By:
Submission
Looking for Deschutes River camping? Look no further than the campground at Deschutes River State Recreation Area. Located in north-central Oregon, this campground gives you access not only to the Deschutes River, but also the Columbia, with tons of fun activities year-round. This campground has four loops full of campgrounds for tent campers, RVers and backpackers alike.
This is The Deschutes River Rec. Area, which is on the Columbia River, not the Deschutes campground at The Cove Palisades State Park near Madras.
Welcome to Deschutes State Recreation Area.
We have 32 miles of bike trails and 7.5 miles of hiking trails.
All sites allow Tents or RVs (with a 24 foot combined vehicle length restriction in T-Loop).
A-Loop electric sites have 50/30/20 amp connections available.
Restroom building closed from from late fall to early spring. Port-a-potty available.
There is no water available from from late fall to early spring.
MAKE SURE YOUR SITE MEETS YOUR CAMPING NEEDS
Before reserving, please become familiar with the particulars of your chosen site, including the size of the tent pad area and the type of equipment that you may bring to the park. Site details and tent pad sizes can be viewed online by clicking on the site name.
Directions to Deschutes State Recreation Area Traveling east: On I-84 travel 12 miles east of The Dalles to the Deschutes State Recreation Area exit 97/Biggs Rufus Hwy. Continue eastbound 4 miles, cross the Deschutes River Bridge. The park is the first right after the bridge. Traveling west: On I-84 travel 34 miles west of Arlington to exit 104, turn left on Hwy 97. Go 1/4 mile and turn right on Biggs Rufus Hwy. Continue westbound 4.5 miles, turn left into park before crossing the Deschutes River Bridge. Traveling south: On Highway 97 travel approx. 10 miles from Goldendale, WA. Cross the Columbia River to Biggs Junction. Turn right on Biggs Rufus Hwy. Continue westbound 4.5 mile. Turn left into park before crossing the Deschutes River B
We biked in about 13 miles along the upper trail before turning back. It's a great ride with a good workout attached. It's absolutely beautiful the whole way, but fighting the wind can be a bit much.
We did see several rattle snakes on the trail, so be mindful and don't hike/bike alone.
Just spent the last hour picking up geese droppings from our campsite to keep from tracking it into our RV. Has anyone else done that? Otherwise the campground is very nice. Well, there are the trains that run past at all hours of the night.
