Best Campgrounds near Grays River, WA

Camping near Grays River, Washington encompasses a mix of established campgrounds and rustic options along the lower Columbia River. The area sits within reach of several state parks and private retreats, including Skamokawa Vista Park and Cape Disappointment State Park on the Washington side, and Fort Stevens State Park across the Columbia in Oregon. These locations provide access to both river and ocean environments, with the Pacific coastline just a short drive west. Rose Creek Retreat offers a more secluded experience with private campsites nestled on the Columbia River shoreline between the ghost towns of Altoona and Cottardi Station.

Most campgrounds in the region are accessible via paved roads, though some dispersed sites like Road to Snag Lake require vehicles with higher clearance. The climate is typical Pacific Northwest coastal weather with mild, wet winters and cool summers. Mosquitoes can be problematic in summer months, particularly in forested areas. According to one visitor at Rose Creek Retreat, "mosquitoes in the lush forest in June were insane and very hungry." Reservations are strongly recommended for established campgrounds during the peak season from May through September. Skamokawa Vista Park operates seasonally from May 1 to September 15, while other facilities like Cape Disappointment remain open year-round.

The camping options range from full-service RV parks with hookups to primitive tent sites. Established campgrounds typically provide amenities such as showers, flush toilets, and picnic tables, while dispersed camping areas offer more basic facilities. Cape Disappointment State Park features spacious sites with a visitor noting, "The spaces are large and spread out. Very green and lush." For those seeking waterfront camping, Elochoman Marina in Cathlamet provides boat-in access and accommodates both RVs and tents. Many campgrounds in the area are pet-friendly, making them suitable for travelers with animals. Cell service can be spotty in more remote locations, particularly in the forested valleys away from major highways.

Best Camping Sites Near Grays River, Washington (194)

    1. Fort Stevens State Park Campground

    155 Reviews
    Hammond, OR
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 861-3170

    $11 - $115 / night

    "The trails around it were fun and led from the camp right up to the beach by the old ship wreck. My kids ages 2-14 always had something to do and we brought our bikes."

    "Extensive walking/biking paths and beautiful shady sites. I now have a camper van and stop by frequently to use the dump station."

    2. Cape Disappointment State Park Campground

    86 Reviews
    Ilwaco, WA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 642-3078

    $40 / night

    "This state park on the edge of Washington is absolutely beautiful and wild. It’s best to visit in the summer of course as the weather can be very unpredictable the rest of the year."

    "This campground is all about location. The sites are not huge or fancy, but the view and the hiking make up for any complaints."

    3. Skamokawa Vista Park

    15 Reviews
    Cathlamet, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 795-8605

    $35 - $55 / night

    "General: Vista Park, located directly on the Columbia River between Long Beach or Astoria to the west and Kelso to the east."

    "Friendly camp hosts with sites available directly on the rivers edge and back in the trees as well. Bathrooms are clean and camp sites well maintained."

    4. Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

    16 Reviews
    Naselle, WA
    11 miles
    Website

    "There are several spots off the road around these radio tower stations and it is quite secluded. We didn't see any other person the whole time we were there."

    "There's basically zero traffic on the dirt road near the campsite. A lot of the trees around seem to be new growth. Great view of the stars at night!"

    5. Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA

    45 Reviews
    Hammond, OR
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 861-2606

    $45 / night

    "Just across from the state park where you can take beach walks and enjoy sunsets. Clean and spacious showers and bathrooms."

    "Everyone in the general camping areas kept distance or was masked up. Appreciate that codes are given out to gain access to the bathrooms (very clean)."

    6. Clatsop State Forest Gnat Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Cathlamet, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 325-5451

    $10 - $15 / night

    "There was free firewood stacked nearby because of all the logging in the area. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Walk in tent camping only, or you could park your van in the parking lot."

    "The paid camping is small and close to the road. But if you drive a little ways passed the paid camp site there is a surplus of free dispersed camping spots that are much more private and beautiful!"

    7. Snag Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Naselle, WA
    11 miles
    +1 (360) 577-2025

    "Two drive in sites the rest are walk in. A couple that are a short walk. Great fishing in the lake year round. The road up to campground is pretty rough. Lots of washboard."

    "There's a couple spots for a bigger truck camper like ours and a handful of secluded tent sites you can walk to from the parking area."

    8. Elochoman Marina

    7 Reviews
    Cathlamet, WA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 795-3501

    $35 - $50 / night

    "We had a great spot on the water with beautiful sunset and walking distance to a pub and pizza place."

    "Close to town/restaurants. If you are ok with some traffic (boats launching etc) and want a grwat view. This is it."

    9. Rose Creek Retreat

    1 Review
    Grays River, WA
    7 miles
    Website

    $33 - $55 / night

    "CAMPGROUND REVIEW

    The Rose Creek Retreat is located about 2 hours northwest of Portland in Washington across from Astoria."

    10. The Lamp Camp

    16 Reviews
    Loomis, WA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 777-3949

    $60 - $67 / night

    "Nice quiet place and easy access to the beach. We will definitely be back!"

    "Our night was great, very close to the beach, amenities are clean and well kept. Our host Kim was also wonderful!!"

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Recent Reviews near Grays River, WA

1236 Reviews of 194 Grays River Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Columbia Riverfront RV Park

    Unexpected gem

    We only stayed a couple of days, but the views, Columbia River waterfront, and open spaces were wonderful. The spaces were a little close, but not enough to make me drop my rating. It's close to home, so we will definitely be back.

  • Jonathan R.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Sea Ranch Resort

    Small but functional

    Wouldn’t want to be here on a packed weekend but sites clean and generally useable. Would be tough with large RV travel/trailer. Close to town. Bathrooms have been redone.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Lake Sylvia State Park Campground

    Lake Sylvia camping

    This little park ended up being cute. $41 a night for non residents (which is on the higher end for us) but 30 for residents. We needed a quick place to stay while waiting to get our truck fixed in the morning. It’s small, quiet and the host were great. Apparently they charged for showers but had a sign up stating they longer charge for that. Restrooms were clean and showered were hot! Would stay here again if I were in a pinch this way again.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Hudson-Parcher Park

    Great for the night

    This campground is actually pretty cute and they have three options on how you wanna camp. You could do tint camp where there’s no water or electricity hook ups, water and electricity or water, electricity, and a dump station. There is a park in the middle of the campground for smaller kids and it’s spaced out quite decently. You can hear traffic from a side road, but nothing that’s too crazy. The restrooms are very clean and the camp post were amazing.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Bush Pioneer County Park

    Bush pioneer

    Very interesting campground on a little island town. Run down but nothing to complain about. Cheap with hot showers. Cell service.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Seaquest State Park Campground

    Beautiful forest, hot showers!

    Limited cell service with T-Mobile but it still works! Free WiFi in the day use area. Adequate bathrooms with mirrors, flushing toilets, hot shower! Peaceful yet can still hear the highway. Tent sites are $23-34 during the shoulder season currently. Sites marked with an “E” are $23, “B” $30, “P” $34. I’m not sure about the RV sites.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    The Lamp Camp

    Great Ocean Access

    The RV sites are large, but just gravel. The tent sites are great, especially towards the ocean. Bathrooms are really nice. Big showers. Nice outside areas- cooking area, games, benches, lights along the bath to a beautiful quiet beach. Expensive, but worth it for the night.

  • Christian C.
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Dispersed Camping Near Cannon Beach

    Overnight/Couple days

    Its got plenty of places to set up for the night. Its got roads that lead in multiple directions, all ending up at a location or passing by one. Most are off the road in a turn out, but there are some ones that are enclosed at the end of a road. Some roads are blocked due to fallen trees and people made a camp. Its pretty sweet. Stayed three days, did some hiking and its close to the coast so going into town for the day is a option. Roads are narrow. Not recommended for large longer vehicles

  • James T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Dispersed Camping Near Cannon Beach

    Sign says they will lock the gate

    Right at the start of the road, sign that says "gate ahead" and you'll be locked in. Not worth the risk. No other easy free campsites in the area. Lame, Oregon.


Guide to Grays River

Camping spots near Grays River, Washington provide access to diverse ecosystems ranging from forest to shoreline within Wahkiakum County. The area sits at low elevations between 10-400 feet above sea level, creating minimal hiking challenges for most campers. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-45°F while summer averages 65-75°F with notably less rainfall than fall and spring months.

What to do

Fish at Snag Lake: The small lake is stocked with rainbow trout and offers multiple fishing spots. According to one visitor at Snag Lake Campground, "We saw many fishermen catch a lot of fish in a short time." Expect to see experienced anglers with regular success, particularly in morning hours.

Explore Clatsop State Forest: Hiking trails through moss-covered trees lead to educational opportunities. A camper at Clatsop State Forest Gnat Creek Campground noted, "The trails are nice going along Gnat Creek and you can visit the fish hatchery at the end of the trail." The forest contains numerous small creeks and old-growth sections accessible by short trails.

Watch maritime traffic: The Columbia River serves as a major shipping channel. At Skamokawa Vista Park, "Most sites have a view of the river. Fun to watch the large ships go by," writes one reviewer. Ocean-going vessels provide entertainment as they navigate toward Portland and other upriver ports.

What campers like

Privacy among trees: Many campgrounds offer secluded sites surrounded by northwest vegetation. A visitor to The Lamp Camp mentioned, "The spaces are very large and you do not feel cramped at all. It's a far cry from the standard boring, dry, corporate KOA type RV parks and feels very homey." Well-spaced sites with natural barriers create private camping experiences.

Beach access: Several campgrounds provide direct paths to beaches. According to a camper at Cape Disappointment State Park, "The campground was packed but our site was still very private, small and cozy. Easy walk to the beach and great ocean views." Sandy beaches often extend for miles, allowing for long walks along the shoreline.

Facilities cleanliness: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and showers. A visitor to Skamokawa Vista Park reported, "Bathrooms are clean and camp sites well maintained. We brought our kayaks to float the neighboring tributary stream." Several campgrounds offer hot showers for nominal fees or as part of the camping fee.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigation on forest roads. One camper at Road to Snag Lake commented, "The road getting here is a bit rough with lots of washboard, steep grades and rocks. But it's fun." Higher clearance vehicles perform better on these routes, particularly after rain.

Seasonal closures: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Skamokawa Vista Park operates from May 1 to September 15, while other facilities like Cape Disappointment remain open throughout the year. Always check current status before planning trips during shoulder seasons.

Variable cell service: Coverage depends on location and provider. A visitor to Fort Stevens State Park observed, "Oregon is well known for it's magnificent state parks, and this is no exception. The campground is huge, probably some 400+ spaces; well cared for & clean, with an abundance of hiking trails & historical sites to explore." Many campgrounds near communication towers offer better reception than those in valleys.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. A reviewer at Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA stated, "A very busy campground with lots of things to keep you occupied and make the weekend go by way to quick." Look for campgrounds with designated activity areas when traveling with children.

Historical sites: The region contains numerous historical attractions. One camper mentioned, "This is a great campground with a lot of sites. Visiting the Iredale shipwreck especially at sunset is beautiful. Also visiting the forts and cannons are fun." These educational opportunities provide family activities during daytime hours.

Safety considerations: Wildlife and natural hazards require awareness. A Cape Disappointment visitor advised, "Keep in mind that the beach is VERY windy and my mutt was fine walking downwind, but when we turned around she was very unhappy being very low to the ground with sand blowing in her face." Prepare for coastal wind when planning beach activities with children.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer variable utility connections. At Elochoman Marina, "Sites vary from tent to full hookup." RV sites with power typically range from $30-45 per night depending on location and season.

Turn radius considerations: Some forest campgrounds have tight access roads. One RVer noted, "Being a new visitor to WA, we wanted to spend our first night in the middle of nowhere and this did it. A bit of a climb for our truck camper so 4x4 was handy. There were some lower tree branches but easy to (delicately) pull to the side to get by."

Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds provide sanitary dump facilities. Plan accordingly by identifying dump stations along travel routes. Several state parks and marinas maintain dump stations for a fee, typically $5-10 for non-campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Grays River, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Grays River, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 194 campgrounds and RV parks near Grays River, WA and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Grays River, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Grays River, WA is Fort Stevens State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 155 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Grays River, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Grays River, WA.