Best Tent Camping near Coulee Dam, WA
Tent campgrounds around Coulee Dam, Washington offer primitive experiences on the shores of Lake Roosevelt and nearby wilderness areas. Plum Point offers boat-in tent sites with access from Grand Coulee Dam, featuring flat terrain and established camping areas. Twin Lakes provides remote tent camping opportunities with access to fishing and wildlife viewing, though the steep access road limits larger vehicles.
Campers should bring their own water supplies as most tent sites in the region lack drinking water. Vault toilets are available at several campgrounds including Plum Point, Rogers Bar, and Twin Lakes, but amenities remain minimal throughout the area. Most tent areas include fire pits and picnic tables, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. The Washington Discover Pass is required for camping at Twin Lakes, where a 14-day maximum stay is enforced. Cell service is virtually non-existent at most tent sites, particularly those at lower elevations near the lakes.
Areas along Lake Roosevelt provide opportunities for water-based recreation alongside tent camping. At Sterling Point, tent sites offer isolation with picnic tables and fire pits but no bathroom facilities. One camper noted, "Most times I've been by, it has been vacant, but a few times, it has been crowded." Boat-in tent camping is popular at several locations, with Plum Point featuring a dock that supports up to eight boats. For tent campers seeking higher-elevation options, Sherman Pass Overlook Campground provides cooler temperatures during hot summer months with hiking trails accessible directly from the tent sites. Some tent campgrounds experience seasonal crowding, particularly on holiday weekends, though many remote sites remain relatively uncrowded even during peak season.
