The Tri-Cities area of Washington maintains mild winters and hot, dry summers, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F between June and August. Located at the confluence of the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers, the area's campgrounds typically sit at elevations between 400-700 feet. Summer camping requires extra water supplies, as Richland averages less than 8 inches of annual rainfall and humidity levels frequently drop below 30% during peak camping months.
What to do
Water recreation access: Hood Park offers direct access to the Snake River with a boat ramp and swimming beach. "We stayed here for a day, nice place for car camping, easy snake river access," notes Saugat B. Beach RV Park provides water access with "fire rings and picnic tables at every site as well as a bunch of firewood," according to Alissa K.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds connect to wildlife areas with hiking trails. "There is a connected wildlife preserve that you can walk around in and also fish in that is a separate area. Lots of birds to watch," explains Nathan B. about Hood Park.
Sports facilities nearby: Franklin County RV Park sits adjacent to sports complexes. Jennifer H. shares, "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
Spacious sites: Many RV parks offer well-maintained grounds with ample space between sites. At Horn Rapids RV Resort, "The lots are not real big, but the landscaping is pristine (think golf course) and overall the park is meticulously maintained," according to Jim J.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain high cleanliness standards. At Columbia Sun RV Resort, Joe C. reports, "The whole park is beautiful and has a wonderful summer wind. Not far from stores and restaurants. Gas and diesel nearby. Very quiet and very cozy."
Family amenities: Several parks include kid-friendly features. Pasco Tri-Cities KOA provides "lots of activities for the family," with Lawrence L. noting, "Nice playground and RC track which our child loved. No wood fires allowed."
What you should know
Irrigation schedules: Sprinkler systems operate during daytime hours at some campgrounds. At Horn Rapids, Matthew S. notes, "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."
Highway noise: Some parks experience road noise due to their proximity to major routes. At Pasco Tri-Cities KOA, Christopher N. mentions, "Yes, you can hear the freeway it it becomes white noise at night."
Fire restrictions: Several parks prohibit wood fires due to dry conditions. Lawrence L. at Pasco Tri-Cities KOA notes that "No wood fires allowed," though some parks like Beach RV Park provide fire rings and wood.
River traffic noise: Campgrounds near waterways may experience industrial noise. Robert A. says about Hood Park, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Find shaded sites: Temperatures regularly exceed 90°F in summer months. At Beach RV Park, Bud S. notes the park is "quiet and shaded right by the water," making it more comfortable during hot days.
Evening activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled events. Chris A. explains that Hood Park has "a playground and interpretive events for kids in the evenings. They even had some movies on the weekends."
Swimming options: Several parks feature pools or river access. Columbia Sun RV Resort offers a "heated pool and hot tub, game room and more," according to Jeff M., providing relief from summer heat.
Plan early morning outings: Midday temperatures can be uncomfortable for kids and pets. Stephen L. advises Hood Park visitors that "town is close by so you can do other things (groceries, laundromat etc.) while waiting for check in."
Tips from RVers
Utility considerations: Most RV parks offer full hookups with various amp options. Horn Rapids provides "water at your site and power for 50/30/20 amp cords," says Matthew S., making it suitable for different RV configurations.
Pet areas: For pet-friendly camping near Richland, Washington, look for dedicated exercise spaces. Wesley M. at Pasco Tri-Cities KOA mentions, "Large park with dog run on far side, with smaller park (no dog run) on new side. Our St. Bernard loved exploring this little area."
Seasonal availability: While many parks operate year-round, some have limited seasons. Hood Park is open "May 19 to September 5," according to their listing, requiring advance planning for summer visits.
Pull-through options: Several parks offer easy access for larger rigs. At Wright's Desert Gold Motel & RV Park, Rachel A. notes it's "a bit of a quick offshoot after the intersection—be ready for that sharp turn uphill!"
