Best Tent Camping near Loon Lake, WA

Several tent campgrounds dot the forested areas surrounding Loon Lake, Washington, providing primitive camping in a mountainous setting. Camp Gifford at Deer Lake and Nine Mile Recreation Area at Riverside State Park offer established tent sites with varying levels of accessibility. The Lil Red Barn provides 11 tent sites with picnic tables and basic amenities, while more rustic options can be found at Skookum Creek Campground in the nearby state forest.

Most backcountry tent sites feature fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Drinking water is available at several campgrounds including Flodelle Creek and Camp Gifford, but many primitive tent setups require campers to bring their own water supply. Toilets are typically vault-style facilities that receive basic maintenance. Walk-in tent sites at Nine Mile Recreation Area provide access to the shoreline but require carrying gear from parking areas. A review noted that "the vault toilets are relatively new and well maintained" at Skookum Creek, where tent camping is free with a Discover Pass.

Tent campers will find diverse experiences throughout the region, with lakeside camping available at multiple locations. Sites at Rocky Lake and Little Twin Lakes campgrounds offer good separation between campsites with natural vegetation providing privacy for tent campers. Areas farther from main roads provide deeper seclusion for primitive tent camping experiences. Walk-in tent sites at Amongst The Pines receive excellent reviews for their peaceful setting and proximity to nature. A camper described Skookum Creek as having "nice spots spaced quite far apart" with grassy areas suitable for tent setup. During summer months, tent campers should be prepared for varying weather conditions, as mountain storms can develop quickly in this region.

Best Tent Sites Near Loon Lake, Washington (38)

    1. Camp Gifford at Deer Lake

    1 Review
    Loon Lake, WA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 233-2511

    2. Nine Mile Recreation Area — Riverside State Park

    7 Reviews
    Nine Mile Falls, WA
    19 miles
    Website

    "The campsite is butted up to the lake, which makes it great for sunsets and sunrises. There is hardly any shade at the campsite. The RV/camper sites have full or partial hook-ups. All back in."

    "We stayed here for one night and were absolutely thrilled at how peaceful and quiet the space was. You’re right off the water and the get an amazing view of the sunset."

    3. The Lil Red Barn

    1 Review
    Tumtum, WA
    16 miles
    +1 (509) 724-6184

    $20 - $30 / night

    "We're excited to have this new listing on our platform. Check them out and leave them some love."

    4. Skookum Creek Campground

    3 Reviews
    Usk, WA
    24 miles
    Website

    "However, each site has a nice fire ring, large picnic table, and loads of elbow room. The vault toilets are relatively new and well maintained."

    "It's a relatively small loop campground along a creek, close to the Pend Oreille River. Gravel road, ideal for tent camping."

    5. Amongst The Pines

    1 Review
    Mead, WA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (206) 484-3948

    $35 / night

    "Robin was unbelievably accommodating with our situation and even introduced my daughters to all the farm animals."

    6. Cloverleaf Campground — Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Inchelium, WA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 754-7889

    $23 / night

    "Dirt trails on the water which is a beautiful little cove on lake Roosevelt. Bald eagles, and lots of bugs. Most often in the summer you can hear the big pow wows going on across the river at night."

    "Clearest lake I've ever seen !"

    7. Rogers Bar

    1 Review
    Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, WA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 633-3830

    8. Flodelle Creek Campground

    2 Reviews
    Colville, WA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 684-7474

    "Ranger Review: Wenzel Lightweight Double Hammock at Flodelle Creek

    Campground Review:

    Flodelle Creek campground is a great gem off highway 20. It is a bit back there and super small."

    "It's so beautiful in the trees, each site has good privacy from the others. You have to have a discover pass to stay here, but if you do it's free. Best camping near colville natl forest."

    9. Rocky Lake

    1 Review
    Colville, WA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 684-7474

    "Boat launch and hand water pump near lake. Restroom was clean."

    10. Little Twin Lakes Campground

    1 Review
    Colville, WA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 684-7000

    "Smaller camp ground, 7 sites, with boat launch, good kayaking and fishing, picnic tables and vault toilets."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Loon Lake, WA

631 Reviews of 38 Loon Lake Campgrounds


  • Cathy E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2023

    Bald Knob Campground — Mount Spokane State Park

    Quiet, Clean, and Beautiful

    What a gem! Small state park campground at about a 3000 ft elevation with only 8 sites. Dry Camping only, no dump station, but clean flushable toilets(no showers) and potable water available. Two beautiful trails are accessible from the campground and lots more are within a 10 minute drive with plenty of parking at trailheads. Local foliage is wonderful, views are fantastic from the trails. Quiet hours are enforced and observed- very quiet and relaxing. The camp host, Linda, does such a wonderful job of keeping everything neat and tidy and checking in with campers to see if they have what they need. Sites are small- only one was a pull through. I wouldn't attempt with anything longer than 23 feet. Each site has a bear box, really nice and large picnic table, firepit and tent pads that are nicely cushioned with pea gravel. Our site,#3, was centrally located without a ton of privacy, but it was still a nice site and folks were respectful and quiet. Decent cell service in the campground. I am absolutely coming back.

  • Andrea R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2019

    Edgewater Campground

    Beautiful!

    This section of the Colville, there is so much to see and do! This campground is close to many attractions and has great fishing! The parking areas are really long and most have a great view of the lake. Bear boxes fire rings and picnic tables are all provided at most every site. There is also bear proof trash and water spigots near by the sites as well. This is right on the Pend Oreille River, and there is a nice boat launch and fishing pier. The sites are extra large and can take just about any RV size you have. The roads in are nice and paved as well. The bathrooms are maintained regularly and have toilet paper, You can reserve site here or there are FSFS sites as well but it is a small campground and there are only a few sites to be had as it is, I think they run around $21 a night, and no hookups.

  • Andrea R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 3, 2019

    Lake Ellen Campground

    Cute, not super private, but there is only 13 sites.

    The spaces were quite large and not very shaded. The lake is nice, but you can't see it from any of the campsites. Lake Ellen West is by far better. If you go down the road a little, there is a beautiful view of the lake. Vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings are available. There are also dumpsters.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 10, 2023

    Riley Creek Campground

    Beautiful CoE campground with many activity options

    General: 67-site US Army Corps of Engineers campground in two loops along the Pend Oreille River. All sites are water and electric and have gravel driveways. 

    Site Quality: All sites were nicely wooded, level and spacious. The roads are paved but the sites themselves are gravel. A BBQ grill/fire pit and large picnic table complete each site. 

    Bath/shower house: There is one ADA-accessible all-in-one bath/shower plus regular restrooms. Clean if a little dated. I don’t take long showers but in the middle of mine, the water turned ice cold for the remainder of my shower, however, hubby did not have the same experience! 

    Activities/Amenities: Water activities including boating, fishing, and swimming. Non-water activities include paths, including one around the campground that is approximately 1.4 miles, nice for walking, running, or biking. Partially paved and partially gravel. Other activities include two playgrounds (one for younger children, one for older), volleyball, horseshoes, sport court, and a “doggie island” (pet area). Between the restrooms are two dishwashing sinks with hot water, a nice amenity. There is also a dump station. 

    We were still setting up when the host came by to give us a map, remind us there was a fire ban, and see if we had any questions or concerns. We stay at many CoE campgrounds and this one certainly measures up!

  • Andrea R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2019

    Douglas Falls Grange Park Campground

    Exceeded Expectations!!!!

    Ranger Review: Aftershokz Trekz Air at Douglas Falls Grange Park

    Campground Review:

     Wow! Wow! Wow!

    First off, a bit about the campground itself. It is owned by the local grange, right next to the Colville National Forest. It is free with a Discover pass. The discover pass is $10 for a day or $30 for a year and needed for a lot of parks in Washington. It is also located just outside of Colville, where you can get anything you need. There is about 8-15 sites. Why don’t I know? Well the campground loop intercepts the day use area, and what is a site, compared to the day use area, we can’t tell. On the main campground loop there is 8 sites. In the day use area, site #9 appears to be the only marked ADA accessible site, though many of the others seem just as accessible. Site #10 and #11 are a slight downhill walk from the parking area. Site 10 does not have a clear parking spot, where all of the other sites do. Site #12 is basically in the parking lot. When we arrived we drove the main loop and there were a few other campers, then we came to the day use area and site #12 had a tent pitched there.  There is a short car road that is a one way access with additional sites #13 #14 and #15, this road was closed, but may open in the future. There were black table cloths on the tables, indicating not to use. All sites have a fire ring, and picnic table. Some have a cute log bench right next to the fire.

    There is no garbage service at this campground. Pack it in, pack it out, please, leave no trace. There are vault toilets supplied with plenty of toilet paper, they were very clean and have an air freshener that almost makes you forget you are in a vault toilet! There is a huge field with a backstop for baseball/softball, a covered picnic area, Horseshoes, hiking trails (with the main one being a 1.5 mile nature loop) and the highlight was a gorgeous 60 foot waterfall that you can see from the parking lot or take short walk to. There is also a pretty cool suspension bridge!

    I had low expectations of this place, but I was very surprised! We took site #10 which is about 20 feet away from the upper portion of the falls. This site is a short walk from the parking lot, so you do have to walk your gear in.  The only other site in this area is #11 and it is a good distance away. From our site there is a small trail that leads to the main trail which goes to the top of the falls. If you take the main trail from the look out to the right there is access to the bottom of the falls. I listened to the waterfall all night and it was so peaceful and soothing I slept peacefully. The moon light over the falls was amazing, I wish I had my good camera! Did I mention the wildlife? Hawks, deer, super squirrels, Eagles, Chipmunks, Robins, Magpie and more! 

    Over all, I hated it, you shouldn’t go there so I can have it ALL to myself! But really, this is a fantastic place to camp. It’s a beautiful piece of land, with so much to see and do. Go, have fun, and thank me later!

    Product Review:

    Aftershokz Trekz Air- Bone Conduction Headphones.

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, sometimes I have the opportunity to review new products in exchange for an honest review. At this campground I tested Aftershokz Trekz Air- Bone Conduction Headphones. https://aftershokz.com/collections/all/products/trekz-air

    These headphones are a wave of the future. Instead of sitting in your ear like most headphones, they sit on your jawbone. They are Bluetooth, so that means wireless! They are super easy to pair and connect with your phone. As with all technology, it is really best to charge them straight out of the box. The colored light on the side of the headphone is red if it is not charged or blue if it’s fully charged. The pads that sit on your jawbone sends vibrations through the bone to your year. They come in sleek colors, and they are so lightweight and comfortable you can forget they are there. The point of these headphones is to be able to hear the outside world around you and still listen to your tunes. This keeps you attentive to other people in the office or, in my case, able to hear your music over roaring waterfalls on the trail.

    I had never heard of bone conduction technology before these headphones, and I certainly will remember now. These are funky and fresh. I love them, I love that they stay on my head while on the go, no cords to untangle and get in the way, or earbuds to pop out of my ear while walking. If you are not moving, the vibrations can be a little intense at higher volumes or songs with more bass, it makes it feel a little strange. They have a six hour battery life, and only takes about an hour and a half to charge. I also wish that there was a voice control in these as well so I could continue being hands free and answer the phone, skip songs or pause, at the same time. I hear that it’s in the works though, so I’m willing to wait. Plus, the button controls are easy to use, so it’s not a deal breaker. They come with a great carrying bag, ear plugs (if you don’t want to hear the world around you, you can use the earplugs to intensify to the volume of the Trekz Air.) and a charging cord. They also have a great warranty, return and exchange policy. There also arrived super quickly, I have been able to use them for a few weeks before the review, giving me the opportunity to get used to them and form an opinion.

    These are by far the best headphones I have ever had and I don’t think I can go back to earbuds. I would definitely recommend these to anyone!

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 27, 2020

    Colville National Forest Lake Leo Campground

    Small quiet USFS campground

    We stayed here mid-September 2020. This is a smaller facility with just 8 sites. We picked site #17 on a rise at the end of the loop. We chose it as it was close to the clean vault toilet and it had a separate picnic table nearby on a hill. The fee is $24 which is a bit steep but there was no extra fee for a second vehicle in one spot. There were several trails leading down to the lake from our site. The sites were far enough apart to give a sense of privacy. Lake Leo is the last campground in a chain of lakes going east on highway 20. The first two were either closed due to COVID or busy so we were glad Lake Leo was open and uncrowded. There was fresh water, garbage dumpster and a fire ring in addition to the hilltop picnic table. There was no campground host while we were there.

  • Jess G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2018

    Big Meadow Lake Campground

    meadows!

    Free. 17 sites, two different areas to choose from on either side of the lake. Accessible fishing dock. Vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Trail around the camp ground that takes you threw the meadow and to a look out area which was pretty cool. The trail continues on to an old shelter that is also accessible by car.

  • R
    Aug. 21, 2020

    Gilmore Campground — Farragut State Park

    Sunny, no privacy, uncomfortable.

    Pros: electric, water, and sewer at site. 

    Cons: all asphalt and gravel, no shade, too close to other campsites, barely any trees or barriers between sites. 

    Good only if you come in a big rv that can only drive on roads. Terrible for tent use, which was advertised for our site. From our campsite, you can see 10 other sites with no barrier between. Zero privacy. (Great with the neighbors crying children) 

    "Tent pad" is sharp gravel, good luck not ripping tent or puncturing your sleeping pad. Sunny as can be, only small baby trees in the campground, all of which are mostly dead. 

    Farragut state park is nice, but no beaches at lake to hang out on. A few trails to hike on, tree obstable course for kids, shooting range, and lake for kayaking or boating. 

    Bayview is an odd town close to park that does not seem very tourist friendly, but Lake House restaurant was good.


Guide to Loon Lake

Tent camping near Loon Lake, Washington, offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from peaceful lakeside retreats to forested hideaways, there's something for every tent camper.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Local attractions for outdoor enthusiasts

Tent campers should check out unique features

  • Amongst The Pines provides a magical atmosphere with its treehouse accommodations and a welcoming host who introduces guests to farm animals.
  • The rustic charm of The Lil Red Barn includes electric hookups and a market, catering to campers looking for a blend of convenience and nature.
  • Half Moon Lake offers a truly primitive experience, perfect for those wanting to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Loon Lake, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Loon Lake, WA is Camp Gifford at Deer Lake with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Loon Lake, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 38 tent camping locations near Loon Lake, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.