Introduction:
Columbia River RV Park is a reasonably priced, convenient base from which to explore Portland.
Click here to read about our criteria for campground reviews.
The Basics:
Overall Rating: 4/5
Price per night / Discounts: $41.00 / Nightly rate is now $46. Discounts with Good Sam and AAA. Weekly discount and monthly discounts are available as well.
Campground website: Columbia River RV Park
Our Site #: 108
Privacy Rating (how spacious and private do the sites feel):
1.0/5: This RV park is a true parking lot campground with sites lined up one after another. With just a small strip of grass between sites, there is no privacy to speak of. This is not the place to go "camping" in any traditional sense. The view out each of your windows will be other RVs.
Location Rating (accessibility to points of interest or to major highways):
5.0/5: Columbia River RV Park's main draw is its location, which is undeniably fantastic. The campground is located on the northern edge of the city, just about two miles away from the bridge that crosses the Columbia River and leads to Washington state. Visitors can be at famous Powell's Books in under 20 minutes and spectacular Multnomah Falls in about 30 minutes. For exploring Portland and its surroundings, this park's location can't be beat.
Site Quality and Big Rig Accessibility Rating (utilities and accessibility of campground hook ups):
5.0/5: Our site had a level concrete pad and our utilities worked well. I noticed several reviews on Campendium which noted weak water pressure, but we didn't have any issues. Campground roads are wide and easy to navigate.
Technology and Customer Service Rating (online resources, reservations, campground wifi, and staff):
4.0/5: They now offer online reservations, but I have not used the system, so I can't say how well it works. Customer service was decent enough and they accept packages which is helpful. Wifi was unusable.
Overall Value Rating (the overall value of the campground; was it overpriced for what it was?):
5.0/5: While the site spacing is awful, we don't come to parks like these to hang out at our site. We come to places like this because they provide convenient access to the places we want to visit. For that, Columbia River RV Park can't be beat. The park is located just down the street from the I-5, within spitting distance of Washington State, and within 20 or 30 minutes of Portland's best museums, restaurants, and parks.
Summary:
What this campground lacks in space, it more than makes up for in location. If you find yourself needing a spot to set up in in Portland, it's a solid choice. The view out your windows will just be RVs, but jump in your car and within 15 or 20 minutes, you'll be able to find anything and everything you could want. Given its location, the price is reasonable - especially if you can book a week and get the weekly discount.
