Tent camping near Colfax, Washington provides access to the distinctive Palouse region, characterized by rolling wheat fields and unique geological formations. Located in Whitman County, the area's elevation ranges from 1,900 to 3,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night. Most campgrounds remain open from late spring through early fall, with July through September offering the most reliable weather conditions for tent campers.
What to do
Hiking through wildlife areas: Rock Creek BLM Campground offers nearby nature trails where campers can observe local bird species and other wildlife. "After visiting nearby Palouse Falls, we found this great free place to camp on BLM land near Escure Ranch in eastern Washington. There are nature trails available as well with wildlife throughout (we saw mainly birds)," notes one visitor.
Water recreation access: The Snake River provides several access points for water activities. One camper at Lyons Ferry Park described it as having "the river right there and watersports. Bathrooms and showers are available for a fee. Busy campground and park for fun."
Stargazing opportunities: Remote locations like Rock Creek provide exceptional night sky viewing. "The stars at night were amazing," reports a camper who stayed at Rock Creek BLM Campground.
What campers like
Free camping options: Several areas offer no-cost camping opportunities. At Texas Rapids, a camper mentioned, "Free dry camping on the Snake River near Little Goose Dam. No reservations. First come basis. Boat launch."
Diverse camping environments: The region provides both forested and open terrain settings. At Giant White Pine Campground, just across the Idaho border, a camper shared, "I really like this campground for hammock camping. I had no trouble finding just the right spot to set up my gear."
Uncrowded remote locations: Less-trafficked sites offer solitude. "Remote and Quiet. Stayed one night with two other campers. The sites are designed for people with horses and RV's. Tent camping was a little rough but worked," explained a visitor at Rock Creek BLM Campground.
What you should know
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Many campgrounds offer only basic amenities. At Big Springs Campground, a camper reported, "Dry camping with vault toilets. Each site has picnic tables and fire pits."
Weather considerations: Temperature fluctuations require proper planning. "Very pretty, gets real cold at night," warns a camper at Blyton Landing, adding that it's a "Very convenient stop between pullman/moscow and clarkston/lewiston."
Wildlife encounters: Wildlife activity can impact sleep quality. "The wildlife is very loud and very curious so bring earplugs if your sensitive to noise," advises a Blyton Landing visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds include family-friendly facilities. One camper at Kamiak Butte County Park mentioned, "Very nice playground in the day use area."
Child-friendly campgrounds: Specific sites cater well to families with children. "Super cute small campground. So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families," notes a visitor to Kamiak Butte County Park.
Road noise considerations: Some sites experience traffic noise that might disturb light sleepers. A Giant White Pine Campground visitor cautioned, "We checked out campground and the giant white pine but decided not to camp there due to its proximity to a busy road. Lots of logging trucks made it awfully noisy for tent camping."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV accommodations: Many sites work better for tent camping than vehicles. "The sites are designed for people with horses and RV's. Tent camping was a little rough but worked. Very dry area so expect dust," explained a Rock Creek BLM camper.
Site selection for vehicles: Some campgrounds offer better vehicle access than others. One camper at 5 Authentic Barn Campsites noted it was "big-rig friendly" with "water hookups," making it one of the more accommodating options for RVs in the region.
Parking limitations: Overflow parking can be scarce at popular sites. A Giant White Pine visitor advised, "There isn't much extra parking though, so you may end up parking on the road outside of the campground."
