Spend a night outdoors in the Forest Service's first developed campground, which originally opened in 1916 at the dawn of America's love affair with car camping! Located in the central Columbia River Gorge, the campground is great for a weekend of hiking, boating, fishing, and other adventures in one of the most scenic places in the Pacific Northwest. Campsites are situated between large trees atop a bluff above Eagle Creek and the Columbia River. Interstate 84 and a railroad run nearby, so the campground may be too noisy for some (especially sites 7-14).
Out of the 17 campsites, 14 must be reserved at www.recreation.gov and three are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve early -- up to six months in advance -- to ensure a spot at this popular campground, which books up early between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Reservations are strongly encouraged, as the three walk-up sites fill quickly on summer weekends.
Each site has a paved parking spot, and most are fully accessible. A full-time host is on site. The site is best for tent camping, as there are no RV hookups and a 20 foot trailer limit due to small spaces and tight curves on the road leading up to the campground. A new vault toilet constructed in 2018 preserves the site's historic charm with its rugged Cascadian architecture.
The campground is part of the Eagle Creek Recreation Area which also features the Historic Eagle Creek Trail. The trail was built along a cliff overlooking Eagle Creek, starting in 1916, and still considered one of the most popular and scenic hikes in the Gorge. Several other area trails, including Buck Point, Gorge #400, Ruckel Creek #405, Wauna Point #402, and Shady Glen #402A, are still closed from the 2017 fire.
In fall, the nearby picnic area is a good site to watch spawning salmon, and there are fishing opportunities nearby, but campers must possess a valid Oregon fishing license and follow state rules. The Gorge has many other adventures to offer, including water sports, agricultural tourism, museums, and day hikes.
