Best Campgrounds near Coulee City, WA

Camping options in the Coulee City area of Washington range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites surrounding the region's lakes. Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park provides developed campgrounds with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations, operating seasonally from late March through mid-October. Trail Lake Dispersed Camping offers free primitive camping approximately 6 miles east of Coulee City, while Coulee City Community Park features lakefront sites with electrical hookups and amenities for both tent and RV camping.

The camping season in this region generally runs from April through October, with most developed facilities closing during winter months. Access roads to dispersed sites may become difficult in wet or snowy conditions. Many campgrounds near Coulee City experience significant wind, which can affect camping comfort. A visitor commented, "The wind was brutal and nearly blew away half of our party's tents. The ground is super dry which made getting tent stakes in very challenging." Discover Passes are required at some locations like Ankeny #1, while other sites like Trail Lake Dispersed are free to access. Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically between day and night, particularly in spring and fall, requiring appropriate gear for comfortable camping.

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Coulee City area, with most campgrounds situated near Banks Lake, Park Lake, or smaller bodies of water. Several visitors report excellent fishing opportunities, particularly at Deep Lake where one camper noted "phenomenal" kokanee fishing. Mosquitoes pose a common challenge at lakeside camping areas, with multiple reviews mentioning heavy insect activity, especially at Trail Lake Dispersed camping. The geological features surrounding the camping areas add scenic value, with the glacial-carved coulees and Dry Falls formation creating a unique landscape. Developed campgrounds typically offer amenities including showers, flush toilets, and hookups, while dispersed sites provide more privacy but lack facilities. Weekend noise levels at popular areas like Sun Lakes State Park can be problematic during summer months according to several reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Coulee City, Washington (136)

    1. Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park

    21 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 632-5291

    "We hit this site very early season for a Northern Washington trip. All facilities were open and clean and the site was super quiet and beautiful."

    "I do not suggest the Sun Lakes Resort campsite that is not managed by Washington State Parks unless you like being packed in like sardines. Camping at the state park managed campsite is far better."

    2. Blue Lake Resort

    12 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 770-2267

    "We have been to the Blue Lake Resort during June 2021. The location is awesome, quiet and peaceful for a relaxing vacation. The breeze is welcoming& gentle enough to get fresh air."

    "Very nice walkable paths and waterfront. Keep your eyes open for the Blue Lake Resort. Great place to bring the family and pets. kayaking and fishing was Fun for the kids. Enjoy your time..."

    3. Trail Lake Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    5 miles
    +1 (509) 633-9265

    "Great spot to disperse camp, no toilets , great for swimming fishing kayaking paddle boarding and disperse camping, sunken boat at edge of water cool feature. Lots of bugs and spiders."

    "The lake is large and a beautiful clear blue."

    4. Coulee City Community Park

    4 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 632-5331

    "Its a great family campground there is a park to play plus your right by the lake so kids and adults are wading in and swimming all day."

    "Great location to so much fantastic outdoor activity. Fall is definitely my favorite time to go."

    5. Laurent’s Sun Village Resort

    4 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    7 miles
    +1 (509) 632-5664

    "The lake is absolutely beautiful and was perfect for water activities, cliff jumping, and great spots for swimming. Very affordable and I will be looking forward to my trip back in a few months."

    6. Ankeny #1

    4 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 754-4624

    7. Coulee Lodge Resort

    4 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 632-5565

    "Home away from home!"

    8. Smokiam RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Ephrata, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 246-0413

    $10 - $55 / night

    "The employees also walk the sites frequently. Downside - the lake by the resort is very muddy so we had to go elsewhere to swim (but there are plenty of local spots)."

    "The sites are pretty close together, but not too close to be uncomfortable. Nice big area for dogs by the store and pool."

    9. Bay Loop Campground — Steamboat Rock State Park

    11 Reviews
    Electric City, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 633-1304

    "The location is great, you can walk right from the camp area up the mesa which has incredible views, or go swimming in the lake or any other water based activity."

    "Great camping spot at a state park with trails and lake access. This is a big park with lots of amenities and lots of people in the summer time."

    10. Jameson Lake

    7 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    16 miles
    Website

    "It is very remote, no services around and a little odd to get to, in that you have to wind past a lakeside"resort" with a little store and campsites that didn't look really very nice, yet there were people"

    "There is a private camping location close by with restaurant and store for supplies. Lots of trout, caught limit every time. Witnessed someone pull a 18" trout last visit."

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Recent Reviews near Coulee City, WA

455 Reviews of 136 Coulee City Campgrounds


  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Goose Creek RV Park & Campground

    Goose Creek RV Park & Campground

    Quiet little RV Park in a quiet little town. Warm showers and laundry facility on site. RV park wi-fi was pretty bad. AT&T cell service worked great when 5G was shut off and used LTE instead.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Martha Lake Dispersed Camping

    Easy on and off interstate

    Right off the interstate and easy for any size rig to get in. Quite a few spots, we were the only ones here. Unfortunately, there’s a bit of trash we are going to pick up tomorrow. Please pack in and pack out everything you bring or find.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Trail Lake Dispersed

    Nice, but…

    The road is rough but short. Plenty of spots available to park/set up a tent. The lake is large and a beautiful clear blue. The downsides is that it’s close to a loud popular road, the mosquitoes are horrendous, and there’s trash all over the place because it’s a local fishing spot. Overall a decent place to stay.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Alta Lake State Park Campground

    Nice for an overnight

    Lake sites have beautiful views, both nice sunrise and sunset. However the RV sites on the lake are basically a parking lot with campers sitting side by side, no privacy, any conversation is easily overheard. Facilities were very clean. Easy to access dump station.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Goose Creek RV Park & Campground

    Nice, Green, Quiet, Enjoyable Stay!

    This is a really nice park, a gem in the middle of wheat and ancient lava flow fields. Great staff, well maintained and green, lush grass. Restrooms, showers and laundry are available, full hookups for all sized rigs (30/50). Small, quaint town, great burgers at Billy's Burgers, a really great spot for a stopover or as a base to Lake Roosevelt. Long and short-term stays are here, but nothing seems run-down or questionable. Sites are large. I'd stay again, for sure. The park store was really well-stocked with RV essentials, impressive for how small the space is. Another gem in town was steps away, a hardware store, where I purchased everything I needed for some cabinet repairs to my trailer; good prices, nice people.

  • Alex R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Long Lake

    Beautiful, but not convenient

    I stayed here for a night on my way through the area. This is a very beautiful reserve to explore and spend time in. The birds are abundant and the whole area is very serene. However, BOY was the road rough. No 4wd or high clearance needed, but you will be absolutely shaken and rattled on the way out to the lake. Also, this area is not free!! A Discover Pass is required (either annual for $35 or day for $11.50). I spotted a few toilets on my way in, but they were too far from most of the sites to conveniently use. The site I ended up in was scattered with cigarette butts, beer trash, and bits of glass. I am not a very picky camper, but unfortunately the positives didn’t outweigh the negatives here for me personally. All of that being said, this place probably really floats some people’s boats!! Crazy beautiful!!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Jameson Lake

    Peaceful

    Peaceful and quiet, but can imagine right time of year it could get really busy because there’s a lot of space for camping. Minus one because you need to pay/need a pass to stay.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Trail Lake Dispersed

    Trash Everywhere

    We checked out about 5 campsites here and each was covered in trash. One even had a full black garbage bag. Looks like a place for people to go and party. It was a shame because the views were beautiful and I would’ve loved to stay and paddle-board.

  • Beans
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Burke Lake West

    Post-Dave Rave Car Camping

    Coordinates woulda taken us down a dirt road with a lotta potholes so we just pulled a bit off the road and car camped. It was next to some farmland after a Dave Matthews concert @ the Gorge. No amenities where we were, but quite beautiful.


Guide to Coulee City

Camping near Coulee City, Washington, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just relaxing by the water, there’s something for every type of camper.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park. One reviewer mentioned, "The landscape of glacial-carved coulees and sagebrush covered shrubsteppe is gorgeous and unique."
  • Fishing and Boating: The lakes in the area are perfect for fishing and boating. A camper shared, "The lakes offer fishing, boating, and swimming," highlighting the variety of water activities available.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One visitor noted, "We enjoyed the deer, pheasant, and wild turkeys wandering the grounds" at Bay Loop Campground — Steamboat Rock State Park.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Dune Loop Campground — Steamboat Rock State Park stated, "The grounds were well maintained, and bathrooms were clean."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campers enjoy the space between sites. One camper at Cove Loop Campground — Steamboat Rock State Park said, "The spaces are quite large so your neighbors are not within earshot."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families love the variety of activities available. A reviewer at Smokiam RV Resort mentioned, "Great playground for kids, nice store in case you forget anything."

What you should know:

  • Windy Conditions: If you're tent camping, be prepared for strong winds. A camper warned, "This campground is very windy! Keep that in mind if you are tent camping."
  • Limited Privacy: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Spring Canyon Campground — Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area noted, "The campsites were hard, small, and lacked privacy."
  • Seasonal Access: Many campgrounds have specific seasons. For example, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park is open from March 30 to October 15.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Blue Lake Resort, where one family said, "Kids enjoyed the kayaks and paddle boards."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A camper at Beebe Bridge Park mentioned, "The beach and playground were clean and the tent spot was perfect to put our toddlers kiddy pool."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. One reviewer at Smokiam RV Resort appreciated the "nice store in case you forget anything."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Bay Loop Campground — Steamboat Rock State Park noted, "The drives are paved and can accommodate large RVs."
  • Be Prepared for Heat: Some RVers recommend visiting in the spring or fall to avoid the summer heat. One camper at Dune Loop Campground — Steamboat Rock State Park said, "It would probably be too hot for us during the summer."
  • Bring Your Own Water Toys: Many campgrounds have water access, but you might need your own gear. A visitor at Douglas Creek mentioned, "You have to bring your own toys!"

Camping near Coulee City, Washington, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Coulee City campgrounds?

Coulee City camping areas offer a range of amenities to enhance your stay. The Coulee Lodge Resort provides reservable sites with water and toilet facilities that accommodate various camping setups. For those seeking more facilities, nearby Blue Lake Resort offers boat-in access, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic necessities like picnic tables and fire rings, while some feature showers, dump stations, and boat launches. The surrounding area offers recreational opportunities including fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking trails that showcase the region's unique geological features.

Where is the Coulee City campground located?

Coulee City camping options are located in Eastern Washington along Banks Lake, part of the stunning Columbia River basin. The Coulee City Community Park sits directly on Banks Lake, offering easy water access and scenic views of the surrounding coulee landscape. This area is known for its dramatic geological features created by ancient ice age floods. The park's location provides convenient access to nearby attractions including Dry Falls and the Grand Coulee Dam, making it a strategic base for exploring the entire Grand Coulee region.

What are the best nearby alternatives to Coulee City camping?

The Grand Coulee area offers excellent alternatives to Coulee City camping. Steamboat Rock State Park is a standout option with stunning rock formations, water access, and well-maintained facilities. The Sage Loop campground there provides clean sites and interesting surroundings with orchards, rocks, and water. For a quieter experience, Martha Lake Dispersed Camping offers peaceful lakeside camping with spacious gravel lots (requires a Washington Discover Pass). Other highly-rated options include Alta Lake State Park Campground with its beautiful lake and surrounding hills, and Lincoln Rock State Park Campground which features scenic views, trails, and clean facilities.

Is there RV camping available in Coulee City, WA?

Yes, Coulee City offers several options for RV camping. Smokiam RV Resort provides full hookup sites with water, electric, and sewer connections, along with amenities specifically designed for RV campers. Ankeny #1 is another option that accommodates big rigs and offers basic facilities like toilets. Many sites in the area are reasonably level, making setup easy. For those who prefer state park camping with their RV, several nearby parks offer RV-friendly sites with varying hookup options. Be sure to check seasonal availability as some facilities may have limited operations during off-peak months.