The Columbia River Gorge features steep canyon walls rising 3,000 feet from the river, creating a natural wind tunnel effect that influences camping conditions near Underwood, Washington. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F while winter lows can drop below freezing. Campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 100-1,200 feet, with higher elevation sites offering protection from train noise that affects riverside locations.
What to do
Water activities on the Columbia River: Sandy Riverfront RV Resort provides excellent river access for swimming and kayaking. "The absolutely best part about this park is that it's across the street from Sugarpine Drive-in... It's also right on the Sandy River where you can enjoy the beautiful views and swim (very carefully...bring life-vests to be safe)," notes one visitor.
Fruit stand visits: Peach Beach RV Park on the Columbia sits adjacent to local orchards, offering seasonal fruit. "Pleasant host greets you with a bag of a couple peaches from the fruit farm next door," mentions one camper. The nearby Trout Lake area also features multiple fruit stands within a 15-minute drive.
Wine tasting: Several campgrounds provide easy access to local wineries. A camper at Peach Beach RV Park on the Columbia shared, "Walking distance to wine tasting and wonderful fruit stand." Nearby Maryhill includes multiple tasting rooms within a 10-minute drive.
Historic sites exploration: The Stonehenge replica near Maryhill and the Maryhill Museum provide unique cultural stops. "Kids loved Stonehenge replica on the way out," noted one visitor to the area. Most historic sites have parking suitable for RVs under 30 feet.
What campers like
Mountain views: Elk Meadows RV Park offers exceptional views of Mt. Adams. "The spots at the northern edge of the park look out over a beautiful meadow backed up by astonishingly huge and beautiful Mt Adams, snow covered now and towering over the green mountains around it," explains one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain high cleanliness standards. A visitor to Sherman County RV Park stated, "While old, the restrooms and showers were very well maintained and absolutely immaculate. And I'm an admitted and unabashed germaphobe."
Shaded sites: Most RV parks near Underwood offer tree cover for summer heat protection. A camper at Timberlake Campground & RV mentioned, "Nice campground, good shade. We stayed at site 31 in early Sept 2020. Friendly campground staff, very quiet place. Convenient to Hood River."
Level camping pads: Concrete or well-maintained gravel pads are standard at most parks. "Concrete pads with extra parking space make for level camping," notes a camper at Sandy Riverfront RV Resort.
What you should know
Train noise: Railroad tracks parallel much of the Columbia River, affecting several campgrounds. At Gorge Base Camp RV Park, a visitor mentioned, "Sure, there is some train noise, but it's manageable with a set of earplugs."
Bridge crossing challenges: The Hood River Bridge presents difficulties for larger RVs. "First off, if you have an RV and can avoid taking the Hood River Bridge, that is highly advisable. With two 9' lanes, it's a nightmare to get across," warns one camper.
