Join the fun near Vantage. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Vantage, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Located just two hours’ drive east of Seattle, this campground lies at the edge of central Washington’s high desert scablands. These small recreation areas along the shore of Wanapum Lake, on the mighty Columbia River, showcase the area’s dramatic landscape, and preserve the fossilized remains of a prehistoric forest buried by an ancient lava flow. Some of the many activities available at these two locations include hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, camping and wildlife watching.
The campground at Wanapum offers 50 large, full-hookup sites for RV and tent campers. Sites are mostly open and grassy, with a few spare trees for shade and wind protection; all are equipped with picnic tables and cooking grills. The camp area has two vault toilets, a boat ramp, a shaded picnic area, and a sandy beach. This area is susceptible to high winds, so tents and awnings should be firmly secured. Dogs are permitted, but should remain leashed, as there are rattlesnakes in the area. The campground is open from March through October. Sites are first-come, first-served, but reservations are recommended in the summer season. Seasonal rates are $30–$50/night.
Just a few miles north of the recreation area, Ginkgo Petrified Forest preserves a unique fossil discovery that was revealed during highway construction in the 1930s: the remains of an ancient forest turned to stone. The park features an air-conditioned visitor center, restrooms, picnic areas, a boat launch, and lake viewpoints. Nearby, the 1-mile Trees of Stone interpretive trail winds through the fossilized forest, where visitors can see more than 20 specimens of petrified trees, in addition to erratic boulders deposited by ancient glacial floods. Common wildlife seen in the area include deer, elk, bighorn sheep and coyotes. Check park website for operating seasons and hours.
For the adventurous kinds who prefer to camp on site and enjoy the experience, The Gorge camping is accessible from 3:00pm the day before the show in most cases, this can vary so please check www.gorgecamping.com for show by show information. Fans camping at the campground will have to adhere to the quiet time rules from 2.00 AM to 8.00 AM. Prices can vary, refer to www.ticketmaster.com/venue/122913 for details.
Spaces are set aside by the staff on a first come, first serve basis and one car and one tent or an RV can be parked/placed in this space.
The free camp sites - There is a designated areas located near the main parking area. There are no designated sites but you can drive in on rough dirt trail. Portable toilets are nearby but there is no running water, no picnic tables and no fires are allowed. The area can become quite busy during long weekends or when there are big concerts held at the nearby amphitheater in George.
If rest and relaxation are your idea of a perfect vacation, Crescent Bar RV Resort may well be the Washington RV campground you are looking for. More then 300 days of sunshine per year provide the opportunity to enjoy spectacular vistas of the Columbia River and the Cascade mountains that surround this Wenatchee RV campground in Washington. Spectacular Columbia River vistas from a Wenatchee RV resort Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Crescent Bar RV Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Popular for its sandy beaches and warm summer weather, Sand Hollow Recreation Area is located less than two miles south of I-90 on the east side of the Columbia River. It features a campground, multiple days-use areas, a designated swimming area, and an abundance of shoreline access.
40 basic campsites (no water/sewer/electric connections) Tents preferred (site pictures and descriptions here) Small trailers (less than 20 ft) are permitted if they fit within campsite parking spot Picnic tables Fire rings ADA vault toilets No potable water Fee: $15 per night (includes tax) Checks or cash only for drop-in camping fees
$30 / night
Tents, RVs and Cabins available.
$10 / night
Located just two hours’ drive east of Seattle, this campground lies at the edge of central Washington’s high desert scablands. These small recreation areas along the shore of Wanapum Lake, on the mighty Columbia River, showcase the area’s dramatic landscape, and preserve the fossilized remains of a prehistoric forest buried by an ancient lava flow. Some of the many activities available at these two locations include hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, camping and wildlife watching.
The campground at Wanapum offers 50 large, full-hookup sites for RV and tent campers. Sites are mostly open and grassy, with a few spare trees for shade and wind protection; all are equipped with picnic tables and cooking grills. The camp area has two vault toilets, a boat ramp, a shaded picnic area, and a sandy beach. This area is susceptible to high winds, so tents and awnings should be firmly secured. Dogs are permitted, but should remain leashed, as there are rattlesnakes in the area. The campground is open from March through October. Sites are first-come, first-served, but reservations are recommended in the summer season. Seasonal rates are $30–$50/night.
Just a few miles north of the recreation area, Ginkgo Petrified Forest preserves a unique fossil discovery that was revealed during highway construction in the 1930s: the remains of an ancient forest turned to stone. The park features an air-conditioned visitor center, restrooms, picnic areas, a boat launch, and lake viewpoints. Nearby, the 1-mile Trees of Stone interpretive trail winds through the fossilized forest, where visitors can see more than 20 specimens of petrified trees, in addition to erratic boulders deposited by ancient glacial floods. Common wildlife seen in the area include deer, elk, bighorn sheep and coyotes. Check park website for operating seasons and hours.
The free camp sites - There is a designated areas located near the main parking area. There are no designated sites but you can drive in on rough dirt trail. Portable toilets are nearby but there is no running water, no picnic tables and no fires are allowed. The area can become quite busy during long weekends or when there are big concerts held at the nearby amphitheater in George.
If rest and relaxation are your idea of a perfect vacation, Crescent Bar RV Resort may well be the Washington RV campground you are looking for. More then 300 days of sunshine per year provide the opportunity to enjoy spectacular vistas of the Columbia River and the Cascade mountains that surround this Wenatchee RV campground in Washington. Spectacular Columbia River vistas from a Wenatchee RV resort Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Crescent Bar RV Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Popular for its sandy beaches and warm summer weather, Sand Hollow Recreation Area is located less than two miles south of I-90 on the east side of the Columbia River. It features a campground, multiple days-use areas, a designated swimming area, and an abundance of shoreline access.
40 basic campsites (no water/sewer/electric connections) Tents preferred (site pictures and descriptions here) Small trailers (less than 20 ft) are permitted if they fit within campsite parking spot Picnic tables Fire rings ADA vault toilets No potable water Fee: $15 per night (includes tax) Checks or cash only for drop-in camping fees
$30 / night
Scout
The camping is good but the owners are rude drunks I would not stay here the owners are always on site there mean to campers kids not good atmosphere
Guide
Spent overnight here. Many cars in the pkg lot—hikers & fishermen. By early evening, everyone was gone except for 3 of us campers. There is road noise which is close, but that quiets at night as well. The train is also close, but I don’t mind hearing trains. Overall, a lovely place to hang for the night and take in a hike right there at the site. Good pit toilets too!
Guide
Nice spacious sites. Lots of privacy between sites. No dog park. 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. The town of vantage is very small with a lot of closed shops. Has a gas station and convenience store. That’s about it. Very scenic area and quiet and relaxing.
Ranger
We stayed here a few days in July and loved it! The river is so beautiful with the waterfall cascading down into the river directly across from the campsite. There is a shallow part near the shoreline where the kids had a great time playing in the river. The river itself is wide and very fast moving. The campsite we stayed in was fairly close to the next one, but we were camping with friends in the next one so it was fine. But be aware, some campsites are very close together. There is some road noise, but mostly you just hear the river.
GuideArrived on a Sunday without reservations and had several spots to choose from for our 3 night stay. Easy Lake access. The grounds are immaculately kept up - sites are very spacious - bathrooms and showers super clean. Road our e-bikes into Vantage - only a gas station/convenience store - very expensive - but it is the only game in town as everything else is closed. Continued our e-bike ride to Ginkgo Petrified forest - nice little 3 mile hike. The town is 2.5 miles from camp and another 2 to get to the petrified forest. Would stop here again. Had a relaxing time.
Guide
Overall a nice experience. $7.50/night with Access Pass. Dry camping only but close to Yakima. A fly fishing paradise.
There are train tracks close by which can be a bit noisy. However, trains don’t blow horn when passing by.
Ranger
We had a fantastic time at this pretty little creekside campground! The campsites along the creek were perfect—each one felt private and tucked away, with the soothing sound of the creek flowing nearby. The mountain views surrounding the area added to the peaceful, scenic vibe, making it a great spot to disconnect and enjoy nature. Our kids had a blast playing in the creek and biking around the campground. It’s a great place for families, with enough space and fun activities to keep the little ones entertained. We were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves during our stay, probably because it was a rainy weekend. The pit toilets were clean. However, one downside was that there was a fire ban in place during our August visit, so we couldn’t have a campfire. It was rainy and cold at times so it was very annoying that we couldn't have a fire to warm up.
Overall, this is a lovely, well-maintained campground, especially if you enjoy a quiet, private getaway by the creek. Just be prepared for fire restrictions if you visit in the summer months. There is some great ATV trails in this area so be prepared for some ATVers riding by on the main road, but there is enough distance from the road so it's not too loud.
Scout
Only reason for 4 stars is because people have left trash here. Otherwise, it’s a great spot. Very private and spread out. There’s a handful of sites, each with make shift fire pits and none super close to each other. No fee other than discover pass. There’s an outhouse but we didn’t use it. We have Verizon and AT&T and had decent service.
ScoutThe site offer approximately 10 sites that can be used for tent or RV camping. Moderately spaced from the other sites. Parallels the river. The tent areas are all level, ground mainly dirt/gravel. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. We did not hear the road noise. Can’t speak to the condition of the toilets as we didn’t use them. This is a favorite of the locals for fall fishing so you need a reservation…
Ranger
Note: Lake needs Washington Discover Pass
Stopped while traveling through for an overnight stay.
Camping areas are big gravel lots next to the lake.
Had no problem with level.
There is some noise from I90, but not really that bad.
Nobody else was at the lake when we stayed.
Great overnight stop with a lake view out our back door.
Legend
T mobile 5G. Dead fish and algae in the lake- green speckles. The water is green. The picnic tables are partially buried in the sand. The discovery pass including the processing fee was $13. The sites are big and well spaced along the reservoir shoreline. Saw about 3 Pit toilets equally spaced along the shore line. Nice old trees providing shade. Nice breeze to close the day. Can't see any flies.
Traveler
I travel for work and I stay here almost every week to save money on hotels. I’ve also taken my family here over the summer for camping and hiking. We all love it. Very quiet. Weekends can get kinda busy due to hikers and rock climbing enthusiasts. I suggest coming up early if you plan to stay the weekend. Many beautiful views. There is even a waterfall I sleep across from. On clear nights you can see all the stars. Which is my favorite! There are lots of sites to camp. In car/tent/RV it’s pretty accessible. There are some rougher spots where you probably should have four-wheel-drive or at least a higher stance vehicle.
TravelerBeautiful lakes. I was one of only 3 campers in and around long lake. Lots of privacy.
TravelerGreat location so close to 90 but tucked away - will be staying here often
Scout
I was unhappy we could not find this place on Hipcamp.
I was excited to find it on dyrt.com
I am sad the former owner emailed me to explain he had sold it to a neighbor and it is not available.
TravelerThe staff was friendly and very helpful and that’s a big deal to me. Many sites are on the river and are close together, but wasn’t too busy when I was there.
Scout
Perfect spot for privacy and a great night’s sleep. Plenty of space. Stop soon after going through(and closing) the gate to get a level spot. Wind can be high here, but that made for nice sleeping weather in August. Bumpy road but no need to go far. Woke up to a buck grazing 30 yards away.
Traveler
This was a great hidden spot and we did not see anyone else the whole time. After going through the gate (and closing it) we head down the gravel road directly in front of us (more to the right). We initially tried the road to the left but it ran into an overgrown area. We towed our 24 ft trailer up this road which turned out fine but definitely pushed the limits. We saw multiple places to pull into and drove about 10-15 minutes before pulling off into a nice private area with good enough cell signal. Roads were very rocky at times but tolerable.
Scout
The sign says you need to register, couldn't find anywhere to register. Sign on board says closed for camping, it was a Covid-era sign. Requires a discover pass, but otherwise, free. Didn't see any park employees. I camped on a Friday evening and was the only one there camping except for an RV boondocking in a different section. Has a boat ramp and a spot you can fish from. No campfires.
Scout
About a 20 minute drive from Clu Elum. Free with a Discovery Pass but no one checked while I was there. Plenty of spots even late on a Friday. No water or trash but some vault toilets
Guide
The place is pretty good! Except the wifi that is overused and make it difficult to even connect. In terms of outdoor activities and amenities it's a good stop
TravelerThe views are amazing, plenty of open campsites and nobody was around us when we camped. A perfect quiet getaway.
Guide
We visited in late June of 2024. Crescent Bar is a nice little community and the PUD park is beautiful. T.T. RV park was not in great shape. Sprinklers were busted in most of the park which created unpleasant dust storms. There are porta potties for the pool area and down the hill at the bathroom/shower you will find rotting interior walls and valves held together with copious layers of silicone. Fortunately for us this was just a stop over location while crossing Washington.
GuidePopular rock climbing area that gets many people through the day. Dispearsed camping in 2 areas. The first spot as you come from the road is much smaller and doesn't have any pit toilets. 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. Both are nice but also there are many cars, campers, tents and becomes a much more lively area in the evening depending on the crowds.
I think this is a great spot but I move on during the day when the rock climbing crowds start to swarm and park near you. There are some nice trails that take you up above the climbing area and you can get to the backside to get some nice views and away from the crowds. Can get pretty hot here in the warmer months but a beautiful spot to camp if you can avoid the busy/peak times.
Scout
Hubs and I were heading to Forks from Spokane. Great stopping point. Showers were AMAZING! Huge lots for our ambo conversion and plenty of room to relax and unwind. Would definitely stay here again!
Traveler
This, like the other spots in Frenchman Coulee, is seldom empty, but it's much less packed than the areas closer to the climbing. This spot offers the best views, sunrises, and sunsets, at the cost of no shade and a healthy dose of wind. If you're going for the rugged feel, this'll do it. OF NOTE: The vault toilets are about a mile away from here.
Traveler
Overall it's not great nor is it terrible. It's always busy and often a bit crowded in the main portion but the people are usually not too rowdy. The scenic views are killer, the wildlife is active, and the mini trails around the place feel adventurous. The climbing is bang on but it's bouldering or lead climbing only. BE WARNED, THE BATHROOMS ARE STANKY (hot tip: bring a citronella candle and your own TP)
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.
Camping near Vantage, Washington, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Vantage, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Vantage, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 134 campgrounds and RV parks near Vantage, WA and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Vantage, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vantage, WA is Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vantage, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Vantage, WA.
What parks are near Vantage, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Vantage, WA that allow camping, notably Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and Lake Sacajawea.
