Fields Spring State Park near Anatone sits at an elevation of approximately 4,500 feet in the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington. The park spans 792 acres of forested terrain dominated by grand fir, Douglas fir, and ponderosa pine trees. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with significant snowfall accumulation, while summer days typically reach the mid-80s with cool evenings in the 50s.
What to do
Hiking trails: Fields Spring State Park offers multiple hiking options beyond the popular Puffer Butte trail. "The hiking trail was long and absolutely amazing, and we ended up near a fire cabin used during the winter and summer," noted a visitor at Fields Spring State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The region's waterways provide productive fishing. "We caught: blue gill, trout, bass, crappie, perch, cat fish and had a small Tiger Muskie on the line but lost it," reports a camper who spent two weeks at Winchester Lake State Park Campground.
Water recreation: Many campgrounds in the area offer water access. "Great place to base for river adventures!" writes a reviewer about Hells Gate State Park, noting its location "right on the Snake River (minimal view) and close to Lewiston, ID."
What campers like
Peaceful environment: Many campers appreciate the quiet surroundings. "Like the title says quite and nice. Bathroom were really clean too my wife really like that lol. I can't wait to go back. The tent sites are nice and there is A lot of privacy between tent site," writes a camper who gave Fields Spring State Park five stars.
Wildlife viewing: The remote location provides ample wildlife observation opportunities. "We saw so much wildlife since it's located far away from cities and people. So worth it!" mentions a reviewer about the park area.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness is frequently mentioned. "Extremely quiet. Very clean restrooms," notes a visitor to Fields Spring. Another camper at Chief Timothy Park stated, "This campground was developed in the 1980's and has wonderful facilities including showers, store, laundry, many full hookup sites and plenty of space between pull through sites."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance planning. "We dreaded dealing with crowds over the 4th of July weekend and back in March, this was one of the few state parks where I could get reservations in this area," explains a visitor to Fields Spring.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. "First off - you will need a higher clearance vehicle to reach this campground, and signage may be limited so make sure you know your step by step directions beforehand," warns a visitor to Mottet Campground near Milton-Freewater.
Weather preparedness: Temperature variations can be significant. At Minam State Recreation Area, a visitor recommends preparing for varied conditions: "The views from this campsite are great! There is access to great swimming holes from this campground."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor connectivity. "No Verizon coverage and free wifi is junk. But for $3/day you can get decent wifi," reports a camper at Boyer Park & Marina.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences for children. "Took my nephews here. The rangers were amazing and full of info that my boys just soaked right up!" reports a visitor to Fields Spring State Park.
Structured activities: Look for campgrounds with organized programs. "The Kids loved this park, we just spent the day hanging out fishing and playing at the park when we went to Lewiston to Visit our daughter," shares a day visitor to Chief Timothy Park.
Accessible options: For families with mobility concerns, seek out accessible facilities. "Very family friendly place and the trail is wheelchair accessible. Great trek along the river. Watch for rattlesnakes in the area!" advises a visitor to Hells Gate State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary significantly in size and layout. "We pulled our 40ft RV up here and had a great time! Not full hookups but lots of fishing," mentions a camper at Winchester Lake State Park, which also offers yurt camping near Anatone, Washington.
Electrical considerations: Note that not all parks offer full hookups. "There is no power in any of the spots. There is usually enough space in the trees to allow for solar to recharge the batteries. Only one person ran a generator while we were there for 4 nights," explains a visitor to Minam State Recreation Area.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require additional equipment. "Our site was plenty long enough, but not as wide as I would have liked. There are two big trees on passenger side that prevent setting up a comfy patio," notes an RVer staying at Hells Gate State Park.
