Camping spots near Washougal, Washington provide access to volcanic lake formations, thick old-growth forests, and diverse river activities. The area sits at elevations ranging from 50 feet along the Columbia River to over 2,000 feet in surrounding highlands, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 50-85°F. Most camping areas receive approximately 55 inches of annual rainfall, primarily concentrated between November and April.
What to do
Trail exploration at Beacon Rock: The park features a network of trails including the popular Hamilton Mountain trail with 2,100 feet of elevation gain over 7.5 miles round trip. A visitor at Beacon Rock State Park Campground notes, "There's also several very nice hikes of various lengths that leave right from the campground."
Swimming in volcanic lakes: Battle Ground Lake, formed by ancient volcanic activity, offers swimming in crystal-clear waters. One camper describes it as "a mini crater lake. I mean mini like pond size," making it perfect for cooling off during summer months.
River sports on the Clackamas: The Clackamas River provides excellent rafting, tubing and fishing opportunities just 30 minutes from Washougal. At Barton County Park Campground, "The river access down at the day use was lovely," and many visitors use it as a launching point for water activities.
Disc golf courses: Mt. Hood Village Resort houses "twin 18 hole disc golf courses, or single 27 hole layout when tournaments aren't in progress," according to a reviewer. The professionally designed courses attract competitive players throughout the summer.
What campers like
Proximity to Portland: Many camping areas sit within easy driving distance of Portland while feeling remote. One camper at Oxbow Regional Park remarked, "Oxbow feels like it is in the middle of nowhere but it's easy to get to and practically within the city limits of Portland."
Clean bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. At Barton Park, a visitor noted, "The bathrooms in our loop were nice and clean," which is especially important for families and longer stays.
Waterfall access: The region contains numerous waterfall hikes. A reviewer at Ainsworth State Park Campground shared, "Nestled in the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge, Ainsworth is equal parts waterfall wonderland, hiker's playground and camper's delight."
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer direct access to fishing. One camper at Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground praised it as having "Great fishing! Trout, bass, blue gill," making it ideal for anglers of all skill levels.
What you should know
Train noise impacts: Railroad tracks run throughout the Columbia River Gorge affecting several campgrounds. A camper at Beacon Rock noted, "The train runs directly behind the site multiple times an hour and is loud," which may disturb light sleepers.
Cell service limitations: Mobile coverage varies drastically across campgrounds. An Oxbow Regional Park visitor reported, "Barely got 1 bar of 4g at the welcome center. There's a guest wifi in the parking lot there too but it's 2 miles further to the camp ground and texts hardly go through."
Fire restrictions: Many areas implement seasonal burn bans during summer and fall. One reviewer at Mt Hood Village Resort mentioned, "In my app. It said camp fires allowed. And they ARE NOT allowed at this time," highlighting the importance of checking current restrictions.
Walk-in site distances: Some campgrounds require carrying gear from parking areas. At Battle Ground Lake, a camper advised, "The only thing to keep in mind is that you have to park down below and walk to the site, the furthest ones being over a quarter mile away."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground, one visitor highlighted that "There is a swim area roped off, and a small sand area for the kids to play."
Educational nature experiences: Look for campgrounds with interpretive features. One reviewer at Barton Park shared, "When we stayed in June 2025, there was a section of the playground marked off with cones and pink tape. Apparently a migratory bird was nesting on the ground so they blocked it off so people wouldn't disturb it. It was very cool!"
Swimming safety: Many swimming areas have designated zones with varying depths. A visitor to Oxbow Regional Park mentioned, "Plenty of hiking, swimming, and fishing through the park," but parents should note that most natural swimming areas lack lifeguards.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds organize structured recreation. Mt. Hood Village offers "a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids," according to one reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: RV sites with full connections are limited in the region. At Jantzen Beach RV Park, a visitor noted, "We're in an end to end site. Site 837. Water pressure is the lowest we've ever experienced," indicating the importance of bringing water reserves.
RV size constraints: Many forest campgrounds have limited turning radius and low-hanging branches. A reviewer at Beacon Rock State Park Campground explained, "While I don't see this camp being great for excessively large rigs, I did see a few smaller and mid sized units on the loop."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds with RV spots have on-site dump stations. One camper at Barton mentioned, "The hose at the dump station wasn't working," so having alternative disposal plans is important.
Reservation timing: RV spots fill quickly during summer months. A visitor to Columbia River RV Park advised, "We arrived late and were greeted by staff and lead directly to our spot. That was really nice as it was after dark," highlighting the value of advance bookings.
