Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge

Condé Nast Traveler

17-07-2025

Why book?
Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge has landed in the White Salmon River Valley—where Washington and Oregon meet in a landscape of vineyards, canyons, and fast rivers—for the summer 2025 season. It's just over an hour from Portland (or a four-hour drive from Seattle), offering access to one of the Pacific Northwest's most underrated corners. It's perfect for those chasing waterfalls and wineries, river runs and winding mountain roads—without the congestion nor chaos of more-visited trailheads. It's a place to pause that, refreshingly, isn't polished to death—the status of this quirky river-town region hits a sweet spot, with an untamed, stunning, and laid-back feel.
Set the scene
A cascading, snow-covered Mount Hood appears long before you arrive to camp—tallying as only one of the reasons the drive from Portland feels so cinematic. Bodies of water expand beside the highways, rocky cliffs rise above each corner, and the green of the hills are stark and soft—a setting seemingly drawn from a palette of white paint stirred into deep tones of forest green. Wildflowers and waterfalls line the route in, your car climbs through swirling forest roads, and suddenly you'll crest a ridge where the valley opens up into 120 acres of white canvas tents, scattered like quiet signals through a soft fold in the land. From above, it's a view you stop the car for—with Mount Hood still peaking out in the distance, the camp below is like a postcard you just drove into.
The warmly-lit check-in space adjoins the common lounge, which holds a curated selection of books and board games (some written and created by a handful of Northwest-based creatives). The restaurant space extends to an outdoor patio, with space for morning yoga, or simply sitting near the evening fire as the clouds pass over the valley. It's all very dreamy.
Overlooking the camp with a Mt. Hood backdrop at Under Canvas's Columbia River Gorge site
Courtesy of Jessica Chapel
A peak from the Suite Tent with a private wooden deck that looks out to Mt. Hood
Jessica Chapel
The backstory
This is Under Canvas's 12th property, and its first in Washington state. The design is consistent with the glamping brand's style—all safari-inspired tents, with low-impact infrastructure and a commitment to light footprints throughout the campsite. Here, it's adapted for the Pacific Northwest, with a palette that reflects the surrounding muted woods, neutral canvas, and warm textures.
The rooms
Waking up here was one of my favorite parts: Birds sing sweet songs as light filters through the mesh and canvas in a golden hue (best with no alarm or sense of urgency). It's this quiet brightness that the tents let in to say 'it's morning!' Tents fit from two to six guests, and all are set on a private wooden platform with views of tall pine and oak trees (and if you're lucky, a view of Mount Hood itself). Inside, you'll find king beds with luxe linens, a gas fireplace (turned on with an easy push-button—so there's no hassle of making your own fire, like at some of the brand's older camps), West Elm furnishings, and soft layers that never feel heavy. Every tent has a full en suite bathroom with hot pull-chain showers, flushing toilets, and a running sink.
I stayed in a general Suite, which technically sleeps four across a king bed and queen pull-out sofa, but in reality felt more tailored for two if you don't want to squeeze. (It's a perfect couple's retreat.) There's a private deck with Adirondack chairs, best used when sipping coffee and looking out to the surrounding mountains. Note that nights can be cool—even in late June, my partner and I layered up for bed (and were very grateful for the extra blanket brought to our tent without asking).
Food & beverage
From morning to night, on-site meals are unfussy, fresh, and made with local ingredients. Personally, I found breakfast to be the best part with bottomless coffee and tea, an egg sandwich, and plenty of well-packed grab-and-go items like parfaits and salads. It's alfresco, café-style dining, not full restaurant service. And yes—the bees make an appearance when you sit outdoors, but it's part of the whole scene. A gentle reminder: You're still camping. That said, the camp has a true campsite vibe when the three firepits go live once it's time that the sun sets. Each night, guests sit around the fire to make s'mores (and conversation).
At the time of my visit, just after its official opening, the site didn't yet have a liquor license, so guests brought bottles back from the excellent local wineries nearby. This turned into a quiet ritual around camp: Our bottles of wine poured at dusk with our sweaters on. There's no bar here, but you likely won't miss one.
The neighborhood/area
The Columbia River Gorge is a landscape that reveals itself in pieces—rolling into cliffs, forested hillsides (the majestic Cascade Mountains), and open lake views. The camp is about 45 minutes from Mount Hood and a bit over an hour from Portland, making day trips easy and scenic. Crossing the Hood River Bridge is its own kind of joy—narrow, elevated, with expansive and jaw-dropping views over Lake Bonneville. You'll likely go back and forth between Oregon and Washington multiple times during your trip: a drive that never loses its charm. Sailboats, windsurfers, paragliders, and fly-fishers all dot the water. On our first day, we pulled over right after the bridge to process it all, to sink in the way the light landed on the lake and Mount Hood in the distance.
While the camp doesn't have its own trails (like many of the other Under Canvas sites), the versatile activities to embark on a short drive away from the site make up for it. Waterfall hikes sprinkle across the region, and the surrounding roads alone are scenic enough to justify an aimless afternoon. We passed cattle grazing in wide meadows, tight switchbacks through pine forest, and even a gopher snake resting outside our tent (harmless, and far better to spot than a rattlesnake). The sweet, small, and stuck-in-time town of White Salmon is just 15 miles away and offers the kind of colorful character that hasn't been curated out. It's home to local breweries, hitchhiking rafters, and wooden town halls—unchanged since however-long. And while the camp is not located directly on the White Salmon River, it's nearby and offers easy river access for fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, and kayaking.
A look from the common to outdoor area of the camp, where guests can linger close to nature
Jessica Chapel
Visitors from all corners of the world bond over the campfire at this Under Canvas site.
Jessica Chapel
The service
The staff and on-site experience coordinators were consistently thoughtful, offering trail maps, suggestions, and gear. Thanks to the camp's partnerships with local adventure groups and organizations, my partner and I opted into an e-bike ride with Bike the Gorge along a waterfall trail. They gave us Bluetooth-equipped helmets so we could speak to each other during the ride—subtle but smart (and actually really fun). You can also rent regular bikes, but since we'd hiked earlier in the day, we were looking for something low-impact and still immersive.
Otherwise, programming back at camp is already running smoothly with weekly live music, morning yoga, and plenty of activities for families. I visited over Father's Day weekend, and there were plenty of families visiting from Portland and Seattle looking for something removed from the city but not too remote. Also on-site, you can find a small retail shop selling a limited range of active and cozy gear from Aviator Nation, Pendleton throws, Hydro Flask drinkware, and a few staples from Sun Bum and Lululemon.
Eco effort
Like all of the brand's sites, Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge integrates sustainability into the property through a range of eco-conscious practices. The camp sources its menu from local farms, reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring fresh, seasonal offerings. Guests are provided with organic, biodegradable bath products to minimize environmental impact. Water-saving fixtures and low-flow, pull-down showers help conserve water.
The camp's infrastructure is designed for minimal disruption, with unpaved, rocky trails and carefully selected tent sites that blend seamlessly into the landscape. As a Dark Sky–certified resort, the camp reduces light pollution, preserving stargazing and protecting wildlife. And those partnerships with Lululemon, Black Diamond, and Hydro Flask support the brand's aims by offering guests durable, sustainable gear.
Accessibility
While the camp offers accessible tents, bathrooms, and parking, it's worth noting that the terrain is inherently rugged. Most paths are dirt or gravel, and weather conditions can shift things quickly. If accessibility is a priority, they do their best; call ahead for more information.
Anything left to mention?
There's no Wi-Fi in the tents, by design—and truly, it's a welcome absence. The lobby has outlets if you need to plug in (my Wi-Fi was spotty, but worked here). Otherwise, it's easy to forget about your phone given the consuming views, new friends, and much to do.
For those traveling with furry friends, this is one of Under Canvas's pet-friendly properties. And according to the brand's site (and given the handful of pups that were fellow guests on my visit), the region, and particularly the nearby town of White Salmon, offers plenty of dog-friendly trails and establishments.
A note about this site's early days: In the camp's development, there was pushback from some of the local community regarding its opening due to apprehension about potential fire risk and added noise or crowds to the otherwise hyper-local terrain. While stakeholders of the camp have promised to abide by the region's fire and safety regulations, I can personally attest to the team's enforcement of quiet hours once dark (by way of respectful reminders of the quiet region to those still chatting around the firepit after 10 p.m.).