Conconully camping areas sit at approximately 2,300 feet elevation in the Okanogan Highlands, surrounded by forest land and two small lakes. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from late spring through early fall, with limited winter options. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly, reaching 90°F in summer months while dropping near freezing at night in early and late season.
What to do
Hiking from Salmon Meadows: Access miles of forest trails directly from Salmon Meadows Campground where campers report "tons of dirt bike/side by side trails in the area" and note the "awesome trails from this spot to ride UTVs."
Fishing at multiple lakes: Catch trout at both Conconully Lake and Conconully Reservoir, or fish directly from docks at some properties. One visitor to Liar's Cove Resort notes "there is fishing right from the dock or you can rent a boat or a pontoon boat."
Creekside exploration: Many sites offer creek access for wading or nature observation. At Oriole Campground, "Salmon Creek was right next to the campground for some great exploring," according to campers who enjoyed the proximity to water.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds report frequent deer sightings throughout the camping areas. One camper at Shady Pines Resort enjoyed "watching the deer, geese and herons" during their stay.
Spacious sites under pine trees: Several campgrounds feature well-spaced sites with good shade coverage. A camper at Loup Loup Campground described it as a "gorgeous spot under the pines" with "large campsites" and noted the campground was nearly empty with "only 3 of ~50 spots filled."
No cell service for disconnecting: The area provides a true technology break for most visitors. A camper at Green Lake appreciates that there's "no cell service, no power, no water, just my family and the lake."
What you should know
Water availability varies: Some campgrounds lack potable water on-site. A visitor to Oriole Campground noted "there was no water onsite but just a mile down the road at Cottonwood Campground was the fresh spring water tap."
Campground reopenings: Several area campgrounds have reopened after extended closures. At Loup Loup Campground, a camper reported, "This long closed campground has finally reopened for camping. The USFS has thinned out the dense tree cover and reopened for the 2023 season."
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities only operate during summer months. Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground operates from "March to October" while several forest service campgrounds only open "Memorial Day to September 30."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas for children: Several locations offer lake access suitable for kids. At Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground, one visitor shared "the kids loved kayaking near the ducks" and appreciated the dedicated beach area.
Playgrounds at select parks: Some campgrounds provide play structures for children. A camper at Conconully State Park Campground "enjoyed the play area with my son, we had a great time fishing and camp site was perfect."
Educational wildlife viewing: Regular deer sightings provide nature observation opportunities. At Conconully State Park Campground, visitors report "deer going through camp" and seeing "deer everywhere" throughout their stay.
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig access: Many forest campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. At Rock Lakes Campground, a camper advised they "would not recommend anything more than a teardrop trailer" due to site constraints.
Hookup availability: Electrical and water hookups are primarily available at established state parks and private resorts. At Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground, RVers find "paved streets & individual sites" that are "most sites close to level" with a "dump station at exit for those w/o sewer hookup sites."
Resort options for more amenities: Private resorts offer additional services for RVers. A visitor to Shady Pines Resort called it "a great help the entire stay" noting it's "an absolutely fantastic little campground for all sizes, from tents to big RVs."
