Glamping in Colville, Washington has gained popularity in the Colville National Forest region of northeastern Washington state, at elevations between 1,600 and 5,800 feet. The area experiences hot, dry summers with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and cold winters with snow accumulation making some locations inaccessible from November through April. Luxury tent camping options typically operate seasonally with most sites closing after the first autumn frost.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Lake Ellen Campground offers excellent fishing from shore or by small watercraft. "Good secluded campground. Dock to fish on. Not a ski lake," notes one Lake Ellen visitor. The area features several connected fishing spots with stocked trout.
Hiking trails: Trails ranging from beginner-friendly paths to challenging forest routes surround South Skookum Lake Campground. A camper describes, "There is a nice trail that goes around the lake where you will see a variety of wildlife... The lake loop takes about 45 minutes to complete." Many trails connect to larger networks throughout the forest.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer the best wildlife sighting opportunities. "I enjoyed watching a mama bear and her cub on the hill beyond the cabin!" reports a camper from Iron Mountain Ranch. Sherman Pass area provides elevated viewpoints for spotting deer, moose, and various bird species.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many Colville-area campgrounds feature natural spacing between campsites. At South Skookum Lake, campers appreciate that "it's very secluded and beautiful, the people here were all polite. Lots of nature to explore but pack in what you pack out, no running water but that's perfect. It's REAL camping."
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. According to a visitor at Iron Mountain Ranch Screen House, "the night sky was awesome with NO lights in any direction except the stars!" Best viewing occurs on moonless nights away from campfire smoke.
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, several campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. A Sherman Pass Overlook Campground visitor noted, "Water was off due to Covid and was no trash dumpster but did have outhouses. Nice trail to go hiking out back of campground and simple walking wheelchair loop at Overlook parking lot."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most Colville-area glamping and camping sites have no cellular connectivity. One camper at Edgewater Campground mentioned they "had limited to no cell service to get away from it all." Plan communications accordingly.
Seasonal water availability: Water systems at many campgrounds operate seasonally. "There is one manual pump water fixture," notes a South Skookum Lake camper. Bring water containers during shoulder seasons when systems may be winterized.
Wildlife safety precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage. Many campgrounds provide bear-resistant containers, with one Edgewater visitor noting, "Each site has space, privacy & bear enclosure for foods." Store all scented items securely.
Reservation requirements: Most glamping options require advance booking. Dreamswept Farm Resort offers "RV sites with full hookups for water/electric/sewer, there are outdoor or private indoor showers, it's ADA accessible, there's also a great outdoor kitchen and BBQ area."