9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"The proximity to Lake Erie is nice. It’s also close to Geneva On The Lake, a kitschy lake resort town that has been around for over 100 years."
from $70 / night
Check Availability"Desert camping off the beaten path! Lots of fun! Good trails, tons of dirt biking."
"Tent camping"
"Clean and an excellent place to rest of between long drives in eastern/central Washington"
GuideDo not try to check in before 2 pm!!!! No alcohol allowed in park!
Typical Park campground outside of urban area. Decent swim beach area a lot of algae outside of swim area. Town is close by so you can do other things ( Groceries, laundromat etc…..) while waiting for check in. Spider issue others write about appears to be controlled. However every picnic table has lots of spider webs underneath!!!!
Scout$12 a night for water and electricity. Clean area with grass and playground. Some areas appear to be under construction or upgrade. Dumpster and restroom available. Showers closed because of covid-19. Sights are on paved roadway with firepits and picnic tables. Easy in and out for our 32' Class A. Hermiston Oregon is 6 miles away.
RangerThis spot was great for an overnight stay! Gravel lot and some small pull outs with plenty of space for multiple rigs. There was a vault toilet available for use, which was pretty clean. This is a pack it in, pack it out area, so be prepared to take your trash with you! No fires allowed! We pulled in around 9:00 PM and there were maybe 5 others there set up. It was pretty quiet, but there was some road noise, and you could hear the train when it went by, but we didn’t think it was bad at all. We also woke to gunshots in the distance early in the morning due to some others hunting, didn’t bother us at all though. Definitely a great spot if you want to do some fishing, as there is access to a boat ramp/dock and the lot is adjacent to the water… Overall we thought it was a pretty great spot for a free overnight stay and it comes with a nice view!
ScoutGreat site off the freeway- but because it’s close, you’ll hear cars all night. We were the only tent campers so we had a bunch of space. Fire rings and picnic tables at every site as well as a bunch of firewood. There are 2 bathrooms and showers that look pretty new. WiFi works closer to the RVs.
TravelerLots of options in this campground from drive through big trailer spots to back in spots to tent only areas.
Tons of wide green lawns with lots of space, camp sites end up pretty well spaced apart so you might only have 2 or 3 neighbors then a ton of lawn before another neighbor.
It's right on the snake river, so you can practically fish from your camp site if you want. There is a connected wildlife preserve that you can walk around in and also fish in that is a sperate area. Lots of birds to watch.
There is also a connected park that is only open during the day with a beach.
Fully facilities including water and power hookups, a central dumping station. Flush toilets and showers included. A playground for the kids.
River barges keep things along the river interesting. Maybe road noise from the nearby highway was a bit louder than we'd like.
GuideFairly level site 95 fit our trailer & truck totaling 55”. People tend to not leash their dog which is a problem for my dog. Full hookups, check in is 3pm out is 11am. About 10 miles outside of Pendleton, OR (post office for mail and packages, Walmart Supercenter and Safeway. Arrowhead travel center for gas or munchies that has easy RV access. Free WiFi and 2 bars of Verizon LTE. Just off of Hwy 84. We did not enter the casino. Roosters restaurant in Pendleton provided safe distance dining in a clean environment.
TravelerWe were here on a hot day, lots of families with kids using the beach and swimming area. There are no designated camp sites except for two gravel group sites with fire rings and picnic tables that you are supposed to have a permit for. We were not group camping but used one of those sites anyway as it seemed the only place to camp and no one else was camping.
The site is right next to the freeway and train tracks, so is noisy. I used my ear plugs.
All the day users were gone by 9pm.
GuideNice sites, some privacy. Ok clean flush toilets but no water in the sink. Water hub near each site. Picnic tables, fire pit. Place for big gatherings. Fishing is the big draw here. $15 night or $7.50 for seniors and disabled.
GuideBeautiful little oasis. First come first serve camping with level blacktop pads with gravel tent spot fire ring and picnic table. Boat launch and fishing. There are flushable pottys and water fill sites, a coupled picnic areas and grills. We came in late June. It was a cool evening. Great for sleeping. The park was about 1/3 full. Easy to find a site.
Tent campgrounds near Kennewick, Washington provide access to unique geological settings where the Columbia Basin meets the Snake River. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August, and mild winters with occasional snow. Most tent sites sit at elevations between 400-600 feet, with seasonal closures common at higher elevation locations during winter months.
Hiking accessible trails: At West Park (OR), campers can explore shaded paths under mature trees. As James T. notes, "This is a nice, shady campground. It is well-kept and on par with many other state park campgrounds I've been to."
Water recreation activities: Warden Lake North provides multiple water-based recreation options approximately 70 miles from Kennewick. A camper mentions, "Great area to sit and eat. Nice places to walk n splash around," making it an attractive spot during hot eastern Washington summers.
Off-road vehicle exploration: The terrain at Juniper Sand Dunes OHV creates ideal conditions for dirt biking and OHV activities. According to Jess G., the area offers "Desert camping off the beaten path! Lots of fun! Good trails, tons of dirt biking."
Night sky viewing: Eastern Washington's low light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions, particularly at primitive tent sites away from urban areas. The unobstructed horizons and clear desert air enhance celestial visibility.
Swimming beaches: The Warden Lake North area features "Beautiful sand, a pier, kayak rentals, lighthouse, and military bunkers you can walk through," according to Kelli H., making it popular for cooling off during summer months.
Convenient rest stops: Several campgrounds serve as practical overnight locations when traveling through the region. Rachel A. describes Warden Lake North as "Clean and an excellent place to rest between long drives in eastern/central Washington."
Limited designated camping: Many areas primarily function as day-use locations with minimal overnight facilities. At Sand Station Recreation Area, a camper noted, "We were here on a hot day, lots of families with kids using the beach and swimming area. There are no designated camp sites except for two gravel group sites with fire rings and picnic tables that you are supposed to have a permit for."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds near major transportation routes experience consistent background noise. One reviewer at Sand Station mentioned, "The site is right next to the freeway and train tracks, so is noisy. I used my ear plugs."
Navigation challenges: The open terrain requires careful orientation when exploring. At Juniper Sand Dunes, campers should "track your hikes, as it's easy to lose your way," according to visitor reports.
Water recreation options: Warden Lake North provides family-friendly water facilities. Brooke M. shares that it has "Great areas to sit and eat. Nice places to walk n splash around," making it suitable for families seeking relief from summer heat.
Day-use amenities: Many locations near Kennewick operate primarily as day-use areas with limited overnight facilities but good recreational options. Families should plan accordingly with sufficient water supplies.
Historical exploration: Some campgrounds feature historical structures that interest children. Kelli H. mentions that Warden Lake North has "military bunkers you can walk through," providing educational opportunities alongside outdoor recreation.
Limited hookups available: Most tent camping areas near Kennewick lack RV services. Visitors should arrive with full water tanks and charged batteries, as electrical connections are rare at primitive sites.
Group site availability: Sand Station Recreation Area offers limited group camping options that may accommodate small RVs. A visitor noted, "There are no designated camp sites except for two gravel group sites with fire rings and picnic tables that you are supposed to have a permit for."
Seasonal access considerations: RV campers should check road conditions before traveling to remote sites, particularly after rainfall when unpaved access roads may become difficult to navigate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kennewick, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kennewick, WA is West Park (OR) with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Kennewick, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Kennewick, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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