A rough access road sets the tone here: high-clearance vehicles handle it best, and anyone towing more than 20 feet should look elsewhere. Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites, managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife within the Quincy Lakes unit, requires a Washington Recreation Pass (around $30 annually) but charges no nightly fee. Sites are undesignated, so campers pick their own spot along the canyon rim. There is no water on site, and the two pit toilets near the main parking area draw consistent complaints about odor, especially in summer heat.
Rock climbing is the primary draw. The Feathers climbing area sits about a four-minute walk from camp, and The Feathers — Columbia Basin Wildlife Area is nearby for campers who want to base closer to that specific crag. The coulee cliffs also give non-climbers access to short hikes and scrambles. Driving to the end of the road reaches the Columbia River, where swimming and a boat launch are available. AT&T cell coverage is reported as strong, which is notable for a site this remote.
Weekends bring crowds, particularly from climbers coming out of Seattle. Midweek visits in fall or off-season can mean having the place largely to yourself. Leah W. notes the site is "exposed and hot," which matters in summer: shade is minimal and temperatures in eastern Washington climb fast. Dogs are allowed but should stay leashed near the cliff edges, where rabbits and marmots can cause problems. For campers wanting a more dispersed setup nearby, Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping provides an alternative just to the east.
Description
The free camp sites - There is a designated areas located near the main parking area. There are no designated sites but you can drive in on rough dirt trail. Portable toilets are nearby but there is no running water, no picnic tables and no fires are allowed. The area can become quite busy during long weekends or when there are big concerts held at the nearby amphitheater in George.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsFrenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites is located in Washington near Vantage
Coordinates
47.0256122 N
119.97193797 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/30/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 7/30/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/30/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/30/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 7/30/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/30/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- WiFi
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 48 min from Wenatchee, WA
- 1 hr 1 min from Yakima, WA
- 1 hr 24 min from Kennewick, WA
- 2 hrs 4 min from Walla Walla, WA



















