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Rufus Landing Recreation Area
Army Corps Of Engineers
Write a Review I-84 Rufus, OR 97050 541-506-7819 Official WebsiteGPS: 45.6932, -120.7553
Overview of Rufus Landing Recreation Area
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Andrew on 9/16/2022
Longest RV Reported: 41 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by aearles on 10/15/2016
Pad Type gravel
Elevation 164 ft / 49 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Rufus Landing Recreation Area
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 541-506-7819
Liscio asked on 7/15/2021
Planning at trip out west from Savannah GA. How many sites are at Rufus Landing? Or is this just open land you can ...
Reviews of Rufus Landing Recreation Area 38 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 24 Users
Last reported 9/1/2022
Confirmed by 22 Users
Last reported 9/1/2022
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 9/8/2019
“Excellent Spot Lots To See In Area”
Reviewed 9/29/2022
| Days stayed: | 6 |
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Overall Rating
Excellent location right in the river and lots to see and do in area.
Jim would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great spot for boondocking; a bit windy for tenting”
Reviewed 9/16/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
The windmills on the north shore of the Columbia tell the tale — it’s a windy place! Great for overnighting in your vehicle. Good swimming!
Andrew would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent boondocking along Columbia River”
Reviewed 9/1/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
Overall Rating
Large, flat, and easily accessible for any size rig. Plenty of space for a bunch of RVs, trailers, vans, etc. There’s a pit toilet but no other services. If you happen to visit on windy days (over 30mph) you’ll likely be treated to watching a bunch of wind surfers and kite boarders out on the water. We happened to get there the day... more
Large, flat, and easily accessible for any size rig. Plenty of space for a bunch of RVs, trailers, vans, etc. There’s a pit toilet but no other services.
If you happen to visit on windy days (over 30mph) you’ll likely be treated to watching a bunch of wind surfers and kite boarders out on the water. We happened to get there the day before 2 solid days of wind and there had to be 100 people out there!
Train (no horns) and highway noise was minimal. Didn’t bother us at all.
Not much close by besides a couple gas stations and some burger/deli places. The Dalles is about 20 minutes away for groceries. Oh, and there’s a great fruit stand just across the bridge on the WA side which is only about 10 minutes away. Best watermelon we’ve ever had came from there!
Great AT&T download and upload speeds. Verizon cell signal strong as well.
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AT&T 5G
Verizon 5G
Tree Plant would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing View ”
Reviewed 7/20/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
Very nice area to camp. Got here about 8pm. There was about 5 campers but plenty of room to get up to the water to stay. Yes there was plenty of trains that went through at night and during the day but didn’t bother us any. We stayed two nights and we didn’t have a problem with anyone bothering anything as we had a generator propane an... more
Very nice area to camp. Got here about 8pm. There was about 5 campers but plenty of room to get up to the water to stay. Yes there was plenty of trains that went through at night and during the day but didn’t bother us any. We stayed two nights and we didn’t have a problem with anyone bothering anything as we had a generator propane and chairs out.
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AT&T 4G
camper-719117 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Mid-week not busy”
Reviewed 6/8/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
We were here mid-week of June 2022 and there were about 12 vehicles in a very big river rock surfaced lot. We didn’t have a lot of wind, but when you see wind turbines nearby, expect wind. Also, you’re between a railroad and freeway on one side and the river and railroad on the other. So lots of freight traffic. Bring earplugs, but oth... more
We were here mid-week of June 2022 and there were about 12 vehicles in a very big river rock surfaced lot. We didn’t have a lot of wind, but when you see wind turbines nearby, expect wind. Also, you’re between a railroad and freeway on one side and the river and railroad on the other. So lots of freight traffic. Bring earplugs, but otherwise a nice place to spend the night.
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AT&T 4G
bking would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Place is not open year round for camping!!!”
Reviewed 2/13/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|
Overall Rating
Heads up, as of the last couple years, this place is only open for camping April through October. Open for day use year round though. It's really a bummer, I used to camp here frequently year-round but it is what it is, and it's free so that's a plus.
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AT&T 4G
Yeehawcamohonkytonk would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Ok”
Reviewed 8/30/2021
| Nightly rate: | $3 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
Overall Rating
Just a big open parking lot that the Army Corps of Engineers must take care of as long as you’re not here on a windy day I guess it’s an OK spot if the wind picks up all the asshole kite boarders show up and have no respect for the people camping here. Will not visit again
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Convenient, No Fee, Large Capacity ”
Reviewed 8/27/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Great location along Columbia River Gorge; Oregon side. - No fee - any size rig - conveniently located off Hwy 84, old route 30 (Columbia River Hwy) - 2 bathroom stalls/room (vaulted) - nice views of river and nearby terrain - near town of Rufus, Oregon w/ nearby market, gas and restaurant @ 1.5 miles - Biggs Junction (OR) ne... more
Great location along Columbia River Gorge; Oregon side.
- No fee
- any size rig
- conveniently located off Hwy 84, old route 30 (Columbia River Hwy)
- 2 bathroom stalls/room (vaulted)
- nice views of river and nearby terrain
- near town of Rufus, Oregon w/ nearby market, gas and restaurant @ 1.5 miles
- Biggs Junction (OR) nearby w/ gas, McD’s and market(s)
- fishing
- surf boarding
- Rocky terrain (if using a tent; required pad/inflatable mattress for comfort)
- windy; location popular for windsurfing
- Noisy w/ Hwy traffic/lights and train (across river on state of Washington side)
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Verizon 4G
Rover1Adventures would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great overnight stop!”
Reviewed 6/8/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
There's plenty of room for all sizes of rigs and it's plenty level. This is waterfront in the best way imaginable. There is train and highway noise but it felt subtle because it's a bit away, not directly next to the camping area. We loved it and will stop again.
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Verizon 4G
Maggiecoyote would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“It was awesome”
Reviewed 4/3/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
Free boondocking spot
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AT&T 4G
skoolienamedotis would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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noted 9/2/2020
Was going to overnight there in September 2020, now only day use only... Thank you, COVID-19!
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- fishing
- water access
Site Amenities
- big rig
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
Pets
- pets
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