There are a number of camping options in the area includig "dispersed" camping but like the private trails publishing locations of these unoffical camping options would be frowned upon. If you do find a place to disperse (not including your garbage), showers can be had at the public pool located on 17th Street and May Avenue in The Heights and there are coin-operated showers at the Hood River Marina in town.
The following is a list of camping options in the area borrowed from another site.
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE RV
RESORT
Mosier, OR Elev: 1200'.
.
No reservations required. Tents and RV's.
Children's play area, sport court, clubhouse, 9
hole golf course, pond, volleyball, country
store... From Hood River, take I-84 east to
Mosier exit # 69, turn right at Washington Street
in Mosier, go one block to 3rd Street and turn
left at the stop sign. Cross the new bridge and
take the immediate right (Carroll Rd.), continue
4 miles up the hill: 157 acres of camping,
fishing, and solitude.
10 MILES EAST OF HOOD RIVER
.
CLOUD CAP, OR (541)352-6002
A U.S. Forest Service campground. 20 miles South of Parkdale on
Cooper Spur road. For information, contact the Hood River Ranger
Station at .
KINGSLEY RESERVOIR,
OR
elevation: 3200'. No phone.
No drinking water. No showers. A bit rustic. This
is a Hood River County campground west of Hood
River on the edge of the Cascades. Once known for
its terrible access road, that's all changed.
While still not a class-A highway, the Kingsley
Road has been reworked and is now a good gravel
road. More improvements are planned, but
presently there are 20 tent sites, a new pit
toilet, and a boat ramp with parking. At 3200' ,
Kingsley reservoir can offer cool relief of a hot
summer night, as well as wildlife watching or
trout fishing in the reservoir. There are good
trails for mountain biking including an abandoned
road. Oh yeah, no fee for camping here.
LAURANCE LAKE/
KINNIKINNICK, OR
Elevation: 3000' (541)
352-6002
A Hood River County park approximately
10 miles south of Parkdale on Clear Creek Road to Laurance Lake Road. On a reservoir with fishing
and boating (electric motors only). Only 8
campsites available with no drinking water, no
electricity, no handicap facilities, and no fees.
14 day stay limit. no reservations.
LONE PINE RV PARK,
The Dalles, OR
(541)506-3755
All services,
restaurant, cocktails, golf driving range.
Conveniently located off I-84 at Hwy#197.
355 Lone Pine Drive
The Dalles, OR
20 MILES EAST OF HOOD RIVER
LOST LAKE, OR
Elevation: 3200'. (541)386-6366.
Located on the North side of Mt.
Hood. Follow Hwy 281 from Hood River to Dee, then
follow signs on road #13 to Lost Lake. A US
Forest Service Public campground, with 91
overnight spots for tents, campers, trailers, or
RVs. Fireplaces, water, restrooms, general store,
group camping, 7 cabins, and 1 furnished
apartment unit. Handicap facilities. Lost Lake
provides great fishing, boat rentals (all motors
are strictly prohibited on the lake), paddle
boats, and canoe rentals, hiking, mountain
biking, and access to the Pacific Crest Trail.
There is no public phone. Reservations are
strongly recommended.
Lost Lake Campground
P.O. Box 90
Hood River, OR 97031
MEMALOOSE STATE PARK,
Mosier, OR
Elevation: 100'. (541)478-3008.
Located along I-84 westbound
only. From Hood River head East to Rowena,
then pass underneath the freeway, and return West. Exit at the rest stop and you will find the
campground. Memaloose has 43 sites with full
hook-ups, 67 tent spaces, some overflow camp
areas, showers, RV dump station, historical
interest points, and views. Can accommodate RVs
up to 60'. Reservations accepted--you can call
1-800-452-5687. Or email www.prd.state.or.us
for reservations.
11 MILES EAST OF HOOD RIVER
ROBINHOOD CAMPGROUND,
OR
elev.:3600' info. phone:(541)352-6002
A U.S. Forest Service campground on the
east bank of the Hood River, 12 miles South of
the community of Mt. Hood on Hwy. 35. Stream
fishing, hiking, Elk Meadow trail, picnic sites,
and handicap facilities. Trailers limited to 16'
ROUTSON PARK, OR
elevation:2500' info. phone:(541)386-6323
This Hood River County Park is located
7 miles south of the community of Mt. Hood.
Stream fishing on the Hood River, flush toilets,
not recommended for trailers. Drinking water is
available. No picnic sites or handicap
facilities.
SHERWOOD CAMPGROUND, OR
elevation:3000' info. phone:(541)352-6002
A U.S. Forest Service campground on the
west bank of the Hood River, 8 miles south of the
community of Mt. Hood on Hwy. 35. Stream fishing,
hiking (close to Tamanawas Falls trail). Handicap
facilities, drinking water, picnic sites. 14 camp
sites, trailers limited to 16'
TILLY JANE, OR
A U.S. Forest Service campground. 20 miles South
of Parkdale on Cooper Spur road. For information
contact the Hood River Ranger Station at
(541)352-6002.
TOLL BRIDGE PARK, OR
elevation:1600' (541)352-6688 or (541)352-5522 This Hood River County park is located
17 miles south of Hood River, one mile south of
the community of Mt. Hood on Hwy. 35. There are
20 full-service RV sites, 44 with water and
electricity, and 25 tent sites. Flush toilets, RV
dump station, showers, a picnic shelter, fishing,
hiking, softball, and two grocery stores are only
a short distance away. Handicap facilities. Toll
Bridge is popular with RVers so it's a good idea
to make reservations. Stays are limited to 14
days.
17 MILES SOUTH OF HOOD RIVER
TUCKER PARK, Hood
River, OR
elevation: 500' (541)386-4477
This Hood River County park has 36
acres along the South bank of the Hood River.
This is a popular campground as it is close to
town, yet quiet (no trains). There are about 100 available
campsites, some of which have full hookups. The sites are
on a first come first serve basis with no reservations. There is playground equipment, a picnic
shelter, tables, and fishing. Handicap
facilities. RVs up to 30' are allowed (no size
limit if self-contained and no hook-up required).
Stays are limited to 7 days.
5 MILES SOUTH OF HOOD RIVER ON TUCKER ROAD
VIENTO STATE PARK,
OR
elevation 100 info. ph:(541)374-8811
Viento
is on the river side of I-84. Showers,
and restroom facilities (no handicap). 58 camp
sites with electricity, 18 tent sites. RVs to
30'. No reservations are accepted at Viento. This
is one of the few campgrounds in the Gorge that
you can windsurf from.
8 MILES WEST OF HOOD RIVER
WYETH CAMPGROUND, OR
elev.:65' no phone
This
U.S. Forest Service campground is a relatively
new facility (1983) with 20 widely-spaced
campsites (Three of which are set up as group
tent sites), flush toilets, and hot and cold
running water (no showers). Trailers up to 31'
long can be accommodated, though there are no
hook-ups available. Located on a bench
overlooking the Colombia River, Wyeth offers
quick access to I-84, while still providing a
pleasant outdoor environment.
10 MILES WEST OF HOOD RIVER
BRIDGE RV PARK
White Salmon, WA
(509)493-1111
Just across the toll bridge from Hood River, turn right, then
turn directly into the first gas station on your right, the
campground entrance is right there.
1 mile from Hood River
WISHBONE CAMPGROUND,
Lyle, WA
(509)365-3210
Elevation: 800'. This campground has 27
acres of land overlooking the Columbia River, in the heart of
the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Located 10 miles
east of the Hood River bridge, 1 1/4 miles from downtown Lyle. From
State Hwy 14 in Lyle take the Old Hwy 8 turn off towards
Appleton. This turn off is 200' west of the Klickitat River
bridge. Go 1 mile to Canyon Rd. and turn right. Wishbone
entrance is 200' on the right. 10 CanyonRd. Motor homes and
travel trailers are not allowed. We have restroom and shower
facilities. Camp area is wind protected with many shade trees,
quiet (no train noise), a view of the river, plenty of room to
roam, and close to windsurfing. Reservations are accepted.
Call or email: wishbonecamp@worldnet.att.net
10 MILES EAST OF HOOD RIVER