The best dog-friendly RV camping near Washougal

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Set on the Columbia River, Washougal blends Pacific Northwest beauty with small-city comfort. Known as the “crossroads to discovery,” the city offers easy access to notable parks and forests for unique nature escapes. An eastbound scenic drive along the river brings campers to Beacon Rock and Columbia Hills Historical State Park, packed with historic hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and picnic areas. Further inland, Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over 1.3 million acres of land, iconic trails, and volcanic mountains. Pitch a tent, pull up the RV, or rent a cabin in Washougal’s nature-diverse lands. Campers will find well-outfitted campsites with full hookups and fire pits, or primitive sites offering plenty of solitude.  

97% (9.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Lake Merwin Getaway

2. Lake Merwin Getaway

100%
(9)
29mi from Washougal · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Ariel, WA
🌲 Lake Merwin Getaway – Private Creekside Campground 🌲 Spacious, Secluded Site Just ½ Mile from Speelyai Bay Welcome to your exclusive outdoor escape at Lake Merwin Getaway—a peaceful, private campground available to just one party at a time. Located only ½ mile from Speelyai Bay, you'll have quick access to a public boat launch, beach, and park, making this an ideal basecamp for water activities, hiking, and more. Tucked alongside Brooks Creek (our kids love catching all kinds of critters and fish from here!), and just outside Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this property puts you near some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic destinations—including Mount St. Helens and the famous Ape Caves. 🏕️ What You Get: • One large private site – exclusively yours, no shared spaces • Ample room for large groups or a quiet family retreat • 3 full hook-up RV sites (30-amp) • Access to all areas on-site • Optional cabin rental – 1 bedroom + loft, sleeps up to 4 adults, plus two kids in loft (additional fee- message me for rates). See more info and photos under cabin listing. • One full bathroom • Partial outdoor kitchen • Tent space, fire pit, picnic area, and boat parking • Brooks Creek runs through back of property • Pet-friendly 🌄 Adventure Nearby: • Just ½ mile to Speelyai Bay – public boat launch, beach, and park • Hike Mount St. Helens or explore the Ape Caves • Fishing, kayaking, hunting, hiking, and sno-parks all close by • Only 45 minutes from Vancouver, WA, 1 hour from Portland, 2.5 hours from Seattle, and under 2 hours to the Pacific Coast Whether you're planning a group camping trip, a family getaway, or a peaceful weekend retreat, Lake Merwin Getaway offers privacy, space, and natural beauty—all to yourself. 📅 Now booking for summer and fall – Reserve today!
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$150
 / night
Hoodland Basecamp at Scrumpy Farest

3. Hoodland Basecamp at Scrumpy Farest

97%
(51)
18mi from Washougal · 12 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Sandy, OR
Need a base camp for Hoodland escapades? Wanna take the family for an easy farm and forest getaway? Fancy living the farm life for a hot minute? We've got you covered for all of that and more. At the doorstep to Portland, Cascades, Columbia River Gorge, even the coast, we're your forest fix without the campground menagerie. It's Four Seasons camping with more stars, fresh air, and pastured sheep, chickens, ducks, and pigs. Our farm has 20 acres of regenerative orchard, pasture, gardens, and 20 acres of rewilding forest. We're raising food AND making space for wildlife and nature to thrive. We have two drive-in sites for small RVs and vans, five glamping-ish sites (furnished with tents, foam mats, and chairs) and four walk-in campsites with a tent pad ready for your equipment. You're welcome to explore our trails, check in on the farm animals, find your zen in a forest bath. Please remember to close the gates behind you, and observe local fire restrictions. And please pack out your trash and leave your campsite looking tidy for the next guest. More information can be found at: https://scrumpy-forest-farm.com
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
from 
$36
 / night
The Lazy K

4. The Lazy K

100%
(1)
46mi from Washougal · 1 site · RV · White Salmon, WA
Welcome to our new home! Kyle and I live in the main house on 5 sprawling acres of pasture and shady pines. The property is peaceful, the skies are full of stars, and wildlife visits often. Our little farm is also home to a small flock of sheep, 3 alpaca, a llama, and a gaggle of chickens. The RV pad pictured is currently rented. Available to rent is our primitive upper meadow to campers and vans. There are no hookups or toilet onsite so we require campers to have their own self enclosed bathroom. Campers are welcome to fill up water, charge devices or use WiFi by the house (there is limited to no cell service at our property). There is a county wide campfire ban through September at least which only allows for use of barbecues (no campfires even if enclosed in something like a solo stove). We’re a 15 minute drive from White Salmon up Snowden, about a mile away from hiking and biking trails (not on trail maps) and a 5 minute drive to an upper entrance to coyote wall hiking/biking trails. Make this your home base for an evening, weekend or longer for a night under the stars, or your biking, kite boarding, or other outdoor adventures! And, if you or your family is interested in meeting some of our farm animals I’d be happy to introduce you!
Potable water
from 
$35
 / night

Set on the Columbia River, Washougal blends Pacific Northwest beauty with small-city comfort. Known as the “crossroads to discovery,” the city offers easy access to notable parks and forests for unique nature escapes. An eastbound scenic drive along the river brings campers to Beacon Rock and Columbia Hills Historical State Park, packed with historic hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and picnic areas. Further inland, Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses over 1.3 million acres of land, iconic trails, and volcanic mountains. Pitch a tent, pull up the RV, or rent a cabin in Washougal’s nature-diverse lands. Campers will find well-outfitted campsites with full hookups and fire pits, or primitive sites offering plenty of solitude.  

97% (9.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Lake Merwin Getaway

2. Lake Merwin Getaway

100%
(9)
29mi from Washougal · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Ariel, WA
🌲 Lake Merwin Getaway – Private Creekside Campground 🌲 Spacious, Secluded Site Just ½ Mile from Speelyai Bay Welcome to your exclusive outdoor escape at Lake Merwin Getaway—a peaceful, private campground available to just one party at a time. Located only ½ mile from Speelyai Bay, you'll have quick access to a public boat launch, beach, and park, making this an ideal basecamp for water activities, hiking, and more. Tucked alongside Brooks Creek (our kids love catching all kinds of critters and fish from here!), and just outside Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this property puts you near some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic destinations—including Mount St. Helens and the famous Ape Caves. 🏕️ What You Get: • One large private site – exclusively yours, no shared spaces • Ample room for large groups or a quiet family retreat • 3 full hook-up RV sites (30-amp) • Access to all areas on-site • Optional cabin rental – 1 bedroom + loft, sleeps up to 4 adults, plus two kids in loft (additional fee- message me for rates). See more info and photos under cabin listing. • One full bathroom • Partial outdoor kitchen • Tent space, fire pit, picnic area, and boat parking • Brooks Creek runs through back of property • Pet-friendly 🌄 Adventure Nearby: • Just ½ mile to Speelyai Bay – public boat launch, beach, and park • Hike Mount St. Helens or explore the Ape Caves • Fishing, kayaking, hunting, hiking, and sno-parks all close by • Only 45 minutes from Vancouver, WA, 1 hour from Portland, 2.5 hours from Seattle, and under 2 hours to the Pacific Coast Whether you're planning a group camping trip, a family getaway, or a peaceful weekend retreat, Lake Merwin Getaway offers privacy, space, and natural beauty—all to yourself. 📅 Now booking for summer and fall – Reserve today!
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$150
 / night
Hoodland Basecamp at Scrumpy Farest

3. Hoodland Basecamp at Scrumpy Farest

97%
(51)
18mi from Washougal · 12 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Sandy, OR
Need a base camp for Hoodland escapades? Wanna take the family for an easy farm and forest getaway? Fancy living the farm life for a hot minute? We've got you covered for all of that and more. At the doorstep to Portland, Cascades, Columbia River Gorge, even the coast, we're your forest fix without the campground menagerie. It's Four Seasons camping with more stars, fresh air, and pastured sheep, chickens, ducks, and pigs. Our farm has 20 acres of regenerative orchard, pasture, gardens, and 20 acres of rewilding forest. We're raising food AND making space for wildlife and nature to thrive. We have two drive-in sites for small RVs and vans, five glamping-ish sites (furnished with tents, foam mats, and chairs) and four walk-in campsites with a tent pad ready for your equipment. You're welcome to explore our trails, check in on the farm animals, find your zen in a forest bath. Please remember to close the gates behind you, and observe local fire restrictions. And please pack out your trash and leave your campsite looking tidy for the next guest. More information can be found at: https://scrumpy-forest-farm.com
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
from 
$36
 / night
The Lazy K

4. The Lazy K

100%
(1)
46mi from Washougal · 1 site · RV · White Salmon, WA
Welcome to our new home! Kyle and I live in the main house on 5 sprawling acres of pasture and shady pines. The property is peaceful, the skies are full of stars, and wildlife visits often. Our little farm is also home to a small flock of sheep, 3 alpaca, a llama, and a gaggle of chickens. The RV pad pictured is currently rented. Available to rent is our primitive upper meadow to campers and vans. There are no hookups or toilet onsite so we require campers to have their own self enclosed bathroom. Campers are welcome to fill up water, charge devices or use WiFi by the house (there is limited to no cell service at our property). There is a county wide campfire ban through September at least which only allows for use of barbecues (no campfires even if enclosed in something like a solo stove). We’re a 15 minute drive from White Salmon up Snowden, about a mile away from hiking and biking trails (not on trail maps) and a 5 minute drive to an upper entrance to coyote wall hiking/biking trails. Make this your home base for an evening, weekend or longer for a night under the stars, or your biking, kite boarding, or other outdoor adventures! And, if you or your family is interested in meeting some of our farm animals I’d be happy to introduce you!
Potable water
from 
$35
 / night

Public campgrounds near Washougal

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best dog-friendly RV camping near Washougal guide

Where to go

Beacon Rock State Park

Travel to Beacon Rock State Park to hike Beacon Rock Trail—a 1.8-mile loop up Beacon Rock. The rock is an 848-foot basalt column featuring switchbacks and views of the Columbia River Gorge. Then, set up shop along the Columbia River shoreline, where campers can find standard campsites, full hookups, and horse camping available. Enjoy fishing, paddling, or swimming steps away from camp. Despite seasonal closures at the main campground, primitive and equestrian sites are open year-round. A Discover Pass is required to enter the park, or a day-use fee can be paid at one of the park’s automated machines. 

Columbia Hills Historical State Park

Dramatic cliffs and petroglyphs pave the way for an epic stay at Columbia Hills Historical State Park. Featuring four unique areas, Columbia Hills blends desert-like terrain with lush vegetation. Campers can explore Native American pictographs and petroglyphs at Horsethief Lake—one of the largest concentrations in the Pacific Northwest. Then, find standard campsites, partial hookups, hiker/biker campsites, and rustic cabins on the grounds, along with one restroom and a dumping station. Note that the campground runs on a first-come, first-served basis and fills up quickly in spring.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

The Pacific Crest Trail, Ape Cave lava tube, and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument are just some of the natural attractions at Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It hosts over 1.3 million acres of dense forests, deep valleys, mountain peaks, and waterfalls. Cabin rentals, dispersed camping, and RV campsites with a range of hookup options, firepits, and picnic tables offer a chance for campers to stay and play. Seasonal activities like summertime swimming and winter snowmobiling draw campers in year-round.

When to go

Summers are short and warm, reaching average highs around 80°F. Temperatures begin to cool in late September. Winters in Washougal are wet and cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing and high chances of snowfall from December to February. Those camping in winter should come with an understanding of cold-weather camping and preparations.