Community Forums

fiddleddd · 07-25-2018, 08:42 PM

We'll be driving from Pullman in eastern Washington to Portland, OR. We want to do it in 2 days. Our question is where to camp along the way. Is it best to drive west on the NORTH side of the Columbia River or south side? We want to do most of the trip the first day and be within 2-3 hours of Portland when we stop for the night. Any suggestions for campgrounds? I guess the campground we select will largely be determined by which road you suggest.....driving west through WA or crossing over and driving on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. Thanks for your input.

Mr_D · 07-25-2018, 08:51 PM

WA side is very scenic, but lots of curves and usually a 55 MPH speed limit. OR side is scenic, if you enjoy driving a 4 lane freeway with a 70 MPH speed limit.

RRR · 07-25-2018, 09:32 PM

What Mr D said.

Couple of parks that fit your mileage:https://parks.state.wa.us/543/Maryhill Just north of Biggs Jct. on US 97

https://oregonstateparks.org/index.c...age&parkId=118 East of The Dalles

fiddleddd · 07-25-2018, 09:51 PM

Mr D and RRR.....thanks for this info. But now I'm wondering. Google Maps showed us 2 routes. One was along the Columbia River on the Oregon side. The other was Hwy 12 up through the middle of the state, and then down to Vernonia (actually Vernonia is where we're heading....just north of Portland). I had expected the other route would be Hwy 14 along the Columbia River. Do you know anything about Hwy 12 driving, pulling a 40' 5th wheel? It sounds potentially beautiful because it goes right between Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams. It takes about an hour longer, but that's okay with us, as long as it isn't treacherous driving on that route. Can you help please?

Bob_C · 07-25-2018, 10:14 PM

Come down the Washington side, cross into Portland on I-5, you'll be heading south, cross bridge to Portland,stay on I-5 till the first bridge you come to.....cross it and you'll be on the 405, heading toward Salem on the 405, (stay to left at Y on far end of bridge) then take 26 west, to the Vernonia turn off on the right....have relatives there, so we go there a lot.....you can take the 12, but a few slow little towns to pass thru..and you'll end up at I-5 anyway....not much to see heading south ..

JoyNoelle · 07-25-2018, 10:31 PM

Hello from a fellow Pullmanite....loved seeing someone mention Pullman in the forum. I have driven 84 many times on the way to the coast and last year drove the Wasington side due to fires. The Oregon side is my preference due to the wider lanes and less ups and downs.

I can't recommend camping as we usually start or trek later in the day and stop the first night outside Tri Cities at the Mercantile.

twogypsies · 07-25-2018, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiddleddd

The other was Hwy 12 up through the middle of the state, and then down to Vernonia (actually Vernonia is where we're heading....just north of Portland). I had expected the other route would be Hwy 14 along the Columbia River. Do you know anything about Hwy 12 driving, pulling a 40' 5th wheel? It sounds potentially beautiful because it goes right between Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams. It takes about an hour longer, but that's okay with us, as long as it isn't treacherous driving on that route. Can you help please?

Hwy 12 is a very nice, easy drive.

Tuquala · 07-25-2018, 11:35 PM

How tall is your 5th?? Surprised that the tunnels on the WA side haven't been mentioned. I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem, but may need to go down the center line just for peace of mind. Just a heads up!!!

More camping options on the OR side, depending on how far you want to drive each day. Nice stops at Irrigon, Boardman, and a nice COE park east of The Dalles.

jim d. · 07-25-2018, 11:40 PM

If you take the Oregon route there are two or three
state parks or Corps of engineer parks about two and a half hours out of Portland they are right on the Columbia River

TMan59 · 07-26-2018, 08:52 AM

Hwy 12 is no problem.
I would suggest 84 along the Columbia, and stop at Boardman. Nice county park right on the river. Bíg sites.

Melvo · 07-26-2018, 09:07 AM

There are several good state parks in the Columbia Gorge not far from Portland on the Oregon side, not as many choices on the Washington side. We like Ainsworth St Park near the Falls about an hour from town with full service sites. The Wash side is more scenic but slower travel.

OLYLEN · 07-26-2018, 10:29 AM

12 has White Pass, a longer slow climb on the east side and a steeper shorter down hill on the west side, do the route many times with 40' pusher and towed on trailer and now a C with 4 down towed. Just be about 40 mph staring down. Lots of CG's both sides, from dry along a river to full hookups. Or a boondocking area on top of the pass along the by way. Don't think there is a right or wrong route any one of the three are very doable and are scenic.

LEN

RRR · 07-26-2018, 03:43 PM

If he is under 13'6" he is fine on WA 14. NO need to be a line hugger and panic oncoming traffic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuquala

How tall is your 5th?? Surprised that the tunnels on the WA side haven't been mentioned. I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem, but may need to go down the center line just for peace of mind. Just a heads up!!!

More camping options on the OR side, depending on how far you want to drive each day. Nice stops at Irrigon, Boardman, and a nice COE park east of The Dalles.

RRR · 07-27-2018, 12:11 AM

You might be cautioned that the west end of I-84 has construction thru the end of Aug. Right now the ramp from I-84 to I-5 North is closed. Later in August the ramp from I-84 to I-5 South will be closed. https://tripcheck.com/ for current info.