Ainsworth State Park in Oregon, USA - map and visitor information

Ainsworth State Park is a seasonal camping base in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge. It suits visitors who want to explore the waterfall corridor while returning to a campground at night. Expect highway and rail noise rather than an isolated forest retreat.

Highlights

Use the park as a starting point for Gorge walks.
Choose a hookup site or a walk-in tent space.
Explore the Historic Columbia River Highway corridor from a seasonal base.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Topic	Details
Camping and service charges	Camping and extra-vehicle charges depend on the reservation. The dump station costs USD 10; registered state park campers pay once per stay.
Opening hours	The operator lists day use and camping from March 21 to October 31.
Seasonal access and closures	Water and restrooms may start later in March if weather delays service. Confirm the opening date and fire restrictions before booking.

Safety information

Read notices for the particular Gorge trail you intend to use. A campground reservation does not confirm that every connecting hike is open. Trains operate nearby around the clock.

Visit responsibly

Keep pets leashed and observe campground quiet hours of 10 p.m.–7 a.m. Buy suitable local firewood and follow the park’s restrictions on ash, olive and white fringe tree material.

Reservations and permits

Book through the authorized Ainsworth reservation listing. The operator allows advance booking up to six months ahead. Hiker/biker camping is not reservable. Check equipment length and vehicle limits for the selected site.

Maps, location, and access

The campground is off the Historic Columbia River Highway near Interstate 84 exit 35. Day-use parking and trail access lie about half a mile west of the campground entrance. Consult the official campground map before choosing an arrival point.

Nearby parks

Benson State Recreation Area is west of Multnomah Falls. Vehicle access is from eastbound Interstate 84 exit 30 only, so plan the direction of approach.
Rooster Rock State Park lies farther west along the Gorge. Check its hunting-season and boat-launch notices before choosing a shoreline activity.

Things to do

Hike: Day-use areas connect with Gorge Trail 400 and the Horsetail Falls trail network. Select the route separately from your campsite.
Picnic: Use the roadside day-use area for a shorter stop.
Camp: Compare hookup and walk-in tent arrangements before choosing the equipment to bring.

Facilities and accessibility

Flush toilets and full-hookup camping are listed, with one hookup site identified as accessible. Walk-in tent parking is nearby rather than at each tent. Confirm the route between your site and services if mobility access matters.

About this park

History

John and Alice Ainsworth donated the initial tract in 1933. Civilian Conservation Corps workers built picnic facilities and trails in 1935. Later purchases enlarged the property.

Contact

Call 503-793-9885 for park information. Check the official Ainsworth page for operating notices.

	Temp max	Temp min	Rain	Snow
Jan	6 °C 43 °F	0 °C 32 °F	201 mm 7.9 in	28 mm 1.1 in
Feb	6 °C 43 °F	0 °C 32 °F	176 mm 6.9 in	47 mm 1.9 in
Mar	10 °C 50 °F	1 °C 34 °F	179 mm 7.0 in	25 mm 1.0 in
Apr	13 °C 55 °F	4 °C 39 °F	159 mm 6.3 in	10 mm 0.4 in
May	18 °C 64 °F	7 °C 45 °F	108 mm 4.3 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Jun	21 °C 70 °F	10 °C 50 °F	86 mm 3.4 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Jul	26 °C 79 °F	13 °C 55 °F	14 mm 0.6 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Aug	27 °C 81 °F	14 °C 57 °F	15 mm 0.6 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Sep	22 °C 72 °F	11 °C 52 °F	82 mm 3.2 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Oct	15 °C 59 °F	7 °C 45 °F	201 mm 7.9 in	0 mm 0.0 in
Nov	9 °C 48 °F	3 °C 37 °F	229 mm 9.0 in	8 mm 0.3 in
Dec	5 °C 41 °F	0 °C 32 °F	239 mm 9.4 in	37 mm 1.5 in