Jen Young
by Jen Young
Posted July 19, 2022
columbia river rv park
Image courtesy of TripAdvisor.com.

Columbia River RV Park is a well-equipped RV site for visitors to Portland, Oregon. The sites are all paved and have complete connections (20/30/50 amps). There are two separate animal enclosures and a zone for off-leash dogs. Wifi internet access, a leisure area, laundry facilities, cable TV, clean toilets with hot water showers, and pull-through sites for extra-long RVs are all available at the park.

Columbia River RV Park Rates

The park’s pricing is based on a two-adult occupancy, depending on the length of your stay for additional occupants over the age of 18. The following is the fee structure:

  • If you stay for less than a week, there is a $5.00 daily cost for each additional person.
  • If you stay for less than a month, there is a $15.00 weekly cost for each additional person.
  • If you stay longer than a month, there is a $50.00 monthly cost for each additional person.

Columbia River RV Park Map

Image from https://www.columbiariverrv.com/map.php 

Columbia River RV Park Reviews

Let’s say that the reviews are somewhat mixed. Here’s what we’ve found on the internet in the last several months:

“This is a fantastic stopover spot, and it’s free for up to four nights. On-site full connections. Littleton, Colorado, has a number of excellent eateries. We will surely return to this camp. Thank you, Littleton City!” – Barbara W

“Clean flat areas with easy access. There is little privacy and barely a few feet separate the sites. Beautiful landscape. Complete connectors. The laundry, reading area, and kitchen are all quite nice. A fenced dog park is an added bonus. The front desk personnel are kind and helpful. When we arrived, the wifi was down, but we have 4G internet. Near the highway and the airport. We are not as disturbed by traffic and plane noise as some others, but be alert. If at all possible, avoid driving in Portland during rush hour.” – Alice M 

columbia river rv park
Image courtesy of columbiariverfrontrvpark.com.

Who is Columbia River RV Park Most Suited For?

The Columbia River RV Park comes close to being the ideal RV campsite, thanks to the three factors: site, facilities, and location. Of course, every campsite provides these in some form; it’s the thoughtful additions that elevate this RV campground from “just good” to “we don’t want to leave.” This park is most suitable for anyone who wants to spend some time in nature on the weekends, primarily middle-aged couples or students who have recently been burdened by academics and work.

Columbia River RV Park Amenities

  • Free wifi & TV

The park’s wifi infrastructure was upgraded in 2019 and is now open to the public. It is available to registered visitors at no additional cost. It also has excellent TV coverage for local channels, thanks to the antenna.

  • Community Spaces

Under the covered deck with a gas BBQ Grill, Fire Pit, and comfy Dining Area, you may meet other campers. The dedicated pet area offers three acres of off-leash play for dogs.

  • Stunning Nature Views

Enjoy spectacular views of the river, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adams from your RV site while ships gently pass by and birds of prey circle overhead. Long walks along the sandy beach are ideal for taking in the dawn and sunset.

  • Outdoor Entertainment

A grass area is available for kite flying, horseshoes, and bocce ball.

  • Convenience Store

If you run out of any of the necessities, including Propane, the Park Store is ready to help.

  • Pool

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the heated, saline swimming pool is available.

  • Laundry & Showers

Coin operated machines that are clean and fresh. Showers and bathrooms for men and women in excellent condition.

mount hood
Columbia River with Mount Hood in the backdrop.

What to do near Columbia River RV Park?

If you ever get tired of wandering inside the park, you can also go to the following places that are in close vicinity to the park:

Oregon Zoo

The Oregon Zoo is a 64-acre park in Portland, Oregon, which has a population of 2.26 million people. With over 1.5 million visitors each year, the zoo is the most popular paid attraction in the Pacific Northwest.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Lan Su Garden, which opened in September 2000, is one of Portland’s finest gems and most intriguing places to see while in town. Lan Su was developed by Chinese artisans from Suzhou and is one of the most genuine Chinese gardens outside of China. It is a product of a partnership between the towns of Portland and Suzhou, its sister city in China’s Jiangsu province that is noted for its gorgeous Ming period gardens.

Portland Japanese Garden

The Portland Japanese Garden is set in the hills of Portland, Oregon’s famed Washington Park, with sweeping views of the city and a calm, urban refuge for locals and visitors alike. It spans 12 acres and features eight distinct garden designs, as well as an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, private walks, and a breathtaking view of Mt. Hood. This is a location where one may let go of worldly problems and recognize oneself as a little yet important component of the cosmos.

Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum, which opened in late 1892, is the country’s seventh oldest museum and the oldest in the Pacific Northwest. The Museum’s permanent collection and ambitious special exhibits, drawn from the Museum’s holdings and the world’s best public and private collections, have earned it international acclaim.

Oregon Historical Museum 

The Oregon Historical Museum is committed to making Oregon’s long and rich history visible and accessible to the public. It has been the state’s communal memory for more than a century, collecting and maintaining a massive collection of artifacts, pictures, videos, manuscripts, books, and oral histories. It exists because history is powerful, and a history as vast and complex as Oregon’s cannot be encapsulated in a single tale or point of view.

Columbia River RV Park Reservations

To arrange a reservation for a month or longer, call the park at (888) 366-7725 or (503) 285-1515 and pay the $30.00 application fee per adult. In order to secure your reservation, they also ask for a one-night non-refundable payment. Your car must be 15 years old or newer for nightly and weekly stays at the park, as they do not allow vehicles older than 10 years old for monthly stays.

Best Columbia River RV Park Alternatives 

  1. Timberlake Campground & RV Park

On the Washington side of the Columbia River, this privately owned 22-acre campsite and RV park is about two or three miles inland. Its woodland setting provides some seclusion among the 63 total campsites. There are also a lot of different site options: 22 tent-only sites with no utility hookups, 18 sites with water and electricity hookups, and 23 sites with water, sewage, and power hookups. The grounds are well-kept, and there is a store on-site, as well as an RV dump station, flushing toilets, hot showers, an event hall, and a playground. This is an excellent choice for a quiet vacation in the woods with plenty of creature amenities while yet being close to the riverside.

beacon rock, washington
Beacon Rock, Washington
  1. Beacon Rock State Park Campground

Beacon Rock State Park is located on the Washington side of the Columbia River, just a few hundred feet from the water’s edge. This popular campsite is located at the base of Beacon Rock, an old volcano’s 848-foot-tall basalt core. The Beacon Rock Trailhead is a five-minute walk from the campground, where you may climb the switchback-filled route to the pinnacle of the rock and take in the spectacular panoramic views of the valley. The park also has more than 26 miles of hiking (and multi-use) trails and almost 10,000 feet of freshwater coastline access.

The main Beacon Rock campground features 28 woodland campsites that are better suited for tent camping than RV camping. There are just a few spaces that can accommodate an RV longer than 20 feet, so plan ahead. Within this state park, there are a few nearby campsites. The Woodard Creek Campground is accessible all year, contains five campsites with water, sewage, and electricity hookups, and can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long. Up the road is a group campground that can accommodate up to 200 people.

  1. Tucker County Park Campground

Even while this campground is not located on the Columbia River’s beaches, it is only a 10-minute drive away. It’s also near to downtown Hood River, which makes replenishing camping goods a breeze. Furthermore, the views of Mount Hood from this location are spectacular.

The campground itself is located on the Hood River’s banks and offers a total of 88 campsites. The size and seclusion of the campsites at Tucker Park varies. I would choose one on the outside of the campground, preferably along the river, because they are typically larger and more private, and the white noise of the river masks sounds from other sites. Showers, drinking water, and flushing toilets are available to guests. When there are no staff at the front desk, they have a machine that accepts credit card payments. There are tent camping sites and RV sites available, however anyone bringing an RV or trailer more than 30 feet long should phone ahead to make sure they have room. Smaller campsites and RVs should be fine.

  1.  Jantzen Beach RV Park

Jantzen Beach on Hayden Island has long been a popular summer hangout. The Jantzen Beach RV Park, which has a heated pool, gaming room, clubhouse, fitness center, and free wifi, maintains that heritage for the motorhome camping scene. Your adventure of Portland begins just 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of downtown, on the MAX (Yellow line).

  1. Fox Run RV Park

The Fox Run RV Park has fewer amenities than its competitors, but it is a little closer to downtown Portland. It’s only a 6 mile (10 km) drive or a TriMet ride (route 6) to the heart of it all.

  1. Tall Firs RV Park

Tall Firs RV Park, located just north of Powell Butte Park in Southeast Portland, is 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) west of downtown and provides an alternate neighborhood for parking your motorcoach this summer. RVers may take use of the Butte’s excellent hiking and bike trails, or catch the bus (routes 4 or 9) to get downtown in about an hour.

  1. Panther Creek Campground

Panther Creek campsite is a great option for those searching for a more private Columbia River camping experience. This campground, located approximately eight miles inland on the Washington bank of the Columbia, feels a world away from the more tourist-filled alternatives on the Oregon side. There are 26 single tent sites, 6 double tent sites, and 52 RV sites (with a maximum vehicle length of 25 feet). Only the sound of flowing water from Panther Creek, which flows directly along the campground’s border, disturbs the peaceful woodland scene. After seeing the gorge, travel five minutes north of the campsite to see the beautiful Panther Creek waterfalls. This is a fantastic choice for wildlife enthusiasts who like to go off the grid.

waterfall, oregon

Final Thoughts

The Columbia River Gorge is the United States’ largest and most visited national scenic region. This designated scenic region spans 293,000 acres spanning Oregon and Washington. Approximately two million people visit the region each year because of the numerous outdoor activities available throughout the canyon. It’s no surprise that so many people visit this Pacific Northwest resort, with attractions like the 620-foot Multnomah Falls, various hiking and bike routes, world-renowned windsurfing and kiteboarding, and adjacent Mount Hood. And you’ll be pleased to find that the area’s camping alternatives are both of high quality and number.

Jen Young

 

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