dispersed camping areas typically lack facilities entirely. High winds can affect camping along the river corridors, particularly at Macks Canyon where evening gusts are common. Many backcountry tent camping locations require high-clearance vehicles to access, with several reviewers noting challenging road conditions. A visitor to Macks Canyon Recreation Site commented, "About 20 miles of gravel road will take you here with some small rockwall to semi-worry about."
Tent-specific sites throughout the area offer varying levels of privacy and natural features. The small four-site Rainy Lake Campground provides tent campers with immediate trail access to lakes and Mount Hood views, though sites are close together. Dispersed tent camping along the Lower Deschutes River offers greater solitude but requires careful planning for water and waste management. Areas like Pebble Ford provide larger, more spacious tent sites with forest cover. One camper described Pebble Ford as having "very quiet and even a few dispersed camp spots outside the main area," noting that wildlife frequently passed through their campsite. The region's tent campsites often provide excellent stargazing opportunities when clear weather permits.
"Carbon Farm is private camping on a farm a few miles outside of Dufur on the east side of Mt Hood National Forest."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in the big open field next to it. I don’t think this is technically an “official” campsite but it has a lovely composting toilet that smells like fresh cedar."
"do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=29) area - where designated tent and RV campsites are located. We then biked in about 20 miles to dispersed camping along the Deschutes River."
"Not too far from Meadows and Parkdale ... and even not to far for an overnight or weekend away from Portland. The first come sites are just off of Forest Road 44 >> Dufur Valley Road."
"Very quiet and even has a few dispersed camp spots outside the main area. Had some deer walk right through our camp spot while we sat by the fire."
"We went during weather transition from rain to clear. The result, high winds in the canyon. This only lasted the one night. Fantastic weather the rest of the time. A slight bit of small trash around."
"Lots of space for established camping. One other site occupied out of 18. Here’s the but. I go off-road a lot. I have never experienced a washboard road as bad as this was for 6-7 miles."
from $8 - $35 / night
Check Availability"There aren't any designated spots campsites, but there are a number of fire rings and it's pretty easy to segregate yourself from other campers. The site was clean and the pit toilet wasn't too bad."
"You can pretty much camp wherever you can drive to. Lots of spots right next to the river."
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Campground Review An open, relatively unused campground next to a sleep-calling stream right in between the last forested part of Mt."
"The campsites are all well spaced out parallel to a nice clean looking river. We stayed in the off-season, so that is probably why it was empty."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"We have lots of people that like to camp around here. If you arrive and find it full, continue one more mile down the road to Black Lake Campground, which has 4 more spots."
"Site 1 was a little more blocked by 2 and 3 by a large log. 3 was a good site with enough level ground for 2 tents."
"This is a fairly easy trail to backpack on with lots of great sites to camp. If you’re hiking up to the lake you might want to make it a two day trip to really enjoy it."
"The drive up the the lake is not super peaceful but once you get there it's pretty great."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Goose Lake is one of my favorite places to camp. It is a smaller campground and pretty secluded, so it's nice and quiet/private."
"The day use area was clean and had a handful of different people fishing every day starting around 7-8."
LegendCamped here for the second year in a row, and it did not disappoint. We got lucky with a nice spot on the creek this year, which I would recommend for the best experience. The sites are spacious and most are pretty private which is great. It is primitive, no showers and just one vault toilet. I will say that the site did have a fair amount of trash on it which was disappointing, but we cleaned it up before heading out. Remember to leave no trace!!
TravelerThis campground in along the John Day River with access to the river from the campground but no water views. Most sites have a pergola over the picnic table for shade and a sturdy wooden fence, I assume for wind protection. The sites are nicely spaced but the wind, blowing dust and heat made it pretty uncomfortable to be outside. The river here is broad and shallow so not deep enough for watercraft. The water was pretty warm. There are several hiking trails along the river.
ScoutStayed just one night in site 1, which was the only one available. It’s very private being far from the trail and has good access to the shore but is very shady at all times, although also sheltered from the wind. There was a fire ring (although no fires allowed) and a table. Several viable tent spots on the site. The toilets were closed and, unfortunately, previous campers weren’t so great at “leave no trace” because we found a bunch of dog and human feces around.
LegendThis review is for the main campground, there is another group/horse campground across the highway that I did not stay in. The small campground is right off Highway 97. The first part of the campground is where the hook ups, large RV's, small trailers and tent campers are located. The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces. Some spots looked barely big enough for a 2 person tent. In this same area is the only flush toilets/showers (Coin operated). Continuing past this main area and over a small hill is where the tent camping/sheep herders tents are located. Since it was located away from the main camping area it was quiet with regards to hearing fellow campers, the downside is the spaces are closer to the Highway. Day and night, semis speed past the state park on either a downhill straight away or an uphill straight away, regardless it sounds like a freight train or military landing pad all night/day long. It was so loud you had to stop talking until the semi passed. The space I was in was so small my 3 person tent only fit if one side was touching the fire ring. Luckily there was a fire ban so no fire to melt my tent. The space also had full view of the pit toilet, since it was the only toilet on that side, I saw everyone come and go. It was also super close to one of the sheep herders tent site. There were 2 sheep herder tents sites. The spots looked large and the tents looked like they would sleep at least 4-5 people. The other tent sites where much larger, but still all the sites could hear the highway. Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy. There were a bunch of trails that ran through out the park that provided a nice alternative to get to the other side of the park or climb to the top of the hill near the power lines. The camp host was also a very nice gentleman who suggested activities in the near by area. I was exploring the area cause it's new to me, but I wont return cause it's not my type of camping.
ScoutI camped there in my RV several times and always tried to get slot A13. It’s all the way at the end and has a nice amount of space and only a potential neighbor on one side. I also tent camped and, after scouting the sites, chose C6. That site is a bit small but is away from the rest and above them on the slope so you don’t need your rain fly for privacy.
LegendRead up on this location with some good info. Flat paved sites for dry camping.
Lost Creek Campground has 10 single-family campsites and is located on one of the largest pyroclastic volcanic mudflows from Mt. Hood’s “Old Maid” eruption in the 1700s. Fortunately all of the mudflows have cooled. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Two yurts are also available. Campground amenities include a picnic area, drinking water and vault toilets. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host.
Lost Creek / Mt. Hood Area Recreation
Outdoor recreation includes fishing. Visitors also enjoy fishing, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. The Wild and Scenic Sandy River is also not far from the popular Ramona Falls Trailhead. Mt. Hood is just southeast of the campground offers visitors the opportunity for a nice a day trip.
AMENITIES
BBQ Grills
Campsite Tables
Comfort Station
Drinking Water
Fire Pit
Fire Rings
Firewood Available
Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
Grills
Pets OK
Picnic Tables
Restrooms (Vault Toilets)
ACTIVITIES
Biking
Bird Watching
Creek
Fishing
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Nature Trails
Photography
Picnicking
River
Walking Trails
Wildlife Viewing
GuideConnected to a rest area. $19 camping no hookups. Water, pad, picnic table, and fire ring in site. Free showers. Clean bathrooms. Freeway noise not bad.
LegendNice spot to stop for a night or two. Easy bike ride down to Trillium Lake where there's an iconic view of Mt. Hood reflecting in the lake.
Very well used and loved. I picked up a bag of trash to take with me. Please, leave no trace so we don't lose access to these awesome spots!
LegendAshley here with The Dyrt! We want to welcome this property owner to our platform. "Camp beside a private spring fed lake. You’ll have this high desert oasis all to yourselves. This is a leave no trace camp site, pack it in pack it out. Fishing is NOT included in your stay. You can inquire about fly fishing rates." Book your stay today and leave them some love!
The Dallesport area sits at the eastern edge of the Columbia River Gorge where desert landscapes begin to replace dense forests. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while winter months bring frost and occasional snow. Most campsites near Dallesport require preparedness for significant temperature swings, with evening temperatures dropping 30-40 degrees from daytime highs even in summer months.
Fishing opportunities: Several campsites provide direct river access for fishing enthusiasts. The Deschutes River offers excellent angling conditions, particularly at Macks Canyon Recreation Site where one visitor noted, "The view of the river was amazing and we watched lots of fishing boats and rafting boats go by."
Hiking trails: Explore miles of wilderness trails within a short drive from most campsites. At Carbon Farm Yard, "There are several different loops you can hike or walk around the farm. The camping area is spacious and quiet. There is tons and tons of land to explore and lots of animals and wildlife to view."
Paddling: Non-motorized watercraft access is available at several lakes in the region. Goose Lake Campground is particularly suitable as "motorized boats aren't allowed so it's nice and quiet. Last year we brought our paddle boards and had a great time on the water."
Privacy levels: While many sites are positioned close together, some offer greater seclusion. One camper at Pebble Ford Campground shared, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds feature regular wildlife activity. At Pebble Ford, a visitor mentioned, "Had some deer walk right through our camp spot while we sat by the fire."
Lakeside camping: Several sites offer direct water access. A Goose Lake visitor explained, "The campground is on a hill (but all the camping spots are flat) so you get a great view of the lake from most campsites. Beautiful spot."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require traveling on rough forest roads. A recent visitor to Macks Canyon Recreation Site warned, "About 20 miles of gravel road will take you here and some small Rockwall to semi-worry about. I have never experienced a washboard road as bad as this was for 6-7 miles. I thought the doors were going to blow off the truck."
Water access: Drinking water is rarely available at campsites. At Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area, a camper advised, "No drinking water or hookups of any kind. No fires. Must bring everything."
Wind conditions: Strong winds affect many campgrounds in the area, particularly those near rivers. At Macks Canyon, a visitor observed, "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."
Open spaces: Some campgrounds offer ample room for children to explore safely. Carbon Farm Yard provides "lots of space for kids to run around and safely explore."
Lake activities: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly water access. At Goose Lake Campground, "The day use area was clean and had a handful of different people fishing every day starting around 7-8."
Quiet atmosphere: For families seeking peaceful environments, Bonney Crossing delivers according to one visitor: "Kids loved spending time exploring the creek and cooling off in it. Campsites are first come first serve and only has 7 established sites."
Site selection: For RVs, carefully research your destination as many campgrounds have limited suitable spaces. At Pebble Ford, "The first come sites are just off of Forest Road 44 >> Dufur Valley Road. There is a main circle of sites (about 3-4 in the main area) and another site on the creek with a separate entrance."
Limited hookups: No hookups are available at most campsites near Dallesport. Plan accordingly with self-contained systems and water storage.
Road clearance: High-clearance vehicles are recommended for most camping areas. At Badger Lake, one camper advised, "You'll want a high clearance/4wd vehicle. We took my Honda Element and had to camp in the campground instead of near the lake, which was 1/4 mile from campground. Too many big rocks and ruts in the road to attempt."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dallesport, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dallesport, WA is Carbon Farm Yard with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Dallesport, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 76 tent camping locations near Dallesport, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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