Tent campsites near Burbank, Washington sit at elevations between 340-400 feet in the Columbia Basin region. This semi-arid environment receives approximately 7-9 inches of precipitation annually, creating dramatic temperature swings from below freezing in winter to over 100°F during summer months. Road access to most camping areas becomes difficult after rainfall, with unpaved routes requiring high-clearance vehicles.
What to do
Fishing access points: Mathews Snake River area provides shore fishing opportunities along calm river sections. "Clean and an excellent place to rest between long drives in eastern/central Washington," notes one camper at Warden Lake North.
Explore military history: Several camping areas contain remnants of former military installations. "The beach is wonderful! Beautiful sand, a pier, kayak rentals, lighthouse, and military bunkers you can walk through," explains a visitor about tent camping sites near Warden Lake.
Off-road adventures: The sandy terrain around primitive campsites creates ideal conditions for motorized recreation. A visitor to Juniper Sand Dunes OHV advises, "Track your hikes, as it's easy to lose your way!"
What campers like
Astronomical viewing: The minimal light pollution around primitive camping areas provides exceptional stargazing conditions. Campers at Juniper Dunes noted the area is a "beautiful place to see the stars" during overnight stays.
Water recreation access: Many tent camping locations near Burbank feature direct water access. Campers at Lyons Ferry Marina report, "Nice campground but very desert-ie right so hot in the summer but on the river though so if you have a boat it's great."
Wildlife observation: The riparian zones along the Snake River corridor support diverse bird populations. "Lots of campers and children," notes a visitor to Lyons Ferry Park, though they ultimately "moved to a quieter campground nearby" to better enjoy the natural setting.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most tent sites require complete self-sufficiency. At Sand Station Recreation Area, a camper reports, "There are no designated camp sites except for two gravel group sites with fire rings and picnic tables that you are supposed to have a permit for."
Noise considerations: Several camping areas experience significant noise disruption. "The site is right next to the freeway and train tracks, so is noisy. I used my ear plugs," explains a camper at Sand Station Recreation Area.
Seasonal crowds: Holiday weekends create significant congestion at established campgrounds. "We were there over the weekend of the 4th of July. Lots of campers and children, we only stayed one night as there were too many people," reports a visitor to Lyons Ferry Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water safety precautions: Swimming areas vary significantly in safety and cleanliness. One camper at Warden Lake North mentioned "Great area to sit and eat. Nice places to walk and splash around" but others note deeper water areas require close supervision.
Wildlife encounters: Geese populations impact some camping areas significantly. "This is a nice area to maybe stop and have a short picnic. I wouldn't recommend camping as it gets crowded and there is so much geese poop all over in the grassy area that you just can't feel relaxed," warns a visitor to Lyons Ferry Park.
Day use alternatives: Some locations function better for day visits than overnight stays. A camper at West Park described it as "a nice, shady campground. It is well-kept and on par with many other state park campgrounds I've been to."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Most tent camping areas near Burbank provide no utilities. Devil's Bench campground offers basic amenities including picnic tables and vault toilets but no electrical or water hookups, requiring complete self-sufficiency.
Water access challenges: The boat-in camping areas require careful planning. "All the day users were gone by 9pm," notes a visitor about the Sand Station area, suggesting evening arrival might provide better site selection for overnight stays.
Weather preparation: The desert climate necessitates extra planning. Campsites around Juniper Dunes offer "desert camping off the beaten path" but require bringing shade structures and sufficient water during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 95°F.
