Best Camping in the Gorge?

[30knotwind]

Tucker Park, managed by Hood River county is the best for a 'Hood River' experience: about 5 miles south of town, 15 minutes, on the Hood River--beautiful campsites--hot showers, no trains, no bridge tolls for breakfast, dining, night life and sailing in Hood River, i.e. event site, the Hook.
Map to Tucker park


The utilitarian option is the Bridge RV park immediately across the river: closest camping to the major places in the gorge, Hood River, the Hatchery White Salmon River, Doug's Beach. But, it is nothing fabulous and train horns will be right on top of you. map to Bridge RV

The closest 'free' camping anyone will tell you about, because it is obvious, is Rufus below the John Day dam, but it is ~45 minutes east of HR, with trains, no showers and a pit toilet--but hey, at least there is a toilet. Map of Rufus camping

Other state campgrounds not far from Hood River are Viento, Or; Home Valley, WA; Memaloose, OR; Sherwood campground, OR (~40 minutes up the hwy to Mt. Hood on the Hood River)

Have fun!

[tombrady3841]

I camped Tucker for many nights in different years. I always pack my stuff with me, there were rumors of things missing when you come back. The last couple of hosts seemed to be good and drive around and check up on things. The river sounds good at night. The gun shots in the morning are the alarm clock for the dawn patrol. There is some kind of firing range nearby. It can be a littler toasty there for the gorge winds don't seem to run down the Hood river. I believe also stayed at Toll Bridge park but it's farther, but good.
T