W
Wendy M.
Guide
GuideThe Inn at Priest Lake
Great spot near Priest Lake!
Small campground but well maintained! We rode e-bikes to the local restaurant, marina and general store. Beautiful area!
Camping near Chewelah, WA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Chewelah, Washington range from rustic dispersed sites to full-service RV parks with cabin options. North Fork Chewelah Creek offers free dispersed camping in a forested setting with no amenities but allows pets and campfires. More developed options include RV Park At Chewelah Golf & Country Club, which provides electric hookups, showers, and sewer connections while being conveniently located near town. Several properties in the region combine camping styles, such as Silver Beach Resort and Jump Off Joe Lake Resort, which accommodate tents, RVs, and offer cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort.
The camping season in this part of northeastern Washington typically runs from April through October, with most established campgrounds closing during winter months. Roads to dispersed sites in the Colville National Forest may become impassable due to snow or spring runoff. Potable water availability varies significantly between locations, with most dispersed sites requiring campers to bring their own supply. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, particularly in August and September when wildfire risk increases. Cell service is limited to non-existent at many forest locations, though sites closer to Chewelah maintain connectivity. A camper noted about the RV Park at Chewelah Golf & Country Club: "It is largely a quiet small campground. It is very reasonably priced and is very dog friendly. There are several places to walk the dogs on leash and off within either walking distance or a short drive to the Colville national forest."
Water access represents a major draw for many campgrounds in the area, with several sites positioned near lakes and rivers. Little Pend Orielle Campground maintains a 4-star rating and provides toilets and fire rings in a natural setting. South of Chewelah, Lake Roosevelt offers additional camping options with water recreation opportunities. During summer weekends, waterfront sites tend to fill quickly. According to one visitor describing South Skookum Lake Campground: "This is a small campground with about a mile and a half loop goes around the lake, which is an easy hike. The lake is very small and is non-motorized vessels only." Visitors frequently mention the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities available throughout the region, from fishing and boating to hiking and wildlife viewing. Some campgrounds also accommodate equestrian use, providing access to trail systems popular with horse riders.
Best Campgrounds near Chewelah (211)
1. North Fork Chewelah Creek
"I updated the location here on The Dyrt app. The exact address is 3399 Sand Canyon Rd, Chewelah, WA. There are at least 10 dispersed fire rings. Many of the sites have direct access to the creek."
"Awesome spot, next to the water, pretty easy to get to. Saw some folks but not after dark and only at a distance. Very few bugs."
2. RV Park At Chewelah Golf & Country Club
"There are many positives though that will bring us back. It is largely a quiet small campground. It is very reasonably priced and is very dog friendly."
3. Silver Beach Resort
"Many spots are packed in tight, but this one has nice privacy and isn’t too far from the restroom or the lake."
"Be aware there's no cell service, (wait, we're going to the woods to go camping and there's no cell service), it was awesome… its quiet at night, it is on the flight path for F18 growlers, at a few 100"
4. Jump Off Joe Lake Resort and RV Park
"The beach was nice and the lake is perfect for swimming or paddle boarding/kayaking. The campsites are pretty close together but they have full hookups."
"Love JOJ, I have been coming here since I was 5 or so, beautiful location, fishing, camping; cabins, tents or RV. Swimming with floating dock, and playground area."
5. Northfork Chewelah Creek
"I don’t normally leave reviews like this, but there is some confusion about the location of this place. I believe there is another location listed here on the dyrt app."
6. Brown Barrel
"Brown Barrel is new to the Dyrt but they have an awesome spot in northern Washington, the trees are plentiful, and several mountains are nearby ready to explore. "
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability7. Little Pend Orielle Campground
"It was very spacious and was walking distance from the dock and a toilet facility. However the toilet was very foul and we opted out of using it."
8. Chewelah City Park
9. Mistequa Casino Hotel RV Park
10. Starvation Lake Campground
"While the lake is stocked with trout, you do need a kayak or canoe to get out into the lake because of all the Lilly pads and other water vegetation. Will return."
Drive Time
- 1 hr from Spokane, WA
- 1 hr 21 min from Coeur d'Alene, ID
- 2 hrs 44 min from Lewiston, ID
- 3 hrs 17 min from Wenatchee, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Chewelah, WA
154 Photos of 211 Chewelah Campgrounds
Meghan B.
RV Park At Chewelah Golf & Country Club
King K.
North Fork Chewelah Creek
Diane O.
Jump Off Joe Lake Resort and RV Park
Karly L.
Little Pend Orielle Campground
Kara B.
Brown Barrel
Sonny S.
Starvation Lake Campground
Julie C.
The Wilds RV Campsite
Jess G.
Little Twin Lakes Campground
Joe B.
Cee Cee Ah Creek
Tiffany A.
Douglas Falls Grange Park Campground
John L.
Beaver Lodge Resort
Megan T.
Lake Gillette Campground
Recent Reviews near Chewelah, WA
553 Reviews of 211 Chewelah Campgrounds
Erin G.GuideSkookum Creek Campground
Nice spot for a few nights
We got the nice pull through near the end of the spots. It was level with a large flat picnic area overlooking the little creek. Paddled the creek a bit but can’t really get far. Surrounded by private land so not much hiking- that’s the only complaint really. Toilets clean despite lack of camp host. Site was clean and level, quiet place despite moderate traffic in and out.
Sean G.
TravelerLittle Pend Orielle National Wildlife Refuge
Free camping in national wildlife refuge
Multiple free camp locations with 5 or 6 sites each throughout the refuge. Camping in designated sites only. This is one of the few NWR you can camp in and its beautiful. Fire rings and vault toilets. Obey burn restrictions as some other campers were not. Very remote with no cell service, great wildlife viewing. Also grizzly bears in the refuge.
Brian H.
ScoutTrailer Inns RV Park
Port in a storm for us.
5/5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I cannot thank the team at Trailer Inns enough for their incredible hospitality. I was mandatorily evacuated from Bowl and Pitcher State Park on the second day of a five-night reservation due to nearby wildfires. At 3:30 PM, they were the first place I called, and they immediately told me to "come on in, they had a spot. "They originally booked me for two nights with the option for two more if I couldn't return to the state park. When I couldn't go back, they extended my stay for the additional two nights with absolutely no questions asked. I have stayed at urban RV parks previously and understand what they are, so I have zero negative feedback. While the spaces are tight and there are a lot of permanent residents, everyone was incredibly friendly and quiet. I stayed on the side facing the reasonably quiet street next to I-90, so the interstate noise was minimal even at its worst. My site featured a brand-new, level concrete pad with full hookups, decent free internet, and convenient access to the clean laundry and bathroom facilities.
- SSam K.Scout
Jump Off Joe Lake Resort and RV Park
Cute and quite little place!
We really liked this little campground! The beach was nice and the lake is perfect for swimming or paddle boarding/kayaking. The campsites are pretty close together but they have full hookups. You spend most of the day on the lake anyway so it wasn’t a big deal. We loved that it was close to home and an easy drive. We don’t have kids but it was a very kid friendly place. We have dogs and they loved the paddle board ride around the lake. We will definitely come back next summer!
Jessica D.ScoutBowl and Pitcher Campground — Riverside State Park
Summer
I loved bowl and pitcher but you need a discovery pass to stay and it's not free,
- MMarcus H.Guide
Riley Creek Campground
River access
This site was cool because we were away from the crowded other end of the campground. Great spot for a camper van or small RV setup.
Saraj B.
LegendReeder Bay Campground
Tent-ish Site
Reeder Bay is my favorite spot on Priest Lake. Getting a campsite here in July is usually next to impossible, but I set up a Dyrt Alert and managed to snag a waterfront site for my tent the second someone canceled.
Love:
-Prime Location: Road traffic noise is a non-issue; it’s tucked away and quiet in terms of cars. Plus, there's a beach walk right from camp that leads over to the neighboring resort.
-Facilities: The bathrooms were surprisingly clean and feature actual flush toilets!
-Convenience: Firewood is available right on-site for $8 a bundle (bring cash!)
Downside:
-Generator Hub: Even though there are no hookups or potable water, about 90% of the campground was filled with oversized RVs. Because of this, you’ll hear generators running almost nonstop, which takes away a bit from the peaceful wilderness vibe if you're tent camping.
- RRae F.Guide
North Fork Chewelah Creek
Large rig approved - Private creek access
I had a great time here with my huskies and my cat. I updated the location here on The Dyrt app. The exact address is 3399 Sand Canyon Rd, Chewelah, WA. There are at least 10 dispersed fire rings. Many of the sites have direct access to the creek. There are multiple trails that go up and down both sides of the creek and many logs that have fallen over it so you can walk across to the other side. The entire creek is fully shaded by trees and doesn’t get much sun. It only gets to about knee-deep in some parts - it’s July right now. People use this area for snow activities in the winter. There are many large areas with hard packed dirt that are relatively level and good for big rigs. There is one pit toilet bathroom that I can see and a few picnic tables. This is an active logging road right now so trucks go by every hour or so. There is definitely wildlife out here. Be cautious for bears and other large predators. I have seen wild turkeys, squirrels, tons of different birds, butterflies, and something large ran behind our campsite last night. There is plenty of shade and also plenty of open areas for setting up solar panels with all day sun. There is no cell service up here, but Starlink works great. The creek is beautiful and clear and cold. So refreshing and if you really needed to drink it, you probably could. I have not seen any hiking trails per se, however, you could walk up and down the logging roads and explore the forest line pretty easily in many parts. If you go up the logging road to the right, there is an old mine that you can access. There seems to be little pathways spread out randomly through the forest as you continue down the road. This is the perfect spot for boondocking, unless you’re worried about cell service. I’ve been able to leave my dogs off leash and they are so happy to run free through the creek and around the fields and through the forest. This place really does have so much to offer. We’re here by ourselves right now, so we have the luxury of privacy and perfect quietness to enjoy the sound of the creek and the bugs and the birds.
Guide to Chewelah
Camping near Chewelah, Washington offers sites ranging from primitive forest locations to developed lakeside resorts across northeastern Washington's varied terrain. The region sits within the Colville National Forest at elevations between 1,700-4,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping patterns with warm summer days and cool nights. Winter snow typically closes many access roads from November through March, though some lower elevation sites remain accessible year-round.
What to do
Fishing at stocked lakes: Starvation Lake Campground provides access to trout fishing in a secluded setting. "While the lake is stocked with trout, you do need a kayak or canoe to get out into the lake because of all the Lilly pads and other water vegetation," notes camper Nancy R.
Kayaking on smaller lakes: The region's smaller lakes offer peaceful paddling opportunities away from motorized boats. At Jump Off Joe Lake Resort, "The lake is small and warm. There is great fishing," according to Diane O., making it ideal for beginner paddlers.
Wildlife viewing: The Little Pend Orielle Wildlife Refuge area offers extensive trails for wildlife observation. "There are many miles of trails and rugged roads to explore, but a CAUTION is to bring a GPS and have good map reading skills to avoid getting lost; it's easy to lose yourself," advises Gary M.
Mountain exploration: Forest roads provide access to higher elevations with mountain views. The Brown Barrel campground sits among "plentiful trees" with "several mountains nearby ready to explore," making it a good basecamp for day hikes.
What campers like
Secluded forest camping: North Fork Chewelah Creek offers primitive sites along a creek with natural surroundings. Camper Naomi C. shares, "First time taking the godson camping and this was the perfect spot... There are a few different pull-offs to camp sites. The one we stayed at was a bit further down the rock road."
Affordable pricing: Cost-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable rates at many Chewelah-area campgrounds. One camper noted about Brown Barrel that its primitive sites provide good value compared to more developed options in the region.
Water activities: Lake access represents a major draw at several campgrounds. A camper at Deer Lake Resort reported, "Beautiful star-y skies and lots of deer at night!!! No fire ring at the site, there are picnic tables and we had a full hookup site! Staff was super friendly. Dog friendly!"
Golf access: Unique to the area is camping with direct access to golf facilities. The RV Park at Chewelah Golf & Country Club provides this uncommon combination, with one reviewer noting, "This is a great spot for golfers as well as non golfers. Note the club has pickle ball courts for free use!"
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many forest sites have no connectivity. At Silver Beach Resort, a camper advised, "You can grab wifi while standing at the motel, but there's otherwise no cell service."
Water availability varies: Campers should plan ahead for water needs. At North Fork Chewelah Creek, dispersed sites require bringing your own water supply, while more developed campgrounds provide potable water.
Road conditions: Forest roads can be challenging, particularly for larger vehicles. One camper at Little Pend Orielle Campground warns, "Roads into the area are narrow gravel roads, so 'large' rigs and/or trailers may find it a challenge."
Seasonal considerations: The prime camping season runs April through October. Starvation Lake camper Sonny S. noted in August, "The stars are amazing at night and I even got some service on Verizon in some spots."
Permit requirements: Some sites require permits or passes. "With a discover pass this is a free campground, they're $35 for a year and $11.50 for a day," explains a Starvation Lake visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with playgrounds: Silver Beach Resort offers family-friendly amenities. "We camped here for a girls weekend and were really happy with our double site (35 a+b). We had a tent trailer, 2 tents, 4 cars, and 10 adults and had plenty of space in our site," reports Lanae.
Book waterfront sites early: Lakefront sites fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. Jump Off Joe Lake Resort camper Jae H. recommends, "Swimming with floating dock, and playground area," making it ideal for families with children.
Consider noise factors: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise. A camper at RV Park At Chewelah Golf & Country Club noted, "This spot was on track for 5-stars until the road noise from logging trucks became an issue starting at 3AM."
Plan for weather changes: Mountain weather can fluctuate dramatically. Little Pend Orielle visitors mentioned that even summer nights can get quite cool, dropping into the 40s, so pack accordingly for children.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary widely in privacy levels. At Deer Lake Resort, Rachel A. observed, "Sites are fairly crammed and it's easy to see why with the water access, well maintained premises, pet area and stand out amenities. Must love people if you decide to stay here."
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are available at several campgrounds, but sewer connections are less common. The RV Park At Chewelah Golf & Country Club provides full hookups with reasonable rates.
Dump station locations: Plan for waste management as many sites lack dump stations. The Mistequa Casino Hotel RV Park offers convenient overnight parking with hookups but no dump facilities.
Size restrictions: Many forest roads have limitations for larger rigs. North Fork Chewelah Creek campers recommend vehicles under 25 feet for the narrow access roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping near Chewelah, WA?
Where can I find camping near Chewelah, WA?
Chewelah offers several camping options within easy driving distance. The RV Park At Chewelah Golf & Country Club provides convenient in-town camping with well-maintained grounds for RV enthusiasts. For those seeking a more natural setting, Douglas Falls Grange Park Campground offers free camping with a Discover Pass right next to the Colville National Forest. Other nearby options include North Fork Chewelah Creek for primitive camping, Chewelah City Park for convenient in-town access, and Brown Barrel for a wooded camping experience. The region between Spokane and the Canadian border offers numerous camping opportunities within a short drive of Chewelah.
What is the best season for camping in Chewelah?
What is the best season for camping in Chewelah?
Late spring through early fall (May to September) offers the best camping weather in the Chewelah area. Summer provides warm, pleasant conditions ideal for water activities at locations like South Skookum Lake Campground, which features a beautiful lake with hiking trails. Early fall brings cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage. However, summer heat can be intense at some locations like Colville Fairgrounds RV Park, so spring and fall may offer more comfortable camping conditions. Winter camping is possible but requires proper cold-weather gear and preparation as temperatures drop significantly and some facilities close for the season.
What amenities are available at Chewelah camping sites?
What amenities are available at Chewelah camping sites?
Amenities vary widely across Chewelah area campgrounds. Mistequa Casino Hotel RV Park offers full hookup RV sites with ample spacing between units, convenient access to the casino, and proximity to an international car museum. For a more primitive experience, Nile Lake provides dispersed camping with no facilities, requiring campers to pack in and pack out everything. Some sites like East Sullivan feature fire pits, picnic tables, and access to beaches. Several campgrounds offer water access, hiking trails, and basic toilet facilities. RV-specific amenities can be found at Chewelah Golf & Country Club RV Park and Mistequa Casino. Most developed sites provide toilet facilities, while shower availability is more limited to specific locations.
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