Campground Review - Peach Beach RV Park - Goldendale, WA

Description

The Peach Beach RV Park is lovely, quiet, and well-shaded park on the shore of the Columbia River in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. The park is surrounded by peach orchards and right next to Maryhill State Park. This small privately owned park is big-rig RV and family friendly. Peach Beach is another good base from which to explore the Columbia River Gorge.

Location

Peach Beach RV Park
89 Maryhill Hwy
Goldendale, WA 98620
Phone: (509) 773-4927
Latitude: 45.684793 N, Longitude: -120.819250 W

Details

We stayed at the Peach Beach RV Park for one week in early September. The park was very busy during our stay as fishermen arrived for the Salmon run. We had a 50 amp partial hookup water & electric pull-thru site.

We had some difficulty making reservations with the park as office hours were only for a few hours a week. We wanted to book well in advance, knowing how busy the park could be in fishing season. With persistence, we managed to place a reservation. Depending on season, the park accepts campers with no reservations on a first come first served basis. Check the park website for current rules, rates and office hours. We very much enjoyed our stay here.

Cost

Our seven night stay here was about $36/night, including tax and a $5/night extra vehicle fee.

Amenities On Site or Nearby

The campground has only basic amenities, including partial-hookups, RV dump station, tent sites, restrooms and showers. Few amenities are available close to the park – travel centers with gas, food, mini-markets and other services are just across the Columbia River at Biggs Junction, Oregon, while a grocery store, gas stations, laundromat, restaurants and other services are available nearby in Goldendale, Washington. A wider range of shopping and services are available some distance away at The Dalles, Oregon, or Kennewick, Washington.

Ratings (1-5)

Accessibility – 4/5

The campground is easily accessible from US-97. The turnoff to the park is not well-marked and is easy to miss, both at the turnoff from US-97 and again from the frontage road running past Maryhill State Park.

The access road leading into the park passes a working orchard on one side and Peach Beach RV Park on the other. This access road is paved with asphalt, but is narrow and rough with potholes and other damage. This road could use maintenance. The access road can also become constricted due to overflow parking from the RV park at peak season.

The lanes through the park are well-maintained gravel and will easily accommodate large rigs, although lanes through the park may also become constricted with extra vehicles at peak season.

The campground bath house facilities have provision for Universal access. The park has both pull-thru and back-in sites RV sites, as well as dry sites for tent camping. Most of the RV sites will accommodate large rigs.

Facilities/Amenities – 3/5

This campground offers only basic amenities, including partial-hookups with water and 50/30/20 amp electrical, RV dump station, tent sites, restrooms and showers. The grounds and facilities are clean and very well maintained. The park has a limited number of full hookup water, electric and sewer sites for long-term stays. The park features a small sheltered harbor with swim area and boat landing.

Site quality – 3/5

Short-term RV sites are only partial hookup water and 50/30/20 amp electric service. A few long-term full hookup sites are available. Sites are grass and gravel and include a picnic table. Fires are prohibited in the park. Sites are level, shady and there is some separation between sites.

Note – the Columbia Gorge can be quite windy! The adjacent orchard, windbreak plantings and trees throughout the park buffer the frequent winds blowing through the Columbia Gorge.

Scenic Value – 5/5

The park is located on the shore of the Columbia River in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. This area of the gorge lies in the rain-shadow of the Cascade Mountains, so is quite dry. Across the river are the dramatic black cliffs of ancient lava flows cut by the river and the episodic floods of the past. Behind the park are sere grass-covered hills dotted with wind turbines.

Location/Isolation – 3/5

The campground is bordered by orchards, state park and Columbia River, so it feels rather isolated from the outside world. Depending on season, the campground can be quite busy, but is still generally quiet.

The main detraction are railroad tracks passing near the park – the Columbia Gorge is a major rail corridor and there are rail lines on both shores of the Columbia River. Trains pass often and are loud for a time. There is a rail crossing along the track not far from the campground, so the trains do sound their horns. Intervening orchards and park trees help reduce the noise from the railway.

Paws Friendliness – 3/5

The campground is pet friendly, but does not have cleanup-bag stations or an enclosed pet run. The campground is large enough to take a short walk with your pet. A gate provides access to adjacent Maryhill State Park, a perfect place to walk your pet for more exercise.

Overall Rating – 4/5

This is a lovely campground which we highly recommend. We would certainly stay here on another trip.

Additional info

Internet access

We received a weak to moderate 4G Verizon signal at this campground. We deployed our cellular antenna and booster for stronger MiFi hot spot internet access. This campground does not provide WiFi.