Camping near Curlew, Washington takes place in northeastern Washington at elevations ranging from 1,900 feet at Curlew Lake to over 3,500 feet in surrounding mountain areas. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach highs of 85-99°F while nighttime temperatures can drop to 50°F even in July. The camping season extends beyond the primary summer months, with several facilities like Winchester RV Resort & Campground remaining accessible through winter when snow blankets the higher elevations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Curlew Lake offers bass fishing while Bonaparte Lake provides diverse angling options. A visitor to Bonaparte Lake Campground noted, "Beautiful blue water! A few open spots with fire rings around the base of the lake. Quite and very peaceful! The only thing you can hear is the sound of lost lake river running and echoing threw the surrounding hills. Great veiws of noble knob! Lots of fish jumping 24/7!"
Watersports: Multiple lakes support activities beyond fishing. At Tiffany's Resort, "Curlew Lake is known for its fishing, also boating, waterskiing, kayaking, etc. Resort has a variety of full service cabins and full RV hook up camp sites. Also tent sites available."
Hiking trails: The region offers multiple hiking options from campgrounds. A Bonaparte Lake camper reported, "This area is wonderful. Many lakes, hiking trails, fishing, wildlife viewing -- it really has it all." Another suggested, "Hike Strawberry Mountain if you have the time its beautiful views - but turn your phone off to avoid pinging Canadian service towers."
What campers like
Lake access: Many campgrounds provide direct water access. At Pierre Lake Campground, "The lake was pretty clear, and had nice reeds and a sandy beach. The campsites all he tables and fire rings."
Spacious sites: Despite proximity, many campgrounds offer good site separation. A Pierre Lake visitor noted, "The campsites are well-maintained and although they are fairly close together there is enough trees and brush that you feel like you're not around anybody."
Wildlife viewing: The Kettle River area supports diverse wildlife. One camper at Kettle River Campground described "Beautiful river waters and some sandy beaches. Lots of bald eagles and other birds to watch."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campsites provide peaceful settings. At Lost Lake, a visitor mentioned, "This place is amazing to disconnect from the world yet still have a clean environment. I have been coming here my whole life and still it owns my heart."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Reception varies by location with many sites having little to no service. A Lone Ranch Park visitor noted their campground was "Undeveloped and rather unkempt, but a lovely view of the river. Quiet and free! There is a porta-potty that was clean when we visited but no trash pickup and some litter."
Road conditions: Access roads to remote sites can be challenging. A Lost Lake camper mentioned, "The road coming in is much less bumpy than it was earlier in the year."
Facility variations: Campgrounds range from developed to primitive. At Kettle River Campground, "There are no hookups so we brought a our generator and made sure we had a full tank of water. The sites were far enough apart to provide some sense of separation, which we liked."
Water levels: Lake and river levels fluctuate seasonally. A Kettle River camper reported, "The river was down and we were told it is drawn down in Febraury but back up to high levels first week of July."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds have designated swimming spots. At Bonaparte Lake, "There is a dock where you can fish plus a boat launch. A swimming area is also available."
Resort alternatives: For families wanting more amenities, private resorts offer additional options. A Highland Glenn Ranch visitor described it as offering "an awesome spot with a great way to connect with the wilderness in this Northern US Border Ranch."
Camp store access: Some locations provide on-site supplies. At Tiffany's Resort, there's a "convenient store, where bikes, boats, kayaks and paddle boards can be rented. Marked swim area for kids."
Trail connectivity: Some campgrounds feature internal trail networks. At Pierre Lake, "The entire campground has trails interconnected all throughout that lead from one end of the sites to another."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: RV sites vary significantly in size and accommodations. At Kettle River, "The paved parking was quite small for the 'max vehicle length' rating. This left us using every in of pavement we had."
Year-round access: Several RV parks remain open through winter. Winchester RV Resort operates year-round, with one visitor noting their facilities have "Very nice campground, bathrooms clean."
Hookup availability: Hookup options vary widely between public and private campgrounds. A Kettle River camper with a 30-foot trailer reported, "This was a clean and well maintained campground. Only 12 sites most of which are right off the bank of the Kettle River. We squeezed our 30 foot trailer and truck into pull through site 11."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds have on-site dump facilities. A Kettle River visitor mentioned, "We also, utilized the free event dump on our way out, which was convenient located."
