Viento State Park

We enjoyed our stay at Viento Campground. We stayed for 5 nights in October. The sites are incredibly well maintained and clean, the showers and restrooms were clean, and the state park rangers were very friendly and helpful. Firewood is available on site, but ice isn't. This wasn't an issue as grocery stores were available 5 minutes up the highway. There is a small playground toward the entrance of the park and a day use area available within walking distance. The train track runs through the park, and trains run at all hours, day and night. This was the only downside, but we got used to them after a couple of nights. There are grey water disposal sewer drains, but we were told not to use them due to the lines being closed and the water doesn't drain anywhere. The day use area gets quite a bit of activity from kayakers and wind surfing. Overall, this was a lovely park and great experience.

I stayed in the north campground. I found it to be clean and very shady. The restrooms and showers were spotless. I appreciate that it isn’t far to Hood River and there is easy access to the Columbia River. I would give it five stars if it wasn’t for the fact that it sits between I84 and a railroad freight line. There is constant freeway noise. And about every two hours a freight train goes by and blows its horn. So if you’re looking for peace and quiet, look for another campground.

Really pretty spot along the mighty Colombia River. There are a few picnic tables by the water, but not much shade so it was HOT. It was fun to watch the windsurfers for a bit while we ate our lunch.

Beware of the very very loud **WITH HORN** TRAIN. Online reservations states there is a train and can be heard from sites A1-A31. What it leaves out is there is a rail road crossing right at the park! The horn goes off many many times during the day AND also between 12 am and 6am! I read a previous review that said it didn’t go off between 11pm and 7 am and that isn’t true) We stayed in A9 last night (Monday night) The train is so close it shook our camper van. You can hear the train from every site and you can also hear the traffic from the highway. Such a shame because this is a beautiful campground and the bathrooms/showers were very clean and the showers were hot. It was neat seeing all the kite surfers in the river- the campground has river access. Not sure I’d stay here again or recommend it- unless you sleep like you are dead and aren’t in the campground during the day.

The park is decently well maintained, and spaces are spacious enough to allow for privacy. They aren't entirely enclosed, but also not a wide open field like Memaloose. The train is an issue though. I mean, we knew that there would be a train. We DIDNT know that all east bound trains would honk the horn 3 times (due to roads and paths crossing the rail, so it does make sense) each, and that the track is a BUSY line. Every 15 minutes a new train went by. No sleep as the track was just behind our site. This isn't the fault of the Campground, but it sure does affect peaceful relaxation. Of note, there are wild blackberries and plums here, and as long as you respect nature you can harvest some. Don't destroy the bramble! Leave some for others. Take only what you will use, and this helps make a good trip a better one. We had blackberry pancakes, with fresh wild harvested berries. Yum! In our case we gave some over-picked berries to another site, and they were kind enough to share some wild harvested lobster mushroom. We thanked him in person, and am doing so again here. 10 cents worth of wild blackberries and he gave us expensive mushrooms. We loved it too! Too bad they are hard to find, and I do not trust my mushroom harvesting skills, I would not know what was safe or not. Thank you again kind stranger! We will be shopping for these from now on.

Nice small and clean state park. Has showers and bathrooms. A bit noisy from the freeway and train but tolerable. Plenty of space for small and big RV’s. Where we parked we didn’t have full hookup but I’m not sure about other sites. The fee for over night is great! $27. The walk from the site to the river is only a few minutes and it’s an easy walk. There is also a day use parking closer to the water with a public restroom. There is an option for tent camping as well. The park is located 10 minutes away from Hood River city which has gas station and groceries.

Beautiful campground in the most amazing Columbia River Gorge! Sites are great, grounds are great, walking distance to the river. Only downside is the train! Oh, and the highway. The campground is sandwiched between the two. I have an extra pillow, during the night, I slapped that over my ears to help drown out the noise. This place is right near the bike paths in the gorge, so that is a plus too. Haven’t decided if we will return.

Nice rest area with trails access. Nice campground too.

Really want to give it more stars... It's beautiful with the trees and the river, and the facilities are clean and functional. But the highway noise... granted, our parties were in the two spots closest to the highway. But you could hear the big rigs (and the train) everywhere in the park. It was so loud we could barely hear each other sitting outside at the picnic tables. If you don't care about that, great- you'll love it.

If you are wanting a quiet get away camping, don't camp here . Between hwy 84 and the train, it's annoying and loud. This camp ground is more designed for overnight travelers. The camp hosted were nice though.

Warning!! This place is capital L capital O capital U capital D. LOUD!! If you stay here, be prepared to get no sleep. The campground host was friendly, but her primary duty should be to warn everyone that a freight train would be coming thru your pretty campground frequently. They will BLARE their horn, and the cacophony of sounds from the tracks will permeate through your cranium. Worst night camping ever in the history of camping.

The Train Was so loud my family and me had to leave and there was so much bugs in the girls restroom and the shower had bugs in them and I hated it

Between a freeway and a railroad track, with a train that goes by several times at night, blowing a very loud restaurant.

Beautiful campground! I would highly recommend if you have kids. Very safe and clean. Access to the Columbia River within walking distance. The park has hit and clean showers. No need for quarters to shower. Showers are included in camp fee. Outside of main camping area doing trails I noticed lots of poison Ivy.

The Ranger and campers found our lost cat!!! Robert went way beyond what most people would do! We are so grateful for his amazing integrity and character! Posted previously. We were traveling with two cats that became very frightened of the trains and the horns that were so near our campsite. One of the cats ran off and after two days of frantically looking for her. We had to leave for medical reasons. But an amazing man, Ranger Robert, helped to get the whole campsite and day use visitors to help find her after 6 days! He even slept near, her sounds in the bushes to help her feel safe and come out and eat the foods he'd brought her! He's been a real angel in our lives. He's taken her home now, to his family of a loving wife and many pets. We're so grateful for his amazing generosity and kindness to our sweet cat. Stay in Vineto campground, bring earplugs for the train sounds, leashes for pets and know it's a real community of caring people led by Ranger Robert!

This is a nicely wooded campground that is well maintained and has nice, clean facilities. Its location is great along the Columbia River with convenient access to the river, day use areas, scenic bike, hike, and waterfall trails. It's unfortunate that it sits so close to the railroad tracks-that's its only downfall. The kids enjoyed the junior ranger activities (making recycled paper in particular) provided in the park. If you can handle the train noise at night then I'd recommend this campground. The trade off of loud train horns at night for the quick, close access to the river, trails, Hood River, and Cascade Locks was worth it to us.

My family stayed here four days and had a wonderful time. The bathrooms are clean, the showers are warm, and there's so much to do nearby. Many other reviewers mentioned the train and freeway noise, and it is definitely a factor. If it weren't for that this would be one of my favorite campgrounds. But my trailer did a fine job of blunting the sound, and we spent so much time adventuring around the area that it wasn't a problem for us at all. I would book this again.

I've camped here many times....especially when I first moved to the Hood River area and couldn't find an overpriced apartment. I camped here the other night, midweek, just to get away. And yes, like many reviewers have already stated, this campground is extremely loud! The A loop is situated between an interstate highway and an extremely busy railroad. It is hard to sleep, even with ear plugs in, and especially in a tent. To make matters worse, this park has river access via a road that crosses the railroad tracks. Since the trains have to travel through the campground and drive over this seldom used access road they are required to blare their horn, even at 3:30 a.m.! Also, this campground, like most State Parks, uses camp hosts, which, depending on the camp host, can sometimes make or break your experience. On this most recent trip, I walked up to the host's trailer and knocked on his door to ask about purchasing some firewood. He was really annoyed that he was being bothered on his day off. I walked through the back side of the A loop nearest the bathhouse and did not see his sign that read "Off Duty" that was pointing towards the highway for hardly anyone to see. Also, I wanted to hand him my pay envelope because I was having trouble getting the envelope into the fee tube, but he wouldn't take it. Just frustrating.

I stayed here for the Gorge Downwind Festival. Good location for that with many other paddlers at the camp. They were mostly on the river side however. As all the other reviews have noted, the noise is extreme. I'm known for being able to sleep through anything and I couldn't sleep through the non-stop highway noise. Fortunately I had ear plugs. I was on the side away from the river (south?) where there is only tent spots. I didn't really notice the train. Heard it, but it came and went. Clearly if you are on the north side, it is louder. However on the southside, it is like you are camping on a major highway that never quiets down. Even at 3am, it was super loud with trucks. Would I stay here again? Yeah probably since it is so convenient during the Gorge festival but definitely bring ear plugs. Host was super nice. Oh btw, I was charging my battery pack and GPS watch in the bathroom in the morning and it is got swiped. :-( Don't leave your phone charging.

We stayed for 8 days. The train wasn't as loud as I was expecting, the highway was louder. Hood River is pretty close for the spare forgotten supply and thank goodness it is since our internet service (from our phones and Mobley) was terrible. Before you dog pile on me, we travel and work, so it's fairly important to have internet access. Still, there are cute shops in Hood River that we got to frequent while leaching WiFi :) The river is beautiful and a rock hound's dream! The park host was a pleasant man and on his off days the rangers were still round to sell firewood. The facilities, showers and bathrooms, were clean and not that busy. I'd like to go back at a time where I had less to do and a bag of books to read.

Trains from hell. If I were to kidnapped and tortured being placed in a camp site at Viento for more then a night would be the trick. There's noting quite like falling asleep to be woken up thinking a train is about to run into your tent. I gave it a 3 star for free hot showers... that's it.

What to say about this place. It's really good if you have a drinking problem and you can just black the fuck out from the booze, outside of that there is a zero percent chance of sleeping. This place is stupid loud. Trains and cars all the time. When a 3am train comes by at the same time when a truck is using its jake brake you will want to kill yourself. Also da fuk is wrong with the world when you charge $7 for a car, make it $5 or $10, please start thinking for once state of Oregon. That said the park ranger tracked me down to give me my change on it which was really nice. Don't stay here unless you're looking for a real homeless experience with lots of cars and trains zooming by.

This place cannot be called a campground! They shouldn't allow it! It is nestled next to a very busy HWY and cozy near the loudest TRAIN HORN EVER! Trying to find some humor in getting any rest (with earplugs or mp3) is insane. There is water available and firewood for sale. No Ice machine so purchase ice before arriving would be smart. Charging someone $17 for a tent site is somewhat steep. Thank god we talked to the camp host to learn about poison oak and to keep our dog on a tight leash (dogs are immune but may transfer it to you!)! Its everywhere. This is a place you want to always use the bathroom and not nature! No showers available. There is access to the river where you can paddle board, kayak, or what ever water activity you do. Also while chatting with the friendly camp host we had learned that there was a hiking trail of the old hwy that brings you to a beautiful waterfall. Just a one mile hike and totally worth it (we rode bikes)! Dogs are welcome at this campground but should always be on a leash and I wouldn't call this campground kid friendly. Unless they are old enough to teach about poison oak. I wouldn't recommend this campground to anyone. I would recommend that you stop and do the short hike to the waterfalls and check out the river. This is also one of the only campgrounds for tents near Hood River! Com'on! -Not a happy camper!

Hood River is devoid of RV campgrounds. But Viento State Park worked for us. It's smack dab between the interstate and the railroad tracks...and you know it. But it's also clean, with lots of trees, and there is a nice trail to a lake. It's also a quick walk to the river, where we watched some kite surfers & windsurfers out on the water.

I love/hate this campground. The train is loud, but for a train lover it's a fun experience to hear the whistle and see the train from the campsite. Camp hosts are very kind and make several rounds of the camp. One of them even dressed up in a beaver costume and gave my kids stickers. We placed pennies and pesos on the tracks to get crushed by trains. Short walk to the river. River was the perfect temperature. We built a tepee out of sticks and picked blackberries. Trains were loud at night and the road noise was also persistent, but had a fantastic time! Shower stalls and private shower facilities.

We stayed here because our first choice campground was full. We stayed here because we wanted to hike Multnomah Falls the following day. Viento has 56 RV sites and 18 tent sites. They charge $17/night for their tent sites and they accept cash, charge, or check. We camped here on a Saturday night. When we got there at around 4, there were a few sites available. I would consider this campground to be on the luxurious side because they have flushed toilets, a faucet, soap dispenser, and paper towel dispenser in the women's bathroom. They don't have soap in the men's bathroom though. Sorry, guys. Our site was very loud due to the trains that run nearby. I think there are quieter sites, but we weren't able to snag one of those. Would I camp here again? I would but I'll probably bring earplugs to block off the train and other noises.

A few facts to consider before choosing this site: 1) Literally right next to an ACTIVE freight railroad operating 24/7. The ground rumbles. You are also located at a crossing area of some sort, so in addition to regular train rumbles, each train will repeatedly blow its horn as it approaches and passes. I strongly suggest BRINGING EARPLUGS. There are few tent camping sites (which we used), on either side of the highway. We tried both sides, and although both are noisy, the south side is indeed slightly better. 2) Very nice amenities (for women anyway). Clean bathrooms and showers. We visited in mid-Oct, so the camp was pretty empty, in case that makes any difference. 3) $17 for RV hookup with water & electricity, $13 for tent site with picnic table and fire grate. Assuming you're ok with the trains, then I would recommend this as a good jump off point to do lots of great hiking nearby!

This place is bizarre! I feel like it preys on people like me that can't make their whole drive in one go. Why anyone would camp here for fun is beyond me. Yes, I read the reviews about the noise, so I wasn't surprised, but why does this campground even exist in this spot let alone cost money? I've had more peaceful nights at free campsites. The bizarre part--a beaver mascot walking around giving people fist bumps, and sad programming like meeting by the bathroom for stories around a fake campfire. Maybe the site fees should be going towards a solution to the location not a life sized beaver costume

This State Park is Awesome! I'm always reading bad reviews from 'whimpy' out of State folks. "Go back to your safe little world and rent an AIRBNB"!! Look folks, don't come to Oregon and expect civilization. Oregon is wild and for good reason: we like it this way!! We love the 10 months of pouring rain, the tsunami threats and the certainty that many of us will die when the subduction event hits (9+++). Mt. Hood 'is' and active volcano right? Get real. Don't come here and complain. Take a cruise and put on another 20 lbs. Oregon is not for whimps.

Nestled between I84 and the rail line, this is a heavy sleepers dream. A real estate agent would tell you to think of the rumble of the nearby freeway as an ocean... If that is the case, then the rattling trains on the other side of you, blaring their horns as they approach the convenient river access road that crosses the tracks, must be the fleet of ship liners making their way through the fog every hour or two. Camping spots are tucked closely together, the economy airline seats of camp grounds, you will definitely have the potential of meeting new friends - you are so close it is difficult to ignore them. That being said, it is an economic and close place to spend a night or two near Hood River, river access and several great hiking spots. Power and water is available for camper trailers in some spots and there are tent spots available too.

The campground itself including amenities were just fine - plenty of space, large, clean bathrooms, and showers available. However, for a State Park, I can't understand why there is a campground 30 yards from interstate 84 and 50 yards from the railroad. I will never stay here again simply because of the noise, despite it being 10 miles from Hood River.

We stayed overnight in our RV. Got one of the two non-reserved sites, although several of the reserved sites remained vacant this particular evening. The noise is my biggest negative for this review. Interstate 84 is on one side and railroad tracks are along the lower border of this campground. The highway noise is tolerable, the train noise however will wake you. Because of a crossing at a gravel road leading to the river edge, the train does sound off with its horn several times as it passes. This takes place several times during the night. The campground itself is shaded and spaces for RV's is adequate. We were in a 32 foot fifth wheel. The restroom by the day use area is dated and in need of refurbish. A restroom and showers more into the interior of campground is newer and cleaner. The rivers edge is assecessable using the gravel road previously mentioned. It is within easy walking distance. We were told windsurfers often launch from this location. Bottom line if nothing else available, as in our case for a short stop over, ok place to stay. But that needed rest is frequently interrupted by train noise.

NOISY TRAINS ALL NIGHT LONG!! Campground is good enough for a home base for awesome activities in the gorge. But don't expect to get a good nights sleep here.

Ok. Viento State Park. Very nice Park. Horrible location. Train tracks with crossing which mean every hour toot toot day and night. 50 yards to the south, the freeway. So very nice that Oregon allows double trailers. Extremely grumpy old bastard that can barely walk as a host, drives his John Deere cart (through) camp sites to get where he is going. To empty trash in women's shower room he beats on the wall with his cane to alert you he is coming, parks his atv 2 feet from the front door. Bathrooms are flush yet still wreak of crap, with bugs and urine in them, mold on the shower stall seats. Disabled access site is only one with no 30 amp power. Host waits for people to leave gathers their firewood and resells it I'm sure to no benefit of the state parks. Park info sign has no info in the holders. Park garden areas are in ruins. River access is about a 1/4 mile walk across the tracks. Nothing but giant rocky shoreline. Upside is good access to trails and falls. Will never come back again