Community Forums

55stude · 11-22-2019, 07:05 PM

Traveling in 40 ft MH in August. Recommendations on best places to camp on Columbia River in Washington or Oregon.

450Donn · 11-22-2019, 07:44 PM

There is a very nice park right on the river at Biggs junction on the WA side. There are also several state parks on the Oregon side. Be aware any parks in the Columbia river gorge will all be close to RR and freeway traffic. Which direction are you coming from? The main gorge is relatively short. You can drive it in less than 2 hours. The main attractions are close to the west end, ending at the Sandy river. If your wanting to explore the area think about parking at either Portland/Fairview RV or Sandy Riverfront. Both will five you quick access from the west end into the gorge. Sandy Riverfront is a bit farther away from the freeway, but closer to the scenic Columbia river highway access point

Rodzent · 11-22-2019, 09:51 PM

We stayed for 2weeks at the Cascade Locks KOA. It was very nice and a great location. This was August of 2018.

Tightwadted · 11-23-2019, 06:13 AM

Spent a night a very nice COE in eastern Washington where the Snake joins the Columbia - Hood Park, I believe, close to Pasco

Melvo · 11-23-2019, 09:01 AM

We like Ainsworth State Park in Troutdale OR, very scenic and has full service and some pull throughs, close to the Waterfalls and a short drive into Portland. Also Memmaloose Island State Park just east of the Dalles OR has some full service sites with great vies of the River. Does have some RR noise. Need reservations at the OR State Park site to get a good spot.

twogypsies · 11-23-2019, 07:52 PM

The Gorge along I-84 can be extremely windy... and very noisey from the highway and train.

We've stayed at Ainsworth State Park which was o.k. as it's set in a forest setting without the noise and wind.

You can easily tour with your towed vehicle as a day trip if you wanted to stay near Portland and perhaps a quieter place.

UTTransplant · 11-24-2019, 05:28 PM

We stayed a week at Ainsworth a couple of months ago. It is really not suitable for wide and tall rigs. They don’t keep the trees trimmed very well, and we got quite a few minor scratches on the sides and things rubbed the top. It was lovely when we got set up though. There is a very noisy train that passes by the edge of the park, but sadly I have gotten used to trains! Make sure you take a boat ride up the river. We took an all-day stern wheeler from Cascades Locks to The Dallas and back. Well worth the money.

Oh, and make sure you see the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center and Museum. It was one of the highlights of our trip with really excellent exhibits and interpretation.

Ranger John · 11-29-2019, 06:52 PM

May want to consider Sandy Riverfront RV Park near Troutdale. You can walk to Troutdale and it’s more quiet than many other parks more directly within the Gorge

1bigmess · 11-29-2019, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

The Gorge along I-84 can be extremely windy... and very noisey from the highway and train.

Heed this warning. Some folks deal just fine with trains and traffic noise, but the wind can really set your rig rockin'.

There is a CoE campground for boondocking near Rufus OR that is right at the river.
https://goo.gl/maps/vQYuegtpuHkyrT8Z9

There is a WA state park campground near the river at US 97.
https://goo.gl/maps/WVBvha57AgcpkNYk9

Dick1142 · 11-29-2019, 08:52 PM

Whatever you decide, DO NOT use the Hood River OR bridge to cross between Oregon and Washington. Dangerously narrow for a large class A. Yes, you could probably do it, BUT.... You would have about 3 inches of clearance on either side, both very unforgiving. To cross the river, use The Dalles or Cascade Locks bridges. Dick

1bigmess · 11-29-2019, 09:43 PM

US 97 at Biggs Jctn/Wasco/Maryhill is also a good bridge to cross over the Columbia River, it's a major shipping route with a good bridge.

CeeCee · 12-13-2019, 11:29 PM

I would avoid the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks if driving a big rig. It is also narrow and you are driving on metal grating the whole way. The gorge can be very windy. If the east wind is blowing, it will also be windy in Troutdale.

We have stayed at Memaloose many times. The park is between I-84 and the railroad tracks which follow the river. If you are approaching the park from eastbound I-84, you will have to go several miles past the park getting off at the Rowena exit, rejoining I-84 going WB and getting off at the WB rest area. The park is accessed from the rest area. We like to dry camp in our coach in tent the sites along the north (river side) of the park. Most of those sites have water only. The view is beautiful, the trains on the Oregon side are not that loud, and the “toy trains” on the Washington side are also visible. You need to make reservations 9 months in advance to stay at most Oregon State parks. They are very popular, especially in the summer.

Brunch on a paddle wheel cruise from Cascade Locks is a great way to see the Columbia and the gorge. Also, don’t miss old highway 30 for spectacular views of the gorge and falls.

RRR · 12-14-2019, 12:44 PM

Bridge of the Gods lane width is 12' as per their website, hardly narrow. But yes the grating can spook some.

https://portofcascadelocks.org/bridge-of-the-gods/

Skiddy · 12-14-2019, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick1142

Whatever you decide, DO NOT use the Hood River OR bridge to cross between Oregon and Washington. Dangerously narrow for a large class A. Yes, you could probably do it, BUT.... You would have about 3 inches of clearance on either side, both very unforgiving. Dick

funny you say that, growing up on the WA side and dad working in Hood River we crossed it almost daily. I remember it being narrow even back then in a car or truck. As soon as I retire we're headed back out there. Miss the area but not the wind along the gorge.