119 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The desert landscape surrounding Mattawa, Washington contains a mixture of established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas accommodating both tent and RV campers. Beverly Dunes near Mattawa offers primitive tent and RV sites with fire rings and basic facilities, while other nearby options include Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping and Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground in Vantage. The Columbia River corridor provides multiple access points for camping, with sites ranging from fully-developed parks with utilities to undeveloped areas on public lands.
Permits and regulations vary significantly across the region's camping areas. Most dispersed sites on public lands near Mattawa require either a Washington State Discovery Pass or specific recreation permits, particularly for popular areas. "Martha Lake requires a Discovery Pass, and you're allowed to stay for up to three days," noted one camper about a nearby dispersed site. High summer temperatures and persistent winds characterize the local climate, with limited natural shade available at most sites. Cell service can be spotty in more remote locations, though coverage improves near Interstate 90 and larger towns. During peak summer weekends, established campgrounds often reach capacity, especially those with water access or electrical hookups.
Eastern Washington's distinctive desert-meets-river landscape creates unique camping experiences throughout the Mattawa region. Along the Columbia River, several recreation areas provide swimming access and boat launches, making them popular with water enthusiasts. A reviewer described the area as having "a hot, windy, and true desert climate. When you get near a body of water like you do along the Yakima River, the diversity of life expands and makes for great wildlife watching." Campgrounds with grass and shade tend to receive higher ratings, though many campers specifically seek the wide-open desert terrain for stargazing and the sense of solitude. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bighorn sheep, wild turkeys, and various bird species, particularly near water sources where the harsh landscape transitions to riparian zones.
"This place is close to home for anyone in central Washington, the sites are giant and the views are amazing."
"This campsite is quiet and has everything you need, full hookups, water, showers, and trails. The campground is small but really clean and nearly every site has a view of the river/lake."
"Walk in sites are really tight. Heavy winds at night. No running water bathrooms. Noise from highway at night is very noticeable. No recycling option."
"Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, and path down to a rocky beach on the Columbia."
"It is hay cutting season, and semi’s are racing up and down the road 60 feet away from the front sites starting at 7:30 am and continuing until dark. Jake brakes will wake you up. Trust me."
"Location has trees, grass, picnic tables, full hook ups, basic and premium rates, showers(3 minutes hot water for .50, buy 2 tokens at a pop, you can walk down to the river."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Great location so close to 90 but tucked away - will be staying here often"
"I prefer to park here when its not busy as the "Feathers" basalt columns are really pretty to camp up next to. The second open site down the road has pit toilets and is a much larger area."
"Walk in spots. Walk-in is about 100 yards. Quiet. Some wild life. Frogs and sheep. Good place to drop in and find a spot last minute depending on the day and time of year."
"Great little campsite near the petrified forest. Windy the day we were there - but beautiful location near river. We had a large herd of bighorn sheep as pre dusk visitors which was great to admire."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Surrounded by gorgeous cliffs with hikes and scrambles, if you are not a rock climber. Drive down to the end of the road for gorgeous access to the Columbia."
"This is primarily a rock climbers base camp, but also serves well for a great overnight stop where you can camp right on the edge of the canyon, get in some nice vista views,& a short hike to a"falls"
ScoutWe stayed here for one night while traveling and had a great experience. The staff was friendly and welcoming, the bathrooms were clean, and our pull-through site was level and easy to get into. Although the campground is close to the freeway, it sits far enough away that we only heard a little noise from the nearby on-ramp, and it wasn’t bothersome. We’d definitely stay here again for an overnight stop.
GuideVery clean bathroom, wide area for parking RV, and well maintained grounds. Amenities include indoor pool and spa, fire pits, and a general store. A little close to highway but not terrible road traffic noise. Some spaces offer BBQ, fire pit, and chairs.
ScoutNice campground and typical of KOAs: a little too pricey for what you get, but reliable.
ScoutThis camp ground has very vgenerous spaces --unlike many I've seen. You aren't packed in like sardines. What's the point in camping, if you don't get any space.
It's right next to the Columbia River.
It's also right next to a public Park that has a sandy beach and plenty of picnic tables.
The one draw back is the wind. It can be pretty gusty at times. One night it even rocked my van. But if i the wind isn't blowing ,
t's an ideal place to get away.
https://youtu.be/ZcbPyXDHWkg?is=QiJBEMzU64IWl02m
The Gingko Petrified Forest is near by. Just on the other side of I90
RangerHonestly absolutely stunning view. Very windy at night and a bunch of weird looking bugs got into the van as it got darker. But it was a great uneventful night. a few pit toilets but I didnt use them. Also a few dead fish along the shore.
GuideWent out for a little weekend trip saw the spot a hot minute ago and decided to finally pull the trigger on. It got some great views along the ridgeline trail was very car accessible, and it was Wellesly quiet we had one neighbor to our left and another one down the road fairly slow, but also wasn’t festival or concert evening so that was expected
RangerJust a few gravel spots. Could probably post up for a quick rest. Nothing to write home about
ScoutMy wife is a traveler. We have been staying here at the Suncrest RV Park very enjoyable good amenities good people.
TravelerWe enjoyed our 1 night stay at Potholes. It’s a bit hard to get to coming from the west, but the park is well kept. It was early June, and the park was not at all crowded. We liked the layout of the loops for RVA camping, which felt like there was a decent amount of space. We did not fish or otherwise use the lake, but it is very scenic. Shower facilities were also well-maintained.
Dispersed camping spots near Mattawa, Washington spread across the Columbia Basin's dry, arid terrain at elevations between 400-800 feet. Summer nighttime temperatures drop significantly from daytime highs, sometimes creating 30-degree temperature swings. Rocky terrain dominates the camping areas, with limited vegetation except near water sources where wildlife becomes more concentrated.
Explore petrified wood remains: At Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground, visitors can examine preserved ancient tree specimens along an interpretive trail. "An easy 1.5 mile hike will take you past several nicely preserved examples of different types of petrified wood, including some whole logs where you can clearly still see the shape of the bark, rings, etc," notes reviewer Meghan O.
Watch for wildlife: The arid landscape transitions to richer ecosystems near water. "We had a large herd of bighorn sheep as pre dusk visitors which was great to admire," reports Chad L. about his stay at Rocky Coulee Recreation Area.
Enjoy water recreation: The Columbia River provides swimming opportunities during hot months. At Sand Hollow Campground, "the water access is great for kids - rocky coastline and calm water. We caught one fish and our 9 yr old caught minnows in a lagoon," shares Julie M.
Star visibility: The remote locations and minimal light pollution create excellent night sky viewing conditions. "Beautiful sunset and INSANE stargazing," states one camper about Sand Hollow Campground.
Rock climbing access: The basalt formations attract climbers to certain camping areas. At Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites, a reviewer noted it has "AMAZING access to climbing. We have been here 2 x now... staying for about 5 days in a row. It is a 4 minute approach to the nice moderate area called the Feathers and about 15 minutes from other climbs."
Columbia River views: Campsites with river vistas rank highly among visitor preferences. "Very beautiful setting but super windy," writes one visitor about Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground, highlighting the trade-off between scenery and environmental conditions.
Wind conditions: Strong gusts frequently affect camping in the region. A Sand Hollow Campground visitor reports, "It was REALLY windy at night, which made mosquitos not bad and the high temps feel downright pleasant."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites offer minimal amenities. "This place does require a Discover Pass, but it's otherwise free. There were portapotties available, but I wouldn't count on them always being available," warns Nicole C. about Vernita Bridge.
Rocky terrain challenges: Access to many sites requires navigating rough roads. "Best to have high clearance as there are some good size rock outcroppings... Best to show up during daylight hours unless you have lots of Baja lights. Many sharp rock outcroppings and difficult terrain to drive over to find a spot," advises jeremy M. about Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping.
Look for sites with water access: During hot months, riverside locations provide natural cooling. Julie M. recommends Sand Hollow: "The water access is great for kids - rocky coastline and calm water. We caught one fish and our 9 yr old caught minnows in a lagoon."
Consider handicap-accessible options: Some campgrounds accommodate mobility limitations. Meghan O. points out that at Ginkgo Petrified Forest, "You'll also be close to handicapped parking spaces and have sidewalk access to your campsite, making this a great choice for campers with disabilities or mobility limitations."
Plan for temperature extremes: The region experiences significant day-night temperature variations, requiring proper clothing and gear. One camper at Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping advises, "Can get pretty hot here in the warmer months but a beautiful spot to camp if you can avoid the busy/peak times."
Select appropriate sites: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. At Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites, one RVer warns, "There is not a lot of room for big rigs so I would not suggest staying here If you're 20 + feet long."
Research hookup options: Electric and water connections vary significantly between established campgrounds. At Vantage Riverstone Resort Campground, a visitor notes, "Location has trees, grass, picnic tables, full hook ups, basic and premium rates... It has a boat ramp and 30+ spots large and small."
Consider wind effects on larger vehicles: Strong gusts can impact travel trailers and motorhomes. "The wind was so [bad] we couldn't use our awning or slideout," shares Susan V. about her RV experience at Vantage Riverstone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mattawa, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mattawa, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 119 campgrounds and RV parks near Mattawa, WA and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mattawa, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mattawa, WA is Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mattawa, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Mattawa, WA.
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