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Beverly Dunes campground near Mattawa permits pets throughout its primitive camping areas along the Columbia River, offering free dog-friendly campsites with views of the Saddleback mountains for both tent and RV campers. Most campsites in the region lack specific pet amenities but maintain standard leash requirements. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground offers pet-friendly sites with water and electric hookups, though campers report it can become extremely windy at night, making tent camping with dogs challenging during certain seasons. Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping areas also welcome pets with minimal restrictions, providing more rugged accommodation options. During summer weekends, Beverly Dunes becomes noticeably louder when OHV users frequent the area.
The trail system connecting many of these pet-friendly campgrounds provides excellent dog walking opportunities, though owners should remain vigilant for wildlife. No designated dog parks exist within these campgrounds, so visitors should bring portable containment options if needed. Leashed dogs can join their owners at the petrified wood interpretive trails at Ginkgo Petrified Forest, where the 1.5-mile path showcases numerous preserved specimens. Water access points along the Columbia River offer dogs swimming opportunities during warmer months. Most primitive camping areas lack waste stations, so campers should pack appropriate disposal bags. The closest veterinary services and pet supplies require a drive to larger towns. Midweek visits typically provide quieter camping experiences for dogs sensitive to noise and activity.
"No dog park. Great view of the lake from your door. We took a 4 mile, one-way, bike ride to the town of Vantage and then to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest."
"This place is close to home for anyone in central Washington, the sites are giant and the views are amazing."
"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.
The Mattawa area sits in a transition zone between the Columbia Basin's desert terrain and the Saddle Mountains, with elevations ranging from 500-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F while receiving less than 8 inches of annual rainfall. Camping options stretch along the Columbia River with many sites offering direct water access despite the arid landscape.
Explore the Petrified Forest: Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park offers a fascinating geological experience. "Hike and Bike spot did not include a table or cooking grill/fire pit. It also sits next to restrooms. This is a nice desert campground with green lawns and close proximity to the river. Winds picked up dramatically at night," notes Tim J. from Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground.
Visit the waterfall at Frenchman Coulee: The dramatic canyon landscape provides interesting hiking opportunities. "Waterfall, gorge, amazing scenery! There is a pit toilet and there were some people climbing. No accessible water. Only a couple miles from the highway. It was windy, as this whole area is," reports Tee C. about Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping.
Swimming and fishing access: The Columbia River shoreline offers multiple activity points. "The campsites are in great condition (gravel pad, picnic table) and 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. about Sand Hollow Campground.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Many campers appreciate the natural inhabitants of the area. "Very isolated and the river gave off a very mellow vibe. The boat ramp area is great because of the view and the wildlife. We saw many ducks and some geese floating down the river at high speeds. Also saw coyotes and friendly bees," writes Kevin C. about Vernita Bridge.
Expansive star viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "Very quiet. Weekends can get kinda busy due to hikers and rock climbing enthusiasts. On clear nights you can see all the stars. Which is my favorite! There are lots of sites to camp," reports Billie J. about Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers frequently note the cleanliness of park amenities. "This is our second time visiting this park and we're surprised how clean and well kept the park is. The bathrooms are great. The showers are the best we found, the hook ups are always in good repair," shares Dean S. from Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground.
Extreme wind conditions: This area experiences significant wind events that affect camping comfort. "Big nice full hook up developed campground. Upper loop is more sage brushy & less manicured lawn than the lower loop. Great views and pretty private spots. If there is a concert at the Gorge don't even try here as it will be a full party palace. Can be very windy," warns Mels about Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park.
Concert impact on campgrounds: Sites fill quickly during events at the Gorge Amphitheatre. "This was a great alternative to the crazy cost of camping at the gorge. Unfortunately some of the sites, including ours, were a bit torn up and very sandy. It was the middle of wildfire season (high winds) and not much blockage for our poor tent that got destroyed in the wind," shares Ali D. about Vantage Riverstone Resort Campground.
Limited shade coverage: The desert environment offers minimal natural shade. "Dusty. Minimal to no shade. Walk in sites are really tight. Heavy winds at night. No running water bathrooms. Noise from highway at night is very noticeable," reports Quaneisha P. from Sand Hollow Campground.
Accessible swimming areas: Look for gradual entry points for children. "The campground seems almost brand new. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, and path down to a rocky beach on the Columbia. The sites are definitely not large enough for most RVs," notes Nicole C. about Sand Hollow Campground.
Best sites for families: Choose upper loop sites for more privacy. "Very cool state park in the middle of the Wanapum Recreational area and on the shores of Wanapum Lake/Columbia River. Two camping loops, one on a bluff overlooking the river with pretty views (the loop you want to be on) and the other further away from the water," advises Brian C. about Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground.
Midweek visits recommended: Weekends bring higher usage and noise levels. "I have stayed here many times. It is an ohv area so weekends, especially holiday weekends, can get loud and crowded. During the week it is very quiet and peaceful," explains Jacob V. about Beverly Dunes.
Wind protection strategies: Park strategically to shield your unit. "Campground was across from a gorge. There was a campstore with all necessities. Sites are all grassy and gravel. The wind was so bad we couldn't use our awning or slideout," cautions Susan V. about Vantage Riverstone Resort Campground.
Dump station availability: Plan your water usage accordingly. "Discover Pass required. Not for regular camping. Used for staying overnight and getting up early to hit the water," notes Jennifer R. about Vernita Bridge regarding limited facilities.
Site selection for pet owners: Find sites with adequate space for dogs. "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," describes Matthew S. about Vantage Riverstone Resort Campground, providing pet friendly camping near Mattawa with decent spacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mattawa, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mattawa, WA is Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mattawa, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 95 dog-friendly camping locations near Mattawa, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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