Best Campgrounds near Vantage, WA

Campers heading to Vantage, Washington will find Big Pines Campground works well for both tents and RVs along the Columbia River, with good spots for fishing and launching boats. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground sits nearby, where you can check out the petrified wood and walk some decent trails. Rock climbers often stay at Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping because it's close to climbing routes and has good views. Most camping areas have okay roads, but you might want a higher-clearance vehicle for some spots. Watch for deer and birds around camp, and keep your food secured so you don't attract wildlife. It gets pretty hot in summer, so bring extra water and something for shade. The campgrounds have basic bathrooms and such, but always call ahead about closures, especially in shoulder seasons. Vantage camping ranges from developed sites to more basic areas depending on what you're looking for.

Best Camping Sites Near Vantage, Washington (134)

    1. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 856-2700

    "Great view of the lake from your door. We took a 4 mile, one-way, bike ride to the town of Vantage and then to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest."

    "Park is literally right off of I-90 near Vantage! RV spots don’t have much privacy, but the spots are huge! Full hookups, good cell phone coverage! Nice swimming area(kind of a walk from RV spaces)."

    2. Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    6 miles

    "Great location so close to 90 but tucked away - will be staying here often"

    "I prefer to park here when its not busy as the "Feathers" basalt columns are really pretty to camp up next to. The second open site down the road has pit toilets and is a much larger area."

    3. Sand Hollow Campground

    8 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 754-5088

    "Walk in sites are really tight. Heavy winds at night.  No running water bathrooms. Noise from highway at night is very noticeable. No recycling option."

    "Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, and path down to a rocky beach on the Columbia."

    4. Vantage Riverstone Resort Campground

    8 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 856-2800

    $30 / night

    "It is hay cutting season, and semi’s are racing up and down the road 60 feet away from the front sites starting at 7:30 am and continuing until dark. Jake brakes will wake you up. Trust me."

    "Location has trees, grass, picnic tables, full hook ups, basic and premium rates, showers(3 minutes hot water for .50, buy 2 tokens at a pop, you can walk down to the river."

    5. Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites

    8 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (206) 625-1367

    "Just off I90 in Eastern WA at Vantage."

    "Surrounded by gorgeous cliffs with hikes and scrambles, if you are not a rock climber. Drive down to the end of the road for gorgeous access to the Columbia."

    6. Gorge Amphitheatre Campground

    12 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 785-6262

    "First off, my type of camping is getting as far away from other people as possible. That is absolutely not going to happen when you are at the Gorge, but that is not why you camp at the Gorge."

    "You are in close proximity to your neighbors so get to know them. Make sure you bring everything you need cause you are not leaving once you are onsite."

    7. Rocky Coulee Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    1 mile
    Website

    $10 / night

    "Windy, as is everything in Vantage. Walk in spots. Walk-in is about 100 yards. Quiet. Some wild life. Frogs and sheep."

    "Great little campsite near the petrified forest. Windy the day we were there - but beautiful location near river. We had a large herd of bighorn sheep as pre dusk visitors which was great to admire."

    8. Frenchman Coulee Overland Overlook Dispersed Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    6 miles
    Website

    "OF NOTE: The vault toilets are about a mile away from here."

    "The entrance to the site is rough. Scouting is a good idea before attempting entry with a trailer."

    9. Caliche Lake

    4 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 754-4624

    "Close to the highway though and you can hear cars. It was a convenient place to stay after a concert at the Gorge."

    "It was very beautiful and private but it’s right off the high way so you can hear traffic all night. Ideal if you’re just looking for somewhere to crash before you get back on the road."

    10. Old Vantage Highway

    3 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 754-4624

    "The campgrounds are right next to all the climbing vantage has to offer. You can park right next to your site, have fires."

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Recent Reviews near Vantage, WA

468 Reviews of 134 Vantage Campgrounds


  • Alex R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Long Lake

    Beautiful, but not convenient

    I stayed here for a night on my way through the area. This is a very beautiful reserve to explore and spend time in. The birds are abundant and the whole area is very serene. However, BOY was the road rough. No 4wd or high clearance needed, but you will be absolutely shaken and rattled on the way out to the lake. Also, this area is not free!! A Discover Pass is required (either annual for $35 or day for $11.50). I spotted a few toilets on my way in, but they were too far from most of the sites to conveniently use. The site I ended up in was scattered with cigarette butts, beer trash, and bits of glass. I am not a very picky camper, but unfortunately the positives didn’t outweigh the negatives here for me personally. All of that being said, this place probably really floats some people’s boats!! Crazy beautiful!!

  • Beans
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Burke Lake West

    Post-Dave Rave Car Camping

    Coordinates woulda taken us down a dirt road with a lotta potholes so we just pulled a bit off the road and car camped. It was next to some farmland after a Dave Matthews concert @ the Gorge. No amenities where we were, but quite beautiful.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Wenatchee River County Park

    Very nice

    We stayed two nights. Everything is very clean and the staff is extremely friendly. Right on the river. They have Ice for sale on site. 50 amp service and sewer and water are all in available.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Teanaway Campground

    Quite the surprise!

    We pulled into this pretty late last night and were happy to still have found a place. It was overall quiet, gentle and welcoming.

    There was a pretty little calico cat that hung out with us for a bit, who happily plopped around us outside. Sleeping was peaceful, and I actually slept the best I had in my tent yet.

    Overall, this is great. Get there a little early to get a good spot so you can see those brilliant stars at night, and maybe have a nice fire in the designated spaces (barring bans!), while enjoying the space.

  • Rebecca  T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Yakima Sportsman State Park Campground

    Peaceful. Clean. Scenic.

    I was only there a few hours. This is a great go-to spot when fresh air, trees, or restful nap are what you need. Tent camping available. No over night camping allowed.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Wenatchee River County Park

    Beautiful County Park on the Wenatchee River

    Well located with easy drive to Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Cashmere. Float the river, thrift for treasures or just relax. Very clean and well maintained. We'll be back.

  • Scott M.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Crescent Bar Campground (Grant PUD Crescent Bar Recreation Area)

    EXTREMELY unfair cancellation policy!

    It's a beautiful place and we have stayed there several times, but hold on to your wallet!  If for some reason you have to cancel your reservation they will RIP YOU OFF with their unfair and completely exploitative cancellation policy.  In our case, we wanted to cancel and then planned to re-book later in the fall, which is also a great time to visit Eastern WA.  We called 7 weeks ahead to let them know we could not come when we had planned to.  They kept HALF of our fee ($237.50) even though there is ample time for them to re-book the site.  Yes, their paperwork does state their policy, but that doesn't make it FAIR.  Most other campgrounds charge a nominal fee and are OK with cancelling up to 48 hours ahead.  But 7 weeks ahead?  Give me a break.  This campground was funded with tax $$ too-Grant County PUD and now has contracted out the management to the Central Washington Management Group in Quincy.

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Whispering Pines RV Campground

    Appropriately named

    This is a pretty RV park with beautiful pine trees and nice sites. It was windy, so they truly were “Whispering Pines.” Our site had water and 30/50 amp, but no sewer. The camp was not full, and we were nicely spaced with other campers leading to lots of privacy. The restrooms and showers were nice and clean. It is close to I-90, so there is road noise, but it did not bother us as much as some of the other reviewers. There are also trains, but again, we did not really notice them. There were families with children, but we couldn’t tell whether they were vacationing or residents. We didn’t meet the staff in person, but they were quite helpful with the booking. All in all, this is a fine place to stop off of I-90.

  • J
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Taneum Cabin

    HANTAVIRUS CABIN

    I want to start by saying that I have low expectations for hygiene and cleanliness, especially in rustic forest service buildings. But this cabin failed to meet my extremely low bar with its out of control mouse situation (see photos).

    First, much of the information currently available online is incomplete or inaccurate so here's some irl deets as of August 2025:

    This cabin is smaller than it looks in the pictures. It's maybe 300-400 sq feet. 

    There is a flush toilet and shower inside the cabin. Shower is small. The hot water is HOT. You have to walk through the bedroom to get to the bathroom.

    Lights: Don't rely on lighting being provided. As far as we could tell, the propane lights were disconnected? (There is also zero info on how to light them.) There were three LED mini lanterns, none of which had working batteries. 

    Kitchen supplies:  Generally ok (the usual amount of beat up) but bring your own silverware. There were three metal spoons and a handful of plastic forks when we were there. WASH EVERYTHING BEFORE USE.

    There is one bedroom with a reasonably comfortable double or queen bed. BYO bedding. The walls don't go all the way to the ceiling, so don't expect privacy.

    There is a futon couch in the "living room" area. It is very beat up and extremely uncomfortable. Do not attempt to sleep on this if you value your ability to sleep or to have a functioning back. It's really, really bad. I am not exaggerating.

    There is a small dining table with two chairs. There is one rocking chair.

    The stove and frig (which included a freezer) worked great. 

    The cabin is about 40' off of a road that is frequented by OHV enthusiasts. It has a very large parking area which is shared by the camp host for the two campgrounds down the road. He told me he is not the host for the cabin, however.

    AFAIK, there was no host for the cabin and no one is regularly checking on it? There were candles (which aren't allowed) left by previous guests. 

    There is a nice creek across the parking area and past the camp host site. 

    The worst: MICE. And mouse poop. EVERYWHERE. 

    I saw reports of mice in other reviews and wasn't too worried. Mice happen in the woods! I arrived with sanitizing wipes and snap traps. 

    I would have had to work for days to clean that place up. There was mouse poop everywhere. Cabinets with pots and pans had mouse poop and torn up paper towels. Mouse poop on the counter. Mouse poop on the rocking chair. Mouse poop on the futon. 

    At night, so many mouse noises. Among other areas they are living in the chimney/wood stove area. Good luck to whoever first tries to light a fire this fall! 

    The worst area was under the sink. There was a hole leading to the wall space, which was packed with torn paper towels and mouse poop, pee, and some black stuff (mold?) Another hole led to an area under the cabinets, which also had a giant pile of shredded paper and mouse feces.

    I killed three mice over the two nights we were there. They were definitely deer mice, aka the ones that carry hanta virus. We wore masks when sweeping. I felt bad for my friends who slept in there (I slept in my van outside.)

    I expected mice, but I didn't expect there to be zero evidence of anyone trying to deal with them or ensure the basic safety of guests. It is crazy that they charge $125 /night for this and fail to do even the absolute minimum of caretaking.

    If the mouse situation wasn't such a horror show, I would give this four stars. The cabin itself would be nice if anyone cared about it.


Guide to Vantage

Camping near Vantage, Washington, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: The area around Vantage is great for hiking. Many campers enjoy the scenic trails that lead to breathtaking views. One visitor at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground said, "The sites have a massive amount of room to spread out," making it a perfect base for outdoor adventures.
  • Fishing and Boating: If you love fishing, the Yakima River is nearby. A reviewer at Yakima Sportsman State Park Campground mentioned, "Great bathrooms and showers, clean water, electricity dump area, and full hookup pull-through areas," which makes it easy to enjoy a day on the water.
  • Rock Climbing: For the adventurous, Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites is a popular spot for rock climbing. A climber noted, "The climbing is bang on but it's bouldering or lead climbing only."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the large sites at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground. One happy camper said, "Site 49 in particular has enough room for our RV, a giant tent in the grass, a picnic table, and a separate section to grill at."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors rave about the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Yakima Sportsman State Park Campground mentioned, "Bathrooms are nice and clean," which is always a plus when camping.
  • Beautiful Views: The stunning scenery is a big draw. A camper at Potholes State Park Campground said, "Perfect in every way. Close to a major town, store, and restaurant across the road."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Big Pines Campground, have basic facilities. A visitor noted, "None of them have water," so be sure to bring your own.
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Campgrounds can get busy, especially during weekends. A reviewer at Gorge Amphitheatre Campground mentioned, "It was cool being able to walk to and from the event, especially if you take advantage of the pre and post-event camping," but noted the crowds can be overwhelming.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Umtanum Campground shared, "Many deer in the area, even walking through the campsite at times."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and open spaces. A visitor at Yakima Sportsman State Park Campground said, "Great play set for kids," making it a fun spot for families.
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A camper at Ellensburg KOA mentioned, "Kids loved the activities and amenities," which can help keep them entertained while you cook.
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water. A reviewer at Potholes State Park Campground warned about the lack of swimming areas, saying, "Definitely caters more to the fishing and boating crowd."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your chosen campground has the right hookups for your RV. A visitor at Crescent Bar Campground said, "The pads had all the hookups for the RV."
  • Space for Big Rigs: If you have a larger RV, look for campgrounds that are big rig friendly. A camper at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground noted, "The layout is such that it’s still pretty secluded from other campers."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A reviewer at Crescent Bar RV Resort mentioned, "Not a lot of food choices close by," so plan accordingly.

Camping near Vantage, Washington, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there RV parks with hookups in Vantage, WA?

Vantage Riverstone Resort Campground offers drive-in access with amenities suitable for RVs, including water and toilets in a big-rig-friendly environment. For full hookups, Lincoln Rock State Park Campground is a beautiful option within driving distance that provides water, trails, scenic views, clean bathrooms, and easy access. The campground features ample sites with full hookups and is well-maintained. While in the immediate Vantage area, RV camping options with comprehensive hookups may be limited, so it's advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons when these facilities can fill quickly.

Where are the best campgrounds in Vantage, WA?

Vantage offers several excellent camping options for visitors. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground is a standout choice with spacious sites, privacy between campers, and stunning lake views. This well-maintained park is conveniently located right off I-90. Another popular option is Old Vantage Highway, particularly favored by rock climbers for its proximity to climbing areas. You can park right next to your site and have fires, though the bathroom facilities are basic. Both campgrounds provide convenient access to Vantage's attractions, with Ginkgo offering more amenities and Old Vantage Highway providing more of a rustic experience.

What recreation activities are available while camping at Vantage?

Vantage offers diverse recreational opportunities for campers. Rock climbing is extremely popular, particularly at Frenchman Coulee Overland Overlook, known for its excellent routes. Water activities abound on the Columbia River and Wanapum Lake, including swimming, boating, and fishing. Umtanum Campground - Yakima River Canyon provides exceptional wildlife watching opportunities in a diverse desert ecosystem along the water. Hiking trails wind through the area, including paths at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park where you can explore petrified wood specimens and learn about the region's geological history. Biking is also popular, with a scenic 4-mile ride available from the state park to Vantage town. The stunning desert landscape offers excellent photography and stargazing opportunities year-round.

Is dispersed camping allowed near Vantage, Washington?

Yes, dispersed camping is available near Vantage. Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites offers primitive camping just off I-90, popular with rock climbers. You can camp right on the edge of the canyon with great views, though expect to share the area with other campers, especially on weekends. Another option is Vernita Bridge, a Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife site that's free with a Washington State Discovery Pass ($30/year). This area is more spread out with basic facilities including vault toilets. Both locations offer a more rugged camping experience than developed campgrounds, with minimal amenities but maximum freedom in a stunning desert landscape.