River Camping Packing Guide: What to Pack for Sand Island Campground (Complete Checklist for River Camping)

Ready to trade city noise for river breeze and sand between your toes? Sand Island Campground in St. Helens, Oregon, makes island camping genuinely simple for first-timers. You book online, meet the crew at the marina, ride the shuttle over with your gear, and settle into a quiet, family-friendly site with big water views waiting on the other side.

This guide walks through every step, from choosing a campsite to catching the shuttle and packing for an island with no running water or power. 



You'll also find answers to the questions people ask most about booking, what happens after payment, and how our shuttles actually run on summer weekends. Start with our camping reservations page whenever you're ready to look at dates.

Campsites get reserved directly through our website, where you can browse standard sites for up to 6 guests or step up to larger river sites that fit as many as 12 people. 

Booking runs first come, first served, and a reservation only becomes confirmed once payment goes through — cash isn't accepted, so have a card ready before you start. If river views or proximity to the beach and docks matter to your group, the riverfront and beachfront options show up clearly during checkout, so you can compare before committing to a specific site.

Once your reservation completes, your card is charged, and the site is yours. You'll get a confirmation covering your dates, check-in and check-out times, and arrival instructions for the St. Helens Marina Launching Ramp at 134 N River St. 

If you're wondering whether to book ahead in Oregon, the honest answer is yes — summer weekends and holiday periods fill quickly, and a 2-night stay may be required during special events, though most dates only need a 1-night minimum. 

If your plans shift, aim to revise your dates at least 5 days ahead rather than leaving it to the last minute.

For quick links as you plan: if your heart's set on a riverfront pitch, our river campsite page covers the scenic waterfront options in more detail, and if you're bringing a dog and the kids and want to be sure the vibe fits, our fun things to do with kids page covers the family side of things around town too.

Once payment's confirmed, Andrew — our camp host and shuttle driver — takes over managing arrivals and the courtesy shuttles. Check-in runs from 1:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM. You'll meet the team at the marina, unload your gear, and ride the free boat shuttle over as an overnight camper. Bathrooms are on the island itself, while showers are on the mainland and need a short shuttle ride to reach.

A few things worth knowing ahead of time: firewood bundles are available to buy on the island for $5, day use isn't offered at the moment so it's worth arriving with an overnight mindset even for a short stay, and pets are genuinely welcome as long as they're kept under control, cleaned up after, and considerate of neighbours during quiet hours.

A strong shelter ensures comfort even during unexpected weather changes.

The Sand Island shuttle runs on a predictable weekly rhythm, which makes it easy to plan both your crossing and any trips back into town:



• Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Closed Monday to Wednesday

The free boat shuttle for overnight campers runs throughout those hours. In one sentence, here's how it works: you meet at the St. Helens Marina Launching Ramp, load your gear onto the parking shuttle, return to the dock, then take the courtesy boat over to the island with staff guiding you the whole way across.

Arrive at 134 N River St. and the process runs in a straightforward sequence:



• Unload your camping gear to the side of the boat ramp.
• Call the Marina Store to request the parking shuttle.
• Follow the shuttle to the parking lot, lock your vehicle, and ride back to the ramp.
• Meet the boat shuttle crew, who'll help you and your gear board safely.
• On the island, staff will show you to your campsite and answer any questions on the spot.

It's about 35 minutes from downtown Portland via Hwy 30, and the ride over gives you a genuinely good first look at the Columbia Riverfront and any ships passing through.

The island stays peaceful and simple, which is a lot of the charm, but it does mean packing as if you're boondocking near the beach rather than at a full-service site. A short checklist covers most of what you'll actually need:

• Drinking water for cooking and hydration — plan for at least one gallon per person per day.
• Headlamps and extra batteries, plus a power bank for phones and any small devices.
• Layers, including a windbreaker or warm hoodie, since the river breeze turns noticeably cooler after sunset.
• Camp kitchen basics, lightweight food, and a sealable tote for critter-safe storage overnight.
• A cashless payment method for firewood bundles and any add-ons on the island.
• Disc golf discs if you want to play the 12-basket course, plus comfortable shoes for walking it.
• Sun and sand kit: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a quick-dry towel.

Bathrooms are on the island, but showers are a short ride away on the mainland, so pack toiletries in a grab-and-go bag for quick shuttle trips. And if a campfire's part of the plan, firewood is available right there on the island for $5 a bundle.

Sand Island Campground is built for families, tent campers, and anyone after a relaxed waterfront campout with genuinely good views. You can stroll to sandy beaches, watch ships glide past, and catch Mt. Hood or Mt. St. Helens on a clear day. 



Quiet hours keep the overall tone respectful, pets are welcome when controlled and cleaned up after, and we stock pick-up bags at the dock in case you need them.

Activities run to cornhole and horseshoes, easy walks along sandy paths, and a 12-basket disc golf course that suits beginner to intermediate players depending on how the wind's behaving that day. 

Hungry after a round or a day on the beach and not in the mood to cook? Sunshine Pizza delivers to the shuttle pick-up location at the marina, and our courtesy shuttle can help you pop over and back during posted hours.

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