Viento State Park offers opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, and windsurfing.

Where a railroad station once stood is now the home of one of the Gorge’s best kept secrets: Viento is a great place to camp! With modern campsites, Viento almost always has a spot available when other campgrounds in the area are full. No reservations are required. On weekends in the summer, rangers provide interpretive programs. A fully-accesible restroom is located here.

Viento has a day-use area with easy access to the Columbia River and some of the best windsurfing in the Gorge. There’s a great picnic area right next to a wonderful babbling creek (just right for skimming stones and soaking sore feet).

A 1-mile trail from Viento to Starvation Creek takes you along a section of the Historic Columbia River Highway. Now a hiking trail, there hasn’t been auto traffic here in more than 50 years.

Vital stats: Open March – November. A small fee or an annual parks pass is required for day-use. The campground provides 58 electrical campsites and, 17 tent (maximum site 30 feet).

: Climate in this region changes drastically with elevation. The area receives a high amount of precipitation. Much of the precipitation comes from October to April in the form of rain at the low elevations and as heavy snow in the higher elevations. Winter temperatures are normally cool at the lower elevations and cold at the higher elevations. Although snow is possible in the lowest elevations, it is infrequent and does not stay on the ground for long. Late spring, summer and early autumn bring the best chance for clear, sunny days and bring moderate temperatures.

Location: Viento State Park is located in the Columbia River Gorge, on I-84, 8 miles west of Hood River at Exit 56.

Contact Info: Oregon Parks & Recreation Department1115 Commercial Street NESalemOR97301-1002800-551-6949