Wanapum State Park sits on a bluff above the Columbia River's Wanapum Lake, 55 sites with full hookups facing desert basalt cliffs and open water. RVers favor the long pull-throughs and boat-launch access. Wind is constant here. 15 to 28 mph gusts are routine, not occasional. And summer heat regularly tops 100°F with almost no shade.
Developed state park campground with a mix of RV and tent sites; many sites are full‑hookup pull‑throughs and some interior grassy sites suit tents or smaller rigs. Not described as primitive camping or cabin lodging in available sources.
Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the warmest water and best boating conditions. Daytime highs in the mid-80s to low 100s, occasional spikes above 105°F. Wind gusts of 15 to 28+ mph are the norm, not the exception, so secure awnings and use heavy tent stakes. July 4th weekend fills the campground. Spring and fall deliver cooler temps and fewer crowds, though wind persists year-round. Shade is scarce across most sites; bring tarps or canopies if you need relief from the sun.
Natural Features and SceneryThe campground overlooks a wide bend of the Columbia River backed by layered basalt formations typical of the shrub-steppe scablands. A sandy beach runs below the bluff, accessible by footpath, with a concrete boat ramp at the north end. Elevation sits at 640 feet. The surrounding terrain is sagebrush and bunchgrass with scattered rabbitbrush. Open, dry, and mostly treeless. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park lies a few minutes away, where a short interpretive trail displays 15-million-year-old stone logs and glacial erratics among the basalt outcrops.
Geological RegionColumbia River shrub‑steppe high‑desert scablands with dramatic basalt cliffs bordering Wanapum Lake / Columbia River
Scenic ViewsMany sites have direct river views, particularly back/river‑side and pull‑through sites. Specific sites noted by reviewers as offering excellent views include Site 10 and several back‑row pull‑throughs (sites 6, 10, 11–17), with sites 15–17 called out for combining shade and strong vistas.