Glenwood, Washington camping sites sit within the Columbia River Plateau region at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal temperature variations. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F during peak camping months of June through September, with cooler nights dropping to 45-55°F. Winter camping options remain limited primarily to heated yurt and canvas structures at select locations.
What to do
Hiking trails: Chief Timothy Park offers a complete island loop trail system with paved paths encircling the 282-acre property. "There is a paved walking trail along the river with pet stations located at intervals and is maintained by the municipality," notes a visitor to Premier RV Resort at Granite Lake.
Water recreation: The Snake River provides multiple access points for boating, fishing, and swimming. At Boyer Park & Marina KOA, campers appreciate the "boat launch and nice sized RV lots. It is kid friendly and is a 2 minute drive from Lower Granite Dam if you want to take a tour."
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife observation opportunities. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, campers report seeing "deer in the campground every day, we saw moose, owls, pilated woodpecker, and hawks."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives consistent praise. "The bathrooms were decent, with free showers. The park was beautiful the bathrooms were just remodeled," mentions a reviewer at Hells Gate State Park Campground.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites with room to spread out. At Chief Timothy Park, visitors enjoy the layout: "The sites were beautiful. Easy access to the river with little docks along the shore."
Riverfront location: Direct water access remains a top feature for campers. One visitor described their experience: "We had a view of the bathroom. Tip- call after booking online to request a site. The winds come through quite a bit which helps with the heat but make sure everything is secured down."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites fill quickly during summer months. According to a camper at Laird Park Campground: "Only reason for 4 stars is not being able to reserve a spot. Very quiet, cozy location."
Connectivity issues: Cell service varies significantly between locations. One camper noted, "Only downside is no Verizon coverage and free wifi is junk. But for $3/day you can get decent wifi."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal variations. A visitor mentioned: "It was very hot here in July with no wind. Shower is ok not great."
Yurt availability: Yurt camping near Glenwood, Washington provides year-round options. Several campgrounds offer heated yurts and canvas structures through winter months when traditional tent camping becomes impractical.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Clear Lake Recreation Area provides designated swimming areas. "The scenery is beautiful, and there are plenty of activities for everyone," notes a visitor.
Playgrounds: Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment. A camper at Laird Park mentioned the campground "does have restrooms and a playground for kids. I enjoy recreation here in the summer."
Safety considerations: Most established campgrounds offer secure environments. At Premier RV Resort, "This 'RV resort' is within the city of Clarkston and a stone's throw from a Costco, a WalMart and an Albertson's. It's highly manicured and very clean."
Midweek visits: For quieter family camping experiences with yurts near Glenwood, Washington, consider non-weekend stays. One camper observed: "Quiet during the weekdays. Gets REALLY busy on weekends. A lot of families with a lot of kids."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds offer varying site configurations. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, "Most of the sites are fairly level. We stayed at 2 different sites over 3 weeks, and both were level. They are close together!"
Utilities: Hookup availability varies between campgrounds. A visitor noted: "Full hookups with lots of pull through spaces if needed. We fully utilized the bike path along the river each day for nice long rides into Idaho and back to Washington."
Accessibility: Some campgrounds have access limitations. A camper mentioned: "The road in was kinda sketchy if you are pulling a large RV. It is surrounded by a heavily wooded area that is very beautiful and well kept up."
Dump stations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump services. One RVer mentioned: "The dump station is quite a drive, back out, up the hill."
