Rowland Lake, formally named DeBois Lake, is so beautiful ! This little lake is so picturesque,…read moreespecially in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and growing along the slopes, framing the water. If you have driven along SR-14 four miles east of Bingen, then you have driven through Rowland Lake, literally, since the SR-14 and the train track cut through the lake! It makes for some pretty spectacular photo snaps! When you turn onto Old Highway 8 there is a small parking lot and a few areas where you can pull over to take in the scene. Further up the hill on Old Highway 8 is a pull off area for even better views from above. If you are heading to Catherine Creek area or Syncline Wines, you will pass Rowland Lake. It's worth pulling over for a few minutes to take in the beauty. The north lake is stocked with trout, both rainbow and broodstock. There are two fishing openers: the first is from the last Saturday in April through the Sunday before Thanksgiving.; the second is the Friday after Thanksgiving through February. People have also caught bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass. Check their website for details. There is a small boat launch area; electronic boats only. WA access pass is required if you are spending time here other than just pulling over for a few quick pics. I walked around, took pics, then headed to Catherine Creek.

I went here with a group of 14 people plus a dog for 2 nights. You can reserve a group camp site…read morehere for $40 a night, which is a really good deal. Our campsite was very spacious, we probably could have put 4 more tents and still have room for a few more cars to park. The site had a bonfire pit, 2 trash cans, a water pipe and 5 picnic tables. It was a good thing we brought our grills along so we had a separate area to prepare food while everyone else can hang around the bonfire to hang out or roast smores. There is a bathroom nearby and it was surprisingly clean! They stock the toilet paper and soap on a regular basis. There is a shower available but it will cost you $2 for 5 min (quarters only). Oh and beware, the first 10 seconds is super cold but it will heat up after that. There are so many things to do outside of the park. Some of the activities you can do around here are fish at Trout Lake, go white water rafting with various companies (we went with Blue Sky Outfitters, review soon to come), hiking and so on. So there is something for everyone in your group to enjoy! The park rangers here were very helpful as well. Upon arrival, we were greeted and had a quick run through on where to find the bathroom, rules and other helpful tips. She even helped us find a place to find tools to unlock our friend's car since she left her keys in there. We did call AAA but they told us to call back at 11 pm...and our food was in that car, so we had no choice but to break in. Anyways, the park ranger kept checking up on us until we finally did and cheer. Hahaha yes that was a very interesting event. Before you go and book your trip, here are some things to keep in mind: * Google map your trip! There are points in the trip where you will be driving on a long stretch of road for a long period of time before you get to turn. By google mapping, you will have time estimations to show how long you have until your next turn. * Leave early. Although google maps said it was a 4 hour drive from Seattle, it took us 5 plus hours to get there thanks to the traffic around the Tacoma Dome on I-5. Also there are a few sharp turns around Trout Lake that don't have lighting at night, which was pretty scary to drive through. * Make sure someone in your group has AT&T!!! That is the only provider that has service out here. We got lucky that 2 of our friends had AT&T so it was easier for us when we made runs to get supplies. I definitely would love to come back here for another camping trip! **EDIT: I don't know who changed the info for the park but the park is in Trout Lake, NOT Goldendale, WA.

Very clean, great camp host on site for local information. A bit small and tight on spots, very few…read moreoffer privacy.

With Horsethief Butte as the scenic backdrop, this lake is a relaxing spot for fishing & kayaking…read more Equipped with bathrooms & showers, a popular place for camping & RV sleepovers. Not naturally formed, flooded into existence by the Dalles Dam. Without a natural circulation of water, the summer creates toxic algae harmful to humans and fish. Warning signs are posted. A petroglyph trail is a highlight for all; in depth tour guide available by reservation. Boat launch access to the Columbia River.

Lovely piece of the Gorge. We've stopped by the lake portion and checked out the Petroglyphs before…read morewhile passing through, as well as briefly jumping onto a trail at the Butte. This weekend we got around to investing more time in the trails of Butte and it was pretty fun. The trails don't allow for a complete loop around the rock, as there's a block for restoration on the east side. But you can wander most of the way around the water side...up and around the rocks is really where's it at though. There are 3 access points to the top from the trails, and the bouldering up is loads of fun. Once atop you can roam all about and enjoy fabulous views from every angle. While the remainder of the trails at Butte are average, we found it pretty entertaining to climb around the rock portion. There's a decent amount of parking...Discover Pass required...as well at a vault toilet at the trailhead.

Scenic Fishing Spot…read more 5/5 Stars Not only is this place Beautiful but it is filled with fish. It is a great place to come with friends and family. It is safe and spacious.

Merrill Lake Campground is a pretty awesome spot. Awesome enough that I honestly hemmed and hawed…read moreover whether to even add it to Yelp. Although my better Yelp humanitarian judgment has won out here, I still hope you read this, enjoy it, and camp somewhere else. Why? This little campground only has about 9 sites. It's free but you need a discovery pass. There is a camp host and there are surprisingly clean pit toilets on-site, but no potable water. The sites fill up fast in the summer time, but have a 3-day limit that's enforced by the friendly but vigilant camp host. I don't want it to fill up even faster now that I'm sharing this, since I do plan to hit this spot at least one more time before summer is over. There are no reservations (first-come, first-served) and the campsites are designed to work for larger groups - some of them could easily fit 7-10 tents. Each site is spaced decently well away from the others, and offers a picnic table, fire ring and places to pitch. The sites don't really offer views of the lake, they're set back in the trees, but there's plenty of shade Not too dusty, but some sites are heavy with gravel. While it's car camping, you don't drive right in to your site but park in a common lot, then walk in (the farthest you'll have to walk is about 50 yards). So no car noise up close to your site. This little campground sits just by Merrill Lake, a nice smaller lake that does not (thankfully) allow motorized boats and fishing is restricted to fly only, catch + release. For these reasons the water is calmer, cleaner, and dotted with fly fishermen and specific times of the day. At the mid-July mark the lake was warm and clear... perfect for swimming and canoeing. There are some excellent trout holes around the edges of the lake, however I'm not a fly fisherman and don't believe in torturing anything I'm not able to then eat (so catch + release is not for me). However I can see how this would be an attractive spot for a fly fisherman. This campsite is a great place to get away from PDX. Only about 1h 35m in no traffic, and the drive (especially if you come up the 503) is a nice one. Very pastoral, windy road. Get out of your house this summer and sleep under the stars. Just do it at some other campsite since this one is mine.

We stayed for two nights-three days last weekend for my niece's birthday. We usually stay at a…read morecampsite at Lake Berryessa in California, but most of my family now lives in Vancouver so we opted for somewhere near there. Plus, the lakes in California don't even amount to the lakes in Washington/Oregon. My parents went to Merrill Lake Campground on Thursday to secure us a spot which was first come first serve. They managed to get a campsite (#4) that had a direct path to the lake (not the day use where most of the guests would walk to)! It was really big, the only downside was the hill which isn't ideal with little kiddos. Also, that we couldn't have a campfire due to Washington's high alert for fires. It just wasn't the same. You do need a discovery pass which we got at a store that was twelve minutes from the campsite- Lakeside Deli. It was $11 for a day use. The scenery was amazing. It wasn't hot at all where the campsite was. It was surrounded by trees. The water was so clear and clean. The weather was perfect once we made it out of the campsite, through the trail, and to shore. Oh god, and the drive. The drive up the mountain was the scariest I've ever seen. It was beautiful, but so scary. It was a great stay (for free at that!). I recommend this lake!

A lush, beautiful state park located off I-84 near Rowena. After passing by more times than I can…read morecount, I decided to venture off the highway to check it out. Was so surprised and delighted by the incredible views of the basalt cliffs across the way, and of course, close up views of the magnificent Columbia River. There is an area under the trees with picnic tables, a perfect spot to gather for a meal after a nice walk or hike. Plenty of parking, great views, peaceful and serene - a gem.

We pulled off recently to check out Mayer. In our camper van, it was a lovely, quiet spot to enjoy…read morea stretch and a meal. It seemed to be more like a county park in feel, with plenty of parking, some picnic tables, and toilets. They had a recycle bin alongside the trash cans...loved to see that. Albeit a cold December day, we only saw a couple of cars come and go while we were there. From signage it appears to be a good windsurfing area at other times of the year, so I'm sure it gets much busier. Nice little stop-off along the gorge for a view, a stretch, or a picnic.

Host staff warm and welcoming. We stayed one night for July…read more4th. It was a last minute decision but I was able to find one ada spot available but it was right next to the restroom. People walking through the campsite at all hours of the night thinking it wasn't a site as it isn't clearly visible that it is. So if you don't want that don't get one directly next to the restrooms, but if you are a people person and enjoy talking that would be a great spot if you're disabled. This year for July 4th we found a better site a bit farther away because of my dog. There are lots of trees and great water access for fishing and swimming. A very family friendly place! On the day after July 4th, the local fire department goes through the campground and hands out stuff for the children. It was fun watching before we had to leave . This was a great place to camp to get away from the noise of fireworks too. I definitely will be camping here in the future! Cons: no showers and bring a roll of toilet paper with you in case there isn't any in the restroom in the middle of the night

Great campground. Lots of trees. Has a beach spot for swimming. Huge parking loar for boat access…read moreor extra parking. No showers though.

Amazing walk around the lake other than the few trees across the trail that I'm sure will be…read morecleared.

We didn't have the best experience in Cabin 6. There was a pretty disturbing incident, and Trent…read moreWeseman, the manager told us he'd discount our stay, but wasn't available at checkout and changed his story when we finally talked to him on the phone. Read about the insect infestation under "Now for the bad." THE GOOD The staff at the resort are responsive and cordial--not overly friendly, but accommodating and professional. The boat rental manager is super friendly and helpful. The grounds are kept clean, pit toilets cleaned daily and have hand sanitizer. The showers are private and very nice. Hot water comes quickly. Cabins: Our cabin, #6, has 2 bedrooms, a fireplace, a nice wood table with 2 benches, a couch and a chair with a reading light. The kitchen has dishes, glassware, utensils, flatware, pots, skillet, and a baking sheet. Appliances include a microwave, toaster, coffee maker, a gas 4-burner range with oven. Both bedrooms have 2 windows, a comfortable bed for 2, a clothes rack with hangers, and plenty of electrical outlets. Bedroom 1 is slightly bigger with a nightstand. No nightstand in bedroom 2--very narrow space on both sides of the bed. See the Bad section for more. The lake: Beautiful swimming and boating--no motor boats, so that was nice. Gorgeous views of Mt. Hood from the middle of the lake and the day use areas (a 5-minute walk from the lodge). There is a great walk around the lake with a well-maintained trail. Now for the bad: The insect infestation : Cabin 6 has an unknown flying insect infestation every day around noon. It is not insignificant--there are hundreds. They crawl in from a crack around the fireplace and cover the windows and mantle. It is pretty disgusting and disturbing (see photos). Trent, the manager, offered us 2 rooms in the lodge, which have running water, a real bathroom with flush toilet and shower. However, they are dark and at the back of the lodge. The whole point of our trip was to be together with our friends playing games, visiting and sharing meals together. By the time we checked out the lodge rooms and got back to the cabin to figure out what to do, the bugs had died, so we swept them out and decided to stay in the cabin. They came back the next day too. Trent also offered us a boat rental for free, but we also declined it because we brought our own boat. We spent a lot of time talking with him about how to discount our stay, and he said he could discount us the price of a boat rental, and said "don't worry, we'll make it right." Trent wasn't there when we checked out, and when he finally called us back he reneged on his promise to "make it right." It's really disappointing to be lied to, and my husband wasn't going to get into a futile and heated argument with him. We paid $1087 for 3 nights, and when you have something like this happen you expect to be compensated somehow. The NOISE: In the lodge and cabin area the generator for the resort runs constantly and it is LOUD. You are never listening to nature--there is a constant humming/whirring from the generator. You can get away from the noise if you are further away from the lodge and cabins. The yurt areas are quieter, and there are camp sites far enough away from the noise. The view: Cabin 6 faces a huge graveled parking area--that is your view. Trees obscure the lake. Cabin 8, the largest, has a nice view of the lake. Food prep and cleanup (specifically for cabin 6): We arrived on Labor Day and the restaurant had stopped being open during the week. We brought our food, so it wasn't an issue. There isn't room to clean dishes in the cabin. We cooked 3 meals a day, every day. We had to set up a dish washing station on our outdoor table. I had brought a large pot, so we kept water warm on the stove. A note about the toilet/sink area: the only way to turn the water on and off is on the BACK side of the sink about 18" off the ground-take 2 people. Also--bring a bin to put your dishes in to carry up to the sink. A porch setup works as long as it doesn't rain. There's no room for an outside canopy. We won't be back.

Moderate difficulty hike that's 5.4 miles from the North Bonneville Trailhead to Gillette Lake. I…read morerecommend looking up the trail on the gorgefriends.org website for directions and additional helpful info. You do have to pay to park at the trailhead unless you already have a Northwest Forest Pass (it's currently a $5 day-use fee to park if you don't have that pass). There's a couple pit toilets and picnic tables at the trailhead parking lot as well. The trail is dirt in some sections and loose gravel/rocks in others. There are sections of inclines as well, so along with the rocky sections of trail, some people may prefer to use trek poles for stability. The incline sections aren't too long and it's a good mix of up and down, so you don't get too winded of you're in relatively good shape. It's also a nice mix of shaded sections in the forest, and open areas in the sun. There's nice views of the surrounding area in the upper open sections and the lake itself is quite pretty. There aren't any benches at the lake, though, so plan on sitting on the ground, or bring your own camp chair, if you want to hang out at the lake a bit. There also isn't a lot of open shoreline, either, so keep that in mind.

This is a super easy hike. You follow the trail from the Bonneville dam trailhead for about 1/2…read moremile, until it connects with the Pacific Crest Trail. Hang a left, and it's 2 miles to Gillette Lake. The trail has a mix of Forrest, clear-cut, and rocky talus. While the clear-cut is a little depressing, it does allow for some nice views throughout the hike. You pass by another lake on the way to Gillette, and there is a nice stream just past the lake. You can continue up the Pacific Crest Trail for as long as you like. There is a decent little loop about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile past Gillette lake. It's worth it if you want to add a few miles onto the hike. There is supposedly a viewpoint or overlook up this way, but we did not find it. The trail is fairly muddy if you hike in winter. But this is a nice alternative to many of the very hard hikes out here in the gorge. A great Sunday outing for the family. There is a fee to park, unless you have a Northwest forest pass or a Discover pass. I think the fee is five dollars. There are some pit toilets at the trailhead if you need that sort of thing.

Secluded lake park perfect for those who want a lake to themselves…read more Boat ramp available but the lake is not large enough for anything more than Jon boats. Plenty of well worn trails around the lake, some leading down to the banks to fish alongside. All trails are fairly easy for all ages. Views are serene. Ample parking, bathrooms available but bring your own wipes ;) *Warning* as there is no fresh water source to circulate, signage indicates extreme toxic levels especially during warm weather seasons. Safer to avoid during the summer.

Down a dirt road, past some industry sits this little lake(s). Certainly an unassuming park, it's…read moregot a bit to offer if you're ok with the not-so-pleasant constant odor wafting through the area (I assume from one of those businesses we passed on our way in). There are 2 "lakes" here, more pond-like I would say. Quite a bit of parking is available, with a vault toilet, boat ramp, life jackets, and a trail running the circumference of Spear Lake. We took that path, which is mostly single file width and easy for anyone. Lots of birds and ducks...as well as wind...with lovely views of ridges on both sides of the Columbia. There's a graveyard for an old car on the far side that Mother Nature is absorbing best she can. Would I go out of my way to visit again? No. But it's a decent place for a stroll if you live nearby or are passing through...as long as you can ignore the smell. Heads up, ticks are out here already this spring...we noticed one hitchhiker halfway around.