Situated within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Stevenson, Washington offers access to multiple pet friendly camping locations at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,100 feet above sea level. Summers bring moderate temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night. Several campgrounds remain open through October with Beacon Rock State Park operating year-round for campers seeking options during cooler months.
What to do
Hike to scenic viewpoints: The Pacific Crest Trail connects directly to Panther Creek Campground, providing access to stunning mountain views. "The PCT is just outside the campground. Saw lots of birds," notes Jeff K. who appreciated the "nice big sites with a level tent pad."
Fish in Hood River: Tucker Park Campground offers fishing access with friendly locals who share tips and gear. "One of the locals stopped by to comment on my tent and said the salmon were biting - he even gave me a lure that he caught a fish on earlier that day," reports Nathan G., who found cell reception good enough to "tether and get some work done."
Climb Beacon Rock: This unique geological feature reaches over 600 feet high with a well-constructed trail system. "The climb up the rock is through a well-built trail. It can get narrow at spots and not for those who fear heights. The view at the top, however, is amazing," explains Brian C. from Beacon Rock State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Timberlake Campground & RV, campers appreciate the secluded feeling despite being close to activities. "Nice shaded, private spots. Enough distance between campers that it feels secluded," writes Michelle K., who found the "magical, large grassy lawn" perfect for dogs.
Accessible waterfall hikes: Wyeth Campground provides trail access directly from campsites. "Right at the back of the campground is a trailhead for some amazing forest hikes in the gorge," explains Abby B., who found the campground "delightfully serene even with the distant traffic noise."
Wind protection: Some campgrounds provide natural barriers from the Columbia River Gorge winds. "The Gorge is famous for its wind, but here I was protected from gusts by the natural landscape," writes Ryan W. about Wyeth Campground at the Gorge, noting that while "winds still moved the trees around up high, on the ground it was minimal."
What you should know
Railroad noise: Most campsites near the Columbia River experience train noise. "A train runs directly behind the site multiple times an hour and is loud," reports Becky S. about Beacon Rock State Park's RV area, though most campers adjust quickly to the sound.
Highway proximity: Many campgrounds have some traffic noise due to their location near Interstate 84. "There is a faint whoosh sound of the freeway down the hill, but I find this campground delightfully serene even with the distant traffic noise," notes Abby B. about Wyeth Campground.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "We didn't have very good reception for WiFi and Verizon was a bit sketch inside the trailer, outside was better," reports Rick S. about their stay at Panther Creek Campground, though some sites offer better connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas for children. "The day use area had a little play structure," notes Amanda M. about Viento State Park Campground, which also offers "multiple picnic tables along the path to the river."
Consider swimming spots: Tucker Park provides safe water access for cooling off. "Both day use and river access from the camping area were lovely and the water was perfect to cool off after a hot day," reports Cerise D. about Tucker Park Campground.
Pack for variable weather: Weather conditions can change quickly in the gorge. "HOT, HOT, HOT! Temperatures exceeded 90 degrees - so staying cool was a bit of a challenge," writes Mary G. about her Eagle Creek Campground experience, despite the "lovely trees and shade."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "We have a 36' bumper pull, and hubby said he wouldn't have had problems parking there," noted Amanda M. about Viento State Park, though she observed that "sites looked a little on the small side."
Road access challenges: Narrow campground roads can make maneuvering difficult. "The roads are very narrow and are lined with curbs, so there's not a lot of room to back into the sites," explains Lanae about Wyeth Campground, who found it "very hard" to maneuver her "short bed truck and a 22' trailer."
Level site availability: Many campsites in the area have uneven terrain. "The spot is long, however #31 slopes at the back of the spot so it isn't as long as we'd like it to have been. But we made it work," reports Rick S. about Lost Lake Resort And Campground, where sites offer good shade during summer months.
Legend
