Best Tent Camping near Inchelium, WA

Great place for families and fishermen. Curlew Lake is known for its fishing, also boating, waterskiing, kayaking, etc. Resort has a variety of full service cabins and full RV hook up camp sites. Also tent sites available. Showers and laundry on site, along with convenient store, where bikes, boats, kayaks and paddle boards can be rented. Marked swim area for kids.

Open almost all year round.

One of our favorites on a month long camping trip cross country. The lake was great for a swim and to play fetch with our dog. The place was nearly empty when we arrived so we got to pick what to our knowledge was the only non-tent site a slight view of the lake. Bathrooms were clean. No showers. A tad buggy but not too bad for being near a lake. Didn't get to do the trail because we didn't bring bear spray as a sign at the time advised. You drive for a bit down a dirt road to get here but the Google Maps directions were pretty spot on (slightly off at the end but there was signage to help navigate). A nice coffee shop in the nearest town too.

This campground has been around for awhile, but is under new ownership. It’s a really unique spot right on the shores of Loon Lake in Washington State. It’s a bit remote for one night, but if you’re planning a family reunion over a long weekend or something, this would be a great spot.

They’ve got a variety of accommodations — RV spots for those that use them, plus more permanent structures like “vintage cabins and retro apartments” (this sounds a little suspicious, but I swear, they’re good enough as long as you bear in mind that this is a campground. They even have a cafe and a little store so you only have to rough it solo as much as you want to.

They have a little marina with boat slips if you have your own, or you can rent from them and take advantage of everything the lake has to offer. Due to the remote location compared to other lakes closer to the Washington State metro areas, there aren’t a ton of people on the water here at any time of year, even during holidays.

I’m not sure how tent camping would work here, I’m sure they would find a way to accommodate it if you wanted to try, but if I was in a group sans RV I’d probably splurge on a cabin and call it a day.

I have been coming here on and off for over 20 years. Coulee Playland Resort is on the short of Banks Lake. It is kind of a low budget KOA with a playground for kids.

Start off with, the service is excellent here. The whole area revolves around the store. They sell everything from ice cream cones to any type of fishing tackle you could possibly need. They also rent pontoon boats, jet ski’s, and 12 to 16 foot boats with engines. The fish and banks lake range from 8 foot sturgeon’s all the way down to rainbow trout. It’s a hotspot for walleye tournaments throughout the year. Do you need a fishing license to fish at banks lake, but you can also fish from right outside your tent if you would like.

All the tent sites are on grass, although the further out you are from the store the more the campsites are on a slope. They have restrooms, and showers, but not a lot of showers.

Coulee Playground revolves around the store. If you fish on Banks Lake, you will probably meet at the store to discuss what you caught, where, but never give away your secret tackle:).

There is a lot of things to do here. You can rent a boat and go out and see the miles and miles of banks lake. Maybe fish, or just enjoy the sun. Or, you can take your family down and watch the nightly laser light show from spring through fall that is projected on the side of Grand Coulee dam.

I have never gone to this place and not come away feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Lastly, I have never been there when I did not see a spectacular sunset on one of the nights. It is enough to take your breath away. I highly recommend a couple nights a year at this wonderful place. I got your dress is

It was a steamy 90 plus degrees as we finally hit the road, believing to be on the right trail we drove a frosty ac filled truck two hours north towards Colville. Believing this dreamy lake to be, only a few minutes away from us along with our group of several friends, whom, to our unfortunate luck, had been here previously. And to our unfortunate downfall, we had not.

The quick jaunt from spokane out to Usk and the 20 minute skip up the road till it turned into a dusty trail, was all well and good for our traveling comrades however for us, a ragtag pair of best good buddies trotting along unbeknownst to us, about to fall into a pit of emotional disparity. Yes, indeed we had gone the wrong way.. the Browns Lake I had googled was a larger more well known lake in the Colville area, however do not be fooled, there is a smaller, more secluded lake tucked nearly two more hours east and just a smidge north. A small pool of a lake hidden amongst the fire torched woodlands only years before, now beautifully flushing out in lush greenery.

The long winding trails finally dropped us amongst Usk, the sweet little logging town, a hop across a bridge and a skip up a dirt road and we were pulling in and around the pine tree cooled atmosphere of the sweet smelling, calm energy of a family friendly, dog happy camp ground. With tents popped up and a small fire started out awaiting friends happily greeted us. After a tad bit of jazzy do to my poor direction skills but nonetheless getting us to journey there. We unloaded the rest of logs, tent gear and dogs. Once all set up, in the much cooler shade of the basking 94degrees around us down on the lake. We changed suits and though the 10ft or so to get to the lake was a bit of a hassle with the steep slope of roots and weeds, and the lack of a sandy beach.. the calm, clear, nearly bath temperature water, easily made up for it.

I am happy to say the night sky was immaculate and immense. How’s spent star gazing by the water after hours spent floating in the sun, and even a few hours spent hiking the woodlands after dust when the sun cooled down. With hotdogs and salmon cooked over the fire and a cozy Ozark Trails tent, camp chairs and even tin coffee cup to ease any remote tension. It was without a doubt, a pleasant first camp trip of the season 🏕

Awesome fireplace and picnic area, the tent area is a short walk from the covered area. A public path right through the camping area which was kind of annoying since the tent area wasn’t visible from the cooking area so there were strangers walking around our tents. Nice private beach area.

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE

Lake Ellen East Campground is one of two campgrounds located on each end of the good sized lake. There are 11 campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, and tent pads.  It doesn't get super busy during the camping season. When we stayed the cost was 6$ for a sight. Dogs were allowed on a leash. Driving through the campground is a one way single lane gravel road loop. Campsites have good separation with lots of vegetation for privacy. Access to the lake for fishing and swimming is a short walk. Wildlife viewing is great: water fowl mostly andfishing for Rainbow Trout is good.  Best for tents and small campers. Toilets available. No drinking water. Boat ramp is at the other end (west) of the lake. The nearest town is Kettle Falls, WA.  Operated by the Forest Service.

If you want a low key, quiet place to camp this is a good choice.

We camped here for a girls weekend and were really happy with our double site (35 a+b). We had a tent trailer, 2 tents, 4 cars, and 10 adults and had plenty of space in our site. Many spots are packed in tight, but this one has nice privacy and isn’t too far from the restroom or the lake. The 4 star review is mostly due to the location rather than anything with the campground or owners. It’s right on highway 12 and those giant military fighter jets fly through the canyon every once in awhile. But the staff is great, there’s a restaurant and coffee stand on site, and the campground was pretty clean. The lake is BEAUTIFUL - a bit windy but great to paddle around on when the wind is calm. You can grab wifi while standing at the motel, but there’s otherwise no cell service.

This is a good spot if fishing, boating, or water sports. Pull through sites with full hookups or grass sites for tents and all in between. Close to grand Coulee dam and all the attractions and right on banks lake.

The first thing that jumps out is the fantastic customer service from the owners. The sites are perfect for a mid size RV (or tent) but it’s small enough and away from the hustle of life - love it. Peaceful and isolated just enough. They offer wifi, there’s a nice restaurant and everyone is extremely friendly. Conveniently located I’ll make an excuse to be back. Thirty minutes from a boat launch on Roosevelt.

When we arrived we were surprised to have a double site which gave us more than enough space to set up 3 tents and an extra for the dogs. The lake was clear, beautiful and warm! We spend hours floating around enjoying the views. The folks at The Beaver Lodge just outside of the site were friendly and helpful if you need any basics you forgot. The vault toilets were maintained twice a day all days we were there. Overall, fantastic experience!

Cool place, but not for camping. Contrary to the description, this place isn’t meant for established or even disbursed camping. There are no campsites. We looked around the area for disbursed camping spots, but the terrain made it really difficult to get around and find a place to pitch a tent/hammock. I wouldn’t recommend for campers, but the trails would be great for cross country skiing. This place is not a campsite. It’s a group of cross country ski trails.