Liberty Lake, Washington sits at the eastern edge of Spokane Valley, adjacent to the Washington-Idaho border. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Camping options include sites on Liberty Lake itself and locations within a 30-minute drive that provide access to both urban amenities and natural environments. Many smaller campgrounds near Liberty Lake feature shaded camping with proximity to hiking trails and water recreation.
What to do
Hiking near Spokane River: Bowl and Pitcher Campground offers multiple trails along the Spokane River with varying difficulty levels. "Lots of hiking trails and wildlife viewing. The swinging bridge is awesome. Popular area. The bathrooms are nice, the river is beautiful," notes Andrea R.
Lake swimming and water sports: Liberty Lake Regional Park provides beach access for swimming during summer months. A camper reports, "It has beautiful hiking trails, a beach where you can swim and kayak and canoe and fish, birds and wildlife around singing beautifully day and night."
Mountain biking on nearby trails: Several trail networks surround Liberty Lake with options for beginners and advanced riders. The Centennial Trail connects to many camping areas and spans over 60 miles across the region, allowing for day trips from most campsites near Liberty Lake.
What campers like
Proximity to nature while near urban amenities: Kootenai County Fairgrounds RV Park balances access to services with outdoor activities. "A really great central place to hang so we could check out the surrounding area. Had fast, reliable wifi and great service for Verizon," shares Kaitlin K.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers frequently spot deer, moose, and various bird species. At Beauty Creek Campground, one visitor mentioned, "We even notice a few double spots. We arrived around 4 pm and were able to get a site. We also saw lots of chipmunks and rabbits."
Lake access and water activities: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. "We took our paddle boards out and it was great!" explains one camper at Blackwell Island RV Park, which features "a clean beach along the Spokane River with plenty of high quality beach chairs to relax in and watch the parade of boats coming from upriver."
What you should know
Train noise affects some campgrounds: Several camping areas near Liberty Lake experience railroad disruption. At Spokane KOA Journey, one camper advises, "It is right next to an active railroad, so bring earplugs if you don't want to be woken up by trains several times."
Limited shade at newer facilities: Many recently developed campgrounds lack mature trees. A visitor to Camp Coeur D Alene notes, "The camp is close to the freeway and on the edge of the lake. The camp offers tent camping, full service RV camping, and cabins for rent. There are hiking trails adjacent."
Seasonal availability varies widely: Most tent camping options operate from May through September, while RV facilities often remain open longer. During peak summer weekends, reservations are essential at all campgrounds near Liberty Lake, especially those with water access.
Yellow jacket issues in late summer: Several forested campgrounds report increased wasp activity in August. A camper at Beauty Creek Campground warned, "Yellow jackets are swarming you. Nobody was stung when we were there and I find that amazing."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several RV parks near Liberty Lake feature children's play areas and recreation facilities. At Liberty Lake RV Campground, a visitor mentioned, "It's all concrete but it's nice and level with a dog area, a play set, and a pool."
Choose sites with swimming access: During hot summer months, water features are essential for family comfort. A family camper recommends, "This is a nice site that is know for its hiking trail. It is also close to play structure and small beach."
Consider cabin options for less experienced campers: Several campgrounds offer cabin rentals as alternatives to tent camping. "This campground was super cozy and safe. They had firewood for sale, a pool, and clean showers and bathrooms," reports a visitor to Camp Coeur D Alene.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have limitations for big RVs. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, Angel A. cautions, "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."
Hookup variations between parks: Electrical capacity differs significantly between facilities. Some offer 30-amp service while others provide 50-amp connections. Water availability and sewer hookups also vary, with some parks requiring use of communal dump stations.
Overnight parking options for travel breaks: For those just passing through, Cabela's in Post Falls allows short stays. "Great place to rest after a long drive. Check in at customer service stay up to 2 days," advises Dave B., noting the designated area includes pull-through spaces for larger rigs.
