VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

I'm going to Hood River for the first time . Any advice on particularly good camping spots or cheap hotels to stay at ... or on the other hand any warnings against bad campsites or things to look out for . Thanks

The Oregon and Washingotn state campgrounds are very nice, hot showers (for a couple of USA quarters in Washington parks) and power is available for RV. At this time of year, there will not be a shortage of sites, about $20 USD per night. Tent camping is okay (which is what i do). All Oregon state park campgrounds are very rumbly all day (read very close to train tracks that are heavily used). For family camping, I prefer the eastern sites in Washington, particualarly Maryhill. If the wind is in the central corridor (near Hood River), you could stay at Tuckers campground above Hood River as other sailors say it is okay. If you are on a budget, there are places to stay for free ranging from Chateau Wallmart to much more rustic sideroads that can be found around. Enjoy.

If you are doing the free camping thingy, The Marina is a great base with coin showers, washrooms, picnic tables, water and garbage cans. You can't camp there, but you can get there early and can stay until 11:00 pm, when the marina guy drives around in the little Datsun and tells you to get out. The marina is the letft hand turn just before the Hood River Toll bridge.

Thanks for the info guys ... now all I need is the wind . Even if it doesn't blow , I hear the mtn biking is quite good so I should have my bases covered for max fun factor

For free camping I have stayed in the Celilo parking lot. Washroom there too with grass but sprinklers come on at night so pick a brownish spot of grass or stay in the vehicle maybe. You can also get power from the washroom building, we've watched football games outside of the building there before Great spot also when Maryhill's wind is on the southern side.
Avery is another spot if you don't mind a bit a dust.

For parks you can also try Home Valley, nice and more quiet than others and Johnny on the spot for those September outflow days which seem to me always best there or Stevenson.