Samuel Boardman was the state’s first full-time state parks superintendent, and settlers named this city after him. He lived in this area on the Columbia River’s banks about 1903. He planted many trees in the area, and you can see some of them when you visit nearby state parks. While Boardman spent a lot of time in the area, C.G. Blayden became the area’s first permanent settler in 1915 and helped lay out the town. Settlers voted to incorporate the city in 1927.
When visiting the city, do not become afraid if you see planes or drones flying low overhead as the Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman is a short distance south of town. Boeing Corporation built a large facility in Boardman in 1964. Part of the facility, called the Boardman Research Natural Area, is open to the public, and it is an excellent place to go hiking.
When you are in this town of about 3,500 people, you may want to eat in some local restaurants. Start your day with the breakfast specials, including homemade biscuits, at Sunrise at Boardman. Burnt Field Brewing is in the historic train depot, and it is a fantastic place to get a pizza and local beer or cider. Macario’s is an excellent place to get Mexican food. Many people in this community work for the Tillamook Cheese Company, which has operated a factory and dairy in Boardman for more than 20 years.
Sausage Fest – This September festival in Richmond, Washington, features parlor games, dances, and street foods.
Cool Desert Nights – This three-day festival in June features classic, antique, and hot rod cars along with music and food.
Pendleton Whisky Music Festival – This summer festival features some of country music’s hottest artists in Pendleton, Oregon, at the Pendleton Roundup Grounds.
Happy Canyon Pageant – Watch history come to life as actors recreate the arrival of Lewis and Clark during this three-day festival that takes place each September in Pendleton.
Oktoberfest – Listen to live music, eat German food, and drink craft beers at this October festival held at various Pendleton venues.
Mount Rainier National Park became the fifth national park in the United States in 1899. You can see 26 glaciers from Mount Rainier’s summit. The northwest corner of this park receives more snow than any other place in the United States. This park is about 245 miles northwest of Boardman.
North Cascades National Park is about 315 miles north of Boardman. The 684,000 acres in this park offer many fantastic hiking opportunities, including some where you can see glaciers. You can see temperate rainforests on the park’s east side and Ponderosa pine forests on the park’s west side. Campers find a variety of campgrounds, ranging from backcountry wilderness sites to fully developed campgrounds, along with others that you must reach by boat.
Olympic National Park is the largest national park in Washington, and it is the only one to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park near Port Angeles, Washington, is about 374 miles northwest of Boardman. Follow the Whale Trail to spot whales without using a boat from mid-June through September. The tidepools at Freshwater Bay always offer something exciting to discover.
Brooks Memorial State Park near Goldendale offers several miles of hiking trails that are particularly stunning in the fall. Challenge your traveling companions to a game of disc golf or horseshoes. The Environmental Learning Center is a great place to learn more about local wildlife.
Maryhill State Park is about 60 miles southwest of Boardman. This park lies along the Columbia River, and it is a fantastic place to go boating and swimming. Many enjoy watching the trains that run along the tracks adjacent to this park.
Deschutes River State Recreation Area’s tall shade trees make this location near The Dalles, Oregon, the perfect place to escape the summer heat. This location where the Deschutes River meets the Columbia River is a fantastic place to go steelhead and trout fishing. The 26-mile-long Deschutes River Trail running through this park is a terrific place to go bike riding.
You will not want to miss seeing Stonehenge at Maryhill, Washington. Each of the Stonehenge statues honors a soldier that gave their all during World War I. It is the oldest World War I memorial in the United States. The staff hosts a small ceremony at the monument on the day that each of them died, starting on January 4 and continuing throughout the year until October 14. The artist poured reinforced concrete over molds filled with crumpled tin to make these monuments. An astronomer laid the altar stone on June 8, 1918, during a total eclipse, and he aligned it with the astronomical horizon. There are also other Oregon landmarks you will want to see on this trip or future ones.
You can find terrific campgrounds in Oregon and Washington. Consider camping in the Kennewick, Washington, area. One option is Columbia Sun RV Park, which has 145 sites and can accommodate motorhomes up to 100 feet long. You will also want to think about Wright’s Desert Gold Motel and RV Park, where you can play in the pool and soak in the hot tub. Another fantastic option is Franklin County RV Park, behind the HAPO Center Facility in Pasco, Washington.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Boardman, OR, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Boardman?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Boardman from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Boardman?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
