Ainsworth State Park sits along the Historic Columbia River Highway in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, placing visitors at the doorstep of some of Oregon’s most spectacular waterfall hikes. The park serves as a basecamp for exploring the gorge’s western waterfalls, with trailhead access to Horsetail Falls, Ponytail Falls, and the Triple Falls loop — a roughly 4-mile route that threads behind cascading water and through moss-draped basalt corridors.

The campground offers 40 full-hookup sites tucked beneath a canopy of Douglas fir and bigleaf maple, with the sound of Horsetail Creek running through camp. Sites accommodate RVs up to 60 feet, making it one of the more accessible gorge camping options for larger rigs. A walk-in tent area provides quieter options for backpackers and minimalists. Restrooms and hot showers are available on-site.

Beyond the waterfalls, hikers can connect to the Gorge Trail 400 for ridge-top views of the Columbia River stretching toward Beacon Rock and beyond. Birdwatchers should watch for American dippers bobbing along the creek and peregrine falcons riding thermals off the gorge walls.

Visit between May and October for the driest conditions and fullest waterfalls — late spring strikes the best balance between the two. Summer weekends fill quickly, so midweek stays or early reservations are worth planning. Winter brings closures on some trails due to ice and rockfall.

Ainsworth rewards visitors who use it as a launchpad. Set up camp, lace up your boots, and let the gorge do the rest.

Explore Nearby

• Historic Columbia River Highway — Scenic Byway in Oregon
• Lost Lake sits within the Widow Mountain Wilderness Study Area — Public Land
• Sandy Wild and Scenic River — Public Land in Oregon
• Mount Hood National Forest — National Forest in Oregon
• Cedar Creek Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Washington