Best Cabin Camping near Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Pros: Good lake to swim in, smaller state park so not too busy, kayaks you can rent, small playground if you have kids, pet frIendly cabIn I stayed In was faIrly secluded Cons: because it’s smaller, kids on bikes were on the road often so you have to be aware, only one shower stall in the restrooms

BGLSP is a really lovely park not too far from Portland with camping and rustin cabins. Most of the campsites are large enough for 2 tents, and there were many RVs and popups - good size driveways/parking areas. Cabins C17 and C21 were the most private, though C13 and C15 had a partial view of the lake. Campsites 19 and 20 were really tucked back and adjoined such that two groups could spread out. There is only one bathroom for the entire camping/cabin area, and it got pretty dirty/crowded at times, so that wasn't ideal. I would also recommend checking out the water quality information before going if you plan to do water sports or swimming. There was a high bacteria advisory when we went, so swimming was discouraged. We ended up going to nearby Klineline Pond to swim instead. There is a nice little concession stand, though, and they offer SUP and kayak rentals that looked nice.

Battleground is a nice and well loved state park not far from Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The part itself centers around a clear caldera lake with tent camping, RV camping, cabins, trails, group sites, and the like. The lake is also frequently stocked, and fishing is popular. Not motorized boats, but plenty of kayaks and rafts. There is a small camp store with snacks and fishing supplies on-site. Campground is well appointment with showers, water, etc.

Hiking around the lake is fun. And well a crowded park, it is easy to sneak away to a quiet spot. Some cabins and campsites have nice views overlooking the lake. The town of battleground is nearby with restaurants, grocery stores, and any you might have forgotten.

This camp has RV sites, tent sites and beautiful cabins with porch swings and is located close to the Columbia River waterfalls.

Little luxuries include a camp store where we picked up bacon and eggs, an outdoor pool with hot tub, bathrooms with showers, “wood” ceramic floors and halo lighted mirrors plus facilities with washer/dryers and an outdoor sink to wash dishes.

Some people might find the train coming through right behind the camp several times a day and night a little annoying but we didn’t mind. We realized that the train blew 2 long, 1 short and 1 long whistle right before it reached the camp which is a warning (we googled it) that a train is coming through with engine in front and for cars/people to clear the track....the things you learn when you camp🚂

Peaceful setting, room to hike and roam. Across street from east fork of the Lewis River. Cabins, tipis, lodge, and RV park - all for groups such as churches, organizations, schools, etc. No individual camping. Large commercial kitchen and dining hall, Classrooms, nursery, multipurpose building, several fields. Labyrinth. Fire pits. Improvements happening continually.

Cascade Locks KOA is a perfect base camp for exploring up and down the Columbia Gorge. The tall pine trees made for great shade and a true campground feel.

The only downside was the train which is really out of the park’s control but if you’re in a tent it will be hard to ignore.

After 2 sleepless nights at a State Park, we were planning to cancel our stay and travel inland to escape the trains that ran 24/7 in the Gorge. However, after expressing our concerns to Catherine, KOA staff at the front desk, she worked her magic, moved us to the back of the park where the noise was more buffered. We stayed for spent 6 days to explore Colombia Gorge and Mount Hood. The staff here were on point! The bathrooms very clean! Even better is that their pool and hot tub were operational and highly maintained.

Tent sites are large and spaced out so your not right next to your neighbors. It’s a little bit of a walk to the lake but enjoyable. We stayed in the A-frame cabin which is right off the parking lot so can be busy but is a generous size lot and has some shrubbery and trees for privacy. there’s a trail out right out the back of the lot. The cabin is small and rustic. Non motorized lake. Canoe, paddle board and boat rentals available and I highly recommend.

Views of Adams, Helens, Hood, Jefferson. Highest camp in Washington. Nice solar toilets. The hike up is quite difficult.

Stunning view of the mountain backdrop- crystal clear waters-access to a small shop and water activity rentals which is fun. There is a resort , and cabins as well as tent camping which I prefer. The lake itself is “busy”with families and kids during the day but nice clean camping otherwise -some might even call it glamping but it’s worth it for the view and having access to the activities the next morning.

A church camp near Moulton Falls near Washington. The camp has a few RV pull-though spots, but the main part of the campground involves a number of “cabins” that you can only use as part of a large group gathering. Nice playgrounds on site, soccer field, TP, and the like.

Cabins look a bit drab/well loved, depending on your point of view.

This small state park is tucked alongside the Columbia River and Horsethief Lake. The campground is not large with only 4 regular campsites, 4 walk in sites, 8 partial hookups, a Teepee and 2 platform tents. The grounds surrounding the campground and alongside the lake are large, green grass areas with picnic tables everywhere. There are also archaeological sites with artifacts and pictographs within walking distance of the campground. There was a small kayak/canoe rental place that is run by the super friendly camp host.

I reserved the Teepee. I arrived a dusk during what would be a very strong wind storm that would last all night and all the next day. When I first went into the Teepee I noticed the canvas at the bottom was so rotten and the inside flap was secured to nothing so every time the wind blew the inside flap would fill up over half the inside and dirt would swirl everywhere. The front door flap was also very rotten and would not secure, so every time the wind blew, the door would fly open and let in more dirt. Needless to say my dog and I lasted about 5 minutes.

After talking to camp host I was able to get into one of the platform "tents". I later learned from the Park Ranger that stopped by that the canvas on the tents had rotted out in May so he had built what I would call plywood cabins with canvas roofs. There were 2 cabins, each one had 2 windows, 2 sets of bunk beds, a weak light, and a latch secured door. The cabin let in not one bit of wind which was nice, but also got very hot even though it was a cool evening and I had the window open all night. The next day the wind continued, not a big fan of strong sustained wind, but I figured out that when the door was open it created an arc of no wind right in front of the cabin which was nice to sit, watch, and relax. Please note, the cabin is not sealed to the creatures, on the second morning my dog woke me up to a bat that got stuck inside the cabin and was trying to get out, I was able to get the door open and it flew out.

The downside to the platform cabin is the lack of air flow, which in the summer could be rough. Also the only bathroom was a bit of a walk, but was kept clean and had showers. Also the parking was far away, so again a lot of walking. I was also informed by the Park Ranger that the Teepee would be taken down at the end of the 2018 season with no plans to bring it back.

Overall it as a good state park if you don't mind the wind and just want to relax. I'm not sure if I would go back but would recommend it to others.

I have kind of a love/hate thing going on for Lost Lake Campgrounds.

Pros: It is beautiful. There's a reason it's one of Oregon's most photographed sites. There's a 3-mile hike around the lake that shows Mt. Hood and its lovely reflection in the lake. There's fishing, swimming, boating, and a camp store that has "It's It" ice cream (definitely a pro). The camp sites are nice, decent sized, and surrounded by trees.

Cons: It is crowded. We're talking thousands of people on a nice summer weekend, traffic jams, and no place to actually make it into the lake (except right at the boat dock) unless you claim your picnic spot really early. There's also no cell phone reception (at all), and while that may sound lovely in theory, when you're a family trying to find each other somewhere on the trail or in the campground it's a real pain.

On weekends and holidays, you also need to book not two, but three nights in a row (Thursday/Friday and Saturday, for example), so if you're trying to get away for a regular 2-day weekend you're out of luck.

In general: 140+ camp sites including several walk-in-only sites right near the lake. There's also cabins and yurts, though those don't include a bathroom on site, so the $70-$150+ seems pretty steep for still having to use an outhouse (we haven't stayed in the cabins personally yet, but have seen them in person). You can book online for both cabins and camp sites (reserveamerica for the camping).

Tips: For day trips, there's a $8 parking fee that you can avoid if you park outside of the entrance and walk the 1/4 mile or so. Also, cabins and yurts are half-price in May, something we may remember for next Memorial Day well in advance (since everything books up so quickly).

Pros: nice cabin, somewhat secluded, hidden hill on the water next to cabins, great for kayaking, bathrooms close with showers, great easy hike from cabins to the end of the peninsula, great views Cons: limited activities in the area

Stayed one night in a cabin and 2 nights in the D loop. The cabin was clean and comfortable. The campsite was spacious enough to set up a canopy and 2 tents comfortably. Bathrooms were clean and conveniently located. Swimming was great!

A couple years ago I rented a cabin here and it was awesome.  The cabin was very nice.  My buddy and I rented a boat and caught fish like it was going out of style.  It was a fun trip. There is a store there and the people are very nice and definitely  know where to tell the people where to fish.

I always stay in cabins at Ike Kinswa and more than once gear I left outside of the cabin was urine sprayed by a cat. Gear had to be thrown away as that smell does not come out. I asked the campground staff and they confirmed there is/are wild cats living in the park that spray mark their territory in the campground. Was my favorite WA state park but I won't be back.

Beautiful lake, big camp sites, kids toys, swimming area, cabins, bike paths and trails to hike

The campsites are spread out and private. There are tent sites, RV sites, and cabins. Quiet lake with two trails around it.

If you want endless, beautiful views of Mt. Hood I would highly recommend coming here. The views are spectacular, I honestly couldn't get enough of it.

Pros:

1. Views of Mt. Hood- THE BEST
2. Lost Lake- Fun water activities. My family brought our kayak, and I spent most of my morning on the water.
3. Rental Shop- This shop is close by, and is a great place to head to if you need any rentals. My brother went here and rented some fishing gear. They also have a little shop with snacks, which is always great!
4. Boat Dock- Great for getting your boat in the water.
5. Campsites are great, and pretty good size. Doesn't make you feel like you are crowding your neighbor. They also take reservations which is great for the busy times of the month. They also have first come first serve sites as well for those people who want to camp last minute.
6. Great hiking- Highly recommend asking the station what hikes are nearby. They were super helpful and pointed us in the right direction.

Cons:

1. Bathrooms were a little dirty- but honestly its hard to expect campground bathrooms to be super well kept.
2. Crowded- I guess this is to be expected during the summer months

Overall- I would highly recommend coming and staying here. The people who work here are super friendly and helpful. I love that they have a little store on site. This was helpful because we forgot to bring smore makings (don't know how we forgot!!) and the store saved us!! They also have little cabins you can rent- not sure what the cost is. They also have spots for RVS with hookups. The rental shop is also super nice!! You can rent canoes ($22 an hr), kayaks ($22 an hr), and you can also rent smaller things like: vest, fishing poles, etc..

The camping area isnt close to the water at all, unless you have a cabin or yurt spot, but its a fairly nice campground, we went in early May and there was stilk snow where our tent was gonna go, so watch for that! It’s a beautiful view though!