Paradise Point State Park is located along the Lewis River just north of Woodland, Washington, at an elevation of 240 feet. The area sits within the Willamette Valley ecoregion, characterized by moderate rainfall of 40-50 inches annually. Camping options in the region range from basic tent sites to full hookup RV spots, with most campgrounds remaining open year-round despite seasonal temperature fluctuations between 35°F in winter and 85°F in summer.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Paradise Point State Park offers a 9-hole disc golf course that plays partially under a freeway overpass. "Hole one is a fun one that plays under a freeway overpass," notes one visitor to Paradise Point State Park Campground. Another camper points out, "The disc golf course is entertaining, but not super challenging. Located on barely 10 acres the designers have done a good job using every bit of the land here."
Mountain biking trails: The trail system at Dairy Creek West offers varied terrain for mountain bikers. "Very nice campground. Large, clean sites. Lots of hiking and mountain biking trails within the park and a regional rail to trail runs through it," shares a recent visitor. Another notes, "The park has many hiking trails of varying length, access to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, several disc golf courses, cabins, a horse camp, a day use picnic/event area and a hike-in camp area."
Water activities: The Columbia River provides excellent boating opportunities from multiple launch sites. "Located right next to a public boat ramp and Next Adventure where you can rent boats... or bring your own for kayaking on Scappoose Bay," reports a camper at Bayport RV Park. Another visitor enjoyed "access to the kalama river. We kayaked around it was nice" at Camp Kalama RV Park.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Battle Ground Lake State Park offers excellent bird watching opportunities in a volcanic lake setting. "They have a cool volcanic lake with a swimming area and great fishing. Its like a mini crater lake. I mean mini like pond size," explains one visitor to Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground. Another adds, "Great fishing! Trout, bass, blue gill.. swimming area."
Waterfront sites: Direct river access is a highlight at several campgrounds. "The direct river access is the real star here—perfect for morning coffee with a water view," says a visitor to Reeder Beach RV Park. Another guest describes watching ships: "This morning I woke up to the sound of frogs croaking, birds chirping...a shipping vessel rumbles by, waves crashing...I can hear nature, farm, and city here from my picnic table."
Convenient locations: Many campgrounds are situated close to services while maintaining a natural feel. "Location is close to town but still feels like you are in your own little world. Beautiful walking paths line the water," shares a visitor about Bayport RV Park. Another camper at Columbia River RV Park appreciates the "great location—right by the river. We arrived late in the evening, and the staff met us and showed us to our room, which was especially helpful in the dark."
What you should know
Highway noise: Some campgrounds are affected by nearby roads and railways. "Freeway is really really close to the whole camp site. You can hear vehicles at night. If you're a light sleeper or need nature noises when camping - this is not the site for you," warns a camper at Paradise Point State Park.
Potable water quality: Water quality varies between campgrounds. A visitor to Reeder Beach notes, "The water is dirty. It's brownish and smells like metal. Make sure to bring your own fresh water." More seriously, another camper reports, "The location on the Columbia River is gorgeous, but... Water has arsenic and is no good to drink or cook with. You have to bring your own water, or buy theirs, which they don't mention on their website."
Site selection matters: Choosing the right site can make a significant difference in privacy and comfort. At Columbia Riverfront RV Park, "The spaces were a little close, but not enough to make me drop my rating," says one visitor. While at Bayport RV Park, a camper mentions, "The downside is that the plots are very close to each other, so it feels cramped. In addition, the bright street lights were distracting at night."
Tips for camping with families
Boat access sites: Sand Island Marine Park requires planning for transportation. "Accessible by boat or kayak. Sites are primitive, no tables," explains one visitor to Sand Island Marine Park Campground. Another camper advises, "Can be a long haul from the boat to the camp site. Lots of dock space. Sites are back from the water. Could use a map of the island and sites."
Pool access: Jantzen Beach RV Park offers multiple swimming pools for children. "My kiddos absolutely loved the three pools, playground, and basketball hoops. Plenty to check out and explore for them even if this was not your typical 'campground' experience," shares one family who visited the park.
Dog-friendly options: When looking for dog friendly campgrounds near Woodland, consider Battle Ground Lake State Park. "The campground is small but it's very clean, quiet and very nice. There are bathrooms and showers, and a marina on site," notes a visitor. Another guest mentions the "beautiful cool lake that's not far from the city. Good trails and plenty of space."
Tips from RVers
Generator restrictions: Check each park's policies before arrival as some restrict generator use. Columbia River RV Park provides full hookups, eliminating the need for generators. "The full hookups were easy to use, and having pull-thru sites made settling in a breeze," reports one RVer. Another guest appreciated that "the sites are paved and close together, so don't expect a lot of private space."
Site sizing limitations: Be cautious about RV size restrictions at Paradise Point. "We put the size of our RV in the state website and it gave us site 50. We arrived and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get our rig in that site due to the trees. We couldn't even continue out the secondary loop because it was so narrow and had trees on the inside of turns," cautions an RVer.
Water pressure issues: Some parks have inconsistent utilities. A visitor at Columbia River RV Park noted, "The water pressure was not very good at around 35 psi." Another camper at Jantzen Beach reported, "Water pressure is the lowest we've ever experienced. Not sure what's going on but all of the folks we've talked to are experiencing the same."
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