The Columbia River corridor near Longview, Washington offers diverse camping options in a region dominated by volcanic terrain and temperate rainforest. With annual rainfall averaging 45-60 inches, camping season typically runs from May through September when precipitation decreases. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 10-500 feet above sea level, making them accessible year-round despite seasonal weather variations.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Paradise Point State Park offers a unique 9-hole course where "Hole one is a fun one that plays under a freeway overpass," according to one visitor. The park combines outdoor recreation with convenient freeway access, making it ideal for travelers passing through.
Historic exploration: Fort Stevens State Park, about an hour from Longview, provides extensive historical sites alongside camping. "This campground is huge, probably some 400+ spaces; well cared for & clean, with an abundance of hiking trails & historical sites to explore," notes a camper. The park serves as "an excellent base camp to explore the northern Oregon coast."
Farm animal interactions: At Four Directions Retreat, campers enjoy a unique experience with access to livestock. The property features a "forest and meadow setting" where, according to staff observations, visitors can "hang out with the goats on the property."
What campers like
Riverside views and wildlife: Skamokawa Vista Park offers direct Columbia River access where "we have seen deer every time we have camped here," according to one regular visitor. The park's beach access allows for "great paddling" opportunities and the chance to watch "huge ocean liners and even cruise ships passing by."
Private camping areas: Camp Wilkerson provides secluded options with "a tent camping area and cabins" in a forested setting. One camper mentioned, "My partner and I had a relaxing time camping at Camp Wilkerson... We stayed at the tent site T9 and pretty much had the place to ourselves on Sunday. The solitude and creek nearby made the experience quite tranquil."
Trail accessibility: L.L. Stub Stewart State Park's walk-in campground offers convenient trail connections. A camper explains: "There are lots of hiking trails which would be rated as easy for most and would be a great intro to hiking for familys," making it ideal for beginners wanting to explore without venturing far from camp.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds near Longview face noise challenges. At Paradise Point, "the freeway is really really close to the whole camp site. You can hear vehicles at night. If you're a light sleeper or need nature noises when camping - this is not the site for you." Similarly, at Toutle River RV Resort, some find it "hard for us to get a good nights sleep in between a highway and train tracks."
Seasonal pest awareness: Mosquitoes appear in multiple reviews across different parks. At Fort Stevens, campers are advised to "bring mosquito repellent" while Seaquest visitors warn "bring bug spray, they werent too bad, but I am prone to mosquito bites and got hit."
Bathroom facilities vary: Toilet and shower access differs significantly between campgrounds. At Camp Wilkerson, "The lower bathroom is old and needs updated. The showers are free but the water just sprays everywhere and you have to keep pushing the button for more water." Meanwhile, at Seaquest State Park, visitors appreciate "clean bathrooms, one women's shower. Very shaded and dense forest."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Seaquest State Park Campground features excellent children's amenities where "my kids loved the addition of a playground. Many parks dont have this and it kept them entertained for hours." The park also offers educational opportunities as "at night the campground had a great Junior Ranger program with a very enthusiastic park ranger."
Group camping setups: Several parks offer specialized group accommodations. Camp Wilkerson provides "lean to that can accommodate many people in the bunks" while Seaquest has a "yurt village was my favorite part about this campground. If you are camping with a large family this would be a perfect spot to try and rent all the spaces."
Kid-friendly glamping: Glamping in Longview, Washington area includes options specifically designed for families. One reviewer at Toutle River RV Resort noted it has "tons of things to do and that's just the campground" with amenities including "a frisbee golf course, really nice playground for the grandkids that's a fort, a store, swimming pool."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Paradise Point, RVers should note "NOWHERE on the parks website has a maximum RV length. What a disaster to bring the whole family out only have to turn around and go back home" after finding sites too small. Another visitor advised specific site numbers: "Sites marked with an 'E' are $23, 'B' $30, 'P' $34."
Hookup placement challenges: At My Tiny Creekside Retreat, luxury glamping near Longview provides "2 lodging accommodations [that] have it all" according to visitors. Meanwhile, Vista Park campers note "Many of the sites have really awkward setups — hookups on the wrong side, fire pits far away from pad, etc."
Cell service variability: Connectivity can be unpredictable in the Longview area. At Seaquest State Park, visitors report "No cell (occasionally 1 bar LTE AT&T). Too heavily forested for Starlink." This contrasts with Camp Wilkerson where "Sprint and Verizon have no signal for sure and no Wi-fi is available."
