Looking for an adventure where you can explore Coulee Dam and then fall asleep in your tent? Find the best tent camping sites near Coulee Dam. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Washington tent camping excursion.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/
Cloverleaf is a small, walk-in only campground near Gifford. Tent sites are tucked into the pines with lake shore access. This campground is great for those wanting a more rugged, primitive camping experience with standard amenities like fire rings and pit toilets. Although small, Cloverleaf Campground is not as popular as other campgrounds and doesnt often fill.
This campground is popular with families that enjoy a more primitive and private camping experience.
Beautiful campground tucked into a small bay on Lake Roosevelt. It's surrounded by a pine forest and shrubs with easy access to the water.
Gifford campground, which has a nice boat launch is just 1.2 miles south.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (509) 754-7889.
All changes and cancellations need to be made through recreation.gov Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
$23 / night
A Discover Pass or Vehicle Access Pass is required to camp on Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) Lands.
A Discover Pass or Vehicle Access Pass is required to camp on Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) Lands.
ScoutOne sign says open another says closed.
Legend
Nice park beside very slow river adjacent to busy road. No dogs on grass. Garbage. Picnic tables. Shaded. Stay 72 hours. Warm shower. Flush toilet. $10/night/vehicle or tent
Guide
We chose a spot in the rv tent area which was not very clean and very loud. Stay in the outer ring if you have an RV.
Guide
This place was so fun we plan to go back again in September! Even though the sites were close together, we still felt like we had a lot of privacy. There were lots of paths to take our kids for walks or bike rides. And the swimming area at the lake was really nice. They even had a snack shack! The only thing that was missing was a better playground. There was a slide, and that was about it.
GuideThe place is pretty good! Except the wifi that is overused and make it difficult to even connect. In terms of outdoor activities and amenities it's a good stop
Scout
Everyone at the camp ground was constantly being attacked by yellow jackets, being stung multiple times. The bathroom toilets had no cover so the bugs were bad. Other than that everything about the place was beautiful and fun
Scout
M
ScoutJ
Traveler
Beautiful scenery! They have campsites right on the water and a lovely public beach.
TravelerI love this state park, the landscape of glacial-carved coulees and sagebrush covered shrubsteppe is gorgeous and unique. The park is truly a geological wonder. As campgrounds go, this one is very windy! Keep that in mind if you are tent camping, as you could easily lose your tent!
If camping here I cannot suggest campsite 88 in campground D unless you are in an RV. It's just a very basic, gravel site with little shade, right by the road entering the campground, and not private at all. It is right across from a nice beach though so could be a good spot for an RV. Campsite 118 looked much better and I plan on choosing that site instead next time.
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.
Traveler
I could see this spot being great for group sites. But the campsites were hard, small, and lacked privacy. Also, being in the upper loop, the Park Ranger made us extinguish our small tabletop smores solo stove. Not a big deal for us, but put a damper on our evening.
The beach and park were great! Lots of amenities—showers, sand beach, docks, volleyball, seating, grills, etc. However, the volleyball court sand was incredibly shallow and hard. Avoid diving to the ground while playing.
The Park Ranger let us know we could have a fire on the beach—which was the saving grace of the trip.
GuideThe score is more for the abundance of things to do in the area than for the campground itself.
I was there for a trail run race that went deep in the Sun Lakes back country and the floor of the Dry Falls area. Just stunning scenery. While I didn't get to partake on my trip, the lakes offer fishing, boating, and swimming.
The camping itself is the standard state park experience, sites close together, not much for privacy. But they are nice spots, and well maintained.
GuidePersonally I really enjoyed this park and camping. The park itself is really well maintained, and in a beautiful location. The lake and surrounding hills were beautiful. Even with the few private homes nearby, it didn't really take away from the scenery in my opinion.
I camped in the upper loop in a site that backed to the hill side. The layout of the sites are very unique, no two sites (in the upper loop at least) are alike. My spot had a lower parking area with room for two cars. The you step up to the "living room" where the picnic table and fire pit were, then off of that area was a isolated tent pad area.
The next spot over on one side was up hill from me, so didn't really see them (but could hear them). The spot on the other side was closer and lacked a little bit of privacy, but as far as state parks go, it was still fairly spread out. I was also there for a Saturday and Sunday night, so Sunday the park completely emptied out and I think there were only 2 or 3 others in the entire upper loop, and not near me at all, which was nice.
I'm sure there are times when the lake gets overrun with motor boats and jet skis, but the weekend I was there (6/8 & 6/9) wasn't to bad at all. Paddle boards and kayaks outnumbers the boats with motors, and even those weren't racing around the lake, they were all fishing.
I mostly camp in dispersed camping areas, but this is a state park I would put on my short willing to return to list.
Guide
The negative review is strictly for the camping, the park itself overall is nice. But the majority of the camping is surrounding a large open grass area, with all the spots very close to each other. Sitting next to the fire pit in my spot, the neighbors vehicle next to me was less than 25 feet away. Just no privacy whatsoever.
To be fair, I expected that, I didn't come here for a see no people experience. Was just part of a personal mission to visit every state park in WA. But I want to share the experience for others who may be considering camping here, so they are prepared.
The park itself is nice, right on a large lake (a dammed portion of the Columbia River) with opportunities to swim, fish, boat, paddle board, etc. And I recommend taking a hike or bike ride along the nicely paved path down to see the dam (just be on the look out for rattlesnakes).
Guide
This camping spot is conveniently located off a well groomed gravel road just a mile or so from the main paved road. It’s the first campsite we came to as we drove into Lake Roosevelt. There were a couple other campers, but it wasn’t crowded at all. The only downfall is the sites are really close to one another. But the lake and beach are huge and there’s plenty of room for your dogs to play. There’s Fire pits and picnic tables for each designated camp site. Sometimes even a little firewood. We pulled our pop-up camper into site 7 which was perfect. Then we fished and enjoyed the evening under the stars.
ScoutI occasionally go down here for fishing. Nice little campground. Easy access to the water. The waterfall really flows in the spring, but slows as summer sets in. Fishing was decent. The boat launch is only available during high water. When Grand Coulee starts letting the water down in Lake Roosevelt the Hawk Creek boat launch gets closed. Don’t worry there are a few other boat launches within a short drive (10-15 minutes).
ScoutWe are alone in rv park. RV 30'.
Traveler
We loved this campground. The grounds were well maintained, and bathrooms were clean. There was a good amount of space between sites, which was great. Most spots were very nice, and many were right next to the water. My guess is that it's a busy park during peak season, but our shoulder season timing was perfect for peace and quiet. There are a couple of good hikes nearby, and I hiked the Steamboat Rock hike. The first 1/3 of the hike was more moderate with steep trails and scree, but it gets easier once you're past that.
Legend
We spent Thanksgiving weekend camping this year. The campground was partially open but very empty. The bathroom was open and warm, which was lovely. We hung out, hiked, fished, and enjoyed the deer, pheasant and wild turkeys wandering the grounds.
GuideEasy roads to get into. Excellent quiet campground. Beautiful scenery
GuideWe had a site next to the river. The grass was well maintained and the entire part was inviting looking. Our site had a small pebbled beach area. It was enjoyable to sit by the river and watch the sunset.
Scout
widest, darkest skies in the state.... EXCEPT for the 3 glaring white/daylight floodlights in the parking lot. WTF. lay in your car or tent's shadow and the rest of the stars won't disappoint.
extremely, extremely active wildlife. dozens of kinds of birds and bats. neat big bugs. we woke up to a flock of pelicans. at night, coyotes howling in ALL directions and raccoons rustling all around by the water and looking at us. they had a loud growling tussle at one point. at another point, one of the birds (goose? duck?) met a loud, violent end in the water that sounded really close by. kinda spooky! found a dead duck right on the shore by the dock in the morning. i would have thought its killer had it for dinner...
if they turn the damn lights out, it might become the best dark sky site in the state. it's still pretty good but very frustrating to stay out of reach of greatness due to such a boneheaded design choice. daylight floodlights! in the *overnight campground!*
we packed in water. with all of the agriculture around here I dunno if the lake is filterable. there is a broken spigot.
Guide
I love this spot. The hike up Steamboat Rock and the kayaking on Banks lake is amazing.
The campground is well appointed and clean. I have been there twice and am planning to go again.
Ranger
The camp host is fantastic but set your expectations. The swimming pool that is attached is not open on weekends. So that’s a bummer. The sites are narrow and you’re literally within a neighborhood, with views of the homes available at every site. Anglers have the advantage, with the boat launch right there. Benefits - 30 minutes from Chelan, fairly inexpensive $50 a night for full hookup) and the countryside is beautiful. This is not a suitable site for big rigs. We have a 22 foot and it was pretty tight.
ScoutVery quiet, small lake, boat launch, outhouse
TravelerWe got lucky and picked up a cancelled reservation on a whim. Never been here before and got a great waterfront spot with beautiful grass and view. The beach and playground were clean and the tent spot was perfect to put our toddlers kiddy pool. This is a great glampround right by Chelan, I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn’t right off the highway, we like to go for walks and bike rides with our kids and the location limited us to just the park or needing to drive into town which was only a couple minutes. Otherwise we are very happy to add it to our list of favorites and will be back.
Traveler
Cabin was old but okay with bathroom and shower. Campground wasn’t very nice and kids weren’t friendly.
Camping near Coulee Dam, 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.
Camping near Coulee Dam, Washington, is a great way to enjoy nature and spend time with family and friends. With plenty of activities and beautiful scenery, it’s a spot worth checking out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Coulee Dam, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Coulee Dam, WA is Plum Point with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 35 tent camping locations near Coulee Dam, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
