Located just off Interstate 5 near the Washington-Oregon border, Ridgefield offers campers diverse accommodation options within a short drive of the Columbia River. The region's mild climate allows for year-round camping with average summer temperatures around 80°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 35°F. Several campgrounds in the area cater to elevated outdoor experiences with platform tents, yurts, and cabins for those seeking more comfort than traditional tent camping.
What to do
Explore disc golf courses: Paradise Point State Park Campground features a 9-hole disc golf course that provides an entertaining activity for glampers. As one camper noted, "Hole one is a fun one that plays under a freeway overpass," making it a unique experience even for beginners.
Paddle the rivers: The Lewis River access points provide excellent opportunities for water recreation. At Paradise Point State Park Campground, "Down at the day use area (which has a nice small beach) the sound was so loud it was hard to hear people talking just a few feet away," but the area "provides life jackets if you forget yours."
Hike forest trails: Camp Wilkerson offers multiple hiking paths through dense forest. One visitor mentioned, "Hiking and horse trails meander through the forest along a creek or two," though they cautioned that "The Little Foot trail is overgrown and the wayfinding signs don't make any sense."
Visit Mount St. Helens: Just 40 miles from glamping close to Ridgefield, Washington, Seaquest State Park Campground offers access to Mount St. Helens. A visitor reported, "From Sequest State Park, it was a 10 hour day to do the loop in order to see the east side, with only one short hike thrown in," so plan accordingly.
What campers like
Private yurt accommodations: Seaquest State Park's "yurt village was my favorite part about this campground. If you are camping with a large family this would be a perfect spot to try and rent all the spaces. you would essentially have your own bathroom, outdoor play area."
Riverfront relaxation: Camp Kalama RV Park offers sites along the Kalama River. One visitor described it as "Nice and simple camp site to hit for the night. Access to the kalama river. We kayaked around it was nice."
Quick nature escapes: At only 30 minutes from Portland, Oxbow Regional Park provides a convenient glamping option for weekend getaways. A camper shared, "Easy distance from Portland on the Sandy River. Down a steep hill (important if you're biking). Nothing that incredible, but nice enough for one night or a weekend away."
Hot showers: For glampers seeking comfort, Seaquest State Park offers "Adequate bathrooms with mirrors, flushing toilets, hot shower! Peaceful yet can still hear the highway."
What you should know
Highway noise: Many campgrounds near Ridgefield are close to Interstate 5, affecting the wilderness experience. At Paradise Point State Park, one camper cautioned, "Freeway is really really close to the whole camp site. You can hear vehicles at night. If you're a light sleeper or need nature noises when camping - this is not the site for you."
Cell service limitations: For those planning to work remotely while glamping, connectivity varies significantly. At Dairy Creek West, visitors report good reception, while at Seaquest State Park, expect "Limited cell service with T-Mobile but it still works! Free WiFi in the day use area."
Pricing variations: Washington State Parks have variable pricing. A visitor to Seaquest noted, "Tent sites are $23-34 during the shoulder season currently. Sites marked with an 'E' are $23, 'B' $30, 'P' $34."
Seasonal insects: Some areas experience heavy mosquito activity. At Seaquest, campers warn to "Beware the mosquitos! We always get eaten alive when we stay at Seaquest."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground features facilities designed for children. One visitor mentioned there was "a huge playground for the kids" and "a large field area for dogs to roam around, just no fence."
Educational opportunities: Seaquest State Park offers "a great Junior Ranger program with a very enthusiastic park ranger that kept the almost 50 people/kids entertained. She was great at engaging all the kids and teaching them about the park."
Transport assistance: For family glamping with lots of gear, Dairy Creek West provides helpful equipment: "They have carts available for hike in campers to use at the campground trailhead if needed. Note that if you're using a cart, that the walk in is uphill."
Biking with kids: Champoeg offers "GREAT biking trails that are kid friendly. There lots of historical sites around the campground to enjoy as well."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Paradise Point State Park has tight spaces for larger rigs. One RVer warned, "We arrived and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get our rig in that site due to the trees. We couldn't even continue out the secondary loop because it was so narrow and had trees on the inside of turns."
Loop selection: At Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground, "Loop B is highly our favorite because it is smaller and more private and close to the river."
Water pressure concerns: Some RV sites have utility issues. At L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park, "The water pressure was not very good at around 35 psi."
Satellite connectivity: Tree cover affects RV technology. One camper at L.L. Stub Stewart noted, "We had a clear shot to the north sky for Starlink, but it's doubtful we'd get a southern sky shot from this site due to the mature trees."
