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.
