Campsites near Colville, Washington sit at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet in the northeastern part of the state, where summer temperatures can reach the 90s and winter brings significant snowfall. The area contains several lake and river camping options within the Colville National Forest, which covers over 1.1 million acres across Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties.
What to do
Waterfront activities at Kettle Falls: Visitors at Kettle Falls Campground can enjoy swimming in the Columbia River during summer months. "Clean bathrooms, no showers, fire pits, dispersed water spigots, limited access to the water for swimming," notes Jeanna A., though she mentions it can get busy during peak season.
Wildlife viewing at Rocky Lake: This small, five-site campground provides excellent opportunities for spotting local wildlife. "Nice camp ground. 5 total spots, last two are close together. Boat launch and hand water pump near lake," reports Mitchell M., highlighting the quiet, out-of-the-way setting perfect for nature watching.
Fishing at Marcus Island: The Columbia River and nearby lakes offer productive fishing grounds. "Marcus island is a beautiful campsite and in the times we have been there it was very quiet and not busy," shares Brian C. about the Marcus Island Campground, which provides good access for anglers.
What campers like
Waterfall proximity: At Douglas Falls Grange Park Campground, the 60-foot waterfall creates a unique camping experience. "Our site #10 which is about 20 feet away from the upper portion of the falls. This site is a short walk from the parking lot, so you do have to walk your gear in," explains Andrea R., who appreciated falling asleep to the sound of rushing water.
Lakeside relaxation: North Lake offers excellent water-based recreation. "We had the best time at this spot! Weather was great for hanging out in the lake all day swimming and kayaking," reports Rachel A. about her experience at North Lake RV Park & Campground.
Affordability: Many campgrounds in the Colville area have reasonable rates. "With a discover pass this is a free campground, they're $35 for a year and $11.50 for a day," shares Sonny S. about Starvation Lake Campground, noting the value despite basic facilities.
What you should know
Off-season benefits: Several campgrounds offer significantly reduced rates during shoulder seasons. "It is $9 in off season and $18 in the regular season. So worth it depending on how many people are there in the summer," mentions Andrea R. about the Kettle River Campground, highlighting the value and reduced crowds.
Insects can be problematic: Prepare for bugs, especially during warmer months. "The only downside was bugs! SO many bee's! Especially when we ate we had to walk with our food to keep the bee's away... And mosquitos at night were bad but all of it was manageable with bug spray!" warns Allie W. about Kamloops Campground.
Limited facilities at some sites: Many campgrounds have vault toilets and no showers. "The toilets aren't super clean and smell a little worse than others I've been in but it's not terrible," notes Sonny S. about Starvation Lake, a common situation at more remote sites.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with recreational amenities: North Lake offers numerous activities for children. "Super rustic, tons of things for kids to get into, water was clean, power was solid," reports Craig S., though he warns cell coverage is spotty.
Seek out educational opportunities: Douglas Falls provides nature trails that kids enjoy. "There is a huge field with a backstop for baseball/softball, a covered picnic area, Horseshoes, hiking trails (with the main one being a 1.5 mile nature loop)," describes Andrea R., highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Consider spaciousness between sites: "The sites are close together so I can see how in the busy season it would be a less appealing experience," notes Emily J.D. about Evans Campground, suggesting families might prefer off-peak visits for more space.
Tips from RVers
Site sizes vary significantly: "We squeezed our 30 foot trailer and truck into pull through site 11," reports Mitchell F. about Kettle River Campground, indicating careful planning is needed for larger rigs.
Consider hookup options: Columbia Point Resort offers full connections. "Nice spots, wide, easy to back in (30ft). Free fresh eggs from their chicken, fresh onions from the garden and more," writes Thomas, highlighting the added benefits beyond the standard amenities.
Check accessibility: Not all lakeside campgrounds accommodate large RVs. "The paved parking was quite small for the 'max vehicle length' rating. This left us using every inch of pavement we had," explains Eric H. about his experience at Kettle River with a 21-foot travel trailer.
