Seasonal campgrounds near Chattaroy typically close between late September and mid-May, with higher elevation sites shutting down earlier due to snowfall. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,700 to 3,000 feet, creating temperature differences of 10-15 degrees compared to Spokane. Most campgrounds have fluctuating occupancy patterns with midweek availability common even during summer months.
What to do
Disc golf at county parks: Pend Oreille County Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course through forested terrain. "Over 7 miles worth of trails and Disc Golf all free. We just ask that you donate to the park, if able. All improvements are done by donations," notes reviewer Theresanne V.
Hiking with elevation gains: Mount Spokane State Park provides trails with significant wildflower displays in early summer. "There's a very nice hiking trail right across the road from the campground that has great scenic views along the way and lots of wildflowers. The peak of the mountain is a short drive from the campsite and I absolutely recommend driving up there to watch the sunset," reports Kelsey G.
Huckleberry picking: August visitors to Mount Spokane often find abundant huckleberries on designated trails. One camper noted, "We encountered A LOT of hikers and huckleberry pickers. There were still tons of berries left to be picked and we saw many people carrying buckets full."
What campers like
Affordability options: Pend Oreille County Park provides budget-friendly camping with basic amenities. "Camping $20/night. Day Use, Hiking, Horseback riding, Over 7 miles worth of trails and Disc Golf all free," explains a camp host. Some campers appreciate the primitive nature: "We are a primitive (boondock) campground. If you enjoy hiking, trail riding (bicycle/horse), Disc Golf, or just kicking back and listening to the birds or the wind in the trees, this is the place for you."
Temperature relief: Bald Knob Campground provides significantly cooler temperatures during summer heat waves. "I went camping here in early July when Spokane had a heat wave of over 100 degrees temperature everyday, and on Mt. Spokane the temperatures were a good 10-15 degrees cooler," reports Freddie Faith M.
Clean facilities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Chattaroy maintain pristine restroom facilities. At Lake Spokane Campground, "Bathrooms with showers, beautiful sites, water access. Very nice," notes Julie K. Another camper adds, "The bathrooms were cleaned multiple times a day which got rid of my fear of a gross abandoned bathroom."
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect planning: Lake Spokane Campground closes annually in late October. One camper reported, "Trees, water access, flushing toilets and showers. Great CG but closes tomorrow (10/21) for winter." Another noted it's typically open "May 15 to October 1."
Site selection matters: Significant site quality variations exist within campgrounds. At Mount Spokane, "I booked the last available campsite at the campground for our trip as it was last minute, it was definitely the worst of the campsites but it still was not that bad. I'd stay at that same site (site #2, btw) if it was the only one available again. It had a single tree (so no hammock setup for us) which did little to offer any shade."
Train noise affects light sleepers: Spokane KOA Journey experiences frequent train activity. "It is right next to an active railroad, so bring earplugs if you don't want to be woken up by trains several times," advises Kristen M. Another camper confirms, "The trains have been quite frequent day and night... and for some reason so has a rooster (all morning, day, and evening... it's crazy)."
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Several campgrounds provide swimming areas with safety features. "There is a nice cement slab just in the water so it makes a safe place for kids," explains Arica C. about Riverside State Park.
Structured activities: Some campgrounds organize scheduled programs for children. "They do a breakfast I think on summer weekends, but that might have just been for the holiday weekend," reports one camper. Another mentions, "They have daily activities if you want to keep busy or keep the kids busy."
Playground proximity: Request sites near recreational amenities for convenience with children. "If you are camping with kids the spots closer to the playground equipment are perfect," suggests Dan P. Campers also note that some parks organize "activities for the kids" during peak summer weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site layout configuration: Some RV parks feature communal layouts to accommodate groups. "We had as I call, circle the wagons layout. 4 RV spots are placed around a common grass area. This would be nice for a group, but a bit weird for a stranger placed in this circle. Other sites configurations are available," explains Patrick J. about Deer Park RV Resort.
Limited sewer options: Many campgrounds lack full hookups. "We spent 3 weeks at Liberty Lake Regional Park while visiting our son and grandkids in Spokane. The dump station is quite a drive, back out, up the hill," reports Joel R.
Service availability: Some campgrounds offer enhanced amenities for RVers. "They collect your trash at your site every day, and have a propane delivery service so you can get your tanks filled without having to get out of your slippers," notes Zanna H.
Traveler
