Lake Camping in Columbia River Gorge, Oregon: Best Lake Campsites 2026

Set up camp along the lakes of the Columbia River Gorge and you’ll have over 1,500 lake-focused spots to choose from. Here, campsites stretch from quiet coves to the base of Mount Hood, often with fishing, hiking, and wildlife-watching right outside your tent. Facilities like toilets and showers are standard at most sites, and campfires are allowed—perfect for winding down after a day on the water. Average nightly rates hover around $127, but you’ll find options dipping as low as $30. For a tried-and-tested experience, check out Zigzag Mountain Farm on Mount Hood (342 reviews), Justesen Ranches (92 reviews), or Nadja's Hideway (49 reviews). Bring your rod, lace up your boots, and settle in for lakeside camping that’s as practical as it is rewarding.

99% (596) • 97 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Columbia River Gorge

Nadja's Hideway

1. Nadja's Hideway

100%

(55)

Lyle, WA · 4 sites · RVs, Lodging

Open for the 2025 Season 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. 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, country cafe, Chinese restaurant, and new to our town "Confluence Cafe" right at the entrance by the Klickitat River - Awesome views - yummy treats and coffee. Matt and Ali are super cool, go check it out. Grocery shopping is best done in Hood River, White Salmon or The Dalles. Once up here, there isn't much, so come prepared.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

from

$36

/ night

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

2. Gifford Pinchot National Forest

93%

(80)

National forest in Washington · 954 sites

Explore old-growth forests, volcanic peaks, and thousands of miles of trails.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Columbia Hills State Park

3. Columbia Hills State Park

State park in Washington · 19 sites

Follow in the footsteps of Native Americans and pioneers along the Columbia River.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Deschutes River State Recreation Area

4. Deschutes River State Recreation Area

88%

(7)

State park in Oregon · 25 sites

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

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Mt. Hood National Forest

5. Mt. Hood National Forest

92%

(191)

National forest in Oregon · 1295 sites

Explore mountains, lakes, hot springs, and hiking trails in this expansive forest near Portland.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Set up camp along the lakes of the Columbia River Gorge and you’ll have over 1,500 lake-focused spots to choose from. Here, campsites stretch from quiet coves to the base of Mount Hood, often with fishing, hiking, and wildlife-watching right outside your tent. Facilities like toilets and showers are standard at most sites, and campfires are allowed—perfect for winding down after a day on the water. Average nightly rates hover around $127, but you’ll find options dipping as low as $30. For a tried-and-tested experience, check out Zigzag Mountain Farm on Mount Hood (342 reviews), Justesen Ranches (92 reviews), or Nadja's Hideway (49 reviews). Bring your rod, lace up your boots, and settle in for lakeside camping that’s as practical as it is rewarding.

99% (596) • 97 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Columbia River Gorge

Nadja's Hideway

1. Nadja's Hideway

100%

(55)

Lyle, WA · 4 sites · RVs, Lodging

Open for the 2025 Season 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. 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, country cafe, Chinese restaurant, and new to our town "Confluence Cafe" right at the entrance by the Klickitat River - Awesome views - yummy treats and coffee. Matt and Ali are super cool, go check it out. Grocery shopping is best done in Hood River, White Salmon or The Dalles. Once up here, there isn't much, so come prepared.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

from

$36

/ night

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

2. Gifford Pinchot National Forest

93%

(80)

National forest in Washington · 954 sites

Explore old-growth forests, volcanic peaks, and thousands of miles of trails.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Columbia Hills State Park

3. Columbia Hills State Park

State park in Washington · 19 sites

Follow in the footsteps of Native Americans and pioneers along the Columbia River.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Deschutes River State Recreation Area

4. Deschutes River State Recreation Area

88%

(7)

State park in Oregon · 25 sites

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

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Mt. Hood National Forest

5. Mt. Hood National Forest

92%

(191)

National forest in Oregon · 1295 sites

Explore mountains, lakes, hot springs, and hiking trails in this expansive forest near Portland.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

T

Tom

August 2025

17 ft travel trailer

With pets

3 nights at Nadja's Hideway

Private and quiet lower camp despite the nearby road. Zero mosquitos. Nadja was a fantastic and authentic host, even gave us baked apricot strudel and extra veggies from her garden! A herd of deer and some wild turkeys came through. We would definitely stay with her again! Note: If you have a dog, keep them near your tent/camper as it is the time of year for burrs. Our dog was covered with them.

J

Jen

April 2025

20 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Nadja's Hideway

We really enjoyed our stay at this campsite. It was clean and spacious with plenty of room for our dog to run around. It is surrounded by beautiful oak trees and since the leaves hadn’t come in yet, there was plenty of sunlight, 0which was great for keeping our solar panels charged. There is a big opening to 0 sky so you would still get some good sun and views even with the trees filled in. Nadja was really nice and helpful, making sure we had what we needed. She was super thoughtful and provided a ton of good suggestions and even let us borrow bug spray for our dog for hiking. Currently, water is available at the top of the driveway. We have a 20ft trailer and were able to manage it without any issues. But Nadja did mention she may be bring a hose down to the site. There was a bit of road noise during the day, but it wasn’t constant and was much quieter than the main roads. At night, the site was pretty quiet and very peaceful. It’s a beautiful spot and we had a comfortable and relaxing stay. It was a great place to hang out at and a nice location for surrounding hikes.