Cabin camping options near Hartline, Washington cluster around the Banks Lake and Columbia River regions. The area sits within the Columbia Plateau at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, with a semi-arid climate characterized by hot summers reaching 90°F and cold winters. Summer nights often cool significantly, making cabins with climate control particularly valuable during July and August.
What to do
Hiking at Steamboat Rock: Steamboat Rock State Park offers trails with varying difficulty levels, from easy lake-level paths to the more challenging Steamboat Rock hike. "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."
Fishing year-round: Most lakes in the area remain productive for anglers throughout spring and fall. "The fishing was great. We had power and water. There's a free dump station," notes a visitor at Blue Lake Resort.
Wildlife viewing: The area hosts abundant wildlife including deer, pheasants, and wild turkeys. "We hung out, hiked, fished, and enjoyed the deer, pheasant and wild turkeys wandering the grounds," reports one winter visitor to Bay Loop Campground.
What campers like
Lake access: Most cabin locations provide direct water access for swimming and boating. At Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, "The lake is so refreshing! It's super hot there and I could spend all day swimming in the lake. And the best part is the view."
Seasonal experiences: Spring and fall offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds. "We have started camping here in September instead of August like we used to because we've discovered the weather is much more pleasant and it is a lot less busy," shares a regular at Dune Loop Campground.
Geological features: The unique landscape resulted from ancient glacial floods. "I 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," writes one visitor to Dune Loop Campground.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The area experiences extreme temperature fluctuations and high winds. "Incredible views, but beware of heavy wind. I love this state park... As campgrounds go, this one is very windy! Keep that in mind if you are tent camping, as you could easily lose your tent!" warns a camper at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park.
Water temperature: Lakes remain cold until mid-summer despite hot air temperatures. "We enjoyed this place a lot. We walked over to a nice sandy beach and kids walked ways into water before it got deep," notes a visitor at Bay Loop Campground.
Reservation timing: For cabin rentals, book 6-9 months in advance for summer weekends. "This campground is the best! Boat rentals, good fishing and fun things to do. Not super expensive compared to others," reports a visitor to Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Off-season visits: Consider spring or fall trips for more comfortable temperatures and lower crowds. At Laurent's Sun Village Resort, cabins remain open through early October: "Cabin was old but okay with bathroom and shower."
Swimming locations: Protected swimming areas exist at most parks, with varying beach quality. "There is a swimming area, boat launch, fishing pier (and fish cleaning stations in each camp loop), basketball, volleyball, playground, and paved walking trails connecting the beach and all the camp loops," notes a visitor to Bay Loop Campground.
Kid-friendly activities: Many parks offer playgrounds and organized activities. "There's also a second swimming area and a playground within the park that is a quick drive. There is an on-site store and snack shack. We love this place. The kids have a blast," shares a family camper.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites with water, electric, and sewer are available at several resorts. Coulee Lodge Resort offers these amenities: "Like the title says, it's not a bad little resort. We really enjoyed our weekend here. The swimming area was great."
Water quality: Bring filtration systems for drinking water at some locations. "I wish I had taken the time to hook up the water filter," notes a camper at Blue Lake Resort, indicating variable water quality.
Site spacing: RV sites vary significantly in size and privacy between resorts. "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," reports a visitor to Dune Loop Campground about their spacious sites.
