Tent camping near White Salmon, Washington places campers at elevations ranging from 100 feet along the Columbia River to over 5,000 feet in the nearby Cascade foothills. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during daylight hours but drop 20-30 degrees after sunset, requiring adequate sleeping gear even in July and August. Most primitive sites in this region feature compacted soil with pine needle ground cover that provides natural padding for tent floors.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Goose Lake Campground offers stocked fishing spots with restrictions on motorized boats, creating peaceful conditions for anglers. A camper noted, "My husband kayak fished everyday and said it was great! Especially first and last light."
Mountain biking: Rainy Lake Campground provides access to local trail networks suitable for various skill levels. One visitor shared, "We stayed here as most all other campsites and campgrounds were full. Beautiful spot near Mount Hood. Not a ton of privacy from other campers so we spent the weekend racing the local trail system and also spent some time exploring the Kingsley Reservoir."
Alpine lake swimming: Several lakes around White Salmon offer summer swimming opportunities away from the colder Columbia River waters. At Forlorn Lakes, a camper observed, "The smaller lake this site backs up to is great for swimming and kayak/paddle-boarding. Neighbors were respectful."
What campers like
Lake views: Black Lake Campground features unique tent sites with water views. A camper described the layout: "4 camp sites surrounding a small lake. 1 and 2 are private while 3 and 4 are right next to each other. Campsite 2 is on the way to 3 and 4 so not too private."
Privacy between sites: Many tent campsites in the region offer natural separation. A visitor to Goose Lake reported, "Goose Lake is one of my favorite places to camp. It is a smaller campground and pretty secluded, so it's nice and quiet/private. The campsites themselves are decent size and fairly well spread out."
Star gazing: Higher elevation sites provide exceptional night sky viewing. A camper at Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls shared, "We spent one night in that huge open area and it was beautiful - the stars were amazing. During the day we would go peek over the edge and could see people parking to go to the falls."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many forest roads leading to prime tent camping require careful navigation. A Forlorn Lakes visitor advised, "The road is a bit more than a gravel road, there are some large rocks and deep ruts to avoid. Roads can be very bump but it's worth it."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans frequently affect the region from July through September. A camper noted, "Feels very remote, can be a bit colder due to altitude, but very beautiful and tons of wild huckleberries everywhere! Weren't able to have fires due to restriction, but it's a go-to campground for me!"
Weekend availability: Many smaller campgrounds fill quickly Friday through Sunday. At Trout Creek, a camper recalled, "Quiet, unassuming and, miraculously, with 3 campsites left. Desperate camper takes one... other two fill up within 15 minutes."
Insect activity: Mosquitoes can be problematic near water sources, especially in early summer. A visitor warned, "Highly recommend yellow jacket traps this late in summer. Aggressive is an understatement."
Tips for camping with families
Waterfront sites: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly water access for summer recreation. A Goose Lake visitor mentioned, "Nice spot. Has a boat launch, great sites to put up tents. Love fishing here."
Huckleberry picking: Late summer trips can include foraging opportunities that children enjoy. One camper shared, "Feels very remote, can be a bit colder due to altitude, but very beautiful and tons of wild huckleberries everywhere!"
Group facilities: Columbia Gorge Getaways provides more structured camping with amenities suitable for family gatherings. A visitor explained, "The kids loved running around the safe and friendly campsite and playing in the play space. They have been hounding us to return and we cannot wait!"
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many campgrounds sit on hillsides with variable parking conditions. A Goose Lake camper noted, "Camp sites are a bit slanted on hillside. The fishing is excellent. Quiet campground. Easy access on forest road- some potholes."
Dust management: During dry months, vehicle traffic creates significant dust at some sites. One RVer suggested, "Bring what you'll need as there are no stores around, Trout lake is the closest facility. A little dusty at times, a bale of hay will keep the dust down."
Limited large rig access: Most tent camping areas near White Salmon restrict larger vehicles. A visitor observed, "Unlike most campgrounds, the sites are not laid out on a grid. Spaces are spread seemingly randomly on the hillside just next to the lake and connected by thin hiking paths. There is no vehicle parking, but I could see bicycles and motorcycles having easy access to each campsite."
