RV Park construction in West TD could move forward with $1 million state grant
Late Wasco County Commissioner Phil Brady at the RV site several years ago when the county was first investigating an Oregon State Parks grant.
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., July 2, 2026 — Wasco County commissioners are mulling over a $1.88 million investment into the construction of a 48-site RV Park in West The Dalles on 154-acre site they purchased from Bert Hodges’ family in August 2022.
The project would transform an unfinished RV campground on the county-owned property near Chenoweth Creek and Foley Lakes, just off Interstate 84 at Exit 82.
Wasco County purchased the property for $1.5 million after the previous owner partially developed the campground but never completed the project.
Public testimony at the Commission’s regular meeting on Wednesday strongly favored the proposal, with speakers describing it as a rare opportunity to transform long-idle county property into a modern campground that addresses a longstanding shortage of short-term RV accommodations while capitalizing on an unusually successful National Scenic Area permitting process.
County staff presented the proposal during the July 1 meeting, outlining plans to use a $1 million grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to complete and modernize the campground.
The grant requires an $884,900 local match, bringing the total estimated project cost to $1,884,900.
Panoramic of the 154 acres off of West Sixth Street near the Exit 82 overpass in The Dalles.
According to county staff, much of the original infrastructure is already in place. The previous owner completed most of the utility work, including RV sites with water, sewer and electrical hookups, but the campground was never opened.
Current plans call for rebuilding the campground with 48 full-hookup RV sites, tent sites designed to accommodate travelers such as cyclists, an ADA-accessible restroom and shower facility, and dark-sky-friendly lighting. The park would continue operating as a short-term campground with a maximum stay of 14 days.
Much of the discussion centered on whether the county should construct a basic restroom facility or spend approximately $250,000 more to build a larger amenity center featuring an office, laundry facilities and a small market selling items such as ice and propane.
County staff urged commissioners to build the larger facility now, describing it as a one-time opportunity. Because most of the property lies within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and outside the urban growth boundary, future expansion would require additional Scenic Area approvals. Staff said obtaining the necessary permits without appeals is uncommon and may not be possible again.
Commissioners focused much of their discussion on the park's long-term financial sustainability. They questioned whether a retail market could be successfully staffed with part-time employees, how the facility would perform financially over time, and what measures would be incorporated to improve the campground's resilience to wildfire.
Financial projections presented by the county's finance department estimated approximately $190,000 in annual campsite revenue based on 40% occupancy and an average nightly rate of $55.
Staff also shared an artificial intelligence-generated revenue model that assumed higher occupancy rates and dynamic seasonal pricing. Under that scenario, annual gross campsite revenue could eventually range between $300,000 and $400,000.
In addition to campsite revenue, the park is expected to receive approximately $57,000 annually through state RV registration fee allocations.
Commissioners took no action Wednesday. The board directed staff to return with additional financial information, including a more detailed review of operating projections, before making a decision on how to proceed with the project.
Wasco County commissioners postponed a decision on redeveloping Oak Ranch RV Park while requesting additional financial analysis for the proposed $1.88 million project west of The Dalles.
