Best Tent Camping near Klickitat, WA

Tent campgrounds near Klickitat, Washington offer diverse options within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and along the Klickitat River. Leidl South Campground provides tent sites directly on the Klickitat River, while dispersed camping above Panther Creek Falls offers more primitive backcountry tent camping experiences. Several established campgrounds like Forlorn Lakes and Goose Lake accommodate tent campers with basic amenities during their summer operating seasons.

Most tent camping areas feature minimal improvements, with sites typically set on natural forest floors with scattered fire rings. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds like Trout Creek and Forlorn Lakes, but dispersed areas require campers to pack out waste or dig catholes. A camper noted that at Leidl South, "This is WA land, so all you need is a Discover Pass. There aren't any designated campsites, but there are a number of fire rings." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing remote tent sites, particularly those near Twin Falls where the road becomes rough and rutted.

Tent campers in the Klickitat area experience exceptional privacy and natural settings compared to more developed camping areas. Many sites offer direct water access, with Forlorn Lakes providing lakeside tent camping where "the only way to gain access to the lakes is through the campsites." Sites near Twin Falls allow campers to sleep to the sound of waterfalls, which "drowns out so much, especially at night." During summer months, mosquitoes can be prevalent at many locations, particularly at higher elevation sites. Fall camping offers fewer insects and cooler temperatures, though some campgrounds close after the first snowfall. Most tent sites in the region accommodate standard tent footprints with adequate flat areas for comfortable setup.

Best Tent Sites Near Klickitat, Washington (74)

    1. Leidl South Campground

    2 Reviews
    Klickitat, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 696-6211

    "This is a really convenient place to camp if you're rafting the Klickitat. It's WA land, so all you need is a Discover Pass (although my friend didn't have one, and nobody came by to check)."

    "You can pretty much camp wherever you can drive to. Lots of spots right next to the river."

    3. Goose Lake Campground

    11 Reviews
    Trout Lake, WA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 395-3400

    "Goose Lake is one of my favorite places to camp. It is a smaller campground and pretty secluded, so it's nice and quiet/private."

    "The day use area was clean and had a handful of different people fishing every day starting around 7-8."

    4. Trout Creek

    5 Reviews
    Trout Lake, WA
    27 miles
    +1 (509) 395-3400

    "We saw only one other camper on the way in, there were no water facilitys so bring your own or use the creek, they did have pit toilets. Only stayed one night but it was beautiful."

    "Enter Trout Lake Creek campground. Quiet, unassuming and, miraculously, with 3 campsites left."

    5. Forlorn Lakes

    8 Reviews
    Trout Lake, WA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 395-3400

    $15 - $30 / night

    "I discovered these lakes about a year ago and OMG I am obsessed. The campsites are unparalleled. All are lakeside on "private lakes"."

    "Great camp spot at site 16 with lots of room for tents and two picnic tables for a large group. The private path to the lake was the best part. "

    6. Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area

    4 Reviews
    Moro, OR
    31 miles
    Website

    "We stayed in the big open field next to it. I don’t think this is technically an “official” campsite but it has a lovely composting toilet that smells like fresh cedar."

    "do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=29) area - where designated tent and RV campsites are located. We then biked in about 20 miles to dispersed camping along the Deschutes River."

    7. Rainy Lake Campground

    5 Reviews
    Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, OR
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 352-6002

    "We have lots of people that like to camp around here. If you arrive and find it full, continue one more mile down the road to Black Lake Campground, which has 4 more spots."

    "Site 1 was a little more blocked by 2 and 3 by a large log.  3 was a good site with enough level ground for 2 tents."

    8. Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls

    4 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 395-3400

    "These are walking distance to the waterfall which is awesome, but there are about 10 additional spots with existing fire pits on the road up there."

    "To access it, as you are driving on NF 65 you will see a small road to the right just a bit before you see the parking for Panther Creek Falls also on the right."

    9. Panther Creek Creekside Camp

    5 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    34 miles

    "A great spot with privacy ! Lots of turnouts along the road with river accesses just steps away ! Definitely recommend!"

    "A bit of trash but nothing crazy. Fantastic place to stop even just for one night. Would definitely visit again."

    10. Wicky Shelter Campground

    1 Review
    Trout Lake, WA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 891-5000
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 74 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Klickitat, WA

1139 Reviews of 74 Klickitat Campgrounds


  • Alyson M.
    Aug. 14, 2023

    Camp Creek

    Perfect Spot

    Camped here for the second year in a row, and it did not disappoint. We got lucky with a nice spot on the creek this year, which I would recommend for the best experience. The sites are spacious and most are pretty private which is great. It is primitive, no showers and just one vault toilet. I will say that the site did have a fair amount of trash on it which was disappointing, but we cleaned it up before heading out. Remember to leave no trace!!

  • T
    Aug. 5, 2020

    Lone Tree Campground — Cottonwood Canyon State Park

    Hot, dusty, dry and windy

    This campground in along the John Day River with access to the river from the campground but no water views.  Most sites have a pergola over the picnic table for shade and a sturdy wooden fence, I assume for wind protection.  The sites are nicely spaced but the wind, blowing dust and heat made it pretty uncomfortable to be outside. The river here is broad and shallow so not deep enough for watercraft.  The water was pretty warm.  There are several hiking trails along the river.

  • Ashley B.
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Brooks Memorial State Park Campground

    Small State Park off Hwy 97

    This review is for the main campground, there is another group/horse campground across the highway that I did not stay in. The small campground is right off Highway 97. The first part of the campground is where the hook ups, large RV's, small trailers and tent campers are located. The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces. Some spots looked barely big enough for a 2 person tent. In this same area is the only flush toilets/showers (Coin operated). Continuing past this main area and over a small hill is where the tent camping/sheep herders tents are located. Since it was located away from the main camping area it was quiet with regards to hearing fellow campers, the downside is the spaces are closer to the Highway. Day and night, semis speed past the state park on either a downhill straight away or an uphill straight away, regardless it sounds like a freight train or military landing pad all night/day long. It was so loud you had to stop talking until the semi passed. The space I was in was so small my 3 person tent only fit if one side was touching the fire ring. Luckily there was a fire ban so no fire to melt my tent. The space also had full view of the pit toilet, since it was the only toilet on that side, I saw everyone come and go. It was also super close to one of the sheep herders tent site. There were 2 sheep herder tents sites. The spots looked large and the tents looked like they would sleep at least 4-5 people. The other tent sites where much larger, but still all the sites could hear the highway. Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy. There were a bunch of trails that ran through out the park that provided a nice alternative to get to the other side of the park or climb to the top of the hill near the power lines. The camp host was also a very nice gentleman who suggested activities in the near by area. I was exploring the area cause it's new to me, but I wont return cause it's not my type of camping.

  • F
    Jul. 23, 2020

    Ainsworth State Park Campground

    Nice, small campground

    I camped there in my RV several times and always tried to get slot A13. It’s all the way at the end and has a nice amount of space and only a potential neighbor on one side. I also tent camped and, after scouting the sites, chose C6. That site is a bit small but is away from the rest and above them on the slope so you don’t need your rain fly for privacy.

  • C. W.
    May. 30, 2021

    Mount Hood National Forest Lost Creek Campground

    Clean dispersed camping

    Read up on this location with some good info. Flat paved sites for dry camping.

    Lost Creek Campground has 10 single-family campsites and is located on one of the largest pyroclastic volcanic mudflows from Mt. Hood’s “Old Maid” eruption in the 1700s. Fortunately all of the mudflows have cooled. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Two yurts are also available. Campground amenities include a picnic area, drinking water and vault toilets. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host.

    Lost Creek / Mt. Hood Area Recreation

    Outdoor recreation includes fishing. Visitors also enjoy fishing, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing.  The Wild and Scenic Sandy River is also not far from the popular Ramona Falls Trailhead. Mt. Hood is just southeast of the campground offers visitors the opportunity for a nice a day trip.

    AMENITIES

    BBQ Grills

    Campsite Tables

    Comfort Station

    Drinking Water

    Fire Pit

    Fire Rings

    Firewood Available

    Golden Age & Access Passports accepted

    Grills

    Pets OK

    Picnic Tables

    Restrooms (Vault Toilets)

    ACTIVITIES

    Biking

    Bird Watching

    Creek

    Fishing

    Hiking

    Mountain Biking

    Nature Trails

    Photography

    Picnicking

    River

    Walking Trails

    Wildlife Viewing

  • Angela  A.
    Jul. 8, 2019

    Memaloose State Park Campground

    A nice place to rest off the freeway.

    Connected to a rest area. $19 camping no hookups. Water, pad, picnic table, and fire ring in site. Free showers. Clean bathrooms. Freeway noise not bad.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 17, 2023

    Justesen Ranches - Lower Twin Lakes

    Camping in a High Desert Oasis!

    Ashley here with The Dyrt! We want to welcome this property owner to our platform. "Camp beside a private spring fed lake. You’ll have this high desert oasis all to yourselves. This is a leave no trace camp site, pack it in pack it out. Fishing is NOT included in your stay. You can inquire about fly fishing rates." Book your stay today and leave them some love!

  • M
    Aug. 29, 2019

    Lone Tree Campground — Cottonwood Canyon State Park

    Clean, beautiful, quiet, relaxing, family friendly

    First come first serve sites with fire rings. There is overflow camping in the lawn without a fire ring but with a picnic table. Restrooms are very clean and campground is well maintained. Winds can pick up in the canyon so be sure to have strong tent stakes. Right next to the John Day River great walking path along the River. Fenced dog park for your pet and free bicycles for use.

  • D
    Apr. 2, 2021

    Giles French Park Primitive Camping

    Great Views, Few Amenities, Good Fishing

    Giles French Park  (GFP) is one of two adjacent free camping / bookdocking sites owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) along the Columbia River near the town of Rufus, Oregon.  I was there on opening day, 2021.  I didn't see any tents.  I also didn't see any signs saying tents aren't permitted.  I saw several motorhomes and travel trailers parked far apart.  I think the Native American fishermen dropped off some of the trailers to stay in when the spring salmon run begins.  There's a 7-day stay limit.  No open fires (campfires) are permitted.  I assume this is is because of the frequently gusty wind conditions.  I used a butane camp stove.  There's no television reception unless you have a satellite dish.  Cell service is good on both Verizon and AT&T.  The water is unsafe to drink unless it is boiled first for five minutes.  (I have no idea why.  Don't the dam employees have potable water?). There's exactly one flush toilet (for men anyway.) It's in the restrooms nearest to the dam.  This restroom is in poor condition.  The stall door lock is broken.  The urinal is out of service.  The lavatory drain is clogged.  (You get the picture.  If not, look at my pictures.)  All the other restrooms have vault toilets and no running water.  The restrooms are spaced very far apart.  The only trash dumpster is near the vault toilet that serves the boat ramp parking lot.  No camping is permitted near the restrooms.  Keep all this in mind when you select your site.  There are only a few picnic tables.  Most are situated where there's not much of a view.  The best views are in the third parking lot away from the dam, where the Native Americans have several closely spaced fishing scaffolds.  That was where I parked.  I had one neighbor on April 1-2, 2021.  A couple of non-Native American anglers showed up at the crack of dawn.  They didn't have any success as far as I could tell.  But, the spring salmon run had not started yet.  Similar to an island if you didn't bring it, it isn't at GFP.  There are no amenities other than the mentioned restrooms and non-potable water.  The views are spectacular, especially at sunset.  GFP sits in a canyon with sheer basalt cliffs on either side.  The play of sunlight on the Oregon side at sunset is colorful.  The dam is lit up with red, white and blue lights at night.  Barges sometimes pass through the lock at the north end of the dam.  Trains run along both sides of the Columbia River, BNSF on the Washington side and UP on the Oregon side.  These are noticeable but not particularly noisy since there are no crossings nearby.  I-84 creates more noise than the trains do.  Since the site is free and the amenities are few, it's good for a night or two in my opinion, but not much more.  I rated it low because of the poor condition of the restrooms.  Apparently the Army Corps of Engineers cannot open a stopped drain.


Guide to Klickitat

Tent camping around Klickitat, Washington takes place in a transitional climate zone between the wet western Cascades and the arid Columbia Basin. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with minimal rainfall, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and increased precipitation. Most primitive camping sites are situated between 1,500-3,000 feet elevation, requiring campers to prepare for temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: The Klickitat River offers excellent trout and steelhead fishing, especially accessible from Leidl South Campground. "The location on the Klickitat is really pretty. The campground is right along the river facing a really impressive rock wall," notes camper Lauren E.

Waterfall exploration: Multiple waterfalls are accessible within 30 minutes of most campgrounds in the area. At Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls, "The hike down to Panther Creek Falls is literally right across the road and I think these falls may be the most beautiful falls I've seen in OR or WA," writes Sarah S.

Lake activities: Several small alpine lakes support swimming, paddling and fishing. At Goose Lake Campground, a camper reports, "My husband kayak fished everyday and said it was great! Especially first and last light. The day use area was clean and had a handful of different people fishing every day."

What campers like

River sounds: Many campers appreciate sleeping near moving water. At Panther Creek Creekside Camp, "This was an awesome stay right on the creek which was secluded and nice to hear the rushing water of the creek," notes Bobby J.

Dark skies for stargazing: The area's limited light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. One camper at Trout Creek mentions, "Beautiful and secluded. You felt the creek was yours alone." At Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls, another adds, "Super dark at night with plenty of stars."

Off-grid seclusion: Many sites offer genuine privacy with minimal facilities. A camper at Forlorn Lakes observes, "Beautiful lakes. The forest was lush, green and spotless. Our spot, 7, one of the lower lakes, was a great site. lake access, though no luck with fishing."

What you should know

Road conditions: Many camp areas require travel on unpaved roads. A visitor to Forlorn Lakes advises, "The road turns to gravel about 15 minutes before you reach the site and it's pretty bumpy in some spots. Take it SLOWWW."

Limited amenities: Most sites have minimal facilities. A review for Wicky Shelter Campground states, "More of a trailhead than a campground, just as described. Has an outhouse and a picnic table under the shelter in a lovely forest grove. Could easily accommodate tents, but no running water."

Site selection timing: Popular spots fill quickly, especially in summer. An experienced camper at Forlorn Lakes notes, "Unless you arrive on a Sunday afternoon or Monday, I think you are SOL. There are a lot of dispersed sites around the area but none as nice as Forlorn Lakes."

Tips for camping with families

Easy water access: Sites with gentle shorelines work best for children. At Leidl South Campground, "Bigger than it looks at first. You can pretty much camp wherever you can drive to. Lots of spots right next to the river," reports April F.

Bug preparation: Insects can be prevalent, especially near water. A camper at Rainy Lake Campground reports, "Visited in late June, and the weather was amazing, 15 degrees lower than in town, but the bugs and mosquitoes were overwhelming (even with deet)."

Lake swimming options: Several lakes offer swimming opportunities better suited for families than fast-moving rivers. At Forlorn Lakes, "The smaller lake this site backs up to is great for swimming and kayak/paddle-boarding," notes one visitor.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Most remote camping areas accommodate smaller rigs only. At Goose Lake Campground, "The campground is on a hill (but all the camping spots are flat) so you get a great view of the lake from most campsites," explains Sarah S. The hillside terrain makes large RV setup challenging.

Limited hookups: No developed campgrounds in the immediate Klickitat area offer electric or water hookups. A Trout Creek reviewer notes, "There were no water facilities so bring your own or use the creek, they did have pit toilets."

Level parking: Finding flat areas for larger vehicles requires advance planning. At Goose Lake, "The whole campground is on a hill, but the sites are nice and flat (the hill is nice - everyone has a view of the lake!)," reports Natalie B.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Klickitat, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Klickitat, WA is Leidl South Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Klickitat, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 74 tent camping locations near Klickitat, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.