The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Wapato. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Wapato is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Wapato and user-submitted reviews.
"Fire pits were nice plus a park bench each. Bathrooms clean, showers were still winterised sadly (cold only). Trains were slightly noisy during the night.
Very nice place to stay, helpful staff đź‘Ť"
"They have great bathrooms and showers picnic and covered areas, great play set for kids. Clean water electricity dump area and full hookup pull through areas"
$22 / night
"Bathrooms were clean and stocked. This campground is right off the highway, so you do hear ocasional road noise. The river is pretty loud though."
"The water in the hose wasn't clear so I wouldn't use it for drinking without boiling but the đźš» are clean and stocked. I enjoyed my time there and recommend it for a peaceful camping experience."
"Ratings for this category are based on: Cost: 4 Overall grounds: 4 Utility of sites (hookups, level ground, accessibility): 4 Noise: 5 Reservation Process/Ease of Getting a Site: 5 Layout: 4 Customer Service"
"To to close to your neighbor. Nice bathhouses. The drive to here nice I loved the view. I would come back."
$27 - $54 / night
"We camped on site #42 and it was perfect location. We didn't want to be right on the water as our dogs would be in it 24/7. This site you could still see the water and hear it."
"Large sites, some with access to the River. Highway noise was pretty loud in some of the upper sites. Bathrooms (pit toilets) were very clean and the camp host was lovely! Nice recreation area nearby."
"We were in sites 15 (20’ truck camper) and 16 (30’ Class A RV), which both have water/electric hookups."
"The campground is located on the side of HWY 12 on a small rocky peninsula, this surprising spot on Rimrock Lake (reservoir created by the dams built about 100 years ago) is run by a retired couple for"
"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."
"They have so much available that you could show up completely empty handed and end up with a full camp set up, they have a store stocked full of supplies, a shower area, many bathroom stations and you"
"Just off Washington SR 14, on an island in the Columbia River, connected by a short causeway to the mainland. "
"Allows pets (on leash) fun little park for the kids and nice little beach for swimming."
"This is a great place to camp and ride ORVs they have a beginners loop trailhead attached to this site as well as a trail head to a larger trail system."
ScoutWe camped on site #42 and it was perfect location. We didn't want to be right on the water as our dogs would be in it 24/7. This site you could still see the water and hear it. We found many paths down to the water, even some places to soak if we wanted. The bathrooms (glorified outhouse) were always clean and had toilet paper. There is no running water, so we brought our own. Everyone was pretty quiet and the hosts were wonderful. We will definitely come back again. We drove into Yakima to check out WilRidge winery and go pick cherries.
GuideSites 9-12 are reservable, walk in and right against the river. The river was running high while we were there, so it drowned out most of the road noise. All four of these sites has room for 2 cars in the parking area. The hosts were super friendly and helpful and did a nice job keeping the grounds and bathrooms clean. It's windy and cooler along the river. Had we known about the wind, we'd have brought a different tent! Fishing seems like it must be decent given the number of people with poles and the number of flies we found. The sites each have a firepit and a picnic table.
Site 9 is huge with room for several tents and hammocks. There's little to no vegetation between it and site 10, but the river drowns out conversation and music noise, so it feels more private and the space between the sites allows you to create a natural open barrier between groups.
We were in site 10, which was also large. The best tree for tethering hammocks (or the dog) from had, unfortunately, been used as a toilet recently with lots of TP at its base. This also affected our tent placement... Nobody wants to sleep with their head in someone else's poop or pee. Beach access can be found down a steep-ish hill, but with the river running high, only allowed for a few rocks to sit on. When the river is running lower it looks like it would have a nice beach area. The top of the dirt is pretty soft, but a few inches down it becomes quite rocky. MSR Hedgehog stakes did OK given the sail that was our tent.
Site 11 is smaller with more foliage, so it seems somewhat more private, but lacks direct beach access. It sits highers than site 12 with trees and a downward sloap between the two.
Site 12 has the best privacy and easy, level beach access, with a large hill on one side and smaller one on the other. It sits lower than site 11 with the upward slope and foliage to create a screen. It also has a nice, flat walk in from the parking area.
Bathrooms are Porta-Potties. They were kept fairly clean while we were there. The outside two "filled" the fastest, the inner two have sinks with soap dispenser, running water activated with a foot pump. The hosts kept the soap, water and TP full the whole weekend. From sites 9 - 12, the walk to them was very short and easy so I'm not sure why someone felt like the tree was the better, easier option. People are disappointing that way.
There's no running water at this time so bring your own.
Dogs need to be leashed or tethered and cannot be barky. If your dog barks a lot and disturbs other people, you may be asked to leave. Ours is pretty quiet, so we did OK and our neighbors on either side didn't seem bothered by her friendly antics the few times she tried to say hi to them. Site 10 had a good place for a Knot-a-Hitch, if you have one. See pictures.
All and all, we'd stay here again as a basecamp for exploring the area, but only if we could be against the river and we'd definitely bring a better tent for the breezy conditions. Our preferred sites would be 9 or 12. Pro tip: hand sanitizer will remove pitch/sap from the pine trees. ;-)
GuideFire pits were nice plus a park bench each. Bathrooms clean, showers were still winterised sadly (cold only). Trains were slightly noisy during the night.
Very nice place to stay, helpful staff đź‘Ť
ScoutSpartan accommodation? Check. You're camping in a field, with thousands of other "campers." Be ready for wookies (depending on the show you're going to), dust, heat, wind. Several different levels here from Standard (zero frills with gen pop) to Glamping ($$$$).
Come prepared, chill out, and enjoy the show - a lot of the show will be your fellow campers. Can't recommend some sort of canopy enough - shade is a cheap luxury at the end of the day, especially if you're there for a three night engagement.
We typically pay up for Gold level RV camping even though we roll in with a tent, canopy, and SUV. Less riff-raff, closer to venue entry, calme vibe all the way around (quieter). Reasonable shower and decently serviced potties.
You can go find the party - if you camp in the party you can't leave it.
Cheers! See you at DMB this weekend!
GuideFirst 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. I’m giving it 4 stars because for what it is, it was decent enough and clean.
On a whim my husband and I decided to book camping along with our concert tickets since it was being offered and was fairly inexpensive. Our motivations for doing so were 1) not having to drive to and from the venue on the day of the show and 2) it’s an experience, might as well try it at least once right?
We went with standard camping, the cheapest option.
As you arrive at the camping area a number of attendants will direct you where to go. Your car will queue up to be sniffed by some sniffer dogs and then if you get the go ahead you will be directed to your site sandwiched in between the other cars that are arriving at around the same time as you. You’ll feel a slight sense of panic and dread as you realize how tightly everyone is packed in and how tricky it will be to carefully navigate your vehicle through the narrow patch of grass that is left between the tents and vehicles if you decide to leave. You will then take a deep breath, crack open a beer, and start settling in.
We had enough room in our designated space for our “6 person” cabin tent, and for our fairly large shade tent that we set up between the tent and the back of the car. You will absolutely want to bring some sort of shade tent if you plan on hanging out in the campground before the concert. It gets uncomfortably hot very fast if you are not shielded from the sun.
We had originally planned on driving out in the morning to explore the area, maybe find some water to cool off in, but ultimately decided not to due to the previously mentioned difficulties of navigating our car out of our site and through the sea of other campers. Fortunately we had plenty of food, snacks and a cooler full of ice and beer. If you find yourself lacking these things, there is a small general store a short walk away that has some camping supplies, beer, snacks, water, that kind of thing (sold at “we’ve got you trapped here, so just suck it up and fork over the money” prices).
The toilets were porta potties but they were kept surprisingly clean and there were plenty of them. There was a sink with running water, soap, and paper towels. I only visited the station closest to our tent but I think there were a few scattered about.
There was someone blaring loud music past midnight the first night, but that was pretty much what I expected. I didn’t encounter any issues with other campers.
It’s about a mile (or maybe it just felt like it?) walk on a dusty road from standard camping to the venue. Wear good shoes and sunscreen!
Ok, that’s about it. Everything I would have liked to know in advance to be prepared. I might camp again if I see another show at the Gorge, but I’d probably upgrade to get a bit more space and wiggle room.
ScoutThe camp sites were larger than expected; we reserved 2 sites for 4 people but would have been all right with just one site. Camp hosts were very friendly and attentive. Outhouses were clean and stocked. Any site away from the river would have highway noise.
TravelerThis campground is awesome! They have so much available that you could show up completely empty handed and end up with a full camp set up, they have a store stocked full of supplies, a shower area, many bathroom stations and you always have amazing neighbors! The view is the best part though, you can see for miles!
ScoutOK. Some friends and I arrived the day before the first of 2 shows by Dead& Company. We had Big Rig Gold camping tickets. First off they searched every vehicle for guns(I get it) but the dogs would alert if there were any, right? So why do they have some 20 something enter my RV afterward and search it while I'm being FRISKED! Here again wouldn't the dogs work for this. Second it wasn't an organized ordeal getting in at all. You have all these big motorhomes and travel trailers you know are coming so they water the grass? Yes alot of people got stuck in mud and had to be towed out. There was a paved road(for the staff) right next to where we had to enter. I guess they count and we didn't. Personally I think whoever was in charge of Big Rig Camping entrance should be fired. I sounds harsh but it was a complete cluster F%#k! Ok then we get in and it's a beautiful campground with a staff that didnt seem to have the slightest clue of where peoples awnings would be in relation to the sun in 90+ degree weather or how to park vehicles accordingly. I had to argue with the kid to park so we wouldn't fry in the sun for 3 days. He kept telling me"So you can get out easy". I finally told him"I know how to drive" and after 5 or 10 minutes he FINALLY gave up and I parked correctly for the weather. So finally all is well(I thought) LOL. 5 in our party with 3 vehicles and three disabled ADA customers. Day 2 time to go in. The regular ADA gate as shown on their website map is closed off and we have to cross several lines of people(At least the other customers were helpful-to the extreme) to get to the ADA entrance into the venue. Finally got there and all went well. Day 3 the same thing crossing through all the other people in line to get to our entrance(ADA gate on map still not open) Then someone obviously decided all the disabled people had to be searched AGAIN after the front gate fiasco. I felt like I was being punished for being disabled. The search relulted in all the cripples baking in the sun with no shade and warm water to drink(That is if you brought your own). All in all another Cluster F%#k. LiveNation obviously doesn't care about their customers since they practically have a monopoly on large venues. Tickets were grossly oversold. I went in 2019 and there was no problem finding a place to sit on the grassy hill to watch the show then. This time it was standing room only and still hundreds and hundreds of people kept coming in until it was so crowded it got very uncomfortable with no real air circulation due to it being so crowded and 90+ degrees. Before LiveNation they used to have misting stations for people that overheated. So crowded my wife fainted(I've been with her 22 years and have NEVER seen her faint or wilt in the heat in the slightest. She's always lived in central Washington and is used to the heat. Thank God there was a nurse behind us that took charge and helped her. Kudos to the medical staff that did get there once a customer dialed for help. 911 I think. Once they arrived they acted in a very efficient and kind manner and checked ALL her vitals right down to blood sugar levels at the medical tent. They gave her 2 IV's of saline and the Doctor made sure she was OK before releasing her. They then gave us a ride back to our campsite. The medical staff was amazing! The rest of the personel NAH. LiveNation ruined yet another venue. I will NEVER EVER go to another LiveNation venue, I'm done! For the prices they charge, what you get in return is pathetic.
GuideLarge sites, some with access to the River. Highway noise was pretty loud in some of the upper sites. Bathrooms (pit toilets) were very clean and the camp host was lovely! Nice recreation area nearby.
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