Camping options near Pasco, Washington expand beyond the city limits into the surrounding Tri-Cities area. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F between June and September, with July averaging 106°F at peak heat. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 300-500 feet above sea level near the confluence of the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers.
What to do
Explore river activities: Hood Park provides immediate access to water recreation on the Snake River with boat-in camping options. "Lots of options in this campground from drive through big trailer spots to back in spots to tent only areas... It's right on the snake river, so you can practically fish from your camp site if you want," notes Nathan B. at Hood Park.
Visit wildlife areas: The nearby McNary National Wildlife Refuge offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. As Annell N. mentions, "The McNary National Wildlife Refuge is very close" to Hood Park, making it an easy day trip from your campsite.
Play yard games: Horn Rapids RV Resort features well-maintained open spaces ideal for recreational activities. Hollina P. states, "Nice open area to play games. We played frisbee and enjoyed the area. The water is really close and the camp sites didn't seem to be too crowded."
Attend local events: Camping at Franklin County RV Park puts you within walking distance of the Pasco Sports Complex. Jennifer H. explains, "We stayed here during a baseball tournament and you couldn't beat the convenience of walking over to the Pasco sports complex. Plus we caught a dust devils game and just had to walk across the parking lot."
What campers like
Easy river access: Charbonneau Park offers immediate access to Lake Sacajawea with multiple water recreation options. Cecil K. appreciated "watching the sunset over the water while taking a stroll by the shore" and found the "metal fire pit made perfect for dinner" at Charbonneau Park.
Clean facilities: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Pasco maintain high cleanliness standards. At Columbia Sun RV Resort, one camper observed it was "Nice, clean, tidy, organised. Lovely staff."
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the room to spread out at Columbia Sun RV Resort, where Joe C. found that "the pull through and back ins are perfect. Great hookups! Would be nice just to walk through!"
Family amenities: Pasco Tri-Cities KOA offers activities for children. Lawrence L. highlights, "Nice playground and RC track which our child loved," making it ideal for families with both kids and dogs.
What you should know
Summer heat preparation: The Tri-Cities area experiences extreme summer temperatures. One camper at Arrowhead RV Park remembers, "We visited in August and boy did we sweat!"
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways or industry. At Hood Park, Robert A. noted, "We were very tired the first night and the noises from the industrial traffic on the river did not prevent us from sleeping. Not so the second night. You can also hear the semi's crossing the bridge."
Irrigation timing: Plan outdoor activities around sprinkler schedules at some locations. At Horn Rapids RV Resort, Matthew S. advises, "The only complaint I have is that the sprinklers go on in the middle of the day. So if you are doing anything outside there is a good hour break to avoid the irrigation water."
Campground quality differences: Quality varies significantly between pet-friendly campgrounds near Pasco. While some offer resort-like amenities, others provide basic services. One camper describes Franklin County RV Park as "Exactly what you would expect to find at a fairground RV Park. That's being said, it was far cleaner and well kept compared to many we have seen before."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Charbonneau Park provides designated swimming areas for children. Haylee M., a returning tent camper, appreciates the "great accessibility to water, very clean and pretty campground, nice playground and friendly hosts!"
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Popular dog-friendly campgrounds near Pasco fill quickly during peak times. John S. mentions, "We do an annual trip here every Father's Day weekend" at Hood Park, where families enjoy "plenty of fishing and swimming."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. At Hood Park, one camper observed that the "campground seemed to have nice vibe with kids on bikes, large playground, amphitheater."
No alcohol policies: Some parks restrict alcohol consumption. Stephen L. notes at Hood Park, "No alcohol allowed in park!" This restriction applies to several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds in the area.
Tips from RVers
Check-in timing: Arrive during designated hours for smoother check-in. Stephen L. warns, "Do not try to check in before 2 pm!!!!" at Hood Park, highlighting the strict enforcement of check-in times.
Shower facilities: Franklin County RV Park offers pay showers for those needing to refresh. Bradee A. notes, "$.25 for 10 minute shower" at this economical camping option.
Site selection at KOA: Choose newer sections at Pasco Tri-Cities KOA for more space. Christopher N. recommends "any of the sites in the newer section" noting that while "you can hear the freeway it becomes white noise at night."
Site verification: Always verify site dimensions before booking, especially with larger rigs. At Hood Park, Charis W. advises, "If you are a long rv, be cautious as the reservation line has little knowledge of sites."
