Dispersed camping near Davenport, Washington offers primitive sites across the unique Channeled Scablands landscape. The region features basalt formations created by massive Ice Age floods, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,200 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, and strong winds can occur year-round across the open terrain.
What to do
Hiking at Towell Falls: The 3-mile trail at Escure Ranch / Rock Creek Recreation Area crosses through basalt buttes and open meadows to reach the falls. "The hike itself was incredible and a bit primitive at points. Bring bug spray and maybe a machete lol," notes one visitor who found the landscape so striking it felt "like I was on another planet."
Bird watching: Spring brings numerous migratory species to the lakes and wetlands. At Cow Lake, campers can spot waterfowl from shoreline sites, though one reviewer mentions it "gets crowded on the weekends" with fishing activity, so weekday visits provide better wildlife viewing.
Paddling adventures: For a secluded watercraft experience, consider Bonnie Lake Island which requires "paddling up Rock Creek about a mile and another 1/2 mile paddle up the lake." A camper warns, "you'll have to portage across at least one beaver dam," making this a true adventure for experienced paddlers.
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent astronomy opportunities. At Escure Ranch, one visitor described it as an "Astro Photographer's Dream" during new moon periods, noting "I setup camp on the road back during a new moon which was perfect for star gazing and astro photography."
Solitude in shoulder seasons: The best times for peaceful camping come before summer crowds. "It's a great spot in late winter or early spring if you're looking for solitude. We visited in February and saw 4 or 5 people, but no one stayed the night except us," reports one Escure Ranch camper.
Historical exploration: The Escure Ranch & Towell Falls area includes abandoned ranch structures worth investigating. As one visitor mentions, "The ranch has an interesting history and it's fun to poke around the old structures," providing context to the landscape beyond natural features.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many sites requires driving on unpaved roads. At Hog Lake Campground, "Road is a lil rough but our outback handled it just fine," while at Cow Lake, "the last mile or so is pretty rough. But, most vehicles shouldn't have any problems."
Campsite availability patterns: Weekends see significantly more traffic than weekdays. One Hog Lake camper notes, "Came on a Saturday night and it was crazy busy, Sunday was calmer." Another mentioned sites were "incredibly busy for a Tuesday night, people were pulling in all hours of the night."
Wildlife concerns: Beyond coyotes and rattlesnakes, the entire region hosts diverse wildlife. At Escure Ranch, one hiker "ran into a Coyote who would not budge. That pretty much ended the hike as I could hear others howling nearby." At Bonnie Lake, "The steep canyon walls provide a stage for coyotes to sing back and forth."
Tips for camping with families
Best time for families: Spring offers wildflowers with fewer snake encounters. At Escure Ranch, a visitor advises the "best time to visit is in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and before the rattlesnakes get populous."
Accessibility considerations: Some areas offer flat terrain suitable for all mobility levels. One visitor to Fishtrap Recreation Area mentioned, "This is a site is much easier with an RV or van" but warned tent campers that "the soil is very dry and a couple of the spots were hard rocks and not accessible for tents."
Safety measures: Broken glass has been reported at multiple sites. At Fishtrap, campers noted "broken glass, there was quite a bit of it scattered around which was disappointing," while Hog Lake visitors warned "Broken glass in some sites so be careful."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: Look for established pull-offs large enough for your vehicle. At Hog Lake, one RVer explains, "There are 10-12 spots along the gravel road to Hog Lake. We have a 21ft trailer towed behind a pickup truck and it's able to fit in most spots."
Camping surface quality: Prepare for rocky, uneven terrain throughout the area. Fishtrap Recreation Area is described as "a nice large gravel pull out" though one camper warned "it's windy. Almost lost my canopy."
Boondocking readiness: Come fully self-contained as amenities are minimal. One Hog Lake camper reported, "A good spot to stay a night or more. Currently NO FIRES due to high risk of forest fires. Several spots to boondock. There is a dumpster and port a poty."
