5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Medical Lake, Washington sits within proximity to both established campgrounds and dispersed options, spanning both military and civilian facilities. The region includes Ruby's Resort & RV at Silver Lake, which provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins, while Clear Lake Recreation Area offers military personnel access to tent camping, cabins, and yurts. Northern Quest RV Resort and Riverside State Park's Bowl and Pitcher Campground round out the developed camping options, with Fishtrap Recreation Area providing free dispersed camping opportunities on BLM land approximately 30 miles southwest.
Camping seasons vary considerably among properties, with sites like Fairchild Air Force Base FamCamp operating mid-April through mid-September, while others like Fishtrap Recreation Area remain open year-round. The proximity to multiple bodies of water including Silver Lake and Clear Lake creates recreational opportunities for boaters and anglers. Military ID requirements apply at Clear Lake Recreation Area and Fairchild AFB FamCamp, restricting access to active and retired military personnel and their families. Most developed campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, though amenity quality varies significantly. According to one visitor at Ruby's Resort, "Sites are quite small, there is no designated pet area, and showers are .25 a minute."
Lakefront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Medical Lake region. Silver Lake and Clear Lake provide water access for fishing, swimming and boating during summer months. Willow Creek Retreat, a small private campground with only 7 sites, receives consistently positive reviews for its pastoral setting and spacious sites. A camper noted that it features "five acres in a lovely pasture by a creek with large trees" and offers 30-amp electricity service. Public lands like Fishtrap Recreation Area provide a more primitive experience with vault toilets but no water or hookups. Travelers should note that some campgrounds experience considerable noise from nearby airports and railroads, particularly the smaller private campgrounds situated closer to transportation corridors.
"We have stayed here twice while driving through the area. It’s quiet and really close to the highway. There are 10-12 spots along the gravel road to Hog Lake."
"Stopped here for a quick one-night stay while driving from Seattle to Montana. It's a free campsite located very close to the main highway, making it super convenient for a rest stop."
"Multiple water spigots close by. Lots of walking trails nearby and a cool suspension bridge over the river. Other than the lack of solitude, absolutely no complaints."
"If you want to camp but still be close to all the city amenities then this is the spot for you. Beautiful location by the river with miles of biking & walking trails."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $111 / night
"Resort Atmosphere** The standard of maintenance across this entire property is top-tier:
- Lush Turf at Every Site: One of the first things you notice is the beautiful, vibrant green turf surrounding"
"Easy to get around, quick access to a gas station and Wal-Mart is super close."
from $65 - $75 / night
"There is an airport near by but I only heard one plane during our stay! Would love to stay here longer next time!"
"I loved being out near the pastures, with plenty of adorable and sweet animals. The host is so kind and responsive and I am so grateful to her for opening the property up to campers :) 12/10!!"
Campground full this weekend
from $50 - $79 / night
"If you have access to military facilities I strongly recommend it."
"It is fairly close to base amenities. Nice commissary and PX store on base."
"We stayed on the premium lake view site which was solid and away from much of the other campers so it felt private.
Bathrooms and showers were far away and weren't that great."
from $50 - $65 / night
"This is a small campground just on the edge of town in Cheney Washington."
"Small campground just outside of Cheney. Clean restrooms and showers. Has a game room and laundry facility. Friendly staff."
"Stayed for a night to breakup a long drive. Arrived Monday evening and was the only one here. It’s just a large gravel parking lot with a single vault toilet, no other services."
"But it has a really nice hiking trail behind it. Worth a stop, but not for long term camping"
"Only $15 for a dry tent space with shade and view of the lake! Why not give it 5 stars? The visitors are primarily young, drinking, playing loud music, driving fast and kicking up dust."
"Clear Lake Recreation Area is amazing! The scenery is beautiful, and there are plenty of activities for everyone."
"We stayed here for just one night while driving through, but we would definitely stay again! The campsites don’t offer much privacy from your neighbors."
TravelerVery flat spot several miles off ethe interstate. Small 2 lane road next to it. Lots of sites, nothing marked just back in and hang out. No water and electricity, but great for FREE! Convience store down the road with gas and a few things.
Guidecar camped at this location. parking lot is bright at night and highway noise was loud but it was a free place to sleep! they just ask that you check in at customer service before staying the night.
ScoutRight in the middle of civilization, and packed in, but very nice. Nice trees, nice facilities, well maintained. Families are here, well behaved. Booked online. The owner noticed us and introduced himself. Will use again when I want the amenities.
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are traveling through the Inland Northwest along the Interstate 90 or US-2 corridors on your way to or from Glacier National Park, Northern Quest RV Resort in Airway Heights (just west of Spokane) is a premier place to pull in. We stopped here along our route, and it immediately stood out as one of the cleanest, most manicured RV resorts we’ve stayed at.
Site Quality and Resort Atmosphere
The standard of maintenance across this entire property is top-tier:
Resort Perks and Casino Shuttle
You get all the conveniences of a luxury resort without having to unhook your tow vehicle to go explore:
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Northern Quest RV Resort strikes the perfect balance between high-end RV resort luxury and effortless road-trip practicality. Between the pristine green grass pads, spotless grounds, ultra-convenient fueling, and complimentary casino shuttle, it takes all the friction out of a travel day. It is an outstanding stopover for big rigs and road-trippers alike, and our crew would gladly stay here again.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
ScoutCute lil spot for a quick stay. Freshly renovated bathrooms and the showers were nice and hot!
GuideI've been staying here for about a week. It's very clean and well kept. The neighbors all seem to keep to themselves. Not a lot of shade but there are trees around the outside of the park. Getting in and out of the camping spots is very easy. We have full hook ups and WiFi is included along with water but you do get charged for electricity. Long term camping requires a background check but it's the best rate for such amenities. (My winter rate is 636 for 28 days). The only complaint I have is the noise. There is a lot of road noise throughout the day and a lot of the night. This isn't really the park's fault though, Spokane is noisy.
GuideNice enough and well maintained park. Probably 1/3 - 1/2 of park appear to be full time residents. Sites are close with gravel for RV and a cement pad with a picnic table at each one. Combination of pull thru's and back-ins. Good power and water pressure, sewer hookups can be a bit challenging depending upon the tree roots and the adapters you have. Large shower and laundry facility. Pool is inside with a spa tub - neither are huge. Friendly staff and conveniently located just off of I-90. Good Wi-Fi and cell service, but no cable TV.
RangerNot far off the main, road was decent. Not a ton of shade but good places to park or pop a tent. Only a few flies, really pretty scenery. Good cell signal, nice place.
GuideThe only reason I’m not giving it a 5 star is because it’s a high density campground. There are some nice features like a community grilling area and laundry. Plenty of showers and bathrooms and they were clean. There is a small patch of grass between each site and a picnic table for each site. The sites and roads are asphalt. Our site was level. Very clean campground.
Medical Lake, Washington offers varied camping options within 30 miles of the city center. Located in the eastern part of the state at 2,425 feet elevation, the region experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters with average snowfall of 45 inches annually. The surrounding terrain features rolling hills, scattered lakes, and open prairie landscapes typical of the Columbia Basin.
Hiking trails nearby: At Fishtrap Recreation Area, campers can access hiking trails directly from the campground. "There's a nice hiking trail behind it. Worth a stop," notes one visitor. Another camper mentions that "there's also a trail that connects off the lot," making it convenient for overnight visitors.
Lake activities: Clear Lake Recreation Area offers numerous water recreation options. "Clear Lake Recreation Area is amazing! The scenery is beautiful, and there are plenty of activities for everyone," says one military family member. Another visitor noted, "Boat, kayak and other equipment rentals, restaurant, bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, fishing dock, swimming area, shaded lawns and picnic tables."
Casino entertainment: For those seeking indoor entertainment, Northern Quest RV Resort provides direct access to gaming. "They have a free shuttle to the casino that runs until Midnight. We went to the casino for supper," reports one camper. The resort makes accessing entertainment simple, as another visitor notes, "You can even rent golf carts for the day to easily travel back and forth."
Scenic rural settings: Willow Creek Retreat offers a pastoral camping experience with only 7 sites. Campers appreciate the setting, with one noting it as "Just gorgeous. I loved it here as did my fiancé- being out in a beautiful open space but nestled under a willow tree, sites are nicely spaced out." Another visitor described it as "five acres in a lovely pasture by a creek with large trees."
Free dispersed options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate Hog Lake Campground for its accessibility and cost. "This campsite was the perfect break in our drive from North Cascades to Glacier. The road was easy to find and there were so many great sites," shares one camper. Another visitor notes, "Many of the spots are RV accessible, a decent gravel road goes through the entire area."
Convenience to highways: Several campgrounds offer easy access for travelers passing through. "Nice park with concrete sites available," comments a camper at Northern Quest RV Resort. At Hog Lake, one visitor appreciated that it was "a good spot to stay a night or more," while another called it "a nice place to wake up to."
Access restrictions: Some campgrounds limit access to specific groups. At Fairchild AFB FamCamp, "This is a campground on a military base, access is limited to active and retired military." Similarly at Clear Lake Recreation Area, a visitor notes "Military ID required."
Environmental conditions: Weather and terrain vary significantly. At Fishtrap Recreation Area, "The soil is very dry and a couple of the spots were hard rocks and not accessible for tents." Hog Lake presents similar challenges as "It is quite open with no tree so not so great for windy days."
Facilities and amenities: Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Ruby's Resort, showers cost "25 cents a minute." Fishtrap offers more primitive facilities, with one camper noting "1 porta potty that when we were here was kinda gross. Use your own if you have one."
Waterfront activities: Families particularly enjoy the lake access at Clear Lake Recreation Area. "Access to water and excellent for some good old fashioned family fun," reports one military family. Another notes the wildlife viewing opportunities: "Be sure to check out the turtles swimming around the dock. Lots of wildlife."
Spacing considerations: At Willow Creek Retreat, "Sites are big and grassy. Relaxed and quiet place," which works well for families needing space to spread out. However, at Ruby's Resort, one family noted, "Sites are quite small."
Noise factors: Several campgrounds have external noise that might affect light sleepers or napping children. At Hog Lake, "there's kind of a weird vibe," while at Willow Creek, a camper mentioned, "there were 2 airports and a railroad nearby, all in operation."
Site sizing: Large RVs need to check site compatibility first. At Ruby's Resort, one RVer warns, "Definitely not made for big rigs or 40'. Smaller campers only." In contrast, Riverside State Park's Bowl and Pitcher Campground is described as "a larger campground great for RV, trailers and tents."
Hookup variations: Northern Quest RV Resort offers full hookups on concrete pads. "Nice level concrete slabs," mentions one RVer. Meanwhile, at Fairchild AFB FamCamp, a visitor notes it has "RV Park is nice, but not much shade. It is fairly close to base amenities."
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging at some dispersed sites. At Fishtrap, a camper reports, "Road is decent, the 02 Outback handled them loaded. The spaces are all different, some more level than others."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find campgrounds at Medical Lake, WA?
Medical Lake offers several camping options in the surrounding area. Liberty Lake Regional Park provides camping with beach access and hiking trails, though sites are situated close together. For a more scenic experience, Lake Spokane Campground—Riverside State Park offers excellent facilities with helpful staff. Both locations are within a reasonable drive from Medical Lake. When planning your trip, consider that summer temperatures in the Medical Lake area can reach the 100s, so prepare accordingly with proper cooling and hydration supplies.
What resorts can I stay at on West Medical Lake?
West Medical Lake offers Sun Cove Resort as a primary option, featuring quick access to the water with full amenities, though sites are somewhat close together. The lake itself is beautiful, especially during summer months. Another option in the vicinity is Ruby's Resort & RV @ Silver Lake, which is near Medical Lake and provides reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. Both resorts accommodate RVs and offer the perfect base to enjoy water activities on the lakes in the area.
Are there any RV parks available at Medical Lake?
Yes, there are RV parks available near Medical Lake. Northern Quest RV Resort offers full amenities with drive-in access, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. For those wanting a different option, Peaceful Pines RV Park & Campground near Cheney provides similar amenities with both drive-in and hike-in access. Both locations require reservations. For those willing to travel a bit further, you'll find additional RV accommodation options in neighboring communities like Spokane and Cheney, all within a convenient driving distance from Medical Lake.
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