Best Tent Camping near Kennewick, WA
Tent campgrounds near Kennewick, Washington offer a mix of desert and river access settings for primitive camping experiences. Juniper Sand Dunes OHV provides tent campers with off-the-beaten-path options approximately 20 miles northwest of town, while Sand Station Recreation Area offers tent sites with lake access near Hermiston, Oregon, just across the state border. Both locations provide contrasting landscapes within a short drive of the Tri-Cities area.
Most tent sites in the region feature minimal amenities and require self-sufficiency. Campers should bring adequate water supplies, as drinking water is unavailable at most locations. Sand Station Recreation Area provides basic facilities including toilets, trash disposal, and picnic tables, but lacks water hookups or showers. Several campgrounds permit fires in designated rings, though seasonal fire restrictions are common during summer months due to the region's arid climate. According to one visitor, "Sand Station is mostly for day use, with only two gravel group sites that have fire rings and picnic tables." Sites along waterways may experience highway or railroad noise.
Eastern Washington's landscape offers tent campers unique desert camping experiences with excellent stargazing opportunities. A camper wrote that Juniper Sand Dunes is "a beautiful place to see the stars" but cautions to "track your hikes, as it's easy to lose your way." The region's primitive tent sites provide good access to recreational activities including swimming, hiking, and off-road exploration. Warden Lake North, located about 70 miles north of Kennewick, offers tent campers beach access with sand, a pier, and kayak rentals. Summer temperatures can become extremely hot, making spring and fall preferred seasons for tent camping in the area. Sites near water bodies provide welcome relief during warmer months, with areas like Devils Bench and Ayer Boat Basin offering primitive tent camping along the Snake River corridor.
