Memaloose State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Lewis and Clark first entered the Columbia River Gorge in 1805 as they explored the Pacific Northwest. Memaloose Island, upon which they camped, is only about 30% above water now because of the Bonneville Dam. In 1925, the park was laid out on a little more than 2.5 acres of land. In the 1950s, the park expanded to more than 400 acres as part of the redevelopment of the roads in the area. The Union Pacific Railroad built a line between the park and the shore of the Columbia River, which is why there is no water access at this park at all. The Chinook First Nation used to cremate their dead on burial pyres at Memaloose Island, and the name "Memaloose" is the word in the Chinook language for "place of the dead."
Nearby Cities:
Dallesport, WA
Chenoweth, OR
Portland, OR
Vancouver, WA
Spring 37-63 F
Summer 52-76 F
Fall 37-71 F
Winter 31-43 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Memaloose State Park
Campground Accommodations
Memaloose State Park Campground
Water hookups: Yes
Electrical hookups: Yes
Sewer hookups: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 51 feet
Other amenities: Dump station, showers, restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, playground
Memaloose State Park Campgrounds
If you just can't get enough of the adventure at Memaloose State Park, you can camp out at any of the 43 RV campsites located throughout the park. You'll get access to plenty of amenities ranging from an on-site dump station and hot showers and restrooms to an amphitheater for park events, a children's playground, and much more. Pets are also welcomed to join in on the fun as long as they're kept on a leash and under control. Rates start at $30 per night.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Hot showers, dump station, and amphitheater
Dufur City Park
At this city park, you'll be near hiking trails and other attractions (the museum is particularly nice). Additionally, campers have access to free Wi-Fi services, a pool, sports fields, a horseshoe pit, picnic equipment, restrooms and showers, and much more. Pets are also welcome if kept on leash. Rates start at $35 per night.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Pool, sports fields and horseshoe pit
Harvest RV Park
Harvest RV Park features plenty of character and many great features for campers to enjoy. While $55 per night may seem a bit steep, it comes with full hookups as standard on the impressively large pads and includes other amenities like free Wi-Fi and an extremely open area between each spot that lets you really stretch out during your stay. Discounts are also offered to various groups like seniors and AAA members. Additionally, part of the appeal of the park is its location insofar as it's far enough from the highway to cut down on noise with only a short distance from a fantastic hill overlooking the entire town.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
What to Do at
Memaloose State Park
You will enjoy the stargazing at night and the gorgeous view during the day, especially while having a cookout on your campsite's fire ring. You can take pride in notating any Pacific Northwest bird species that you may be lacking in your sightings book. Hiking is a delight at this scenic park.
Take a short hike at any time along the Memaloose Overlook Trail. Search for the geocache, or take a short trip to a neighboring park for boating, swimming, or fishing.
Inside Memaloose State Park
Hiking is, of course, a must in any park, and Memaloose features the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Birdwatching is a hobby many choose to indulge in given the clear skies throughout the park as is trainspotting given the active railroad running alongside the park's border. At night, many people enjoy laying out on the soft grass and enjoying the cool breeze while they gaze up at the starry sky since light pollution is almost nonexistent throughout most of the park. It's also worth exploring some of the monuments and information available about the cultural history of the area and the way the Columbia River Gorge area played into the Indigenous people's burial customs.
Geocaching
There is one geocache in Memaloose State Park. It's hidden somewhere along the Memaloose Overlook Trail. Be sure to bring a pen or pencil with you when searching for the cache, so that you can sign the logbook when you find it.
Nature Watching
The view of the river is wonderful and makes a terrific photo op. Also, if you happen to paint, then you can set up your easel and have a relaxing afternoon sketching and painting the view.
Stargazing
The edge of the overlook is a great place to take in the night sky over the river. Overall, Memaloose State Park is rated a 4 on the Bortle Scale, so there will be some domed light pollution over nearby cities on the horizon. Also, when a train goes by, the lights from that will interfere. But, it's still an above-average place to take astronomical photographs.
Flora and Fauna
Bring your camera or binoculars if you're a birdwatcher. There are flickers, sapsuckers, and swallows to see, along with turkey vultures, hawks, and songbirds. You can also spot Pacific tree frogs, racers, and lizards. The local flora includes multiple kinds of ferns, trees, and at least five kinds of clovers. During the spring, myriad multicolored moths and butterflies flit from flower to flower.
Hiking
There is a single hiking trail in Memaloose State Park, which is the 1.4-mile, out-and-back Memaloose Overlook Trail. It's marked easy, but it's deceptively tough because it climbs about 200 feet along its length. You may bring your leashed pets along this trail.
Boating
Nearby Mayer State Park is also the closest and best-recommended place for boating and windsurfing. Both the river access and the sheltered cove make the boating fun and exciting.
Swimming
Because there is no water access at Memaloose State Park, you'll have to travel a short distance to one of the other nearby state parks along either side of the Columbia River. Mayer State Park, which is just a few miles up Route 84 to the east, is the spot that the staff of Memaloose State Park recommends.
How to Get to
Memaloose State Park
From Portland, OR, or Vancouver, WA, follow Route 84 east along the Oregon side of the Columbia River. The highway has an exit for Memaloose State Park.
From Washington, take any highway south until you reach Route 14. Then, depending on which highway you use, proceed either west or east to Dalles. There, you will cross The Dalles Bridge into Oregon to reach Route 84. Take Route 84 west until you see the exit for Memaloose State Park.
Entering Memaloose State Park
You can buy 24-month, 12-month, or daily parking passes at all Oregon State Parks. One-day passes are $5 per vehicle. A 12-month pass is $30 per vehicle, and a 24-month pass is $50 per vehicle.
Memaloose State Park is an exceptional destination for an RV trip with tons to offer guests. RVshare couldn't recommend this park enough for those looking for a scenic getaway in Oregon. If you do head to this riverside park, why not send some pictures to show off your experiences to other RVers? Email RVshare at [email protected], or tag our rental marketplace on your next social media post. You might even see your pictures in one of RVshare’s upcoming blogs if you do.
Frequently Asked Questions About Memaloose State Park
The campground is only open from March 18 to October 31 each year. Unlike many other state parks, there is no off-season access to the park itself.
Most of the animals you will see will consist of birds, lizards, and amphibians. There are also a lot of winged insects like moths and butterflies that you can photograph against the backdrop of the many kinds of clovers and other plants.
Yes, there are 43 RV-specific campsites with full hookups at Memaloose State Park.
Yes, you need reservations, and you can make them up to six months in advance of the date of your arrival. Depending on the size of the site you need, the cost is either $19 per night or $30 per night for an RV campsite.
Pets are allowed, but they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when they're outside of your vehicle or tent.
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