Columbia Hills Historical State Park offers a mix of yurt-style camping options and traditional sites situated along the Columbia River. Located at an elevation of approximately 300 feet, the park experiences typically windy conditions due to the natural wind tunnel created by the Columbia River Gorge. Summers here are hot and dry with temperatures often reaching 90°F during July and August, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures more suitable for outdoor activities.
What to do
Hiking at Horsethief Butte: 3-minute walk from Columbia Hills campground leads to a popular trail. "We also hiked horsethief butte it was easy and a chill hike scenic views of Mt. hood, the butte, the water, and overlook of the campground," notes Stephanie F.
Petroglyph tours: Walking distance from Tucker Park Campground. "One of the best aspects was the petroglyphs that were along trails near the campground. This was a great spot and I highly recommend it!" shares Mary C.
Fishing opportunities: Year-round at several sites. "Had a great time watching trains, fishing etc. Very nice place to camp," reports Kaylene H. about Columbia Hills State Park.
Train spotting: Daily occurrences along the river. "If your a fan of trains you are right next to the BNSF tracks," mentions Magnus S. who also noted the "incredible amount of goose poop" to watch out for.
What campers like
Wind protection: Critical feature in the gorge area. At Lone Tree Campground, "the evening I arrived was the night before a full moon, so the setting sun over the canyon and the waxing moon gave a lovely glow to the sights," writes Shawn M.
Water access: Multiple options depending on season. "The lake was picturesque! The drive to it was amazing too which breathtaking views," says Molly H. about Trillium Lake, though she noted "we had trouble locating restrooms there."
Privacy levels: Vary by campground and site. "The sites are huge and comfy," writes Gayle K. about Trillium Lake, though she cautions that "over the years, it has become too busy and lots of loud campers partying."
River swimming: Temperature dependent by location. "The gorgeous John Day River, was perfect for fishing, swimming, floating," writes Caitlin S., who was pleased that Cottonwood Canyon "surpassed our expectations, especially considering the very low price tag."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Strong daily patterns throughout the gorge. "It was so windy though. There's a boat launch and petroglyphs a walk away," notes Stephanie F. about Columbia Hills.
Traffic noise: Constant at certain sites. At Viento State Park Campground, "the first night we stayed I was unprepared for the very active, incredibly loud trains that ran ALL NIGHT!" reports Jill T., though she adds her family "loved the trains" and "slept that GOOD in forever."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans in many locations. "I waited until after October to go because they don't allow fires from June 1-Sept 30," explains Sarah S. about Lone Tree Campground.
Water levels: Variable throughout season at lakes. "When we were there the lake was low," reports Alicia F. about Clear Lake, though she found the sites "very spacious" with "privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Solar charging stations: Available at select sites in Macks Canyon Recreation Site. "No AT&T phone service here," warns Sarah S., adding that "The view of the river was amazing and we watched lots of fishing boats and rafting boats go by."
Dog-friendly areas: Designated spaces for pets. Cottonwood Canyon provides "a fenced in dog area (about an acre) and doggie poo bags readily available," according to Caitlin S.
Playground availability: Limited options in many parks. Karinne C. notes that at Viento, "My kids enjoyed themselves, made friends and even had a visit from a friend beaver passing out stickers and junior ranger pins."
Wildlife awareness: Seasonal considerations important. "Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy," warns Ashley B. about Brooks Memorial State Park.
Tips from RVers
Bridge challenges: Prepare for narrow crossings near some campgrounds. The Gorge Base Camp RV Park requires crossing "a very NARROW bridge with a $2.00 toll," according to Jeremy J., who found the park "paved in asphalt, and each site has grass that is well maintained."
Train noise management: Bring earplugs for railroad-adjacent sites. David & Sue C. advise about Gorge Base Camp: "Sure, there is some train noise, but it's manageable with a set of earplugs."
Site leveling: Variable conditions across campgrounds. "Sites are back in and have well maintained level sites of crushed gravel. The first time I haven't had to level the trailer side to side," reports Magnus S. about Columbia Hills.
Road condition alerts: Access challenges for some campgrounds. "I have never experienced a washboard road as bad as this was for 6-7 miles. I thought the doors were going to blow off the truck," warns James W. about the road to Macks Canyon, though he still rated it 4 stars.
