Is Wanapum State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Wanapum State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Wanapum State Park before I book?

Yes! Wanapum State Park has 1 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Wanapum State Park?

Yes, Wanapum State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Wanapum State Park?

Cell phone service at Wanapum State Park is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Wanapum State Park have?

Wanapum State Park has 55 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Wanapum State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Wanapum State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Wanapum State Park?

Wanapum State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Wanapum State Park?

Popular activities at Wanapum State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Wanapum State Park

4.31

400 reviews

Wanapum State Park

SwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:RV Camping Washington#1

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

640 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

55 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Washington State Parks Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

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Wanapum State Park is a popular campground. Set up a free alert to catch cancellations.

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

640 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

55 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Washington State Parks Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Wanapum State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.31

Recommended

Based on 400 reviews

335 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanshowersrestrooms

Some mention

noise

"Reviewers praise the park for clean facilities, excellent Columbia River views, spacious full‑hookup sites, and easy river/boat access. Common negatives are strong, gusty winds, summer heat and limited shade, occasional highway noise, and recommendations against tent camping in exposed conditions."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Wanapum State Park

46.9041, -119.9899

Nearby supplies

Chevron convenience/gas station nearby (Vantage) for basic supplies

Best Time to Camp at Wanapum State Park

Summer 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.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Cooler temps and good views make fall attractive; less extreme heat than summer.

Planning Tips

About Wanapum State Park

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.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (https://washington.goingtocamp.com)

Total Campsites55 campsites

Best CampsitesSite 10 gets frequent mentions for its large footprint and direct river view. The back row of pull-throughs. Sites 6, 10, 11 through 17. Offer the best water views; sites 15 to 17 add a bit of shade. Mid-loop sites 29 to 31 sit farther from the bluff but have more grass and privacy. Site 49 is notably large. Tent campers should think twice: the exposed sites and relentless wind make staking difficult.

Need help booking Wanapum State Park?

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GoingToCamp Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Campground offers developed services including showers, flush toilets, and full hookups at many sites. There is a sandy swim beach and boat launch with river access; sites are generally grassy with picnic tables and generous spacing.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Flush toilets

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Activities center on the Columbia River/Wanapum Lake — swimming, boating, fishing, and scenic viewing are primary draws. Nearby interpretive trails at Ginkgo Petrified Forest provide short hikes and geology/natural history interpretive opportunities.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsStrong winds (capable of shaking RVs and making tent camping hazardous), heat/exposure, occasional falling debris from shade trees, and rattlesnakes have been reported or warned about in the area. Use caution when swimming and be aware of river currents near the recreation area.

Weather at Wanapum State Park

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

400 reviews

Recommended

Wanapum State Park is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers praise the park for clean facilities, excellent Columbia River views, spacious full‑hookup sites, and easy river/boat access. Common negatives are strong, gusty winds, summer heat and limited shade, occasional highway noise, and recommendations against tent camping in exposed conditions.

Review Summaries

Based on 400 reviews

What Campers Love

Consistently noted positives: scenic river views, clean restrooms and showers, spacious sites (including long pull‑throughs), beach and boat launch access, and generally well‑maintained grounds.

Based on 400 reviews

Common Concerns

• **Wind:** Repeatedly cited as a main downside; some campers experienced 15–20 mph winds for extended periods, making it challenging for tents and awnings.[1][2] • **Heat and limited shade:** Summer...

Based on 400 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve ahead in summer; choose back/outer loop pull‑throughs for river views (sites 6, 10–17 often recommended); secure tents and awnings against frequent winds; bring shade and water for hot summer...

Based on 400 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Very clean. Wind was roaring."; "Beautiful and WINDY."; "Definitely don’t recommend tent camping."; "Clean and quiet campground with a nice beach, showers, and hookups."

Based on 400 reviews

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Nearby Campgrounds

BLM WENATCHEE FIELD OFFICE, 915 WALLA WALLA AVENUE

Big Pines Campground sits along the Yakima River in the heart of central Washington's Yakima River Canyon, where dark basalt cliffs tower above a desert-riparian corridor. The 37 sites (tent, RV, and primitive) run $15-30 per night and offer no hookups or potable water. It's a front-row seat to millions of years of volcanic geology, with vault toilets, river access, and vault toilets as the only infrastructure.