The best camping near Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Fort Vancouver National Historic Site adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

98%
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Molalla Ripple

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Mulino, OR
Welcome to Molalla Ripple! Enjoy the sound of the Molalla River rolling over the rocks. Wake up to birds chirping and tall trees swaying in the breeze. The campsites are sixty feet apart for privacy and one path leads to the river with two private beach areas to relax. NOTE, Please use the clean bathrooms provided. DO NOT USE THE WOODS or camp site as your bathroom room. Thank you, let's keep things clean and safe for others to enjoy! Jsm Ranch started in 2004 when we moved from Oregon City. This once was a working farm with two chicken barns and a meat locker barn. All had been fallen into disrepair before taking owner ship. In 2007 we planted 200 tree's and 100 shrubs to build a new fish and wildlife habitat along Woodcock Creek. We then focused on building fence along the Molalla River to protect water quality. From there, we started raising Black Angus in 2008 after spending four years cleaning up the fields to make it safe for animals. We strive to be good stewards with our land as we continue to work with Clackamas Soil and Water to make better working lands. You're only minutes away from the town of Molalla to grab a bite, groceries or other camp items. Also have Molalla Rodeo just 3 minutes away on July 1-4th. You won't be disappointed for a great breakfast at Tammy D's (Mulino, OR), sandwiches at Humble Pig or pizza at Bear Creek Pizza & Pub.
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Naked Falls

21 sites · RVs, Tents130 acres · Stevenson, WA
Naked Falls is the second largest waterfall on the Washougal River. This section of the river has been a hotspot for Kayakers and Cliff divers for decades. If you like watching Salmon run, this is a great place to do it. This is easy car access to a raw outdoor camping experience. You will be camping next to the crystal clear Washougal River and have access to Naked Falls and Reeder Falls. Come prepared as the nearest potable water source is at least a mile away and you won't see any lights or electrical outlets on the property. There are portables toilet now between sites 4 and 5 on the east side of the road and between sites 15 and 16 on the west side. Portable toilets taken out in Mid October and put back in in Mid March. Firewood is not delivered to each site if you order it. There are many good reasons for this, not the least of which is that it can rain and then all the wood gets wet. We keep the firewood in a small woodshed and give you instructions on where to find it and what the code is before you check in. Also, please remember that I don't live there and there is limited service on the property. If you have questions, please contact me in advance as I may be unreachable when you arrive at the property. The Campsites mostly go in the order they appear as you drive through the campground. With some exceptions. Sites 8 and 11 (in that order) are up the hill from the fork at site 2. Sites 12 through 19 are in order on the West side of the river. There are signs with the site numbers next to each site. The sites each have their own parking spaces. Please see the brief descriptions below so you have a good idea of what kind of experience you can expect at each site. If you are not familiar with the area, or even if you haven't camped there before, I recommend contacting me for directions or information about the area before you go up. Also, if you have an RV, you will want to contact me to discuss which site you really want to book depending on the size of your RV, awnings, slide outs, etc. Each booked site is allowed 2 cars or 1 RV. If you have more than 2 cars or 1 RV, there is a fee of 10.00 per additional vehicle. Camping was banned all along the upper Washougal River in 2006 due to abuse from the public. An attitude that no one could be trusted up there formed and I lost my favorite place to camp in the whole world...but I understood why they did it. In 2017 I bought the property and worked with Skamania County to restore camping and the public trust in good people who love nature. There are now 20 campsites, mostly along the river, and I'm so pleased that the vast majority of Hipcampers are reliable co-stewards of this amazing recreational resource. It is up to us to keep Naked Falls available by keeping in mind that it is a crucial fish and wildlife habitat and we are but visitors there. Be sure to stick to trails and pack in/pack out. Nothing from town should be left there and nothing there should be brought back to town. *** Site 1: Saltness Creek This is the only site with direct trail access to the river on the camping side. It's also right on a creek and encompasses a corner of the confluence of the creek and the Washougal River. It's a nice open space right off the gravel road which allows you to park right by where you will set up tents and have your campfire. It also means other campers will drive right by your site and they will need to pass by it to take the trail to the river. This site is very convenient but not very private. Site 2: Naked Falls There is a short narrow trail that leads to the campsite on the Naked Falls cliff. It's awesome! This is the original campsite at Naked Falls and has likely been there for 100 years or more. It overlooks the waterfall and island downstream. It's really the coolest campsite but it's not for everybody. The area for pitching tents is smaller than at the other sites. Only 2 medium sized tents will fit comfortably. You may be able to cram 3 tents in but should be aware that it's only really meant for 2. Groups larger than 6 may want to consider another site. Also, it is right on the cliff where people like to jump so, while you have the best view of all the fun stuff happening at the falls, you also have cliff divers coming up to say hi during the day. Site 3: Desk Job This site is just past the falls. It has a wide short trail to the camping area and a beautiful view of the river that passes right by the site about 30 ft below it. It is nice, quiet and secluded. Site 4: Middle Management This site is nice for pulling vehicles in and around. It loops around some trees in the center. The trees to the east and North are all alders so it has limited shade in the morning when there aren't leaves on the trees (winter and early spring) The trail down is wide and short. There is a small opening with a nice view of the river and it's quiet. A great place to listen to the flow of the river and the beat of your heart. Site 5: Conference Room The Conference Room is tucked into the woods a little more than the other sites. It's right over the river just like all the rest of the sites but the trees like living on that cliff...like a whole bunch. You can walk to the edge and see the river but it's not the most open view of the river. I love this site. It has two old growth stumps from the first harvest ever at Naked Falls. They tell stories of the Yacolt burn and a lot of hard winters. A short narrow trail get's you from your car to to the camping area in about 20 steps. Site 6: Printer Jam This site is quite large and has the most extensive view of the river. Great for bigger groups or bigger tents. This is a chill spot where you can roast marshmallows while watching the flow of the Washougal River 35 ft below. Site 7: Budget Meeting This site is not meant for vehicle traffic! Please do not drive your vehicle onto the site as that has caused damage to the site itself and it needs to recover. The last site on the road has the longest walk...about 50 yards. It is also a large space and is the most secluded. It's the longest distance from river access but also the most private. The walk down passes an old growth tree that must have fallen decades ago. It has a huge base and the root structure is about 12 ft tall. There are a variety of trees that hug this campsite. If you don't mind the walk, you are sure to dig the vibe at our version of a Budget Meeting. Site 8: The Slash Pile Please read this full description before booking. I'm giving this site a go because I think it's a rather unique experience for the right people. This site sits up above all the river sites. It is not on a river but has a river view and view of all the other campsites. It is surrounded by a slash pile which is the wood debris left over from logging. You can drive right to it but only if you have 4wd/AWD. The road is also surrounded by alder trees that might slap the side of your car as you go up so if you are concerned about that, this is not the spot for you. There is not much shade up there either. You may want to bring a shade tent. The site is fairly large and has plenty of room for tents but I don't recommend any trailers or RVs here due to the steep rocky road. Your walk to the river will be about as long as the walk from site 7. It will be an easy walk down and a bit of a trek up. If no one books this site, I will totally understand but It's a cool spot if you are cool with the challenges it presents. Site 9: Hard Scramble Creek This site is embedded in the woods and has the most tree cover. It is even further from the river access than site 8...about a half mile walk. There is plenty of room but only one way in and out so turning around should be thought out before you set up your tents. Also, I've seen people pull off trailering large rigs up there but I'm pretty sure it was painstaking. If you have a large RV or Trailer, I would skip this site. Smaller trailers and RVs should be fine if you have some experience and patience. This site is quiet and the sound of the creek is soothing during the day and night. Site 10: Rock Beach Woods This site is in the woods along the river near an inviting rock beach that flows into a crystal clear swimming hole. This site is not behind a gate and day use visitors are allowed to use the trail and access the rock beach. The rock beach gets less traffic than we have right by Naked Falls but it is part of the day use area. This is a park and walk site. Parking is along the main road and you hike in about 50 yards to the campsite. This is one of the coolest campsites we have. Literally cooler as it is along the river edge and not along a cliffside like most of the other sites. Also cooler because it is under deep tree cover with soft mossy terrain. If you like the sounds of the river, shady woods and very close access to swimming, you will love this site! Site 11: This One Goes to Eleven! Situated on the top of the hill, this site has the most impressive views of all the sites! About a 270 degree view of the surrounding mountain region give you a great vantage point that often includes eagles flying below you, elk across the valley and a variety of other wildlife. This site is the farthest from the river, civilization and all the other campsites. If you are looking for something remote and have a 4wd/AWD vehicle, this might be the best site for you. Sites 12-19: All of these sites are right near the West side of the river. They were designed to accommodate RVs and Trailers. They are made for one trailer or RV per site or 2 camper vans. Tents are fine here too. There is easy in and out access to each site. It is nearer to the W2000 road and the sites are a bit closer together. There is still a significant amount of treed space between each site, just not as much as the original campsites. They each have a fire pit and cleared space for tents along with the graveled area for parking your RV. The sites are fairly level but not perfect and some leveling may be required depending on the size of your RV. This area has it's own trail down to the river or you can use the day use trail just a short walk North past the wooden Naked Falls sign. There are 3 total vehicles allowed at each of these sites (no exceptions) that includes the rv or trailer. So, truck and trailer count as one and you can have one addition car...or you can have 3 cars if you are car or tent camping. There is a charge of 10.00 extra for the third vehicle. No parking is allowed along the W2000 road unless you have a Naked Falls parking pass for day use. Site 0. This is the old site 12 that I had closed down. It is just up the hill from the fork at site 2. So at the fork near site 2, you will take a left and go up the hill about a quarter of a mile. It will be on your right hand side before you get to site 8. This is a large site part way up a hill surrounded by trees about 15 ft high. Very little shade, so you will want to bring a shade tent in the Summertime.
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Favorite Creek Campground

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Westport, OR
Come and explore this 100 acre wood. Play in small creeks and waterfalls. Walk the trails. Take in the view from top end of property. Watch elk deer and other wildlife. Enjoy your campfire roast Hotdogs, marshmallows and make some-mores. Camp is just 10 minutes from The small town of Clatskanie. There you can find just about anything you need. Jones beach/ Columbia river is only about a 10 minute drive, fishing and popular wind surfing spot. This property is a work in progress. We are still cleaning up from prior owners. We also have our sawmill operating on the property so you might see messes , junk, trash, ext… And you might hear working noises machine is running, etc. we try to be courteous about it but we ask that you understand that we do have to work.
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$35
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Zigzag Mountain Farm

6 sites · Tents50 acres · Rhododendron, OR
Located on Mount Hood about an hour from Portland, Zigzag Mountain Farm is home to an organic garden, old homestead, house, yurts, and barn. 50 acres of open meadows and forest, bordering thousands of acres of national forest.  The farm is home to an organic garden, campfire circle, picnic area, a city bus with a campers' kitchen, outdoor seating area with BBQ, kids play structure and hiking trails. The cabin on the property was built by the original homesteaders. Britta and Jim purchased the property in 2009. It had been vacant for a number of years. Giant slash piles scattered the land from previous logging.  The house and cabin were not livable and needed major renovations. In 2019 we purchased and brought in a city bus and converted it to a campers kitchen. A year-round creek flows through the property and 3 major rivers are nearby. The Zigzag Mountain Lookout Trail leaves from the property. The property was homesteaded in the late 1800's. E. Mountain Drive was the wagon train trail into Portland, known as the Barlow Trail. Zigzag Mountain farm offers the perfect escape from the city.
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Cowlitz River Sandy Edge Campground

9 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Castle Rock, WA
The Cowlitz River Sandy Edge Campground is 30 acres of serenity and peace. A bird watchers dream place to be! lots of singing birds throughout the campground and the anglers delight with known fishing holes right off the banks. Enjoy the private campsite with ample space for family fun and cool quiet nights on the sandy edge of the Cowlitz River. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and a large trash can. All campsite will have their own pathway to the river with seasoned blackberries to pick! I ask to help keep our environment as natural as possible pick up after yourselves and your furry friends. Also do not leave personal items on the beach overnight we need to leave a natural environment and we are not responsible for missing or lost belongings. As we all know about bodies of water and to be as safe as possible around or near them and I advise life jackets especially for the little guys. The campground has no life guards so swim at your own risk waiving all liability from Cowlitz River Sandy Edge campground. Each site are allowed 7 campers and 2 vehicles.... $5 charge per day guests and $5 per guest vehicle. Apply that cost to campsite booking please. Thank you Dry camping with self contained travel trailer only at River Run and River View Tent sites will have access to a porta potty with permanent bathroom in near future. Fishing, (w/your own lic.) kayaking, hiking and exploring. Leave what you find. Preserve as much as possible. Close to I-5 and is located adjacent to the quaint town of Castle Rock with everything less than a half mile away! Such as; coffee shops, donut bakery shop, Mexican restaurant, other great places to eat, Cascade grocery store, souvenir shops, farmers market on the weekends, motocross flat track racing usually on memorial weekend, and several different attractions at the Castle rock fair grounds. Mount Saint Helens only 30 minutes away! Sky diving, zip lining and big cheese festival in the town of Toledo next city northeast of Castle Rock. DIRECTIONS: If you're coming from South take I-5 North exit 49 make a left onto Huntington go over frwy bridge first right is Cowlitz View drive. If coming from the North take I-5 South exit 49 make a right onto Huntington then first right is Cowlitz View drive stay left and I'll meet you at the gate to escort you to your site.
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Tranquil Orchards and Wine Tours

9 sites · RVs, Tents28 acres · Aurora, OR
Reconnect with nature and escape the heat on our 28 acre filbert orchard, better known as hazelnuts. On hot summer days you’ll find the temperature under the orchard canopy almost 10 degrees cooler at the heat of the day. Feel free to roam the orchard, play a little hide and seek, hang up a hammock, or bring a blanket and picnic. Within walking or bicycle distance are fantastic amenities including Aurora Colony Vineyards, Pheasant Run Tasting room (Friday summer concerts), Aurora Colony Pub (acoustic Thursday), Filbert Farmhouse Restaurant, White Rabbit Bakery, a local park and lots of antique stores. Within driving distance are tons of wineries, breweries, distilleries and the Woodburn Outlet Mall. Here to visit wine country? We have a local wine tour company that offers pickup at our site: www.TheGoodVibesTour.com New this year are several cool features including: Outdoor Shower: Available April 1st - November 30th Complimentary carts to move gear in the orchard Picnic Tables campsites 2-7 Hammocks to enjoy while you visit Pick-up available on property for wine tours Welcome to our little bit of paradise; we hope you enjoy your time here in the Willamette Valley. Cheers, ~Shane
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The Falls at Elk Prairie

3 sites · Tents40 acres · Molalla, OR
Learn more about this land: Centrally located in the Foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range between Portland and Salem, The Falls at Elk Prairie is a small, private, "ADULT ONLY" Campground that has newly opened in the fall of 2021. Please review the Rules to make sure they can be adhered to. Dogs are not allowed. This isolated and remote Campground will provide the quiet, peaceful and semi private camping experience you're looking for. Currently there are three camp Sites located at the base of a forty foot Waterfall flowing into a damned Pond/ swimming Hole. Each Site has it's own primitive picnic Table, seating and fire Ring. The rest Room is conveniently located nearby for Privacy. The camp Sites are accessible by a short Walk, taking only a few Minutes. Enjoy a variety of Activities all close by, such as hiking, mountain Biking, swimming, fishing and nature watching. The Molalla River Corridor, Table Rock Wilderness Area and Silver Falls State Park are all close by.
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Enchanted Forest

4 sites · Lodging, Tents17 acres · Mount Hood Village, OR
The property is 17 acres of enchanted forestland with 300ft of Sandy River frontage. Both sides of the river are part of the Enchanted Forest There are a few walking paths and plenty of room to roam. Bring your paddle board or kayak to enjoy the river (Dependent on river level/current strength) The property is located within 2 miles from the Sandy Ridge Mountain bike trails and Barlow Wayside hiking trails. It's approximately 20 minutes to Government camp, ~ 35 minutes to Timberline for skiing and biking and an additional ~ 15 minutes to Mt. Hood Meadows. Approximately 50 min to PDX airport, and 1 hour to downtown Portland.
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Zen Acres

8 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Estacada, OR
We purchased this slice of paradise in 2003 as a place to relax, recharge, and someday build our dream home. It started as nothing more than a gravel road leading to a small clearing with an old bus and a couple decks. Our children have grown up out here learning a deep respect for nature and the real (non digital) world. Now empty nesters, we live on site. Part of our retirement planning is to spend next several years developing the lower portion of the property (approx. 15 acres) into a campground and retreat for our guests, as well as our own family, friends, and grandchildren. The campground area (currently) consists of a handful of primitive campsites, and a group area. We are working steadily on improvements, including adding more sites, improving the roadways, and upgrading the common areas. In all we will likely have 12-15 total designated camping areas (including a group area or two, as well as a couple hike to secluded locations). For much more details regarding our philosophy, history, and future plans please visit our website at www.zen-acres.com. There is also a lot of additional information listed on the individual campsite descriptions.
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HolisticLifeFarm Clatskanie OR

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents17 acres · Clatskanie, OR
Welcome to Holistic Life Farm! We are a working homestead and delight in sharing our daily experience and offer visits with our sheep, cows and chickens. Holistic Life Farm offers a 1 dry tent site for up to 12 people, a quaint hideaway cabin, and a glamped out 16x20 canvas tent with a wood stove. We also offer 1 RV site in our parking area. Stop on your way to Astoria and the coast and make this your destination. Find us about 30 minutes off I-5 freeway across the Longview bridge or 45 minutes east of Astoria. Our farm sits about 5 miles off Highway 30 to the north. We can direct you to hiking and mountain biking trails in the area (Beaver Falls trailhead is 5 miles from our farm). There is a motor boat launch in the town of Clatskanie, with access to Columbia River. There is also a launch in the city park for kayaking. The Zen Monastery is just 5 miles away. Long Beach, WA is across the Columbia River via the Astoria Bridge. Lounging about the homestead works too.
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Crown Point Hipcamp

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Corbett, OR
Crown Point Camp is the perfect gorge base camp on the Western edge of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, a Gateway to hiking, biking, kayaking, windsurfing and many other Adventures! Our camp is right off the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway just minutes away from Portland Women's Forum and Crown Point, the Jewel of the Columbia. Our facilities include an outdoor shower, a solar-powered composting toilet, fresh water, fire pits, and plenty of flat ground surrounded by trees for excellent camping! Please read this whole message so you are not surprised when you get here! Note: The use of the sauna, hot tub, and composting toilet are only for Glamp bookings! The campsites and tipi use the port-a-potty and have the use of an on-demand outdoor shower. Our home and farm is on two acres. Your tent site, is all in our ample acreage. Although pets are welcome, we expect them to be well-behaved around our two cats, our own big sweetie of a pup, Frejya, our two crazy goats Cupcake and Muffin, and our free-ranging chickens. Expect to hear some animal noises here on the farm. Our property literally borders the scenic highway. Because we are so close, you can hear the sunset-view-seeking drivers, motorcycle riders, and yes, racers who come out this way for a spin on one of the most scenic highways in the world. Traffic quiets down after dark and mornings are quite 'chill'. If you like what you are reading, please feel free to book with us and take off for your bike journey or hiking adventure from here. Wahclella Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Eagle Creek, and Multnomah Falls are among our favorites. Larch Mt, trails are always great for mushroom hunting or bird watching. Rick and Ellen are your hosts. We love welcoming fellow travelers!
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Lake Labish Farm

14 sites · RVs, Tents72 acres · Keizer, OR
Convenient rest area less than one mile off of I-5 near Keizer Station. Pull off the freeway, park your truck, trailer or RV and get some rest. This land is an active farming operation that has been going on, since 1850s. Make sure to catch the sunset or sunrise with an almost unobstructed view. We are located less than a two-minute drive from Keizer station for all your shopping needs including: Target, Lowes, Starbucks, In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A, McDonalds, a gas station and many more.
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$15
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The best camping near Fort Vancouver National Historic Site guide

Overview

About

Tucked between bustling city and stunning mountain peaks, history thrives on the banks of the Columbia River. Explore the natural landscape and learn the storied history of the Pacific Northwest. Wander through the Vancouver Barracks, immerse yourself in history, or take in the artwork of local, native artists. This bastion of cultural relics lies right at the foot of towering mountains, making it a favorite excursion of history buffs and hikers alike.

Head to the main site of Fort Vancouver, just north of Portland, Oregon, for a lesson in American settlement. Take a close look at the fur trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company, or explore the archaeological sites and reconstructed buildings. For a change of pace, put on your running shoes and take in the sights at top speed.

One of the best ways to see this historic site is by booking a nighttime tour. Enjoy the living history and live demos under the glow of a lantern and the bright, starry sky. But be sure to book your tour well in advance, as spots fill up fast.

The Pearson Air Museum brings visitors face to face with restored aircraft from the early twentieth century. The nearby McLoughlin House is a favorite stop on the Oregon National Historic Trail. Live demonstrations, working gardens, and guided tours make it a popular spot for kids and families. The proximity of mountains, forest and rushing rivers make this historic day-trip the ideal addition to a camping trip in the mountains. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the stunning peak of Oregon's Mount Hood.

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