## Overview

 Colonial Creek North Campground is a remote, yet bustling campground nestled in old-growth forest. Located on the north side of State Route 20 near milepost 130, there are 41 campsites that are surrounded by forest and located on Diablo Lake.\_\_ Colonial Creek North Campground can accommodate a variety of camping, whether it\_\_\_s drive-in camping, or walk-in tent camping. The campsites vary in size from small to medium. Most of the campsites do not accommodate large trailers or RVs.\_\_ 
## Recreation

 Campers can access several trails from within the facility, such as Thunder Knob Trail located in the North Loop and Thunder Creek Trail from the South Loop.\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ [Fishing][1] is allowed in Diablo Lake with a Washington State Fishing license, the closest location to purchase a license in the town of Marblemount, WA. Follow Washington State Fishing Regulations when recreating.\_\_\_\_ [Black bears][2] are active in this campground and the surrounding trails. Be aware of your surroundings while hiking, picnicking, and camping. Use the provided bear boxes in your campsite to store coolers, cookware, and other odorants when not in use. If you encounter a bear around the campground or on a trail, inform campground staff or go to the North Cascades Visitor Center and fill out a bear report.\_\_ 
## Facilities

 The campground is located on the northern side of State Route 20. The entire facility offers drinking water, flush toilets, garbage and recycling, and some paved parking spaces, but most sites have uneven gravel parking. Each campsite offers a picnic table, bear box, and campfire ring. An RV dump station is located in the South Loop.\_\_ 
## Natural Features

 Colonial Creek North Campground is forested with western redcedar, western hemlock, Douglas-fir, red huckleberries, and other native vegetation. The campground has easy access to Diablo Lake for recreating. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Traveling west on State Route 20:\_\_\_\_ The North Cascades Visitor Center is 11 miles (18 km) west on State Route 20 from Colonial Creek North Campground, operating seasonally, typically from May to September. Campers can find the passport stamps, exhibit, park film, park store, and much more.\_\_\_\_ Traveling east on State Route 20:\_\_\_\_ Diablo Lake Overlook is 1.5 miles (2 km) east on State Route 20, the turquoise lake can be viewed safely from this area and there is ample day use parking and vault toilets.\_\_\_\_ Ross Lake Overlook is 5 miles (8 km) east on State Route 20, this is a less developed vista point. There are two pull off areas with interpretive displays and with views of the Ross Dam and Ross Lake.\_\_ 
## contact\_info

 For facility specific information, please call (360) 854-7200. 

[1]: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/fishing.htm
[2]: https://www.nps.gov/noca/learn/nature/bear-safety.htm

Colonial Creek North Campground — Ross Lake National Recreation Area

Beautiful views anywhere you look. Not a short drive by any means to get there but worth the trouble. Family camped in spot number 1 which is a walk-in. Def recommend this one. It’s conveniently close to a pit toilet and has a view of the water. Situated far enough from other sites to feel like seclusion. 

Fav campground 

**Campground Review: Colonial Creek Campground**

[https://thedyrt.com/camping/washington/washington-colonial-creek](https://thedyrt.com/camping/washington/washington-colonial-creek)

[https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/255201](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/255201)

Colonial Creek Campground, Diablo Lake Washington, is the prettiest place I've been to in Washington! Half the campground is reservation only, the other half is walk in. There is something like 176 total campsites, if I remember correctly. Each campsite is equipped with a large bear box, fire pit, picnic table and tent pad. The restrooms are large with flush toilets and sinks. There are no showers. Large bear proof trashcans, and water spigots are spread through each side of the campground. Thunder knob Trail starts on the south Campground and Thunder Creek trail is on the North campground. There is a fishing dock and a boat launch on the North campground. We stayed in site #15 which was great during the week. I felt this site offered zero privacy, the fire ring was positioned so you had to watch the road, the rest of the large site had a creek, but the trail went past our campsite, so a ton of people, familes, dogs, would all walk past our site. There is parking for the walk in sites right next to you, but those also take the trail. There is also nobody on the other side of you. So it gave a sense of privacy on a Wednesday, but not Friday-Sunday. At $16 a night, I felt it was great compared to other campsites. The beauty of this Campground and surrounding area is unparalleled. Would defiantly be back, but I would probably try for a more secluded site.

**Ranger review: Icemule Cooler**

[https://icemulecoolers.com/collections/pro-coolers/products/the-icemule-pro-large](https://icemulecoolers.com/collections/pro-coolers/products/the-icemule-pro-large)

As a ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes get products in exchange for an honest review. Icemule coolers are perfection! This is the Large and it is huge! I was very surprised at the quality and size for the price. I love this cooler because it is super easy and comfortable to carry. No more big, heavy, bulky coolers to cart around. On this trip I used it as my main cooler. I froze 14 bottles of water to use as ice. I kept bacon, sausage, chicken, ground beef, hotdogs, butter, syrup and coffee creamer plus all the water bottles and soda in this bag. It was heavy, but held up to the challenge! It kept those bottles of water for 3 days before I had to buy ice. There is a compartment on the front for picnic supplies. I have also used this just as a dry bag. It's got great versatility and it even floats. I am 100% an Icemule cooler fan and recommend to anyone, whether a car camper or hiker, you will enjoy this cooler.

Ranger Review: IceMule Cooler at Colonial Creek Campground. 

My first time camping at Ross Lake was at Colonial Creek - which actually has access to Diablo Lake.  It was pouring down rain - typical for the Pacific Northwest, but we still had a blast.  Clean bathrooms, plenty of space for cooking, cleaning, playing card games.

Even in the rain - this place is great!

Spent 5 nights here, I can’t believe how beautiful it is. I would recommend the walk in sites over the drive up. Much more privacy and better access to the river at 3 out of 4 of the spots. Very busy on the weekend but that’s to be expected anywhere. It’s also a very short walk to the water.

Amazing spot

Compared to South, Colonial Creek North Campground seems even more “in” the woods! 

You are not as close to Diablo Lake which is probably a good thing considering the traffic. The boat ramp is on the South side and the main traffic that travels through the North side is foot heading up the Thunder Creek Trail. 

It is very easy to feel like you are alone in the woods due to the placement of the multiple sites. Bear lockers, picnic tables and nice size sites to set up in. 
The reservation system is whack! Some sites are reservable , good luck. Then there’s the walk in sites, once again good luck, plan on spending a day getting it done. I’m sure time of year/day if week makes a difference.

Loved the lake! Loved the trails! Loved the drive! I am coming back !

This is camping

Wonderful site tucked away in the North Cascades. Although it was a busy site, everyone was conscious of their noise levels as they enjoyed their time. 
You’ll need to travel quite far to find another lake that rivals the beauty of Diablo and the surrounding area. 
Camp layouts vary greatly so it will pay off to investigate the better sites for your return trips. 


Stunning and relaxing

1 star removed for the horrific traffic noise from large semis revving engines to get up the hill.

Otherwise, very clean sites with good access to nearby hikes, lakes, etc.

Clean campground with great access

We had a walk in site. Disappointingly, it wasn’t very private. If you’re going to have to haul your gear, you should at least be rewarded with a private site. Regular sites are worse- all on top of each other.

My eternal complaint that national parks have miserable bathrooms was true here, too. At least there was some hand soap, though.