The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near St. Helens, OR

1,331 Reviews

The Columbia River waterfront shapes the camping landscape around St. Helens, Oregon, with several river-oriented camping options. Bayport RV Park and Campground offers water and electric hookups with boat launch access on Scappoose Bay, while Sand Island Marine Park provides tent camping on a river island accessible only by boat or kayak. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate RVs, with several also offering tent sites. Camp Wilkerson, located inland, provides cabin options alongside traditional camping in a more forested setting.

Access to many sites requires advance planning, particularly for boat-accessible locations like Sand Island Marine Park. "This is on the Columbia River water kayak trail," notes one visitor about Sand Island, highlighting the unique water access requirements. Road quality varies throughout the region, with paved access to developed sites like Bayport RV Park but more limited access to remote locations. Seasonal considerations include Columbia River water levels and potential flooding in spring months. Summer brings busy periods at waterfront campgrounds, while winter camping options remain limited to year-round facilities. Cell service is generally reliable near established campgrounds but may be spotty in more remote areas.

Columbia River views distinguish many camping experiences in the St. Helens area. Several visitors mention spotting river traffic, with one camper noting, "The host told us about app vessel finder to track boats coming by the camp area." Water recreation access represents a significant draw, with opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and boating at multiple locations. Bathroom and shower facilities receive mixed reviews across campgrounds, with some visitors praising cleanliness while others report maintenance issues. Camping experiences vary widely between the more developed RV parks with electrical hookups and the primitive, boat-in only experiences on Sand Island. Noise levels depend heavily on proximity to main roads, with several reviewers mentioning road noise at Scappoose Bay Marine Park but praising the quieter waterfront settings at other locations.

Map showing campgrounds near St. Helens, OregonExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near St. Helens, Oregon (235)

    1. Paradise Point State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    La Center, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    "Relaxing Getaway at Champoeg State Heritage Area Champoeg State Heritage Area near Newberg, Oregon, is a great spot for campers seeking peace and nature."

    "Close to freeway for easy access. Nice walking paths. Typical state park yurt set up."

    2. Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Heisson, WA
    16 miles
    Website

    "Battleground is a nice and well loved state park not far from Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington."

    "My friend and I had a great three day weekend here at one of the walk-in sites. Sites fill up quick and I recommend reserving online in advance. Important takeaways:

    1."

    3. Reeder Beach RV Park & Country Store

    17 Reviews
    Scappoose, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 621-3970

    "Flat gravel for most part, steps away from the Columbia River, decent space between sites with good shade depending on your site. Only reason for 4 starts is because the water is dirty."

    "Nice quiet campground along the Columbia river in Oregon. Minutes from Portland, with lots of fun farm stands and rural experience."

    4. Jantzen Beach RV Park

    36 Reviews
    Vancouver, WA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 289-7626

    $40 / night

    "Arrived here late for a single night stay on the way to the Oregon Coast. This is a very convenient stopover for those needing a place to stay near Portland."

    "The park's location is very convenient, with easy access to downtown Portland and nearby attractions."

    5. Bayport RV Park and Campground

    10 Reviews
    St. Helens, OR
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 397-2888

    $30 / night

    "Location is close to town but still feels like you are in your own little world. Beautiful walking paths line the water. A must visit for sure!"

    "Next to a moderately busy road, but paved spots, WiFi, lovely walking trails and bathroom and showers are clean and maintained! Must have a tent pitched, if traveling and staying with your vehicle."

    6. Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

    38 Reviews
    Buxton, OR
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 324-0606

    $24 - $39 / night

    "As we had been here before, it was an easy drive in on US-26 to the campground (CG)."

    "Quick drive from SE Portland (or bike out all the way on a lovely trail if you are so inclined). We drove up to meet up with friends who biked in so we could camp a few nights."

    7. Columbia River RV Park

    31 Reviews
    Vancouver, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 285-1515

    $30 - $150 / night

    "The location couldn’t be more convenient, right near Portland and just steps away from the beautiful Columbia River."

    "One star off for density, you’re right next to each other, and for the very bright street lighting in there. We thought it overkill, but perhaps they have their reasons. Super nice facilities."

    8. Sand Island Marine Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    St. Helens, OR
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (503) 310-0235

    $30 / night

    "Island is lovely to walk around, our site had beach access. Site to reserve has pictures. Will definitely return!"

    "This is on the columbia river water kayak trail."

    9. Camp Wilkerson

    9 Reviews
    Vernonia, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 366-3984

    $50 / night

    "Stayed the night in one of thier small cabins, very nice sat outside by the fire and just watched the stars, this is a primary horse camp and is surrounded by trails, seen a heard of elk on one of my hikes"

    "Since the camp is planned predominantly as a youth recreation center, I was a bit worried that it would be a pretty loud campsite due to lots of kids running around. That was not the case for us!"

    10. Columbia Riverfront RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Woodland, WA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 225-2227

    "It was conveniently located close to Portland and stores. The staff was really friendly and the facilities are super clean. And guess what…. The laundry machines actually work!"

    "It's close to home, so we will definitely be back."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 235 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

St. Helens Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near St. Helens, OR

432 Photos of 235 St. Helens Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near St. Helens, OR

1331 Reviews of 235 St. Helens Campgrounds

  • Richard C.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Silver Lake Resort

    Nice Place - Great Hosts

    This was a great place to stay at when visiting our daughter.  We checked in after hours and the hosts were waiting for us and even opened the store for us to get some ice.  They were very friendly and made sure we had all we needed.  Sadly Silverlake itself is not very clean due to Weyhauser logging they are ruining the lake but if you are staying in Castlerock/Silverlake area I would recommend staying here

  • Emille R.
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Oxbow Regional Park

    Most Beautifil Place Oxbow Regional Park

    https://thecelebjackets.com/the-wrong-paris-movie-outfit-collection/

    Recently i visit this place such a great experience, Nestled along the wild and scenic Sandy River, Oxbow Regional Park is a natural sanctuary offering a classic Pacific Northwest escape. The park's 1,200 acres of ancient forest are crisscrossed with hiking trails and provide habitat for elk, deer, and osprey. Visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, and rafting in the river, or reserve one of its rustic campsites for a truly immersive experience in nature, all just a short drive from the Portland metropolitan area.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Columbia Riverfront RV Park

    Unexpected gem

    We only stayed a couple of days, but the views, Columbia River waterfront, and open spaces were wonderful. The spaces were a little close, but not enough to make me drop my rating. It's close to home, so we will definitely be back.

  • Anna D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Ainsworth State Park Campground

    Good location

    Location is great, road traffic is loud can hear the train as well. Most sites look good. I booked day of and it wasn’t level at all 🙂. Clean showers and bathroom!

  • Anna D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Eagle Creek Campground

    Great location and clean

    Bathrooms are clean, vaulted toilets. Water available. Site is level…camp host is really nice!

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Hudson-Parcher Park

    Great for the night

    This campground is actually pretty cute and they have three options on how you wanna camp. You could do tint camp where there’s no water or electricity hook ups, water and electricity or water, electricity, and a dump station. There is a park in the middle of the campground for smaller kids and it’s spaced out quite decently. You can hear traffic from a side road, but nothing that’s too crazy. The restrooms are very clean and the camp post were amazing.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    North Fork Trask

    Trask River

    Super big spots off side of forest roads. Nice and quiet back there other that locals and loggers through the night. Lots of trash too.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground

    Nice campground

    I don’t recommend A loop as the sites are right on top of each other, B loop is much better.

    Trails are nice, very safe and quiet all around

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Ainsworth State Park Campground

    Easy access to waterfalls

    We stayed at this campground because we were wanting to do the 12 mile hike in and out of Tunnel Falls. This is a very popular yet clean facility. There are very active trains nearby that will wake you if you’re a light sleeper very early in the morning. If they run at night, I don’t know because I didn’t hear them. But that’s kind of the only downfall about this site. Well maintained and close to plenty of falls and hiking trails…. Would definitely stay here again. A lot of the larger RV sites are reservation, but we were able to get a site on first come first serve mid September.

Guide to St. Helens

Camping near St. Helens, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore Mount Saint Helens: This area is perfect for hiking and learning about the volcanic history. Many campers appreciate the proximity to the Seaquest State Park Campground, which is a great launch point for exploring the mountain. One visitor said, "It is a great place to launch your Mount Saint Helens exploration."
  • Fishing and Water Activities: At Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. A reviewer mentioned, "Fishing, hiking, sup or kayaking if you’re interested in it. The lake is small but awesome."
  • Hiking Trails: The L.L. Stub Stewart State Park Campground has numerous trails for hiking and biking. One camper noted, "Lots of hiking and mountain biking trails within the park."

What campers like:

  • Privacy and Space: Campers at Seaquest State Park Campground enjoy the more private sites. A reviewer said, "If you don’t need hookups, I would recommend the loop that has 32 - 54. These were much more private."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the clean bathrooms and showers at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park Campground. One visitor remarked, "Bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve seen at a campground."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the scenic views and natural surroundings. A review for Sunset Falls Campground highlighted, "Great small campground with easy access to falls."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds, like Paradise Point State Park Campground, are close to busy roads. A camper mentioned, "That noise. It's not the river. It's I-5 which is right in your back yard."
  • Site Size Limitations: If you're bringing an RV, check the site sizes. A visitor at Paradise Point State Park Campground warned, "We arrived and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get our rig in that site due to the trees."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Reeder Beach RV Park & Country Store, may lack nearby stores or restaurants. A reviewer noted, "There is also nothing around here store or restaurant wise."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and family programs. Seaquest State Park Campground offers a junior ranger program that kids enjoy. One parent shared, "Kids enjoyed the junior ranger program."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites for family gatherings. A camper at Beaver Bay Campground mentioned, "Our spot was huge! Didn't have enough stuff or people to fill it up."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Make sure to check the quiet hours to ensure a good night's sleep for everyone. A visitor at Oxbow Regional Park appreciated the "quiet hours to enjoy the peace and quiet of outside."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Ensure your chosen campground has the right hookups for your RV. A reviewer at Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground noted, "We got a nice level one."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds may have narrow roads or tight turns. A visitor at Jantzen Beach RV Park warned, "You must get on the freeway to go anywhere and that is a pain with traffic."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Since some campgrounds lack nearby stores, pack extra food and supplies. A camper at Reeder Beach RV Park & Country Store mentioned, "There is also nothing around here store or restaurant wise."

Camping near St. Helens, Oregon, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just be sure to plan ahead and choose the right spot for your needs!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you camp inside Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument?

Yes, limited camping is available within Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Base Camp Mt St Helen's offers beautiful campsites close to the Science Learning Center within the monument boundaries. For those looking to stay just outside the monument, Cougar RV Park and Campground provides an excellent base for hiking adventures on the mountain. The monument does have restrictions on where camping is permitted, with much of the area designated for day use only. Backcountry camping requires permits in designated areas. Always check current regulations with the monument before planning your trip, as rules may change seasonally and some areas remain closed for ecological recovery.

Where are the best camping spots near Mt. St. Helens?

The Mt. St. Helens area offers several excellent camping options. Kid Valley Campground provides a serene forest setting that serves as an ideal base for hiking, biking, and exploring the volcanic landscape. For tent campers seeking privacy, Merrill Lake Campground offers free, secluded sites with lake access, though you'll need to pack in all supplies and hike a short distance from the parking area. Other notable options include Cougar Park & Campground for tent-only camping near Yale Reservoir, and Seaquest State Park for family-friendly sites with playground access. Each location provides unique advantages, with proximity to Mt. St. Helens visitor centers and trails being a common benefit.

Do I need to make reservations for camping near St. Helens, Oregon?

Reservations are highly recommended for camping near St. Helens, Oregon, especially during the peak season (late spring through early fall). Popular campgrounds like Paradise Point State Park Campground and Battle Ground Lake State Park Campground fill quickly on weekends and holidays. Most state parks and private campgrounds in the area offer reservation systems, typically opening 6-9 months in advance. Some campgrounds maintain first-come, first-served sites, but these are limited and fill early in the day during busy periods. For more spontaneous trips, consider weekday visits or the shoulder seasons when competition for sites is less intense. Always check the specific reservation policies for your chosen campground, as they vary by location.

What amenities are available at St. Helens campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Mt. St. Helens offer a range of amenities depending on the type of facility. Seaquest State Park Campground provides clean restrooms with showers, playground access, and well-maintained trails, plus easy access to the visitor center. For those seeking more amenities, Silver Lake Resort offers lakefront views of Mt. St. Helens with a variety of accommodation options including RV sites, tent spaces, cabins, and motel rooms. Many RV parks in the area, such as Toutle River RV Resort, feature full hookups, bathrooms, and pools. Primitive campgrounds like Merrill Lake have basic pit toilets only. Cell service varies significantly by location, with many forested areas having limited to no coverage, so plan accordingly.

Keep Exploring