Tent campsites near Clarkston, Washington range from primitive forest sites to riverside camping areas throughout the Blue Mountains and Palouse regions. Many campgrounds operate seasonally from late spring through early fall due to winter closures in higher elevations. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F in lower areas while mountain sites remain cooler with significant day-to-night temperature variations.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Kamiak Butte County Park offers direct access to hiking paths with panoramic Palouse views. One visitor noted, "There's a little trail at Kamiak Butte and you can access it via a trailhead near the entrance of the campground. I did the hike on a Saturday and there were quite few other hikers on the trail."
Fishing opportunities: Blyton Landing provides direct water access for anglers seeking bass and trout. The location serves as a convenient fishing base between the Pullman/Moscow and Clarkston/Lewiston areas.
Wildlife observation: Multiple campgrounds offer excellent wildlife viewing without requiring special equipment. A camper at Kamiak Butte County Park mentioned, "So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families."
What campers like
Solitude and quiet: Teal campground provides a peaceful experience with minimal crowds. A visitor shared, "It is pretty small, only has about 7 campsites. It also is a first come first serve campground. We didn't have any troubles getting a site, though, and there weren't very many people when we stayed the 2 nights there."
Scenic views: The elevated position of several campgrounds creates memorable vistas. One camper at Panjab Campground reported, "Good spot, first come first serve right off the main road so you can get some traffic noise, good trees for hammocks."
Water proximity: Many tent sites offer easy river access. According to a reviewer, "Panjab is great. Very nice campground for the area. Come here all the time. First come first serve, there is a nice little river that runs near the campground as well."
What you should know
Limited supplies: Pack all necessary items before arriving at remote sites. A Teal camper advised, "Make sure to bring everything you possibly need because the nearest town is Pomeroy, WA and they didn't really have many grocery shopping options. So get all your necessities beforehand! Pomeroy is about an hour away from the Teal Spring Campground."
Site conditions: Most tent camping areas feature basic amenities with varying maintenance. At Big Springs Campground, a visitor explained, "Dry camping with vault toilets. Each site has picnic tables and fire pits."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds require appropriate vehicles for safe entry. A Teal camper noted, "I have pulled a 30 foot camper into this campground, you will want a 4 wheel drive to pull your camper the entrance is intimidating, it's steep but passable with 4x4 when towing a camper."
Tips for camping with families
Choose established sites: Family-friendly options include campgrounds with proper facilities. A visitor commented, "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."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer recreational structures for children. One review stated, "Running water and pit toilets on site. Very nice playground in the day use area."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require appropriate clothing and sleeping gear. A Blyton Landing camper warned, "Super pretty, gets real cold at night. Very convenient stop between pullman/moscow and clarkston/lewiston. The wildlife is very loud and very curious so bring earplugs if your sensitive to noise."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Most tent-focused campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. A camper explained, "Teal camp offers two vault bathrooms maintained by the forest service. This is a pack it in pack it out area."
Surface conditions: Expect unimproved parking areas at some locations. One Bezona visitor reported, "No real sites, gravel lot alongside river, pit toilets."
Seasonal accessibility: Higher elevation campgrounds may have limited access during shoulder seasons. Campers should contact forest service offices for current road conditions before attempting access to remote tent sites.
