Discover the best desert RV campgrounds in Columbia River Gorge

United States
—
Oregon
—
Columbia River Gorge

95% (113 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Columbia River Gorge

Under $50

Available this weekend

100%

(1)

Horseshoe House

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Grass Valley, OR

This 10 acres sheep ranch is located remotely in sea of wheat fields. Our upland high desert location (2500ft elevation) is full views, isolation and stars that consume the night sky. The Horseshoe House is within easy travel distance of 3 major rivers, ghost towns, fossil beds, solar and wind farms, and historical towns like Antelope oregon that were featured in a Netflix special named " Wild Wild Country ". Just show up and enjoy the nothing that is our oasis for your pleasure to slow down, breath and maybe pet a sheep.

from

$37.80

/ night

95%

(133)

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.

The Dirt E Moor

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Grass Valley, OR

As you come down the highway, rolling into Grass Valley, you slowly realize you are driving through not just a different town but frame of mind. As a community of farmers and ranchers we move at a different pace. Here at The Dirt E Moor, we want you to be able to experience a piece of that. My partner has grown up in the area, traveled the world, and at the end of it, decided this is where he wanted to raise his family. His parents run the town store, built around 1903. Our children have dug and played in the creek. Bringing in treasures they have found like old horseshoes from where the blacksmith was located. At The Dirt E Moor we have embraced the pioneer spirit and adapted to our climate. We do have all 4 seasons. In the Spring you might just catch me putting in new vegetables beds in the garden, we could have lambs begging for pets, or a new litter of barn kittens running around. Summer will have the working dogs looking for the shady cool spots, the ducks quacking in the sprinkler and bees buzzing in the flowers. Fall will see the cool evening and leaves falling like potato chips, last minute treats stolen by the ewes. And in Winter there is a great peace in laying in a warm blanket watching the snow fall.Learn more about this land:The DirtEMoor is a 2 acre hobby farm located on the edge of a small town in North Central Oregon. Your campsite is located next to a seasonal creek on the North East corner of the DirtEmoor with easy access parking next to site. Grass Valley is often used as a Base-Camp for Hunters, Fisherpeople, Rafters, Racecar Drivers, Rockhounds, Hikers, Bikers and Skiers to explore our 3 locals rivers (Deschutes, John Day or Columbia), or our acres of BLM land, mountains and public river trails. We have quite mornings, breathless sunsets, starry nights and everything else in-between.

Deschutes Riverview Campground

1 site · RV5 acres · OR

Our McLucas family has been operating The Oasis, which has consisted of, at various times, a cafe, historic cabins, a campground, a fishing guide service, a shuttle business and t-shirt shop over the past 65 years. In 2019 we sold the cafe and cabins to a new family to carry on, but we kept the parcel of land overlooking the Deschutes River where we have operated a campground for many years.Oasis Riverview Campground has operated during the months of July and August, primarily, giving RV's and tent campers a place to land during the busy months here in Maupin when the fishing and whitewater rafting are at their peak and the campsites along the river (managed by the BLM) were not adequate to host all visitors to the area.We are transitioning from a tent camping site to a site only for self-contained RV's or groups willing to have their own toilets brought in.

5 top desert RV sites in Columbia River Gorge

95%

(133)

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.

The Dirt E Moor

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Grass Valley, OR

As you come down the highway, rolling into Grass Valley, you slowly realize you are driving through not just a different town but frame of mind. As a community of farmers and ranchers we move at a different pace. Here at The Dirt E Moor, we want you to be able to experience a piece of that. My partner has grown up in the area, traveled the world, and at the end of it, decided this is where he wanted to raise his family. His parents run the town store, built around 1903. Our children have dug and played in the creek. Bringing in treasures they have found like old horseshoes from where the blacksmith was located. At The Dirt E Moor we have embraced the pioneer spirit and adapted to our climate. We do have all 4 seasons. In the Spring you might just catch me putting in new vegetables beds in the garden, we could have lambs begging for pets, or a new litter of barn kittens running around. Summer will have the working dogs looking for the shady cool spots, the ducks quacking in the sprinkler and bees buzzing in the flowers. Fall will see the cool evening and leaves falling like potato chips, last minute treats stolen by the ewes. And in Winter there is a great peace in laying in a warm blanket watching the snow fall.Learn more about this land:The DirtEMoor is a 2 acre hobby farm located on the edge of a small town in North Central Oregon. Your campsite is located next to a seasonal creek on the North East corner of the DirtEmoor with easy access parking next to site. Grass Valley is often used as a Base-Camp for Hunters, Fisherpeople, Rafters, Racecar Drivers, Rockhounds, Hikers, Bikers and Skiers to explore our 3 locals rivers (Deschutes, John Day or Columbia), or our acres of BLM land, mountains and public river trails. We have quite mornings, breathless sunsets, starry nights and everything else in-between.

Deschutes Riverview Campground

1 site · RV5 acres · OR

Our McLucas family has been operating The Oasis, which has consisted of, at various times, a cafe, historic cabins, a campground, a fishing guide service, a shuttle business and t-shirt shop over the past 65 years. In 2019 we sold the cafe and cabins to a new family to carry on, but we kept the parcel of land overlooking the Deschutes River where we have operated a campground for many years.Oasis Riverview Campground has operated during the months of July and August, primarily, giving RV's and tent campers a place to land during the busy months here in Maupin when the fishing and whitewater rafting are at their peak and the campsites along the river (managed by the BLM) were not adequate to host all visitors to the area.We are transitioning from a tent camping site to a site only for self-contained RV's or groups willing to have their own toilets brought in.

Wildheart Homestead

4 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Goldendale, WA

Our humble homestead sits on five beautiful acres of combined oak forest and wildflower prairie in a region of Washington state so renowned for its recreational opportunities that it's referred to as "Sportsman's Paradise". We're just getting started here, but have big plans for establishing a self-sustaining intentional community centered around teaching visitors about primitive skills such as hide-tanning, herbalism, wilderness survival, and wildlife tracking; as well as important modern homesteading skills like managing a composting toilet system, growing gardens, setting up alternative power sources, and raising livestock. We have the astounding privilege to live within just 20 minutes of the Columbia River Gorge, world-famous for its numerous fishing, wind-sports, and adventuring opportunities. This is a region famous also for big game hunting (deer, elk, bear, cougar), wild-foraging of edible mushrooms (morels, in particular), wineries, art museums, and more! Located just a 10-minute drive from the heart of Goldendale, Washington, you can enjoy the seclusion of our land while remaining close to restaurants, bars, grocery stores, laundry service, a community pool, mechanics services, and many other amenities. Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent in our beautiful oak grove, or in the heart of our wildflower prairie in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. You'll have easy access to potable water, a composting toilet, and can take advantage of the unique opportunity to learn about primitive skills and the homesteading lifestyle from your hosts, Danny and Sarah. Danny is an herbalist and studies plant medicine extensively, often utilizing materials foraged from the property or from the nearby woods. Upon request, Danny can lead herb walks and foraging talks to interested campers. Sarah is an accomplished survivalist and taxidermy artist, who teaches hide-tanning, skinning, and butchering. She has been featured on national television for her primitive survival skills, and can teach classes on tracking wildlife and tanning animal skins. Let our homestead serve as your home base while you fish, hunt, hike, and explore the stunning Columbia River Gorge!

Horseshoe House

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Grass Valley, OR

This 10 acres sheep ranch is located remotely in sea of wheat fields. Our upland high desert location (2500ft elevation) is full views, isolation and stars that consume the night sky. The Horseshoe House is within easy travel distance of 3 major rivers, ghost towns, fossil beds, solar and wind farms, and historical towns like Antelope oregon that were featured in a Netflix special named " Wild Wild Country ". Just show up and enjoy the nothing that is our oasis for your pleasure to slow down, breath and maybe pet a sheep.

from

$37.80

/ night

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

92%

(185)

Mt. Hood National Forest

Government Camp, Oregon

88%

(7)

Deschutes River State Recreation Area

Oregon

88%

(5)

Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Moro, Oregon

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Desert RV camping in Columbia River Gorge guide

Overview

Just an hour's drive from Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is the biggest in the country. Among its many campgrounds is Eagle Creek, the first forest service campground in the USA.

Outside the national and state parks, you also find dozens of private campgrounds and RV parks on both sides of the gorge. Pitch a tent by a fishing lake, along a wild river, or amid a pine forest. If you're looking for solitude, backpacking is also allowed on more than 30 trails across the gorge.

You need at least a few days to see the region's famous sights. Multnomah Falls is the most iconic cascade in the area, roaring at 620 feet. At Beacon Rock State Park, you can gawk up at Beacon Rock. The towering outcrop is one of the most distinctive features of the Columbia Gorge.

The Mt. Hood area is your go-to spot for hiking trails, and the snow-capped peak even offers downhill skiing in the SUMMER! Along the Hood River, water sports enthusiasts get stoked for world-class windsurfing. Between adventures, be sure to grab a drink at one of the region's craft breweries or wineries.

However you choose to enjoy the gorge, remember to pack your rain gear—the region is famous for its daily drizzle. Since most campgrounds are situated near railways and the interstate, you may also want to bring earplugs.

Keep in mind there's no bad time to visit the Columbia River Gorge. July and August are the height of the tourist season, but they also boast the smallest chance of rain. For the most spectacular wildflowers, shoot for April through June. Of course, a fall camping trip puts you at the forefront of Hood River Valley harvests and stunning fall colors.