State Parks near Portland, OR

Ainsworth State Park in Oregon is located along the banks of the Columbia River, which also forms the state line with Washington. Just a few miles west is the large city of Portland, while directly south is the imposing Mt Hood National Forest.When you book an RV in Marion County, you’re in the perfect location to explore the north-west part of the United States, including one of the countries most famous northerly cities, Seattle.Ainsworth State Park is in the Columbia River Gorge and the area surrounding it is mountainous, with many national forests and state parks to explore in your RV rental. It’s also an easy drive to the Pacific coast for a day …

An RV rental in Clark County is a great way to explore southern Washington’s large cities and extensive outdoor opportunities. Battle Ground Lake State Park is located in this county and is a fun place to spend time camping with an RV. The park can trace its geological history to over 100,000 years ago, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the state park was officially created.There are over 270 acres of land at Battle Ground Lake State Park, which has been named for the area in which a tense encounter was held against a local Native American tribe in the 1850s. There is also a town named for the same purpose, known as Battle Ground, nearby. The …

Beachside State Recreation Site is situated on Oregon’s central coastline. This recreation site is known for its tranquil beaches that are popular for whale watching and kite flying thanks to the strong winds that blow through. The area was once private land before it was given to the state in 1944.Temperatures at Beachside State Recreation Site can be a little chilly year-round due to the wind, but summers are comfortably mild. Beachside State Recreation Site is near the cities of Newport and Florence, so get out and explore while here.

Laying on the shores of the Columbia River, Beacon Rock State Park is a natural jewel of Washington state. This park is located southeast of Castle Rock and a two-hour drive from Olympia. Beacon Rock State Park is known for an 848-foot basalt volcanic plug recorded by Lewis and Clark in 1805. They passed through this part of Washington on their way to the Pacific Ocean. This area became a state park in 1935 after the Biddle family gave away their land to the state in an attempt to save the Beacon Rock from being destroyed.Today, the 4,464-acre state park is frequented by rock climbers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for their next big adventure. Beacon Rock State …

Brooks Memorial State Park is situated in south-central Washington 15 miles north of Goldendale, a city and county seat of Klickitat County. The 682-acre seasonal camping park is located just off Highway 97 in between the barren hills of the south Yakima Valley and the pine forests of the Simcoe Mountains.The park was established between 1944 and 1957 and was named in honor of local resident Nelson B. Brooks, who is credited with developing a fantastic community road system. Book an RV in Klickitat County and plan a rustic retreat at Brooks Memorial State Park, where you'll be able to experience Washington’s stunning environments, epic views, and abundant wildlife.

Please don't let the name fool you – Cape Disappointment State Park will do anything but disappoint. This 2,000-acre park at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean is one of the most popular state parks in Washington. The park is home to beaches, lakes, and marshes, and is known for its breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, and hiking opportunities. The Spanish explored this area in the mid-1750s, and they noted that the Columbia River probably led to another sea. Explorer John Meares went looking for this sea in 1788 and failed to find it. In fact, he thought that the river was actually just a bay, provoking his disappointment. The name has stuck.Cape Disappointment State Park …

As a major stop along the Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area has become a popular haunt on Oregon’s northern coast. Two other scenic spots, Cape Lookout and Cape Mears can also be found along the route, with Cape Kiwanda being the most northerly of them all. Known best of all for its towering dunes and unique sandstone headlands, it’s a must-see for those who book an RV in Tillamook County.Found just north of Pacific City, campers heading along Oregon’s coastal road will have no problem finding Cape Kiwanda. Otherwise, the nearby cities of Salem or Portland provide direct access to this sunny spot on the coast in under two hours. There’s plenty of ways …

Cape Lookout State Park is a gorgeous park nestled on a spit directly between the Pacific Ocean and Netarts Bay. Tent and RV campers will find exhilarating activities and a serene escape at Cape Lookout. From hiking to hang gliding to relaxing on the beach, Cape Lookout has you covered.The area that's now Cape Lookout State Park was originally left undeveloped after the U.S. Lighthouse Service gifted nearly 1,000 acres to the state in the 1930s. During WWII, a B-17 bomber on duty struck the area. A rescue team saved a single survivor after 24 hours of struggling to reach him. Soon after, roads were built directly to the cape. A study conducted in the 1950s on the land …

Sitting on the Northern banks of the Columbia River, Columbia Hills State Park is also referred to as Columbia Hills Historical State Park. This 3,338-acre the riverside park encompasses the 90-acre Horsethief Lake, 12 miles of trails and a variety of outdoor recreation. The park is ideal for horseback riding, biking, and rock climbing. The park is located just 14 minutes from Lyle and a few miles from Goldendale. Columbia Hills State Park was established in 2003 by merging Horsethief State Park and Dalles Mountain Ranch.Columbia Hills State Park is a home to Native American Petroglyphs dating back to 1957. These historic petroglyphs and pictographs were salvaged from being submerged in Columbia River Gorge area following the construction …

At 292,000 acre Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is one of the largest and most popular national scenic areas in America and was designated in 1986. This area gets its name from the 85 miles long, and 4,000 feet deep Columbia River Gorge created when Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Mountains. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a year-round outdoor-recreation attraction located just 30 miles from Portland, OR, and approximately 47 away miles from Troutdale, OR. The scenic area lies along the Washington-Oregon border and extends to six counties.Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area features cliffs, deserts, rain forests, grasslands, rivers, alpine meadows, lakes, wetlands, and native Indian petroglyphs. In addition, this area is …

In the early 1900s, President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt visited Oregon, and accounts say, was angered by the state of the wilderness. An avid outdoorsman and hunter, President Roosevelt swiftly moved to declare the Deschutes Mountains a national forest to preserve what was left after intense logging. Deschutes National Forest was officially established in 1908. In the 1930s, Civilian Conservation Corps, operating under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program, replanted tens of thousand trees, blazed trails, built shelters and cabins, and paved roads. Thanks to their efforts, Deschutes National Forest remains a premier park to visit even to this day.The closest large town is Bend, which is roughly 25 miles to the northeast. A former logging town, many …

Deschutes River State Recreation Area lies in northern Oregon, on the border with Washington state and near the towns of Wasco, The Dalles, and Hood River. Deschutes River State Recreation Area is created at the confluence of two rivers, Deschutes and Columbia. These two rivers create some of the most fertile ground for both fishing and watersports for those choosing to visit this borderland recreational site.Although only 35 acres, Deschutes River State Recreation Area is favorite of both Oregon and Washington campers, as it is only one of 28 parks with camping available all year round. As well as boating and fishing along the two rivers, the Deschutes River State Recreation Area is also great for …