Free Camping Collection
Established Camping
Crescent Lake Campground
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from October 1, 2023 through May 14, 2024.
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from October 1, 2023 through May 14, 2024.
About
National Forest
Crescent LakeBeautiful twenty-two acre lake located nine miles north of Metaline Falls, WA and just a mile south of the Canadian border adjacent to Highway 31 which is part of the International Selkirk Loop. 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, concrete vault toilet and animal proof garbage can. No potable water is available. It is best suited for small RV's or tent camping. Facilities 3 small campsites with picnic tables, and fire pits No drinking water 1 vault toilet Garbage disposal (animal proof)
A Discover Pass or Washington State Fishing License is required for access, and can be acquired through Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Secluded Yet Just Off the Road
Once you turn west onto the Vista House Road and drive 0.25 mile (passing the lake) you'll find the campground entrance. The 3 sites are in full shade and are NOT on the water. Crescent Lake in the Colville National Forest is tiny and only would take 5 mins or less to paddle to the other side. Douglas S. who wrote a review in July 2019 for this campground gave all the accurate information for this campground in the Colville National Forest. We camped at Boundary Dam for Labor Day weekend so we only hung out here for the day but it was very peaceful and we didn't come across anyone else.
My favorite lake in Washington plus free camping.
This is for Crescent Lake in the NE corner of washington, not the one in the olympics(which is also a wonderful campground). This campground consists of 3 sites decked out with picnic tables, a fire pit, tent pad and bear boxes. There is a vault toilet close to all sites and a bear proof trash bin. There is no host, store, water, or other amenities, the perfect rustic getaway! It is run by the US Forest Service and is TOTALLY free!!! No pass or fee needed. It is just up the hill from the pristine small lake on the road to the Vista House. The vista house is a single room with windows overlooking the Pendorile river as it flows through Boundary Dam and into Canada. The Vista House hase mens and womens flush restrooms if you are camping here and need a bit of civilisation! It is 1 mile from a canadian border crossing yet gets very little traffic. The best feature of this campground is the gorgeous turquoise water in Crescent Lake. It is stocked seasonally with brown and rainbow trout. I have seen MANY turtles and frogs on the shores, as well as elk, deer, bald eagles and even a bear! The Boundary Dam is about 20 minutes away and offers free tours plus there are the Gardner Caves close to that, so there are always activities to do. This is a must see treasure of washington and I HIGHLY recommend at least visiting.
- (11) View All
The Real Crescent lake
***All reviews below this and above this are for Crescent lake in the Olympic National Park (also beautiful), Not this Crescent lake in the Colville National Forest, which the map indicates.
This Campground is in the thick of the Colville National Forest, on the East side of Washington State. There are only three campsites, best for tents or very small campers, no your 40 foot RV will not fit.....They are not reserveable, fcfs. It is a free campground, 1 mile south of the Canadian border. The road in is narrow and has a bit of down hill slope. Each site is equipped with fire rings, bear boxes and picnic tables. There is one Vault toilet. Bring your own water as there is no access. There is also one bear proof trash can. The campground is up hill from the lake in thick of pines. Just up the road from Crescent lake is the Boundary Dam Vista House. It offers beautiful views of the Boundary Dam, The Canada Border and Beyond, The Pend Oreille River, The Selkirk Mountains, and more! Also close to Metaline Falls, where the 1997 Kevin Costner Film, The Postman, was filmed.
The lake was even clearer than the one on the west side, it is stocked with Rainbow trout, and it's super awesome to see where you are fishing. For being a roadside lake I was quite impressed. There are a very few, SMALL, pull offs on the small dirt road on the lake. At the end is a slightly larger area to turn around in, or park (please leave enough room to let others turn around) There is a rope swing, however, the lake is not deep enough at the moment to be able to swing. People do kayak and canoe. There is no room for your trailer. If it fits in or on your car, feel free to use your boat. Most importantly please, respect this area, it's beauty is unparalleled.
- (10) View All
Location
Crescent Lake Campground is located in Washington
Directions
From Metaline Falls WA: Head northeast on Grandview St toward International Selkirk Loop N/Lehigh Ave. Turn right onto WA-31 N/International Selkirk Loop N/Lehigh Ave continue for 11.5 miles. Sharp left onto East Side Rd for 0.3 miles to destination. Google map directions from Metaline Falls WA
Coordinates
48.98777778 N
117.3133333 W