Best Campgrounds near Ilwaco, WA

The southwestern corner of Washington state surrounding Ilwaco features diverse camping options where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Cape Disappointment State Park serves as the area's premier destination with spacious sites, beach access, and hiking trails leading to historic lighthouses. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access multiple state parks, private RV resorts, and limited dispersed camping opportunities. The region spans both Washington and Oregon sides of the Columbia River, with Fort Stevens State Park just across the Astoria-Megler Bridge offering extensive facilities including yurts and cabins. Most established campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with many providing full hookups for larger rigs.

Weather conditions significantly impact the camping experience along this coastal region, with summer offering the most reliable conditions. As one camper noted, "Cape Disappointment was a real treat, but weather can be very unpredictable the rest of the year." Advance reservations are essential during peak season (June through September) when campgrounds regularly reach capacity. Cell service varies dramatically throughout the area, with many campers reporting "ZERO cell service at the campsites" in Cape Disappointment, though signals improve in town. Most state parks require reservations through their respective state systems, with Washington sites bookable up to nine months in advance through the Washington State Parks reservation portal.

Beach access represents the primary draw for most campgrounds in the region, though few sites offer direct oceanfront camping. Visitors frequently mention the short walks required to reach beaches, with one reviewer noting that "the walk to the beach was up a hill in the sand and was challenging carrying chairs and a cooler but well worth it." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer and marine birds, enhance the camping experience. Fishing and crabbing opportunities abound, with one visitor reporting, "Fishing out of Ilwaco is a fantastic way to stock your freezer." The proximity to small coastal towns provides convenient access to supplies and seafood restaurants. Sites with beach trail access or views of the Columbia River typically book fastest, especially during holiday weekends and summer months.

Best Camping Sites Near Ilwaco, Washington (133)

    1. Fort Stevens State Park Campground

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

    $11 - $120 / 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
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (360) 642-3078

    $40 / night

    "Once we got near Ilwaco, we followed the state park signs to the campground(CG)."

    "We reserved our space online with the Washington State Parks website."

    3. Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA

    45 Reviews
    Hammond, OR
    9 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)."

    4. The Lamp Camp

    16 Reviews
    Loomis, WA
    8 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!!"

    5. Thousand Trails Long Beach

    11 Reviews
    Ilwaco, WA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "odd numbers site have hook ups on the right , even have hook ups on the left. ( drivers side) very clean, friendly and fun place to stay. lots of amenities, pool, hot tub, horseshoes, and walking distance"

    "A 5 minute walk down the beach path leads to a great beach. The sites are tight, but the town was fun."

    6. Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

    16 Reviews
    Naselle, WA
    14 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!"

    7. Wallicut River RV Resort & Campground

    5 Reviews
    Ilwaco, WA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 642-3292

    $33 - $70 / night

    "This is a good private campground just off Hyway 101 near Long Beach WA, the placement of the campground give a short drive to Long Beach or Astoria, OR both locations are loads of fun."

    "Didn’t have a chance to stay but driving by the park looked nice. Big plots with open grass. Saw a few tents and some RVs."

    8. Pacific Holiday RV Resort

    6 Reviews
    Long Beach, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 642-2770

    "It’s .30 miles from a beautiful clean unspoiled beach by way of a path that’s a beautiful walk. Suddenly you climb a small incline and there’s the Pacific in all its glory."

    "They are out friendly with great access to the beach."

    9. RV Park At The Bridge

    5 Reviews
    Chinook, WA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 595-8303

    $45 - $65 / night

    "It’s mainly an RV park but there are 3 great tent spots in the back next to a cute stream/forested area."

    "Pretty well situated. Only downside is the highway nice"

    10. Cedar to Surf Campground

    6 Reviews
    Loomis, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 214-4006

    "Short walk to the beautiful ocean. Friendly hosts."

    "Not sure what that was about or if it’s for sale, but they were baking when we walked in to the office and it smelled great. The walk to the beach was a pleasant roughly 0.25 mile one."

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Recent Reviews near Ilwaco, WA

947 Reviews of 133 Ilwaco Campgrounds


  • 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.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • L
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Fort Stevens State Park Campground

    Gorgeous campground, so much to do nearby, bring a bike!

    It's pretty big! There's some really, really lovely trails here abundant with native plants and spilling over with huckleberries in september. At least in my loop, pretty much everyone was a senior citizen, so when it got dark it was dead freaking quiet. No partying or kids playing. I can imagine this campground attracts a lot of older people due to the whole military thing. There's a lot to see here and quite spread out so I would bring a bike. I really enjoyed a spontaneous kayak rental at the lake, seeing the shipwreck at sunset, and the elk grazing nearby which I could see from my picnic table. My only complaint is the HUGE root in my campsite, upending the pavement pad. The little mountain was probably 9" at its peak. My low clearance vehicle could not clear it, so I had to park at the front of the long driveway. I would have felt more secure and private tucked away towards the back of the driveway but it is what it is. I did manage to trip on it twice, as well. Seems like a hazard in a park that attract so many older people. I let a ranger know. I did not experience mosquitos like what was reported a few years back.

  • L
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Nehalem River Park & Campground

    Great beach access, but prepare yourself for steep dunes - clean campground

    I thought this was a great campground especially for families. There was some noise into the night, to be expected for a campground with so many amenities for kids to enjoy. But I would return because it was so clean and the beach is gorgeous. I wish it was a little more wooded/shrubby between camps, but I didn't feel like I was breathing my neighbor's exhale so that's fine. I saw reviews about the dunes being pretty big to get to the beach and I didn't really believe them until I was heading back into camp at night, yeah that hill is a lot coming back up so beware. I would avoid bringing my grandpa here.

  • J
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Sea Ranch Resort

    Very handy for exploring Cannon Beach

    Sites are small, close together, and just barely fit the equipment they are tagged to fit. Bathroom is clean, has hot showers with a single hook and no bench for toiletries. Walk to town is very easy as is the walk to the beach.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Grayland Beach State Park Campground

    Grayland State Park

    Welcoming, friendly host. Well thought out layout of camping spaces in rings to break up the crowds. Clean camp and bathrooms. Area has wide open sky for solar and Starlink connectivity. Poor cell signal at the campground. A broad beach that you can drive on. Snowy Plover nesting areas to avoid while doing so.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

    Quiet & Cloudy

    Overall this was a great campsite. Very peaceful and quiet. We tent camped at the very end of the road at the top. Unfortunately we could see nothing but clouds this visit, but I would still come back! No photos since it was so foggy and misty. Not much for tent camping but better for cars or campers and very bumpy on the way up.

  • Kateryna K.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Nehalem Bay State Park Campground

    Great Spot

    Plenty of space for two tents on the one spot. Clean bathroom and showers. Close to the beach, beautiful nature. We really enjoyed our stay here. I would love to come back.


Guide to Ilwaco

Long Beach Peninsula's extensive camping options span a 28-mile stretch along Washington's southwestern coast. While the area receives an average of 80 inches of rainfall annually, the summer months typically offer drier conditions with temperatures rarely exceeding 70°F. Camping near Ilwaco provides direct access to both the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean, with most campgrounds operating at full capacity from late May through September.

What to do

Beach exploration: The Lamp Camp offers convenient access to Long Beach's shoreline. "A 5 minute walk down the beach path leads to a great beach. The sites are tight, but the town was fun," notes Kate S., who camped at Thousand Trails Long Beach.

Historical sites: Fort Stevens State Park contains military structures dating back to the Civil War. "Visiting the forts and cannons are fun. Bring mosquito repellent!" recommends Gail S. who stayed at Fort Stevens State Park Campground.

Lighthouse tours: Cape Disappointment features two historic lighthouses with guided tours available weekends during summer. "There are two lighthouses in the park, trails, jetty, and an interperative center. Once out of the park, Long Beach is a short drive," shares Christina F. about her experience at Cape Disappointment.

Kite flying: The peninsula hosts an annual International Kite Festival each August. "The Kite festival is happening at this time. It's been a bit understated for the lack of wind. The weather has been fairly good," reports one camper about their stay at Thousand Trails Long Beach.

What campers like

Privacy despite crowds: Many campgrounds manage to maintain secluded spots despite high occupancy. "The campground was packed but our site was still very private, small and cozy. Easy walk to the beach and great ocean views," shares D B. about Cape Disappointment State Park Campground.

Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds frequently offer recreational facilities beyond beach access. "There is a fire pit and picnic table outside each yurt. The flaps on the windows can be rolled up and down to adjust the airflow. The bathhouse is within walking distance," reports MomSolo about Fort Stevens State Park.

Trail systems: Extensive trail networks connect campgrounds to beaches and natural areas. "Paved roads great for bike riding. Very well maintained, some camp sites with full hook. Yurts and cabins also available," notes Diane F. about Cape Disappointment State Park.

Community spaces: Many campgrounds feature shared areas for socializing. "This place has a cool vibe, very family and dog friendly. They have a communal fire pit, laundry, and even a little rec room," explains Dana K. about Cedar to Surf Campground.

What you should know

Weather preparedness: Coastal weather can change rapidly regardless of season. "I recommended being prepared for any type of weather rain or shine," advises Jenny M. about her experience at Fort Stevens State Park.

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "I got zero reception in the campground. I use Verizon," reports Christina F. about Cape Disappointment State Park Campground.

Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. "We were fortunate to get a yurt (number 7) for one night in July as a walk in. The ranger was shocked as they are usually sold out months in advance," shares MomSolo about Fort Stevens.

Road conditions: Some dispersed camping areas require navigating rough terrain. "The road getting here is a bit rough with lots of washboard, steep grades and rocks. But it's fun," explains Ryan S. about Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed.

Tips for camping with families

Beach proximity matters: Choose campsites with shortest walks to beach when camping with children. "We just got back from our week long camping trip and like always it was fun. We have been there multiple times, it's one of my favorites. So much for kids to do from exploring, riding bikes, fishing and going to the amphitheater for some stories," shares Jenny M. about Fort Stevens.

Entertainment options: Several campgrounds offer programmed activities for children. "We brought the kids and expected to listen to their complaints the whole time, but they were intrigued by everything!" reports Cadie H. about Fort Stevens State Park.

Accommodation variety: Families with young children might prefer cabins or yurts over tent camping. "We didn't have a reservation for the campground the afternoon we decided to stop in July. To reserve a yurt typically requires a minimum of two nights," explains MomSolo about Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA.

Indoor facilities: Look for campgrounds with recreation buildings for rainy days. "They have a communal fire pit, laundry, and even a little rec room. It's cozy here, the staff members have been lovely," notes Dana K. about Cedar to Surf Campground.

Tips from RVers

Site orientation: At some campgrounds, hookup placement varies by site number. "Odd numbers site have hook ups on the right, even have hook ups on the left (drivers side)," explains Jamie R. about Thousand Trails Long Beach.

Backing space limitations: Some parks have challenging site access. "The spaces are very tight at 90 degree angles to the road. This requires backing skill level 10! The north side and middle give little room for it, and the south side has an area that at least gives some wiggle room," advises Derek & Alex W. about Thousand Trails.

Extended stay amenities: For longer visits, consider facilities beyond basic hookups. "The sites are set up so that only the EVEN number sites have hookups on the drivers side. Otherwise, you need extensions for you electric, stinky slinky, and water," notes Devin about Thousand Trails Long Beach.

Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires different site selection than summer visits. "Nice level sites, easy to back into. Sites close together - we were here in fall so only 30% full so lots of privacy," explains karl about Pacific Holiday RV Resort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Ilwaco, WA?

The top campground in Ilwaco is Cape Disappointment State Park Campground, offering spacious campsites with full hookups, clean facilities, and spectacular coastal scenery. This park features beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and historical attractions like lighthouses. For RV travelers seeking proximity to town, Fisherman's Cove RV Park provides convenient walking access to Ilwaco's marina and downtown area. The park is situated near the Columbia River in southwest Washington, making it an excellent base for exploring Cape Disappointment State Park and surrounding coastal attractions.

How does camping in Ilwaco compare to Long Beach campgrounds?

Ilwaco campgrounds tend to offer more woodsy, sheltered settings near the Columbia River and harbor area, while Long Beach options are typically closer to the ocean beaches. Thousand Trails Long Beach exemplifies the Long Beach experience with amenities like a pool, hot tub, and horseshoes, plus walking distance to Long Beach, Seaview, and Ilwaco. Sites are arranged with odd-numbered spots having hookups on the right and even numbers on the left. For a nearby alternative, Wallicut River RV Resort & Campground provides a quieter setting while still offering access to the coastal attractions of both areas.

What amenities are available at Ilwaco, WA camping areas?

Camping areas around Ilwaco offer a range of amenities to suit different preferences. Pacific Holiday RV Resort features full hookups, water access, and big-rig-friendly sites with clean facilities. For those seeking state park amenities, nearby options provide full hookup sites, clean bathrooms with showers, and well-maintained camping areas. Many campgrounds in the area offer easy check-in processes and convenient access to local attractions. Proximity to fishing spots, kayaking opportunities, and walking distance to Ilwaco's marina and downtown are common benefits. The campgrounds generally provide basic utilities while allowing visitors to enjoy the natural coastal setting and nearby recreational activities.