Best Camping near Vancouver, WA
Searching for the best camping near Vancouver, WA? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Vancouver. Discover great camping spots near Vancouver, reviewed by campers like you.
Searching for the best camping near Vancouver, WA? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Vancouver. Discover great camping spots near Vancouver, reviewed by campers like you.
Battle Ground Lake State Park is a forested camping park in the Cascade Mountain foothills; its proximity to Vancouver and Portland and its cool green lake make it a great escape from the bustle of city and suburbs.
Children play in the shallow swim area under the watchful eyes of their picnicking parents, anglers float on the lake, hikers and campers take quiet strolls in the woods. On sunny weekends, laughter fills the playground, lakefront and kitchen areas. Whether you've come for a rest or a family play day, time spent at Battle Ground Lake will leave you refreshed and ready to tackle your life once again.
PARK FEATURES The 280-acre park offers hiking, biking, horse trails and a primitive equestrian camping area. The spring-fed lake is attractive to swimmers and paddlers and is stocked with trout, making it a favorite of anglers.
The park has 35 standard campsites, six partial-hookups sites, 15 primitive sites that require campers to hike up to half a mile from the parking lot, two primitive equestrian sites, four cabins, one RV dump station, two restrooms and four showers. Maximum site length is 35 feet (may have limited availability).
Champoeg State Heritage Area features a rare combination of history, nature, and recreation. Situated south of Newberg along the scenic Willamette River, Champoeg's forests, fields, and wetlands recreate the landscape of a bygone era.
This is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843. A thriving town of 200 was established, only to be washed away during a great flood in 1861. This rich history earns the park’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places.
A diversity of activities await. Enjoy walking or biking on the paved trails that pass historical landmarks and hug the river. Play the 18-hole disc golf course under the oak trees, relax at the multitude of scenic picnic areas, or fish or kayak from dock on the Willamette River. For RV's there are 21 full-hookup sites and 54 electric sites with water.
The ecologically rich landscape is home to more than 130 bird species, including seasonally nesting western bluebirds and acorn woodpeckers.
$5 - $72 / night
$25 / night
Situated along the scenic Clackamas River, Milo McIver State Park is only 45 minutes from Portland. This beautiful park provides a variety of outstanding recreational opportunities. You can spend a day or a week exploring the river, forest and fields.
Seasonal Camping (Mid-March – Oct. 31)
44 electrical sites with water (one accessible). Nine tent sites with water nearby Hot showers and flush toilets Three reservable group tent camping areas with water, flush toilets and fire rings Three hiker/biker campsites with water, lockers, solar charging station and fire pit RV dump station Click here to see a campground map. Water Play
River lovers can challenge the sometimes wild (but always picturesque) Clackamas River with rafts, canoes or kayaks. For fishing enthusiasts, Estacada Lake offers a boat ramp and an ADA fishing dock, and the Clackamas River has steelhead and Chinook runs.
The Clackamas Fish Hatchery is located at McIver Park, and self-guided tours of the hatchery guide visitors through the life-cycle of Chinook salmon and steelhead.
SUP and Kayak Rentals Rentals and guided tours are offered by Clackamas River Outfitters at Estacada Lake through contract with Oregon State Parks. Information: 503-586-3241 or clackamasriveroutfitters.com
Land Play Prefer to stay dry? You can hike or ride your horse over miles of trails. (Bicycles are allowed only on paved trails and roads, for the safety of all.)
Milo also sports a world-class, 27-hole disc golf course at the Riverbend Day-use Area. Discs are available at the park office to rent or buy.
$18 - $75 / night
Located just outside of Portland on beautiful Sauvie Island. Overlooking the Columbia River with views of Mt.Hood, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. Clean restroom/shower facilities. Office has a store on site stocked with supplies, food, snacks, souvineers and more. All sites have 30 amp electrical service, water and sewer. OPEN YEAR ROUND 7/DAYS A WEEK!
Among our region's most popular park destinations, Barton Park is a recreational gem located on the Clackamas River. This one of a kind park features camping, hiking, multiple day use and event amenities, and a variety of river recreation opportunities.
112 campsites; 103 with water and electric hookups Up to 8 people and 2 domestic pets allowed per site
$28 - $81 / night
Reaching an elevation of 11,240 feet, and capped with several large glaciers, Mount Hood is Oregon’s tallest peak. It lies just an hour’s drive east of Portland, and beckons locals and visitors alike to enjoy its extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. With more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails on and around the mountain, there’s a path for every ability and interest. Several lakes and rivers around the mountain offer swimming, fishing and paddling. For the adventurous, there’s walls for rock climbing, and guided ascents to the mountain’s summit. In winter, the mountain offers four ski areas and numerous Sno-Parks for shushing, sliding and riding down its snowy slopes. Unique to Mount Hood, there’s even summer skiing on the Palmer Snowfield, which is located above the historic Timberline Lodge. Located on the doorstep of the mountain, Mt. Hood Village RV Resort offers a wide selection of year-round camping and lodging options. The resort offers 300 full- and partial-hookup RV sites, as well as a tent camping area, cottages, cabins, yurts and tiny houses. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and cooking grills, and have access to water faucets, flush restrooms, and shower and laundry facilities. Most sites are shady and wooded; some are situated near small ponds, others are located near the Wild and Scenic Salmon River. The resort also has a small store that sells firewood, treats and essentials, and cafe that offers breakfast, lunch and snack items. Tent and RV sites range from $35–$62/night; yurts, cabins and other accommodations start at $65/night; reservations accepted. For relaxing and recreating in the resort, there’s a wide variety of amenities and activities available, including a kids’ playground, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and game room. There are also picnic areas, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and hiking and biking trails nearby. Guests can also participate in hosted arts and crafts classes, games, karaoke, line dancing and family activities, and meet fellow campers at the community campfire circle. Near the resort are several restaurants, a grocery store and an outdoor gear shop in the town of Rhododendron. Timberline lodge, with its many hiking trails and ski slopes is a 30-minute drive east, just past the village of Government Camp and Mount Hood Skibowl. The popular Mirror Lake hiking trail starts on the west end of Skibowl. Swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and paddling at Trillium Lake is another 15 minutes east.
Battle Ground Lake State Park is a forested camping park in the Cascade Mountain foothills; its proximity to Vancouver and Portland and its cool green lake make it a great escape from the bustle of city and suburbs.
Children play in the shallow swim area under the watchful eyes of their picnicking parents, anglers float on the lake, hikers and campers take quiet strolls in the woods. On sunny weekends, laughter fills the playground, lakefront and kitchen areas. Whether you've come for a rest or a family play day, time spent at Battle Ground Lake will leave you refreshed and ready to tackle your life once again.
PARK FEATURES The 280-acre park offers hiking, biking, horse trails and a primitive equestrian camping area. The spring-fed lake is attractive to swimmers and paddlers and is stocked with trout, making it a favorite of anglers.
The park has 35 standard campsites, six partial-hookups sites, 15 primitive sites that require campers to hike up to half a mile from the parking lot, two primitive equestrian sites, four cabins, one RV dump station, two restrooms and four showers. Maximum site length is 35 feet (may have limited availability).
Champoeg State Heritage Area features a rare combination of history, nature, and recreation. Situated south of Newberg along the scenic Willamette River, Champoeg's forests, fields, and wetlands recreate the landscape of a bygone era.
This is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843. A thriving town of 200 was established, only to be washed away during a great flood in 1861. This rich history earns the park’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places.
A diversity of activities await. Enjoy walking or biking on the paved trails that pass historical landmarks and hug the river. Play the 18-hole disc golf course under the oak trees, relax at the multitude of scenic picnic areas, or fish or kayak from dock on the Willamette River. For RV's there are 21 full-hookup sites and 54 electric sites with water.
The ecologically rich landscape is home to more than 130 bird species, including seasonally nesting western bluebirds and acorn woodpeckers.
$5 - $72 / night
Situated along the scenic Clackamas River, Milo McIver State Park is only 45 minutes from Portland. This beautiful park provides a variety of outstanding recreational opportunities. You can spend a day or a week exploring the river, forest and fields.
Seasonal Camping (Mid-March – Oct. 31)
44 electrical sites with water (one accessible). Nine tent sites with water nearby Hot showers and flush toilets Three reservable group tent camping areas with water, flush toilets and fire rings Three hiker/biker campsites with water, lockers, solar charging station and fire pit RV dump station Click here to see a campground map. Water Play
River lovers can challenge the sometimes wild (but always picturesque) Clackamas River with rafts, canoes or kayaks. For fishing enthusiasts, Estacada Lake offers a boat ramp and an ADA fishing dock, and the Clackamas River has steelhead and Chinook runs.
The Clackamas Fish Hatchery is located at McIver Park, and self-guided tours of the hatchery guide visitors through the life-cycle of Chinook salmon and steelhead.
SUP and Kayak Rentals Rentals and guided tours are offered by Clackamas River Outfitters at Estacada Lake through contract with Oregon State Parks. Information: 503-586-3241 or clackamasriveroutfitters.com
Land Play Prefer to stay dry? You can hike or ride your horse over miles of trails. (Bicycles are allowed only on paved trails and roads, for the safety of all.)
Milo also sports a world-class, 27-hole disc golf course at the Riverbend Day-use Area. Discs are available at the park office to rent or buy.
$18 - $75 / night
This is a nice campground with lots of trees and shade but it sits between I-84 and the Columbia River which has a major train line so it's not necessarily a quiet campground (trains run all night). No dump station available but we had electric and water. Not much grass anywhere and things were really dusty due to dryness and heat of the summer. You can't see the river from the campground but you can walk to it (or drive to it) and there are several picnic tables near the river. There is a nature trail but it is not marked well at all to find the beginning of it. Convenient to Hood River though and an easy drive to Cascade Locks for ice cream at the local dairy dine.
A great spot with privacy ! Lots of turnouts along the road with river accesses just steps away ! Definitely recommend!
Tillamook Forest has so many amazing dispersed camping opportunities! We turned onto Ben Smith road and then took logging trails up the peaks. We found a perfect spot that looked like we were on the edge of a cliff but was actually still very safe for our toddler. No cell service, so we just unplugged for 3 nights and enjoyed the time together. We could see the northern lights the first night we were there, and it was absolutely incredible. We had a lot of privacy. One hunter walked by, I assume he was using the nearby trail. We heard some ATVs over the days, but it wasn't disruptive. Totally recommend it, and we'll definitely be back.
The campground itself was kept very clean and each site has basically zero trace left at it. There’s a creek and a few fun trails to explore as well
whole road is paved all the way up & plenty of spots to pull off plus multiple bathrooms! got super chilly even in august but was very cozy in sweats & under a few blankets in the rooftop tent. would definitely stay here again and it's a good option for vehicles w/ low clearance or non off roading folks.
After getting to near the marker, we quickly found out that this is not a good stay. Looked as if there were some permanent campers, gun shots were heard during the day and there was a posted government restricted area sign. If you want to get near the lake (if you want to call it that), you’d have to climb down some pretty steep rocks. Didn’t look like anywhere near the lake to set up a camp either
A couple spots right off the road for car camping or small campers. There was an “official” camp sight more near the Dry Creek Trail (has a bathroom). We opted to walk south along the river to try and find a space. Ended up crossing the river where there are a couple more hidden spots. We found out later that there is a trail right before you cross Trapper Creek that leads you to the spot we were at. There were a few people out and you can sometimes hear cars but overall it was an easy stay with some nice views. The river drowns out most the noise. Would definitely come back here
I only spent a night since it was close to a hike I was doing in the morning, but it was a solid spot. A bunch of spots in the woods, lots seem to have privacy. The drive on the road is pretty steep for a moment, but my vehicle did just fine! I had service on my phone, which is ideal. I would stay again. No issues.
Jim did a great job of communicating and was attentive to all the campers, but they ended up overbooked so we were moved away from the river and into an open field. With no hookups and lacking riverfront, the night seemed over-priced. With van life on site and a full campground, it didn’t have the quiet feel we expected.
We camped here during a Scouting trip back in 2016. It was big enough to accommodate a few trucks and cars, with a towable trailer with all the gear. There are plenty of flat grounds for several tents for a travel trailer. The Ape Caves is a small drive away.
Per the state website, "On the southwest side of Mount St. Helens, Forest Road 81 provides an experience away from crowds. On this road, access Kalama Horse Camp, Red Rock Pass, and Forest Road 830, the road to Climber's Bivouac, and the start of the summer climbing route. From the west, the road begins on Forest Road 90, near Cougar, WA, and travels through private timberlands and state lands before entering Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The road connects with Forest Road 83 on its east side. While mostly paved, be prepared for several miles of gravel(between Forest Road 830 and 8123) and a road that is sometimes very rough."
Good luck. This takes you to the middle of nowhere with no camping spots. You’ll have no service.
Right on the Molalla river. Great campground. Vault toilets aren’t great, but they are useable. The water pump has bacteria warnings so bring plenty of water.
I am the new Park Host at Scappoose RV Park, I have been here for 5 months. I have put allot of time in making the park a safe and clean place for families. Please come take a looked, I have gotten so many compliments on how good the park looks again!
Relative to other options in Northwest Oregon this was an easy to find, plenty of space place to park the car. My partner and I angled our vehicle to block our tent from the road and slept like rocks.
Not scenic (though the waterfall that is a short hike away is). My only safety concern is someone taking the corner too fast running into your car.
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A nice, woodsy campground, with lots of privacy between camp sites. Nice flat and level outlined areas for us tent campers. Only down side was that it was a bit of a hike to the restroom (the National Forest site map showed one near the entrance where there wasn't one). While I reserved, mid-week there were a number of open sites for those without reservations. Some of the sites are really large and can handle a bigger group. Some PCT hikers stayed here due trail closure further north due to forest fire. Would recommend.
Great small campground with easy access to falls. We enjoyed 2 nights. No phone reception, no loud noises, super peaceful.
You can camp at a beautiful campsite in Mt St Helen’s close to the science learning center.
Right by some really nice short trails for a good evening/morning hike. You can park by the road and set up a tent or hammock for some privacy in one of the riverside spots if you arrive early enough. We loved this place, right off the main highway through Mt Hood and close to the city but still felt quiet and private enough.
Amazing! Outstanding! Beautiful Hillside former equestrian farm where you can buy organic cage-free eggs laid the day before along with milk taken straight from the cow that morning! If you enjoy watching sheep eat and playing with a goat and watching Ducks wander around and lots of stuff to look at and hiking and learning about farming and animal husbandry, this place is for you!
Been there many times for hiking. It's where I went to do the mystery trail. A difficult hike not for the faint of heart. A bit hard to find but very rewarding. There's a registry on the trail also. Not many trails have one. I believe it is maintained by the Mazamas.
Good times!
Nice and peaceful, I always appreciate a campground with quiet hours to enjoy the peace and quiet of outside. Additional plus that dogs weren't allowed to disrupt the wildlife and bark at the Deer etc.
Large 36 acre peaceful Rv Park on the Clatskanie River. 2 miles on SWEDETOWN road. lots of bunnies and a cute petting zoo very relaxing.
The site was great honestly, nice flat pads for tents, plenty of room for a trailer if you’re brave enough to bring it down about 5 miles of rough rough gravel road. For being such a remote location it was very busy this weekend lots of cars, foot traffic, and fishermen. It’s beautiful u can’t blame anyone for wanting to come but i was surprised by the volume. Maybe try a weekday for less crowds.
We had a private trail (about a country block in length), we quickly realized it was a “shitty” trail, a trail of Turds😭😭💩🧻
Other then that water and surrounding scenery was breath taking..
My husband and I have stayed here a few times and are getting ready to stay again. The price is very affordable and the campground is clean, the showers are nice and hot and the location is perfect for plenty of hiking and fishing adventures or just staying at camp and enjoying the river. The host Chris and his wife are amazing!
I recently had the pleasure of staying here and I can’t recommend it highly enough. This campground offers a fantastic range of amenities that made our stay both comfortable and enjoyable. The showers were clean and well-maintained, providing a refreshing end to our days of exploration. The WiFi was reliable, which was perfect for staying connected and planning our next adventures.
The game room was very nice and the pool was a great way to cool off and relax. What truly sets this KOA apart, though, is its friendly atmosphere. The staff were incredibly welcoming and went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed for a memorable stay.
One thing to note is that a train runs through the area. It can be quite loud, especially at first, but we found that we quickly got used to it and it didn’t detract from our overall experience.
Location-wise, it’s hard to beat. The campground is nestled close to the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge, making it an ideal base for exploring this stunning area. The convenience of being so close to such natural beauty added an extra layer of enjoyment to our trip.
If you’re looking for a place that combines great facilities with a prime location and a warm, friendly vibe, this is the perfect choice.
Camping near Vancouver, WA, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds nearby, you can enjoy everything from hiking to fishing while soaking up the stunning scenery.
Camping near Vancouver, WA, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Vancouver, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Vancouver, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 267 campgrounds and RV parks near Vancouver, WA and 33 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Vancouver, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vancouver, WA is Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 39 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vancouver, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 free dispersed camping spots near Vancouver, WA.
What parks are near Vancouver, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Vancouver, WA that allow camping, notably Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Mt. Hood National Forest.