Oregon-Columbia River Gorge

[tommymick]

Hello travelers,

We're planning a trip up through the Oregon High Desert, Pendleton, west along the Columbia River, and then south along the coast. We'd love to hear any ideas, recommendations, etc. Thanks in advance!

[mockturtle]

Boardman Marina & RV Park, Boardman, OR
Memaloose SP, Hood River, Oregon
Fort Stevens SP, Warrenton, OR
Beverly Beach SP, Newport, OR
Umpqua Lighthouse SP, nr. Reedsport, OR

There are also quite a few USFS campgrounds that are very nice for dry camping.

[ken56]

If you stay in Pendleton, just east of town is the Wildhorse Resort and Casino that has a nice campground with full hookups and a shuttle to the casino. Good food there.

[rhagfo]

When?
Time of year has a big effect on getting reservations on the coast.

[donn0128]

Goose is a great little park. Early in the season there is lots of green grass. If your into gems,its not too far from free obsedion collecting for personal use and a bit aways is a free collection area for sunstones. Friday nights about 15 miles south is a great BBQ dinner.

[2oldman]

donn0128 wrote:
Goose Lake State Park.

That looks very nice.. thanks.

[donn0128]

You mentioned Pendelton, so I sort of assume your coming north on 395? Great road trip. Be sure to plan a night at Goose Lake State Park. No reservations, 20A water and electric. One of the hidden gems on the Oregon State Park system. Be sure to visit Cam Wha Chang historic site in John Day. Stop at one of the parks between the Dalles and the entrence to the gorge. And spend a day exploring the old hiway. Lots of water falls to visit. If you like hiking there are a lot of trails. At Portlands east side head north on I205, connect to I5 north. At Longview,WA follow the signs to the coast. You will cross the bridge and pick up US30 west to Astoria. FtStevens state park. Be sure to have reservations. Bow picker in Astoria is the best fish n chips. Plan a couple of days to explorw the historic fort stevens and historic FtClatsup. Home for Lewis and Clark expedition the winter of 1805/6. Near Tillamook you can spend a night or two at Netarts Bay RV park. Try for one of the view sites. Farther south is Salmon Harbor at Winchester Bay. Great park right on the bay with easy dune access.

[padredw]

Memaloose State Park Campground. Great!

[enblethen]

There are Corp of Engineers campgrounds in the Gorge. One near Plymouth,WA is a favorite for wind surfers in Gorge.
uscampgrounds.info is a good source for locations of other locales.

[ScottG]

We did a boat tour up Hells Canyon that was fun. It was a slow scenic tour with a lunch break (supplied). There are also jet boat trips that are fast and thrilling if your into that.

[2oldman]

If you can dry camp, try Rufus OR. Free camping along the river just downstream of the John Day dam. Beautiful nighttime views of the lighted dam. Supplies, water and dump at the service station.