The best camping near Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Cottonwood Canyon State Park adventure.

88% (5 reviews)
88% (5 reviews)

Set up camp on the banks of the John Day River at this unpretentious park.  

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Cottonwood Canyon State Park

95%
(49)

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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$21.25
 / night
99%
(146)

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.
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$95
 / night
98%
(152)

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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$75
 / night
98%
(67)

Dream Acres Homestead

2 sites · Lodging6 acres · Goldendale, WA
Welcome to my property that sits below the Goldendale Observatory. In fact, there are hiking trails right behind (to the east) the property that will take you right up to the State Park. From April to September, the Observatory is open Thursday-Sunday from 3pm-5pm for the Solar Show and from 9pm-Midnight for the Evening Show. More information is on their website or through Washington State Parks website. My dream at 8 years of age was to have my horse in my own backyard. This dream finally came true when I moved out to Central Washington in 2017. Over the years I have had bunnies, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, Scottish Highlands and, of course, my horse Tigger. Due to major life changes, Tigger and the Highlands are the only animals (other than dogs & cats) on the property. By the end of the summer, it will only be my horse. Situated on the outskirts of town and on the West side of Observatory Hill, Goldendale has the ONLY public observatory in the Pacific Northwest. It was built in 1973 and received a major renovation in 2019/2020. Both the town and Klickitat county have light ordinances aimed at protecting the dark sky that have been in place since the early 1980s. Seeing all of the stars, and many times planets, are just breathtaking. If it's a full moon night or even nearly full moon, it lights up the sky. I love my little oasis, and I love to share it with others. As a friendly reminder, if you bring your vehicle onto our property it could be scratched from hooves or horns. The animals are curious and will want to checkout the new things in their pasture. This Spring/Summer season (2024) my youngest sister, Hannah, is spending the summer with her little ones (6yo & 4yo), so she will be your main contact.
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$48
 / night
100%
(53)

Nadja's Hideway

4 sites · Lodging5 acres · Lyle, WA
Happy New Year! We’ll be ready to open up again this spring, so start planning for the 2024 season. Hope you can be our guest this year. Play in Hood River during the day, relax in the country at night. We're 6.5 miles up in the hills, called High Prairie, above the sleepy town Lyle. Enjoy the peace on our 5 acre hideaway, wake up with the chickens - we have a rooster just FYI - (and yes we sell fresh eggs :). Take a walk to look at Mt. Adams which is just around the corner. Hiking, biking, kite boarding, windsurfing all within a few miles of reach with never ending opportunities to get your exercise. Just ask for tips. The land has mostly Oak trees where you can take your nap in your hang matt. The place is easy accessible, far away from all but still close to all Gorge attractions during the day. The town has a nice little convenience store, breakfast place and the Sandbar that has good food and some entertainment. Grocery shopping is best done in Hood River, White Salmon or The Dalles. Once up here, there isn't much, so come prepared.
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$95
 / night

The best camping near Cottonwood Canyon State Park guide

Overview

About

Cottonwood Canyon State Park offers a rugged, low-key experience. Situated on the banks of the John Day River, across from the boat launch at J.S. Burres State Park, the area attracts anglers, kayakers, and hikers alike. The park also offers excellent opportunities for wildlife-viewing, as elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, and even bighorn sheep live in the area. Lone Tree Campground is small and generally quiet, with first-come, first-served (FCFS) campsites—many right by the river—and a handful of reservable cabins. A group tent area is also available for up to 25 people.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. The campsites at Lone Tree Campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. Arrive early in the morning to increase your likelihood of getting a spot.
  2. Weekends can fill up here, particularly in the summer months. Try arriving on a Thursday or Friday morning to secure your place.
  3. If you want a guaranteed spot, consider booking one of the four cabins, which can be reserved up to six months in advance through Oregon State Parks (either online or over the phone).

When to go

Cottonwood Canyon is open year-round, and is at its busiest during summer vacation when temperatures are warmest. Spring and fall can also be a good time to visit, particularly if you want to fish for wild steelhead, but the weather is a bit of a crapshoot, and while warm and dry temperatures are certainly possible, so are cold, rainy days. Springtime here is particularly lovely, when wildflowers add a much needed splash of color to the dusky landscape.

Know before you go

  • Western rattlesnakes—the only dangerous type of snake in Oregon—live in the area, but are more likely to flee than fight and will rarely attack unless they feel seriously threatened.
  • The canyon is in cougar country. If you encounter one of the cats, make a lot of noise to scare them off.
  • The closest place to get fuel, supplies, and groceries is the town of Wasco, about a 20-minute drive from the campground.
  • Cottonwood Canyon is in an area of high fire risk, and campfire bans and even bans on propane stoves and fire rings are the norm, particularly in the summer months.

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