Best Campgrounds near North Bonneville, WA
Camping options around North Bonneville, Washington span from established campgrounds to primitive sites along the Columbia River Gorge. Beacon Rock State Park Campground provides year-round access with full RV hookups and tent sites, while Eagle Creek Campground across the river in Oregon offers a more rustic experience with tent and small RV sites. The area features a mix of accommodations including cabins at Cascade Locks KOA and Lewis & Clark Campground & RV Park, alongside tent camping at several Forest Service locations. Most campgrounds are situated within 20 miles of North Bonneville, providing convenient access to both Washington and Oregon sides of the Columbia River.
Road noise and trains are common issues for campsites in the region, particularly those close to Interstate 84 and the railway along the Columbia River. "Eagle Creek is a small campground located high above the Columbia River. The sites offer good privacy and are quite large," noted one camper, though they mentioned train noise occurring a few times during the night. Seasonal availability varies, with many campgrounds like Panther Creek operating from May through September. Several sites require reservations during peak summer months, while others offer first-come, first-served options during shoulder seasons. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the gorge, with strong winds common year-round and occasional winter snow at higher elevations. Cell service is generally reliable near major roads but can be spotty in more remote Forest Service areas.
Along the Columbia River, campgrounds provide strategic access to numerous hiking trails and water activities. Eagle Creek's proximity to the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness makes it popular despite highway noise. A visitor described it as having "secluded feeling" campsites that "more than made up for too much sun." Campgrounds on the Washington side like Beacon Rock State Park receive consistently positive reviews for their waterfront access and proximity to hiking trails. Higher elevation sites in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest offer cooler temperatures during summer months. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though shower facilities are limited to larger operations like KOAs and state parks. Dispersed camping opportunities exist on nearby Forest Service and BLM lands for those seeking more primitive experiences.
