Riverside State Park offers camping opportunities within 20 miles of Chattaroy, Washington, with sites situated along the Spokane River. The park's Bowl and Pitcher Campground features partial hookup sites arranged in a circular pattern, making it convenient for RV and tent camping. The campground operates year-round with temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to 90°F in summer months.
What to do
Hiking at Riverside State Park: The park contains numerous trails along the Spokane River with a suspension bridge that serves as a popular landmark. According to Mary C., "There is tons of wildlife and lots of trails and riverbank to explore. My favorite thing was the suspension bridge over the river. Lots of space for swimming and fishing!"
Water activities at Clear Lake: Located about 28 miles from Chattaroy, the lake offers multiple recreation options. Michelle R. notes, "This place had everything I could possibly want for an affordable price. Boat, kayak and other equipment rentals, restaurant, bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, fishing dock, swimming area, shaded lawns and picnic tables."
Explore Liberty Lake Regional Park: The park features hiking trails and a swimming beach about 32 miles from Chattaroy. "There's many hiking trails, including an equestrian trail, waterfall, fishing and lots of wildlife. There were deer in the campground every day, we saw moose, owls, pilated woodpecker, and hawks," shares Joel R. from Liberty Lake Regional Park.
What campers like
Proximity to natural attractions: Bowl and Pitcher Campground at Riverside State Park offers river access while feeling remote. "This is a larger campground great for RV, trailers and tents. The sites are enclosed in a circle, making a nice walk or bike ride. The campground has partial hook ups and is very camper friendly otherwise," reports Mary C.
Yurt camping options: Farragut State Park's Gilmore Campground, located across the state line in Idaho, offers yurt accommodations for those interested in yurt camping near Chattaroy, Washington. One visitor, Sarah, mentioned, "The Gilmore campground was clean and well-managed and we found the camp hosts super friendly and helpful. The campground has vault toilets and a few flush toilets as well as private showers with hot water."
Free amenities at certain campgrounds: Some locations provide additional perks. Michelle R. shares about Clear Lake Recreation Area: "Only $15 for a dry tent space with shade and view of the lake! Why not give it 5 stars? The visitors are primarily young, drinking, playing loud music, driving fast and kicking up dust."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, Joel R. advises, "We spent 3 weeks at Liberty Lake Regional Park while visiting our son and grandkids in Spokane. The road in is a little narrow, but once in, it's a great little campground."
Campsite privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. Annika W. notes about Liberty Lake, "I stayed in the tent part of the campground, and the sites (especially the first few) are awfully close. This is a great campground for camping with friends but I don't recommend it for a quiet getaway."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity differs by location and carrier. Mary C. mentions about Riverside State Park, "This is a perfect getaway for people looking to unplug as no cell service (tested on sprint, verizon, and google fi) is available." At Farragut State Park, Sarah notes, "We had limited Verizon connectivity — 2 bars at most."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities: Some parks offer amenities specifically for children. At Camp Coeur D'Alene, Sienna V. shares, "This campground was super cozy and safe. They had firewood for sale, a pool, and clean showers and bathrooms."
Consider proximity to area attractions: Silverwood Theme Park adjacent camping provides entertainment options. Jason S. notes about Silverwood RV Park, "5 minute walk to theme parks under the highway. Site 74 backed up to a fence. Had no neighbors. But was furthest from the parks."
Seek out water features for hot days: Swimming areas provide relief during summer months. Arica C. shares about Riverside State Park, "This is a place that my family and I visit a lot. We love how calm the river is and the convenience of bringing it dogs. There is a nice cement slab just in the water so it makes a safe place for kids."
Tips from RVers
Site selection at Bowl and Pitcher: The circular layout affects the camping experience. Lisa K. advises, "Sites one through 18 are on the river and much more spacious and have full utilities. We enjoyed the beauty of the Spokane River, walking across the suspension bridge and hiking the trails."
Utility hookups vary by campground: Check what's available before booking. Joel R. notes about Pend Oreille County Park, "The campground is only $10 a night per site, which is a great deal for what you get. There are 26 sites that each have a picnic table, firepit and area for a tent. There are no defined pads but plenty of cleared area."
Consider site spacing: Some RV parks offer more room between sites than others. Alex G. comments about Alpine Country Store and RV Park, "The scenery is gorgeous within the park (lots of trees and grass areas), excellent for dogs and the site we stayed in was perfectly level from the time we pulled in."
