127 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The desert landscape surrounding Mattawa, Washington contains a mixture of established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas accommodating both tent and RV campers. Beverly Dunes near Mattawa offers primitive tent and RV sites with fire rings and basic facilities, while other nearby options include Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping and Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground in Vantage. The Columbia River corridor provides multiple access points for camping, with sites ranging from fully-developed parks with utilities to undeveloped areas on public lands.
Permits and regulations vary significantly across the region's camping areas. Most dispersed sites on public lands near Mattawa require either a Washington State Discovery Pass or specific recreation permits, particularly for popular areas. "Martha Lake requires a Discovery Pass, and you're allowed to stay for up to three days," noted one camper about a nearby dispersed site. High summer temperatures and persistent winds characterize the local climate, with limited natural shade available at most sites. Cell service can be spotty in more remote locations, though coverage improves near Interstate 90 and larger towns. During peak summer weekends, established campgrounds often reach capacity, especially those with water access or electrical hookups.
Eastern Washington's distinctive desert-meets-river landscape creates unique camping experiences throughout the Mattawa region. Along the Columbia River, several recreation areas provide swimming access and boat launches, making them popular with water enthusiasts. A reviewer described the area as having "a hot, windy, and true desert climate. When you get near a body of water like you do along the Yakima River, the diversity of life expands and makes for great wildlife watching." Campgrounds with grass and shade tend to receive higher ratings, though many campers specifically seek the wide-open desert terrain for stargazing and the sense of solitude. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bighorn sheep, wild turkeys, and various bird species, particularly near water sources where the harsh landscape transitions to riparian zones.
"This place is close to home for anyone in central Washington, the sites are giant and the views are amazing."
"This campsite is quiet and has everything you need, full hookups, water, showers, and trails. The campground is small but really clean and nearly every site has a view of the river/lake."
"Walk in sites are really tight. Heavy winds at night. No running water bathrooms. Noise from highway at night is very noticeable. No recycling option."
"Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, and path down to a rocky beach on the Columbia."
"It is hay cutting season, and semi’s are racing up and down the road 60 feet away from the front sites starting at 7:30 am and continuing until dark. Jake brakes will wake you up. Trust me."
"Location has trees, grass, picnic tables, full hook ups, basic and premium rates, showers(3 minutes hot water for .50, buy 2 tokens at a pop, you can walk down to the river."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"It's right next to the Columbia River. It's also right next to a public Park that has a sandy beach and plenty of picnic tables.
The one draw back is the wind."
from $12 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Great location so close to 90 but tucked away - will be staying here often"
"I prefer to park here when its not busy as the "Feathers" basalt columns are really pretty to camp up next to. The second open site down the road has pit toilets and is a much larger area."
"Walk in spots. Walk-in is about 100 yards. Quiet. Some wild life. Frogs and sheep. Good place to drop in and find a spot last minute depending on the day and time of year."
"Great little campsite near the petrified forest. Windy the day we were there - but beautiful location near river. We had a large herd of bighorn sheep as pre dusk visitors which was great to admire."
from $10 / night
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TravelerNice, clean, & beautiful overnight stop. There were plenty of sites to choose between, we stayed in site 11 since we were departing early. Like other reviews stated, no water or cell service but that’s to be expected.
TravelerBig empty field with plenty of space for campers of any size. They have a vaulted toilet available if needed. The sign says you must register but there is no way to register. Discovery pass required. It’s well off the beaten path, in the middle of farms. There is a river & boat launch that plenty of people occupied but unless you go that way, you’d never know they are there.
ScoutNice stop. One night for me. A little pricey at $51 since I didn't need hookups but I rolled right into spot 11 on the river with a great view. Easy registration and clean facilities.
GuideCG is yards away from the highway on-ramp. Our rig would shake as semis accelerated past. Not to mention the general highway noise. Additionally, there’s a 24 hr fueling stop near the CG, so all night long there are trucks coming and going. CG was tidy, folks were nice, bathrooms were clean-ish. Did I mention it was loud? If you have to stay here avoid east perimeter spots 60-72, they are closest to the highway. I will not stay here again.
RangerI’m really pleasantly surprised by this site. It’s right on the way (closest we’ve ever gotten to stay because we’re a bigger rig). Close to town!!! Has a perfectly nice bathrooms nearby. Beautiful sunsets. Lots of room for spreading out. Not popular for late September. Mosquitos are out at night but not during the day time!
ScoutLots of camper trailers, basically a cow field. If you want a private spot you have to traverse a sketchy road that if you don't have awd and decent tires and ground clearance you'll be screwed.
GuideIt is basically a gravel lot along soap lake. It has full hookups and costs $52/ Night. Easy to get in. You have to use the QR code box on the board beside the gate. It works easily and you get your gate code by email quickly. The internet is strong but slow. We are using our Verizon with 5g signal. Showers nice and hot.
GuidePros: The lake has a really pretty sunset view. Spots are spaced out and the ones by the water have picnic tables. Easy drive in. Not many people here Cons: we visited in mid September, arrived around sunset, and the bugs were BAAAADDD, like real bad by the water. Went up to an inland site and they were still active but not as terrible. You can hear road noise. Also smells like horse manure
Update: some random man came and parked right next to us at 0630 to “walk his dogs”
RangerPit toilets clean and stocked. Sites spread out. Only one other camper on a Saturday. Diverse landscape with variety of birds Verizon 2 bars on ridge 1 bar in lower sites. No trash or water.
Dispersed camping spots near Mattawa, Washington spread across the Columbia Basin's dry, arid terrain at elevations between 400-800 feet. Summer nighttime temperatures drop significantly from daytime highs, sometimes creating 30-degree temperature swings. Rocky terrain dominates the camping areas, with limited vegetation except near water sources where wildlife becomes more concentrated.
Explore petrified wood remains: At Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground, visitors can examine preserved ancient tree specimens along an interpretive trail. "An easy 1.5 mile hike will take you past several nicely preserved examples of different types of petrified wood, including some whole logs where you can clearly still see the shape of the bark, rings, etc," notes reviewer Meghan O.
Watch for wildlife: The arid landscape transitions to richer ecosystems near water. "We had a large herd of bighorn sheep as pre dusk visitors which was great to admire," reports Chad L. about his stay at Rocky Coulee Recreation Area.
Enjoy water recreation: The Columbia River provides swimming opportunities during hot months. At Sand Hollow Campground, "the water access is great for kids - rocky coastline and calm water. We caught one fish and our 9 yr old caught minnows in a lagoon," shares Julie M.
Star visibility: The remote locations and minimal light pollution create excellent night sky viewing conditions. "Beautiful sunset and INSANE stargazing," states one camper about Sand Hollow Campground.
Rock climbing access: The basalt formations attract climbers to certain camping areas. At Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites, a reviewer noted it has "AMAZING access to climbing. We have been here 2 x now... staying for about 5 days in a row. It is a 4 minute approach to the nice moderate area called the Feathers and about 15 minutes from other climbs."
Columbia River views: Campsites with river vistas rank highly among visitor preferences. "Very beautiful setting but super windy," writes one visitor about Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground, highlighting the trade-off between scenery and environmental conditions.
Wind conditions: Strong gusts frequently affect camping in the region. A Sand Hollow Campground visitor reports, "It was REALLY windy at night, which made mosquitos not bad and the high temps feel downright pleasant."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites offer minimal amenities. "This place does require a Discover Pass, but it's otherwise free. There were portapotties available, but I wouldn't count on them always being available," warns Nicole C. about Vernita Bridge.
Rocky terrain challenges: Access to many sites requires navigating rough roads. "Best to have high clearance as there are some good size rock outcroppings... Best to show up during daylight hours unless you have lots of Baja lights. Many sharp rock outcroppings and difficult terrain to drive over to find a spot," advises jeremy M. about Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping.
Look for sites with water access: During hot months, riverside locations provide natural cooling. Julie M. recommends Sand Hollow: "The water access is great for kids - rocky coastline and calm water. We caught one fish and our 9 yr old caught minnows in a lagoon."
Consider handicap-accessible options: Some campgrounds accommodate mobility limitations. Meghan O. points out that at Ginkgo Petrified Forest, "You'll also be close to handicapped parking spaces and have sidewalk access to your campsite, making this a great choice for campers with disabilities or mobility limitations."
Plan for temperature extremes: The region experiences significant day-night temperature variations, requiring proper clothing and gear. One camper at Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping advises, "Can get pretty hot here in the warmer months but a beautiful spot to camp if you can avoid the busy/peak times."
Select appropriate sites: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. At Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites, one RVer warns, "There is not a lot of room for big rigs so I would not suggest staying here If you're 20 + feet long."
Research hookup options: Electric and water connections vary significantly between established campgrounds. At Vantage Riverstone Resort Campground, a visitor notes, "Location has trees, grass, picnic tables, full hook ups, basic and premium rates... It has a boat ramp and 30+ spots large and small."
Consider wind effects on larger vehicles: Strong gusts can impact travel trailers and motorhomes. "The wind was so [bad] we couldn't use our awning or slideout," shares Susan V. about her RV experience at Vantage Riverstone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mattawa, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mattawa, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 127 campgrounds and RV parks near Mattawa, WA and 24 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mattawa, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mattawa, WA is Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mattawa, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 free dispersed camping spots near Mattawa, WA.
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