The best camping near Deschutes River State Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Deschutes River State Recreation Area adventure.

88% (7 reviews)

Miles of hiking trails, whitewater, and other outdoor activities make this an exciting spot!

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Community favorites near Deschutes River State Recreation Area

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Deschutes River State Recreation Area

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Deschutes River Campground

25 sites · RVs, Tents In Deschutes River State Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds near Deschutes River State Recreation Area

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Lefever Holbrook Ranch

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents400 acres · Goldendale, WA

The Lefever Holbrook Ranch offers a unique stay overlooking some of washington’s most scenic views. Enjoy educational workshops and local adventures through the Gorge. Tour the land and hear about Paulette’s ranching philosophy. The ranch stores are open by appointment, so stock up on the ranches products grass-fed beef, lamb, pork, chickens, turkey, and rabbit or graze the greenhouse or gardens for just picked in season vegetables or catch on the daily evening barns tours available with sign up.

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Retired DNR Fire Watch Cabin

1 site · Lodging2 acres · Trout Lake, WA

Looking for an off grid'ish experience but want some of the comforts of home? **NOTE** Cabin will be decorated with traditional holiday decor from November 22nd - January 2nd** Come stay in my cozy cool cabin at the base of Mt Adams in Trout Lake, WA. Cabin has one Queen bed and a fold out cot under the bed. Max capacity 2 adults and 2 children. What makes this cabin cool? Well, it is a retired DNR fire watch cabin! The cabin is as original as can be! Equipped with battery operated and solar lights along with propane heat! Porta potty right next to it for your use! There is a full bathroom and amenities to include fridge, microwave, coffee pot and air fryer just a short walk away! Winter sports galore up here right now! Cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ample parking for snow mobile trailers! OR bring your favorite book and come enjoy a peaceful restful weekend! Springtime is a gorgeous time of year up here and turkey season is a favorite! Ample room for boats/trailers if you are considering hitting Drano lake for some springer salmon fishing! It is apx 30 minutes away. In the summertime come up and enjoy the hiking! Sleeping Beauty trail is just a few minutes away and you are within 30 minutes or Hood River if you are looking to explore and check out wineries. There are cheese caves, ice caves, Goose Lake, Council Lake and so much more! Fall is one of my favorite seasons! Hood River fishery has been amazing and the fall colors can't be beat! There is a fire pit and campfires are welcome when there is not a burn ban. Trout Lake Inn is a local favorite up here and check their Facebook to see what live entertainment they have coming up. Pets are welcome - please make sure they are well behaved and are kept close to the cabin. I do have my own friendly dogs (Ruby and Muskett) on the property, but they do not have access to the cabin area. Come enjoy the mountain air - it is good for the soul! **No parties - limit of 2 adult guests and up to 2 children. No illegal drugs. No smoking or vaping inside cabin or the bathroom/hospitality room.

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Rivers Ridge

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · White Salmon, WA

Unbelievable views overlooking wineries and orchards, Mt Hood and Columbia River. Park your RV or tent in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. Famous wineries and cherry orchards are all nearby. This is the perfect place to enjoy the wine you purchased during a wine-tasting tour! 10-minute drive to White Salmon and Hood River. Proximity to mountain biking, hiking, kiteboarding, windsurfing and more. We have one huge RV site available for campers to book. With the RV site, you have the option to book the treehouse as an “Extra”. Only one "campsite" is available on the property. Which means you're the only people out here. Peace and privacy abound. You can choose wherever you want to put your tent. I open up my land to only one group at a time. Cell service is strong at the property. Work remotely while overlooking the view, and multiple picnic table locations. The treehouse has stools and countertops/desktops to work from if you choose to rent that as well. Rowland Lake is a great swimming spot at the bottom of the road (2 miles). I look forward to hosting you!

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Romantic Forest Hide-a-Way

2 sites · Lodging40 acres · White Salmon, WA

💥❣️💥Thrilling Delights of Amazing Starlit Nights (5/10 - 5/14*) 💥❣️💥 Largely constructed from materials lovingly and gently harvested on-site, the Yurt at Rivendell is a sanctuary of peace and serenity. A place for rejuvenation and inspiration. The yurt began as a rustic structure utilizing lumber from trees selectively harvested to protect the health of the forest. But, the more Roy worked on the Yurt the more it spoke to him letting him know how to proceed and what it should become -- resulting in this phenomenally peaceful and stress-free wilderness sanctuary where the sun, the moon and the stars wink at you through the gentle undulations of the 100-year-old Douglas Firs Trees or through the ambient ether of the adjoining meadows. Our property is located 1hr and 30 minutes from Mt Hood in Oregon. We are located in White Salmon, Washington. There are enough things to do in White Salmon, including hiking trails, biking trails, white water rafting, waterfalls, and paddling spots to keep you entertained for a weekend, week, or lifetime! NOTE: While we do accept Instant Bookings for both our Tree House and Yurt there may very rarely be a conflict with a booking received earlier from another site when the HipCamp calendar has not been updated to reflect that booking. In that case, we default to the earliest booking and work with the guest to see if there are other dates which will work. *Meteorologists project possible visible Northern Lights through May 14, 2024

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KLICKITAT VIEW CABIN

2 sites · Lodging20 acres · Goldendale, WA

Relax and restore on the top of the hill on our 20-acre, private property. You'll have the property and 750-square foot cabin to yourself. With views of Mt. Adams, the Simcoe mountains, and a million stars, you can hike, star gaze, and enjoy fireside games at this updated cabin with a classic aesthetic. This is off-grid with electric lighting. We have a sink and pump that provides running water like a household sink. There is a porta-potty near the house and an outdoor heated shower. You'll bring your bedding, extra water for showering, and towels to make yourself comfortable. We have blankets and kitchen equipment as well as an outdoor grill and solo stove firepit. Come recharge among nature.

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Harvest Haven Campground

5 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Lyle, WA

*Note: this is a working farm with livestock and free range chickens. Located just 1.5 miles east of the Catherine Creek Recreation area, we are perfectly located for those looking to hike, mountain bike, hunt, rock climbing at coyote wall, windsurf, wine tasting, bird watch or just looking to relax among wild turkey, deer and song birds. This campground has 3 sites that share a 1-acre field running parallel to a quiet county road. While the site offers ample space for camping and outdoor activities, be aware that you'll have neighbors nearby. Guests are free to explore an additional 30 acres of fields, woods, farm, and garden on foot during their stay. While the farmhouse is about 450 feet away, there is a tree canopy of giant White Oaks that provides some privacy from it. Unfiltered spring water is available at water spigots near camp as well as at the farmstand but guests are encouraged to purify water for drinking or bring their own drinking water. Please note that the campsites are situated along a county road, so occasional traffic will be seen and heard. Overall, the campsite offers a pleasant outdoor experience with access to various recreational opportunities . This camp is placed the amongst the great White Oaks of the quaint and charming Hillbilly Farm that rests in the heart of the Scenic Columbia River Gorge. This property is a mix of woods made of ancient oaks and Maple and grassy fields full of wildflowers in spring and has several points that offer views of the Columbia river and Mt. Hood . It also has a seasonal farm stand filled with produce and products that are all grown, raised or made right here on this farm. Additionally, there is a 1 acre garden for you to stroll thru with a U-pick salad bar and from the tomato and herb garden. Or perhaps you would like to check out the farms chickens, guinea hens and pigs and feed them apples. Be sure to meet our Kunekune pig "Petunia" who loves her belly rubbed. Another local attraction is wine tasting at one or all of the 4 wineries in the neighborhood, 2 of which are within walking distance of your camp. Beyond the camp, there are countless recreation opportunities within a few mins drive of camp including numerous hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, beaches, boating, windsports, wildlife viewing, bird watching, kayaking, paddleboarding, white water rafter.

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Forest Retreats in White Salmon

6 sites · Lodging, Tents57 acres · White Salmon, WA

Welcome to Atlan, a serene 150+ acre evergreen forest sanctuary and small intentional community nestled in the Columbia RIver Gorge. We are located near White Salmon river access points where many lift off for kayaking, river rafting, and hiking. Our land has breathtaking views, a creek that runs through it and offers us a spring with pure drinking water, accompanied by an array of native flowers, wildlife, a garden, and food forests.

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WindWoodRivers

7 sites · Lodging80 acres · Home Valley, WA

One of the oldest original homesteads in the area, for nearly 150 years this gem has been in the family. We have shared it with many people over the years and would love to share it with you! These beloved woods are the remaining part of the once vast, St. Martin homestead-started in the late 1800s. Our family ties and our roots grow very deeply in these woods-we've been born and raised here and continue to strive to be good stewards of these lands. Pristine woods, trails, river access, and more! Located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, 60 minutes east of Portland, 25 minutes west of Hood River. A truly tranquil place to enjoy exclusively, or to use as a basecamp for the unlimited adventures possible in this scenic area. Welcome and enjoy!

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Justesen Ranches

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents350 acres · Tygh Valley, OR

Justesen Ranches is family owned working cattle, wheat and recreation ranch. Our properties are located in the Columbia River Plateau in North Central Oregon. Enjoy wide open spaces, reservoirs for wildlife watching and clear night skies for star gazing. This is a leave no trace, pack it in, pack it out camping area. The property is located in Tygh Valley and is only a few minutes from the general store and the stunning White River Falls State Park. The Deschutes River whitewater rafting hub of Maupin is just a 10 minute drive away. The lodge two hours from Portland and 30 min from The Dalles.

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Olson Vista

1 site · RV, Tent32 acres · Lyle, WA

You don't want to miss the views and stars at Olson Vista! It will be an experience you won't forget, You will take in the unforgettable views at sunrise and sunset of Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, Swale Canyon, and wind turbines on the east horizon. The property is perched on the north side of Stacker Butte at 2,200 ft. elevation and includes a large homesite that is carved out of the side of the mountain which is perfect for campers, vans, a teardrop, or a small trailer. A sandy tent site is now available. It can be breezy, but it often makes it pleasant depending on the time of year. When the fire ban is not in effect, feel free to bring your solo stove to enjoy the evening. No firepit is available onsite. A 0.1 mile hiking trail will lead you to a meadow with more flowers and views, so bring your chairs. A small bench is already in the meadow. There is a scrub oak woods that you will walk through, and intermittent creek that is dry in the summer and fall. Feel free to explore around! We often see deer and other wildlife on the property so bring your binoculars for your viewing pleasure. A compost toilet is available onsite, and and we will instructions for those who stay. There is an outdoor shower that is not currently up and running. Water is not available as of yet. so make sure to bring your own. A picnic table is now available to use. If you are feeling up for it, walk up the hill 3/4 mile (1,000 ft of gain) to the top of Stacker Butte for more views which include the Columbia River! This leads into the trail systems of Columbia Hills State Park. The property is located 15 minutes from Lyle,, 25 minutes to White Salmon, and less than 30 minutes from Hood River which offer groceries and other amenities. There is an observatory in Goldendale. Additionally, the east end of the Klickitat trail is less than a mile from the property that includes biking and hiking. The property has a steep shared driveway with 1154 Centerville Hwy, so please be respectful and drive slow and use 4WD if available.

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Klickitat Canyon Winery

18 sites · Tents36 acres · Lyle, WA

25 years in the making from a cattle ranch and alfalfa pasture to a scenic wildflower and wildlife haven, our farm is a working winery and vineyard. We have reestablished native wildflowers and grasses back into our vineyard in order to help conserve native prairie habitat. 80 percent of our land is oak woodland and is in the process of restoring itself from the aggressive grazing of cattle. Therefore, our farm provides a shelter for deer, turkeys, hawks, and bobcats. We enjoy these animals and give them the space that is due for sharing the land. We do almost all of our work by hand and do not own a tractor or much other farm equipment so our farm is a quiet and relaxed setting. Our property lies in a seasonal creek bottom that is an infrequent source of water in our area. Because of this all of our household water and agriculture is run from a spring and wildlife come from a distance to replenish their thirst.

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The Forest Cupcake

1 site · Lodging20 acres · Lyle, WA

This unique place in Lyle, Washington - part of the Columbia River Gorge scenic area - is magical and utterly beautiful. The property is set in a magnificent meadow as far as the eye can see with soft rolling hills, edged up to a deep oak woodland/ponderosa pine forest. Wildlife, stars, trails, and rivers all abound here. We think it is one of the finest, most precious and beautiful places on the planet. For outdoor recreation, this area is a windsurfing and kiteboarding mecca. Mount Adams and Mount Hood, await hikers and skiers, and kayaking is popular on the Klickitat and White Salmon Rivers. Heart-stopping beauty and peacefulness whichever way you turn. You will feel like you have gone to your own little Shangri-La and you will not soon forget the experience. Even sleeping is special here, as you look up into the dome of the yurt and behold the stars, while twinkle lights gently illuminate the interior. We live in a slice of heaven, and we want to share it with others.

The best camping near Deschutes River State Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

The Columbia and Deschutes River meet in this state and wind through the canyons. The final 100 miles of the Deschutes offers whitewater rafting, kayaking, and inner-tubing. Heritage Landing is a popular boating area. You can waterski and fish for salmon. Steelhead and trout fishing are also big in this park.

Love horseback riding? From March to June, you can make a reservation to use the equestrian trails. A favorite of hikers — the Atiyeh Deschutes River Trail — meanders along the river. While hiking through this park, look up for a glance of an Orioles' nest. These birds build unique hanging-basket type nests.

This Oregon state park offers four loops for camping. Some feature sites with hookups while others are more primitive. You find all but one loop closed in winter months. Loop A provides restrooms with hot showers while the others only offer vault toilets. Enjoy cool evenings from the shade of the large trees.

Notable campgrounds

A Loop: Offers 34 electrical sites with water, available for RV or tent camping, complete with seasonal flush toilets and hot showers.
B Loop: Features 14 primitive RV/tent sites with vault toilets and nearby potable water, closed in winter.
G Loop: Provides 4 reservable primitive RV/tent camping areas for groups, with vault toilets and potable water nearby.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book your campsite up to 6 months in advance to secure your spot amid the park's natural splendor.
For winter camping, remember that sites are first-come, first-served, so plan to arrive early for the best selection.
Check the park's reservation system regularly for cancellations to snag a last-minute reservation.
Explore nearby camping options if your preferred campground is fully booked, ensuring you don't miss out on the Deschutes experience.

When to go

The Deschutes River State Recreation Area is a year-round destination, with each season offering its unique charm. Spring greets visitors with a vibrant display of wildflowers, while summer brings heat and bustling activity on the river. Fall is ideal for fishing enthusiasts, and winter offers a quieter, albeit cooler, camping experience with reduced amenities.

Know before you go

Life jackets are a must for all water activities; a loaner station at Heritage Landing provides various sizes.
Boater Passes are required for river access; purchase them online to ensure compliance with regulations.
Prepare for the sound of passing trains, which is common in the park, by bringing ear plugs if you're a light sleeper.
During winter, water to sites is turned off to prevent freezing; however, a frost-free spigot ensures access to potable water.
Be aware of seasonal campfire restrictions and always follow posted guidelines to protect the park's natural beauty.