The Colton area features several tent campsites surrounded by the rolling Palouse hills of southeastern Washington. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 1,500-3,000 feet, with seasonal weather patterns that create hot, dry summers and cold, sometimes snowy winters. Accessibility varies dramatically between campgrounds, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles and others accessible via paved roads.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Blyton Landing offers direct water access for anglers. "Super pretty, gets real cold at night. Very convenient stop between pullman/moscow and clarkston/lewiston. The wildlife is very loud and very curious so bring earplugs if your sensitive to noise," notes Megan S.
Hiking trails: Several trails connect directly to campgrounds in the region. The Giant White Pine Campground provides "a network of trails for hiking and biking originating from the campground," according to Gretchen B. The area is particularly good for mountain biking with trails for various skill levels.
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites near Colton offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. One camper at Kamiak Butte County Park mentioned, "So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families." Bird watching is popular at several locations, particularly along waterways and in forested areas.
What campers like
Palouse scenery: The distinctive rolling hills of the Palouse region provide unique views. At Kamiak Butte County Park, Jeff K. reports, "I grew up camping here and after traveling the world I can say this park and the view from the top still take my breath away."
Hammock-friendly trees: Many forested sites provide ideal hammock camping conditions. At Giant White Pine, Megan K. found it "perfect for hammock camping. I had no trouble finding just the right spot to set up my gear."
Water access: Several tent campsites near Colton, Washington provide direct water access. The Mini camp 4.7 site located along the Big Eddy trail offers "excellent fishing off any of the sides you are surrounded by," according to Rachel A., who adds that despite challenging hiking conditions to reach it, the site is "SO worth it!"
What you should know
Weather conditions: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. One camper at Blyton Landing noted the area "gets real cold at night," despite warm daytime temperatures. Summer temperatures commonly reach the 90s, while spring and fall can bring freezing overnight temperatures.
First-come, first-served: Most campgrounds in the Colton area do not accept reservations. At Panjab Campground, Mary B. confirms it's "first come first serve right off the main road so you can get some traffic noise, good trees for hammocks."
Highway noise: Several otherwise scenic campgrounds experience road noise. Gretchen B. reported about Giant White Pine: "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."
Limited supplies: Many campsites are remote with no nearby services. For Teal Campground, Sasha W. advises: "Make sure to bring everything you possibly need because the nearest town is Pomeroy, WA and they didn't really have many grocery shopping options. So get all your necessities beforehand!"
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Some camping areas include dedicated play areas. Cheryl S. notes that Kamiak Butte has a "very nice playground in the day use area," making it suitable for families with children.
Spacious sites: For families needing multiple tents, certain sites offer more room. Rich W. describes Teal Campground as "quite, peaceful scenic and offers amazing views and sunsets," and mentions being able to bring a 30-foot camper, suggesting ample space for family setups.
Consider hiking distances: When planning activities with children, note trail difficulties and lengths. Rachel A. warns about the trail to Mini camp 4.7: "Don't let the short distance fool you, this hike will test you, especially with a heavy pack."
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entrances for larger vehicles. At Teal Campground, Rich W. advises: "I have pulled a 30 foot camper into this campground, you will want a 4 wheel drive to pull your camper the entrance is intimidating, it's steep but passable with 4x4 when towing a camper."
Site spacing: RV campers often appreciate more separated sites. At Big Springs Campground, Jake Z. describes "dry camping with vault toilets. Each site has picnic tables and fire pits," providing basic amenities but adequate space between sites.
Limited hookups: Most tent campsites near Colton provide no electricity or water connections. Boyer Park Campground below Lower Granite Dam offers an exception according to Scott B.: "Nice area to go in the spring because it's generally 10 degrees warmer than Spokane - nice boat launches- docks and mooring- full hook ups - showers- restaurant and store."
