Campground Camping

Campground Camping Areas

• Newport RD

  Truly the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger Districts are found in the most northeastern portion of Washington State with Canada as their northern boundary. Reaching from the Three Rivers Ranger District Boundary, it encompasses two of the highest peaks in eastern Washington. Abercrombie, the second highest is found west of the Pend Oreille Valley. After crossing the Pend Oreille Valley the Districts then climb to the highest peak in eastern Washington, Salmo Peak, found in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness  Following the ridge south, rather than the State line, the District goes all the way down to the city of Newport.
  
  The Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger District prides itself its outdoor opportunities. The southern portion is frequented by off highway vehicles, while the north is visited more by those who enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and water recreation. Home to the largest mammals in the state, the Newport-Sullivan Ranger Districts are the home to Grizzly bears, Black bears, cougars, bobcats, moose, elk, wolves, and mountain sheep.

• Batey-Bould Trailhead
• Browns Lake

  Browns Lake is a 88.1 acre, 23' deep, high elevation lake that is in a setting of forested mountains. This non-motorized lake is known for its fly fishing and camping. There is a primitive boat launch on the south end. While at the lake you can enjoy fishing, camping, canoeing and viewing the cutthroat spawning run in the spring.

  History: Earl Broten wrote about moving up from Spokane and growing up in the town of Locke in Pend Oreille country in the early 1900’s. His stepfather staked some claims at Brown’s Lake across the Pend Oreille River, where they were looking for ways to get the ore out. That didn’t seem as successful as the fishing opportunities went though. His family would bring back large trout from Brown’s Lake.    

  There is also a historical cabin located within the campground built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

• Browns Lake Campground
• Cooks Lake
• Mystic Lake
• No Name Lake
• Panhandle Campground
• Pioneer Park Campground

  Pioneer Park Campground is located in northeast Washington on the Pend Oreille River. Visitors enjoy hiking, fishing, boating and swimming. The campground's proximity to the city of Newport provides urban entertainment opportunities as well.

• South Skookum Lake

  

   

  South Skookum Lake is 31.8 acre 15’ deep lake with excellent fishing, camping, hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing opportunities. South Skookum is a popular lake found in a setting of forested mountains. This lake has a boat access and two docks, one of which is accessible.

• South Skookum Lake Campground
• Republic RD

  The boundaries of the Colville National Forest and even Regional designation have changed dramatically over the years as it transitioned from Region 6 to Region 1 then back to Region 6. The Colville National Forest has had a change in District names and boundaries as Supervisors have come and gone. The one constant has been the Republic Ranger District.
  
  The Republic Ranger District has always had the same name although its boundaries have changed over time. Currently the Republic Ranger District stretches from the Tonasket Ranger District to the crest of the western slopes of the Kettle Ridge and from the Colville Reservation in the south.  The district continues north to the Canadian border. The Republic Ranger District is noted for its recreational opportunities surrounding the Swan Lake area in the southwest portion, which boast some of the best lakes to see the American Loon.

• Deer Creek Forest Camp
• Ferry Lake

  Ferry Lake is a 20 acre lake that is off the beaten path, but easily accessed. Ferry lake offers tranquil camping and fishing. With its handful of small, well shaded campsites and a ban on motorized boats, the lake is quiet enough to hear ducks and loons calling to each other across the lake. The lake is regularly stocked with catch-sized rainbow trout. Spring to early summer is the best time to fish this secluded and serene location. A public boat launch is located at the end of the campground. Three other trout fishing lakes are available within six miles for nice day trip excursions. Wildflowers and  huckleberry's are other attractions that bring visitors to the area. The nearest location for grocery and fishing supplies is 16 miles away in Republic Washington.

• Ferry Lake Campground
• Fish Lake Trail #2
• Lambert Horse Camp
• Long Lake

   

  Long Lake is a 13.8 acre 58’ deep, clear water lake. Perfect for fly fishing, camping, hiking and wildlife viewing. Beautiful views of the lake can be seen from the 1.5 mile trail that traverses along the waters edge.   You can hear and see wildlife living on the lake including the common loon. 

• Long Lake Campground

  Long lake has well shaded campsites that can accommodate large vehicles. Its amenities include an old fashion pump-handle well that provides the campground with potable water. A beautiful clear water lake stocked with cutthroat trout is fly fishing only and combustion engines are prohibited.  Beautiful views of the 12.8 acre lake can be seen from the 1.5 mile trail that traverses along the waters edge. You can hear and see wildlife living on the lake including the common loon. Chipmunks are abundant in the campground so please remember to store all food properly before leaving your campsite.

  Facilities

  • 12 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits
  • Drinking water
  • Vault toilets
• Swan Lake

  

   

  Swan Lake is a 52 acre, 95’ deep lake at 3,641’ elevation. Excellent for casual hiking, moderate level mountain biking, fly fishing and large group picnicking and camping. 

  History: Swan Lake Kitchen was originally built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and was historically preserved in 2009.

  Remanence from the North Star wildfire of 2015, which burned over 5,000 acres in the surrounding area, including patches throughout the entire riparian of Swan Lake can be seen here. 

• Swan Lake Campground

  Some campsites in this campground are private and most have a view of the lake. It is also the site of the historic Swan Lake Kitchen.

• Swan Lake Trail #14
• Ten Mile Campground
• Sullivan Lake RD

  Truly the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger Districts are found in the most northeastern portion of Washington State with Canada as their northern boundary. Reaching from the Three Rivers Ranger District boundary, it encompasses two of the highest peaks in eastern Washington. Abercrombie, the second highest is found west of the Pend Oreille Valley. After crossing the Pend Oreille Valley the Districts then climb to the highest peak in eastern Washington, Salmo Peak, found in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness  Following the ridge south, rather than the State line, the District goes all the way down to the city of Newport.
  
  The Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger District prides itself its outdoor opportunities. The southern portion is frequented by off highway vehicles, while the north is visited more by those who enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and water recreation. Home to the largest mammals in the state, the Newport-Sullivan Ranger Districts are the home to Grizzly bears, Black bears, cougars, bobcats, moose, elk, wolves, and mountain sheep.

• Crescent Lake

  Crescent lake is a beautiful 21.6 acre, emerald green lake. This lake is located nine miles north of Metaline Falls, WA, and just one mile south of the Canadian border. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April through October 31. This lake receives annual plantings of rainbow trout. A small rustic, three site campground lies just above the lake. Amenities include: tables, fire rings, a concrete vault toilet, and an animal proof garbage can. No potable water is available. It is best suited for small RV's or tent camping.

  History: Bill Buffington was interviewed by John Ogmundson about his younger days and trails in the early 1900’s up near Metaline Falls, Washington. Bill talked about there being a lot of gold washers coming up the river. They would come up the old mining trail from Waneta where the last bridge is on the river before it goes into the Columbia. That trail came all the way up the Columbia River and around the west bank of the Pend Oreille all the way down to Metaline Falls at the top of the hill, also known as old Blue Ribbon Trail. Cooper’s trail was a good wide trail he said. A trail out to Coooper’s cook shack used to cross the river at Z Canyon, where one of the forks led up to an old cabin above Crescent Lake.

• Crescent Lake Campground
• Edgewater Campground
• Mill Pond Campground
• Sullivan Creek Dispersed Sites
• Sullivan Lake

  

   

  Sullivan Lake is 1290.7 acre, 312’ deep luminous lake with breathtaking views and world class recreational opportunities. This lake is a popular recreation lake nestled in the mountains of the northwest Washington. In addition to fishing for trout, salmon and turbot, visitors come to the lake for camping canoeing, swimming, SCUBA diving and hiking along the trail on the east side of the lake. Other attractions include ice fishing for burbot/ling cod and bighorn sheep viewing during the winter months.

  History: In the Metaline District, a gold strike on the Sullivan Creek occurred in 1859 which brought prospectors flocking into the region, including Michael R.O. Sullivan for whom Sullivan Creek and Sullivan Lake were named.

• East Sullivan Campground

  This campground is located on the north end of beautiful Sullivan Lake and offers many recreational opportunities. Campsites are suitable for both tent and RV camping.

• Noisy Creek Campground

  Within walking distance to the lake, the campsites in this campground are nice and private. Noisy Creek Trail #588 can be accessed from the campground and the lake provides many wildlife viewing and recreational opportunities.  Campsites are suitable for both tent and RV camping.

• West Sullivan Campground
• Three Rivers RD

  The Three Rivers Ranger District offers unique opportunities to its visitors. It is situated between the Kettle Mountains to the West, down to the Columbia River and then back up into the Selkirk Mountain Range on the East.
  
  The Three Rivers Ranger District has the most disability accessible sites in the Forest. Wheelchair accessible trails, hunting blinds, campsites and docks welcome people from all backgrounds. Scenic drives offer breathtaking views from the Sherman Trail over the Kettle Mountain Range to Aspen Groves dotting the Little Pend Orielle Lakes area. On the southeast OHV enthusiasts are greeted with a large assortment of trails to choose from.  With the largest groomed cross country ski area in the Colville National Forest, visitors can enjoy a warming hut while gliding through the trees around Frater Lake.

• Big Meadow Lake

  

   

  Big Meadow Lake is 4.1-acre shallow lake perfect for family recreating and wildlife viewing.   This Lake is found in a beautiful setting of forested mountains. Visitors come for fishing, camping, hiking, birding and canoeing. It has a primitive boat launch and fishing pier. It is a shallow lake with a depth of 15'. 

  History: According to Joe Barreca with Northeast Washington Trails, “Big Meadow Lake was once the true homestead. Meadow Creek was dammed to create Meadow Lake for wildlife habitat. The lookout tower was built on top of North Baldy Mt in 1964 and survived for many years without guy wires, a noteworthy fact. Guy McKee helped save it for Big Meadow Lake.”

• Big Meadow Lake Campground
• Canyon Creek Campground
• Davis Lake

  Davis Lake is a 17 acre, 4,550' elevation, rustic lake and is the perfect lake to enjoy during your day of fishing and recreation. This lake has private camping and easy fishing access.  

  History: According to Northeast Washington Trails, Tri County Economic Development District, “Roll Davis and his family homesteaded on Deadman Creek in 1903. In 1905 Davis found this lake which bears his name. The Forest Service provided fish to stock the lake and the fish were carried there in cream cans by Davis’s pack horse. Davis helped build a school for his children and logged."

• Davis Lake Campground
• Elbow Lake

  This lake situated 9.5 miles West From Northport and about 8 miles North from Marble. The lake is now in two segments, the North7.1 acres are a marshy area, and the South 6.4 acres.
   

• Gillette Lake

  Gillette Lake is a 48 acre, 87' deep lake with recreation opportunities the whole family can enjoy.

• Gillette Campground
• Lake Gillette Campground

  Camping sites are nice and spacious and close to facilities. Some are very private and others closer together, some have a view of the lake. Day use for trails and beach area are nice with picnic areas and lots of parking. Access to Rufus Trail #148 is near this campground. An amphitheatre is also close and can be reached by one of the many trails. This is a great family campground with plenty of things to do.

• Jungle Hill Horse Campground

  Jungle Hill is a spacious camping area which offers pack; saddle amenities and access to the 44.6 mile Kettle Crest National Scenic Trail. Non-potable water is located in a nearby creek just a short distance from the campground. A mixture of lodgepole pine, western larch and Douglas fir provides shade and privacy is very good between campsites. Take Sherman Pass Scenic Byway, HWY 20 and turn onto Albian Hill Rd. You will procceed up a steep and windy gravel road for 2 miles to get to the campground.

• Lake Ellen

  Lake Ellen is 78 acres and can be found in a setting of rock outcropings and timber. Stunning views and accessible dock fishing make this a lake the whole family can enjoy. 

  History: In the 1880’s, logging and lumbering practices in the Pacific Northwest was on the rise. As trees were being used up in one area the need for building materials was expanding and populations began moving westward. This lumber boom was known to historians as “the Westward Movement.” By 1910, over 100 sawmills were in Stevens County. Competition between small operators became more difficult as power was almost completely mechanized; motorized trucks and log trucks replaced horses and the railroad living as a logger or lumberman during the Westward Movement was not easy to say the least, often sharing 20 men bunkhouses at designated mill camps. One of two mill camps in Ferry County was at Lake Ellen, and the other was on Barnaby Creek.

• Lake Ellen East Campground
• Lake Ellen West Campground
• Lake Leo

  This lake is a popular one set in low wooded hills. Visitors, in addition to fishing, come to the lake for camping, swimming, and canoeing. In the winter, cross country skiing is available along groomed trails.
   

• Lake Leo Campground
• Lake Thomas

  

   

  Lake Thomas is 163 acre 55’ deep, picturesque chain of Little Pend Oreille lakes system. Excellent summer recreation and nearby winter Sno-Park. Fed by Heritage Lake and drains slowly to Gillette Lake via a narrow channel. Visitors can camp along the shoreline and canoe right off of the campsite. This lake has mixed ownership of both private and federal lands.

• Lake Thomas Campground
• Lamar Lake
• Little Twin Lakes Campground
• Old Stage Horse Camp

  This is designed as a horse camp. There is a creek for watering your horses. Old Stage Trail #1 head leaves from this campground.       

• Pierre Lake

  

   

  Pierre Lake is a 105 acre 75’ deep lake that is perfect for the family outing. This is a year-round open season lake that has largemouth bass, black crappie, bullhead catfish, an occasional kokanee, and several kinds of trout are available.  Pierre Lake allows motorized and non- motorized boating, and has a boat ramp.  Very nice lake to canoe or kayak.  Also has a day use area, and is a great lake to swim in during the summer. 

  Pierre Lake Campground

  Pierre Lake Trail #91

  History: A mile long lake with average width of one quarter mile in Colville National Forest northeast of Orient on Toulou Creek in northwest Stevens County was named for Peter Arcasa. Mr. Arcasa also known as Peter Pierre was born at Colville on March 18, 1851 the son of a Hudson's Bay Company employee. The writers of the history of Northern Washington say of Mr. Arcasa that he was "... one of the wealthy stockmen of Stevens county and has passed a remarkable incident and activity in various portions of the United States." ("Peter Ascasa" History of Northern Washington, 1904.) 

  In the early 1930’s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) took on construction projects, cleared forests, built houses, roads, and bridges throughout large chunks of government owned land in Steven’s county. One of 19 CCC camps were established in northeast Washington, including Pierre Lake (Bohm & Holstine 1983 114.)

• Pierre Lake Campground
• Sherman Overlook Campground

  This Campground is equipped with picnic areas and 9 tent/trailer sites.  Bathrooms are available.  Some campsites are private. Connects to the Kettle Crest via the Sherman Pass Tie Trail #96. The campground also provides access to Sherman Overlook Trail #96.A. This is a short paved ADA accessible interpretive trail.

• Silver Creek Campground

  Small campground allowing access to North Fork Silver Creek Trail #119.

• Summit Lake (Ferry County)

  

   

  Summit is a small emerald colored 7 acre lake, 35' deep. A boat-launch is available (for small vessels) and fisherman visit to catch eastern brook and rainbow trout. There are three additional lakes within 10 miles for day trips around the area. Hunting season is a popular time for fall visitors.
   

• Trout Lake

  

   

  Trout Lake is a narrow 8.0-acre lake that sits 3,000’ elevation. Take the 5.2-mile hike through Lily and Emerald Lake for outstanding views of Hoodoo Canyon. There is a primitive boat launch. In addition to fishing, visitors can camp, hike, and canoe.

   

• Trout Lake Campground
• Wapaloosie Horse Campground

  Wapaloosie is a small campground with a circular drive and two pull-thru campsites for trucks with trailers.  It is a wonderful (circle the wagons) experience for Pack and Saddle enthusiasts. Amenities such as hitching posts, hayfeeder and a nearby creek make it a destination for equestrian use. The Wapaloosie Trail #15 is a short 2.7 mile ride/hike to access the 44.6 mile Kettle Crest National Scenic Trail. This area and its trails offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, abundant  wildlife, wildflowers, incredible sunrises and sunsets. This multiple use recreation area also brings many hikers and mountain bikers to explore the vast landscape.

• Tonasket Ranger District

  Tonasket Ranger District's 415,000 acre landscape covers five distinct blocks, or areas, across the eastern half of Okanogan County in North Central Washington; bordered on the north by Canada and the southwest by The Colville Indian Reservation.  The largest contiguous block is west of the Okanogan River.  It includes the northeast corner of the Pasayten Wilderness and shares a boundary with the Methow Valley Ranger District.  The Buckhorn, Mount Hull, Bonaparte and Aeneas blocks make up the east side of the District. 

  Grass and shrubs dot the lower elevations, climbing to beautiful ponderosa pine forests at mid-elevations, then Douglas-fir/western larch, and the subalpine and alpine forest at elevations above 6,000 feet. 

  More than 180 miles of trail are maintained for hikers, horseback riders and motorized recreationists.  There are several developed campgrounds as well as a lot of opportunity for dispersed recreation.

  With fairly long travel distances from major northwest population centers, the District is considered a bit of a well kept secret by those who make the journey.  Whether it is June when the colorfull hillsides of Horseshoe Basin are a riot of color with wildflowers in bloom or in January when the glittering snow at Highlands snow park sparkles in the sunshine, the National Forest lands managed by Tonasket Ranger District offer a chance to stop, take a deep breath and feast on the Natures Glory.

   

• Beth Lake

  Together with Beaver and Little Beaver Lakes, this makes a string of three lakes just northeast of Lake Bonaparte. Beth Lake also provides a campground and hiking trail access.

• Beth Lake Campground
• Bonaparte Lake

  Bonaparte Lake is a 151.70 acre lake found at 3,556 feet in Okanogan County. A very scenic lake located near Tonasket that provides a diverse year round fishery.  A USFS campground and private resort has camping, cabins, and boat launching facilities. Bonaparte is also a popular winter ice fishing lake.  Expect kokanee in the 10-12 inch range along with triploid eastern brook trout, tiger trout, and the occasional lake trout.  The state record tiger trout was captured in 2015.  Anglers are encouraged to remove as many smallmouth bass as the daily limit provides in order to decrease their competition effects on the trout species.

• Bonaparte Lake Campground
• Cottonwood Campground
• Crawfish Lake

  Located twelve miles east of Riverside on Tunk Creek Road. The southern half of the lake is on Colville reservation so boundary waters apply; Washington state license required when fishing from a boat, a tribal permit required when fishing from shore on tribal lands.  Rainbow trout 10-12 inches, along with eastern brook trout in the 10 inch range.  There is a USFS campground with boat launch located at the lake.

• Crawfish Lake Campground
• Fourteen Mile Campground/Trailhead
• Kerr Campground
• Lost Lake

  Popular for spring fishing with good shoreline access, and a popular camping area. The campground was developed in the 1930s and 40s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The old Guard Station at the entrance was built in 1941 which adds to the character of the campground. Lost Lake hosts a pair of Common Loons and Canada geese. There are 18 campsites, (14 single sites, and 4 doubles) with picnic tables and fire rings.

• Lost Lake Campground
• Oriole Campground
• Salmon Meadows Campground
• Sugarloaf Lake

  Small lake just north of Conconully Lake and located adjacent to the Sugarloaf Campground, in the Sinlehekin Valley.

• Sugarloaf Campground
• Tiffany Lake

  Remote, high mountain lake accessible by hike-in only. Shoreline fishing for Cutthroat Trout. The last time the lake was stocked was in 2020.

• Tiffany Springs Campground