Tent campsites near Airway Heights, Washington range from private wooded sites to remote lakeside locations across eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Most sites sit between 1,500 and 2,500 feet elevation with warm summers and cold winters. The region experiences relatively dry conditions with annual rainfall of 16-18 inches, concentrating camping activity between May and October when temperatures typically range from 55-85°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Twin Lakes offers access to quality fishing for smaller fish in both Upper and Lower Twin Lakes. One camper notes, "Great FREE camping near lakes, fishing. Vault toilets. Limited internet at top of road but none at lake side."
Stargazing: Skookum Creek Campground provides dark skies ideal for astronomy enthusiasts. According to a visitor, "I had enough room that the breeze and sounds of nature drowned it out," making it perfect for uninterrupted night sky viewing.
Hiking trails: Rock Creek BLM Campground provides access to nature trails with various wildlife. A camper reports, "There are nature trails available as well with wildlife throughout (we mainly saw birds)."
Swimming: Mica Bay Boater Park offers a large swimming area on Lake Coeur d'Alene. As one visitor explains, "Big bay for tubing or swimming, close enough to downtown for gas and dinner, plus ice cream. Bald eagles and Osprey fighting for fish."
What campers like
Privacy and solitude: Extraordinary Camping provides secluded tent sites with minimal crowds. A camper shares, "It is a very nice place to camp, since there probably won't be any people outside your own group."
Waterfront access: Sterling Point on Lake Roosevelt provides shoreline camping with boat access. A visitor explains, "There are picnic tables and fire pits, but no bathrooms or garbage collection... It is a beautiful area and reasonably isolated at night depending on whether or not there are other campers."
Wildlife viewing: Skookum Creek offers opportunities to observe local fauna in a peaceful setting. One review states, "Right on Skookum Creek and very quiet. Nice spots spaced quite far apart. Grassy with fire rings and tables."
Farm experiences: Amongst The Pines offers unique farm-based camping. According to one visitor, "Robin was unbelievably accommodating with our situation and even introduced my daughters to all the farm animals."
What you should know
Water availability: Many campgrounds lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supply. Rock Creek BLM Campground has no water source, and a camper advises, "Very dry area so expect dust."
Toilet facilities: Toilet options vary widely from flush facilities to primitive options. At Sterling Point, a camper notes, "There are a few floating bathrooms around on the lake, but you would be better off using the treeline."
Vehicle access restrictions: Twin Lakes has limitations for larger vehicles. A reviewer cautions, "The road that leads down to the lake/camping area is steep and winding. I would not suggest anything over 25 foot length try to go down because you may not get back up."
Seasonal closures: Campground availability varies with weather conditions. One visitor to Nine Mile Recreation Area reported, "Drove up a winding road for 20 min to find the park was closed."
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Farms near camping areas provide educational opportunities. At Amongst The Pines, one family reported, "The space was perfect for a couple young kids to run around and explore. We got there early and were able to check out the nearby brewery/fruit picking spot."
Playground equipment: Some campgrounds feature recreational facilities for children. Mica Bay Boater Park has "swing sets and slide for youngsters, horseshoe pit (when camp host is present), for older kids, large grass field for frisbee or football."
Swimming safety: Nine Mile Recreation Area provides supervised swimming areas. A parent shares, "Great family place, so much to do for everyone. Especially if you love the water. The campsite is butted up to the lake, which makes it great for sunsets and sunrises."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have confusing access roads. One family camping at Nine Mile Recreation Area reported, "We did experience difficulties again with the waypoint as seen in the videos. The drive out was beautiful amongst the tall trees."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most tent campgrounds offer minimal RV amenities. At Rock Creek BLM Campground, a camper notes, "The sites are designed for people with horses and RVs. Tent camping was a little rough but worked."
Generator restrictions: Noise regulations vary by campground. Skookum Creek Campground has spacious sites but one camper mentioned, "Even though the other site was running a couple of generators, I had enough room that the breeze and sounds of nature drowned it out."
Parking considerations: Many campgrounds have specific parking areas. At Twin Lakes, one RVer explained, "The campsite ended up being full, so we camped on top of the ridge and rode mini bikes around the fields."
Shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly between sites. A Nine Mile Recreation Area camper observed, "There is hardly any shade at the campsite. The RV/camper sites have full or partial hook-ups. All back in."
