Tent camping near Glenwood, Washington gives campers access to the diverse landscapes of south-central Washington, where the elevation ranges from 1,900 to 2,200 feet across much of the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during peak camping months, with cooler evenings dropping to the 50s. Most campgrounds in this area are operational from late spring through early fall, with several requiring campers to pack out their trash.
What to do
Hiking the Palouse hills: At Kamiak Butte County Park, access a network of hiking trails directly from your campsite. "I did the hike on a Saturday and there were quite few other hikers on the trail," notes Kelsey G., who appreciated the easy trail access from the campground entrance.
Target practice in remote areas: The backcountry camping areas around Tingley Spring - BLM offer opportunities for responsible firearm use. "It's remote enough to sight in your guns and do a little practice," reports Megan K., who enjoyed the secluded nature of these primitive sites.
Boating and water activities: Texas Rapids - Snake River provides direct water access with its boat launch facility. "Free dry camping on the Snake River near Little Goose Dam. No reservations. First come basis. Boat launch," explains Lisa B., making this location ideal for campers interested in combining water recreation with their tent camping trip.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Tent campers appreciate the room to spread out at Kamiak Butte County Park. "We stayed in site #4 which was right at the end with glimpses of the Palouse through the trees and lots of space. You could easily set up 2 tents there," reports Kelsey G.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting at many campgrounds offers chances to observe local fauna. "The wildlife is very loud and very curious so bring earplugs if your sensitive to noise," advises Megan S. about her experience at Blyton Landing.
Stargazing conditions: The remote nature of many Glenwood area tent sites creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing. "The stars at night were amazing," reports Wilber S. about his experience at Rock Creek BLM Campground, highlighting one benefit of camping in areas with minimal light pollution.
What you should know
Road noise concerns: Several tent campsites in the region are situated near highways. "We checked out campground and the giant white pine but decided not to camp there due to its proximity to a busy road. Lots of logging trucks made it awfully noisy for tent camping," warns Gretchen B. about Giant White Pine Campground.
Limited facilities: Most tent sites in the Glenwood area provide basic amenities only. "Dry camping with vault toilets. Each site has picnic tables and fire pits," explains Jake Z. about Big Springs Campground, reflecting the typical amenity level at most sites in the region.
Water availability: Nearly all tent campgrounds near Glenwood require campers to bring their own water supply. "Bring all your camping supplies, as there are not services like water," advises Megan K. about backcountry camping at Tingley Spring, a consideration that applies to most camping options in this region.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families with children can take advantage of recreational areas at select campgrounds. "Very nice playground in the day use area," notes Cheryl S. about Kamiak Butte County Park, providing an amenity that helps keep younger campers entertained.
Wildlife encounters: Parents should prepare children for the active wildlife around tent sites. "Super pretty, gets real cold at night. Very convenient stop between pullman/moscow and clarkston/lewiston. The wildlife is very loud and very curious," reports Megan S. about 5 Authentic Barn Campsites.
Budget-friendly options: Many tent camping options near Glenwood are affordable for families. "It was $15 a night plus $5 for an extra car," shares Kelsey G. about Kamiak Butte County Park, while Rock Creek BLM Campground provides completely free camping.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for tents versus RVs: Some campgrounds are better suited for one accommodation type over another. "The sites are designed for people with horses and RV's. Tent camping was a little rough but worked," explains Wilber S. about his experience at Rock Creek BLM Campground.
Temperature preparation: RVers converting to tent camping should prepare for temperature fluctuations. "Gets real cold at night," warns Megan S. about the conditions at Blyton Landing, a consideration that affects tent campers more significantly than those in RVs.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects tent campers more than RV users. "Might be OK in a RV," suggests Gretchen B. about Giant White Pine Campground's proximity to a busy logging truck route, highlighting how vehicle insulation can mitigate noise issues.
