123 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Clarkston, Washington centers primarily on the Snake River, which forms the border between Washington and Idaho. Chief Timothy Park, located about 7 miles from Clarkston, provides both tent and RV sites with amenities including swimming areas, boat launches, and hiking trails that circle the island. Premier RV Resort at Granite Lake offers waterfront sites with full hookups and manicured grounds within city limits. Hells Gate State Park and Hells Canyon Resort provide additional developed camping with varying levels of amenities. The region supports multiple camping styles from primitive sites to full-service RV resorts, with most concentrated along the river corridor. Clarkston campgrounds offer top-rated options for campers seeking riverside recreation, with many sites providing direct access to water activities.
Road access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles or four-wheel drive. Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, making shaded sites highly desirable. As one camper noted, "The campground is very shady which is great when it's 102 degrees." Most riverfront campgrounds remain open year-round, while those at higher elevations typically operate from April through October. Cell service is generally reliable near town but diminishes quickly in outlying areas. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months, especially for waterfront sites. Smoke from regional wildfires occasionally affects air quality in late summer.
The Snake River dominates the camping experience, with water activities being the primary attraction. "Perfect location for swimming, kayaking, and fishing," reported one visitor about Chief Timothy Park. Paved walking and biking paths connect many riverfront campgrounds, allowing for extended recreation without driving. Tent sites at popular locations like Chief Timothy can feel crowded during peak season, with some campers noting they are "very crammed next to each other." Sites farther from town offer more seclusion but fewer amenities. Wildlife viewing opportunities include waterfowl along the river and larger mammals in the surrounding hills. Night temperatures can drop significantly even in summer, with one camper noting it "gets real cold at night" even at riverside locations.
"*Lots of biking in park and nearby along the riverfront. *Very nice Lewis and Clark Discovery Center *Aspen and Birch Loops DO have RV hookups. Cottonwood Loop does not."
"Next to river but lots of shrubs. Can walk down trail to access river bank."
"This “RV resort” is within the city of Clarkston and a stone’s throw from a Costco, a WalMart and an Albertson’s. It’s highly manicured and very clean."
"We fully utilized the bike path along the river each day for nice long rides into Idaho and back to Washington. Would stay again."
from $59 - $66 / night
Check Availability"Chief Timothy is a great campground not far from clarkston that provides all he ammenties any camper would want. They have rv and tent sites available."
"Chief Timothy is a great campground about 7 Miles outside of Clarkston, WA. Perfect location for swimming, kayaking, and fishing!"
"Excellent views and right on the edge of Clarkston. Super clean, friendly people, a pet area and water access"
"It is close to town but on the outskirts away from the hustle and bustle. It is nestled near the marina and has gorgeous views of the river! Definitely a top notch park in our books!"
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability"We paid $30 for 1 night, full hook-ups, pool, some shade, bathroom/shower, and walking distance to the casino."
"Only downside is having to walk the dogs across the parking lot to go to the bathroom in the grass, but it’s nice to have the grass! Dog poo bags and trash cans available."
"This campground is just off Highway 12 in Western Idaho and very convenient. It’s a little close to the road but the traffic seems to be pretty quiet at 8:30 at night."
"Highway 12 Flat, quiet, clean, and cheap. 15 RV sites and 3 tent sites. Full hookup, clean and large shower rooms and restrooms.
Camp hosts are great caretakers and quick to greet new guests."
from $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability
ScoutJust east of Dayton WA off Hwy 12. Travel approx 22 miles to campground 1. We saw deer, turkeys, and bighorn sheep. On our way in and out. Lots of areas for self contained camping spaced nicely apart and pit toilets, which were relatively clean.
TravelerFriendly staff. Clean restrooms and shower. Potable water. Next to a shallow river perfect for kids
RangerDrove to this camp ground. It is a beautiful place, unfortunately its closed without reason. But it is what it is
RangerNice little camp ground. 12$ a night. A few other campers around but still have space on either side of my van. Picnic benches at each site
ScoutFantastic camp spots with good tree cover, plenty of docks for fishing at the local lake. Town nearby, and not to far off the main road. Note that there are pit toilets in the loops and flush toilets at the main shower
GuideThis is a large asphalt parking lot boat launch where you are allowed to camp in grass covered sites around the periphery. Army Corp of Engineers camp along the Snake River, Lake Bryant. People are also allowed to come here to shoot and hunt waterfowl. Multi-use. It is kept very clean. The norm for Army Corp of Engineers sites. My Verizon cell has a strong signal but it is roaming. 4G. The T-mobile gets nothing. Vault toilet. No water or electricity. No trash bin. Bring shade. There are a few trees in the picnic areas. Excellent place to test out your Starlink. No dump station nearby. 14 day limit.
ScoutI stayed here about a week while doing photography in the beautiful Palouse region. There are no public or private campgrounds nearby, only a couple small gravel RV parking lots, which is why I chose this. The grounds are setup as an RV Park for the county fair but the county permits use the rest of the year for a nominal $25/night for RVs and trailers or $10/night for tents. Over 100 sites but only 3 or 4 staying here nightly in mid-June. Most of the sites are on trimmed grass. Sites have electric and water but no picnic tables or fire rings. No shade. Pit toilets located among the sites but restrooms with showers are also available to campers on the fairgrounds. Self serve check in, they don't take reservations.
GuideFine for an overnight stay. Several people seem to be living in the spot closest to the river. They seem territorial about the few water access points. But it's clean and free.
TravelerPopular park with families, so it's a bit loud until around midnight. The tenting areas near the lake (and the RV area) are exposed to a lot of wind. There are about 4 sites (near the trailhead) that are back in the trees and significantly less windy. No skeeters when we were there (early June), but I suspect they're there once summer heats up. Short trail around the lake is nice for waterfowl viewing, and if you're a fisherman I saw some nice strings of trout being carried. Seems to get some slob campers -- had to clean out a campfire ring near our site because it was full of scorched cans. Site 15 had a nice area to hang our hammocks for sleeping, and even though it was right near the trailhead, the hikers were quiet and polite. If you're just looking for a camping site near Moscow, it's acceptable.
Camping options near Clarkston, Washington extend beyond the Snake River corridor into the surrounding Palouse region. The area sits at approximately 750 feet elevation with summer daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F between June and September. Winter camping remains viable at lower elevations with overnight lows typically staying above 20°F, though higher elevation sites close seasonally.
Fishing access points: McKay's Bend Recreation Site provides direct river access with designated fishing areas. "Short drive to town. Norm (host) is awesome and full of knowledge. Nice fishing river on the Northern side of the camp," notes one visitor at McKay's Bend Recreation Site.
Family playground time: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for children. "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," reports a camper at Chief Timothy Park.
Trail exploration: Chief Timothy offers multiple hiking options. "There is a paved walking/biking path along the river with pet stations located at intervals and is maintained by the municipality," mentions a camper about nearby areas.
Wildlife viewing: The Clearwater and Snake River corridors support diverse bird populations. "We saw lots of different wild life," comments a visitor at Hells Gate State Park.
River access: Most riverside campgrounds provide water entry points. "Camping right on the Snake River with Lewis & Clark Discovery Center. Lots of sites, water restrooms, showers, and fire pits," describes one Hells Gate State Park visitor.
Island camping experience: Chief Timothy Park offers a unique island setting. "Chief Timothy Park sits on a 282-acre island on Lower Granite Lake in the Snake River. The Park is known as the gateway to Hells Canyon Recreation Area," explains a camper.
Easy biking access: Paved pathways connect many riverfront locations. "We fully utilized the bike path along the river each day for nice long rides into Idaho and back to Washington," shares a visitor at Premier RV Resort.
Cultural attractions: Several campgrounds provide access to regional historical sites. "Super helpful staff gave us a sweet campsite. Lots of wildlife around and we were camped close to the trailhead. Great hiking and views of the river and canyon," mentions a camper at Hells Gate State Park.
Spacing between sites: Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. "If you dont mind campsites that are open and no tree blocking and your neighbors are right next to you," cautions a Chief Timothy visitor about the open layout.
Heat management strategies: Summer temperatures require preparation. "The campground is in a canyon on river. Number 8 has river view but not much shade. Other sites with much shade," advises a visitor at McKay's Bend.
Reservation policies: Each campground follows different booking protocols. "We checked in late and there were specific, thorough directions and information waiting for us," explains a visitor at Premier RV Resort.
Wildlife considerations: The region's ecosystem includes potentially dangerous wildlife. "Very family friendly place and the trail is wheelchair accessible. Great trek along the river. Watch for rattlesnakes in the area!" warns a camper at Hells Gate State Park.
Water activities: Riverfront campgrounds provide swimming and boating opportunities. "We went for a family reunion. We had a good time. It was very crowded. However we did have access to water from our campsite. That is always a bonus," notes a visitor at Chief Timothy Park.
Insect preparation: Bug activity varies seasonally. "Overall a good and clean stay on the water. Lots of bugs and very dry. Cute little gift shop!" reports a camper at Chief Timothy Park.
Entertainment options: Some resorts offer additional recreation. "The owners have fun with the residents... 'Sweet Saturday' with homemade goodies in the office and then Sunday Sundaes for $1 you can have an ice cream sundae with toppings in the office! The kids LOVED it!" shares a visitor at Premier RV Resort.
Accessibility features: Several campgrounds provide wheelchair-friendly facilities. "Tent sites at Hells Canyon Resort provide excellent views and right on the edge of Clarkston. Super clean, friendly people, a pet area and water access," notes a camper.
Full hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer varying levels of connections. "Full hookups, bathroom and showers. In a canyon on river," confirms a McKay's Bend visitor.
Pull-through accessibility: Site configurations vary across campgrounds. "Pull thru sites for RVs makes it easy to come and go as you please," explains a camper at Chief Timothy Park.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require minimal setup. "Parked ClassB in site 15-no leveling required. Blacktop with concrete pad under picnic table," notes a visitor at McKay's Bend Recreation Site.
Urban proximity benefits: Several campgrounds balance nature access with conveniences. "This 'RV resort' is within the city of Clarkston and a stone's throw from a Costco, a WalMart and an Albertson's. It's highly manicured and very clean," describes a visitor at Triple H Mini Ranch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any affordable tent camping options around Clarkston?
Yes, there are several affordable tent camping options near Clarkston. Chief Timothy Park offers tent sites at reasonable rates about 7 miles outside town, with swimming, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. Fields Spring State Park Campground provides budget-friendly tent camping about 40 minutes from Clarkston. Though a bit of a drive, it offers an escape from crowds, especially during holiday weekends. For those willing to venture slightly further, Blyton Landing provides an affordable option between Pullman/Moscow and Clarkston/Lewiston with beautiful scenery, though prepare for cool night temperatures and active wildlife.
Where are the best camping sites near Clarkston, WA?
The Clarkston area offers several excellent camping options. Hells Canyon Resort is right on the edge of town with excellent views, super clean facilities, and water access. It's well-maintained with friendly staff and perfect for those wanting easy access to town amenities. For campers seeking a riverside experience with recreational opportunities, Premier RV Resort at Granite Lake provides a highly manicured setting with waterfront sites overlooking the Snake River and convenient access to nearby bike paths. Other noteworthy options include Chief Timothy Park about 7 miles from town, and Blyton Landing, which serves as a convenient stop between Pullman/Moscow and the Clarkston/Lewiston area.
What amenities are available at Chief Timothy State Park near Clarkston?
Chief Timothy Park offers comprehensive amenities to enhance your camping experience. Located about 7 miles from Clarkston, the park provides both RV and tent sites with pull-through options for easier RV access. The park features well-maintained grounds with excellent water recreation opportunities including swimming, kayaking, and fishing areas. A trail system circles the entire island, offering scenic hiking and walking routes with great views. The campground is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and cleanliness. Campers appreciate that despite being close to Clarkston, the park provides all the necessary amenities while maintaining a natural setting that feels removed from urban areas.
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