Kevin H.
Scout
ScoutPioneer Park
Pioneer Camp Site
Great, clean, and peaceful. Perfect spot for an outdoor weekend getaway with the family. Highly recommend!
Camping near Metaline Falls, WA
153 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping near Metaline Falls in northeastern Washington ranges from Forest Service campgrounds to dispersed sites in the Colville National Forest, with options spanning free riverside sites to developed lakefront campgrounds. Sullivan Lake serves as a focal point for several developed campgrounds, including East Sullivan, West Sullivan, and Noisy Creek, all offering tent and RV sites with basic amenities. Other notable camping areas include Boundary Dam Campground and Campbell Park at Box Canyon Dam, which provides free camping with vault toilets and picnic tables in a riverside setting.
Road access to most camping areas remains good during the primary season from mid-May through late August when Sullivan Lake and surrounding campgrounds operate at full capacity. Many developed campgrounds provide drinking water, vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, with fees typically around $20 per night for single sites. Reservations are highly recommended during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Winter brings significant snowfall, limiting access to many areas. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Make sure you book in advance most the time it's full. Make sure you check out Gardner caves and Boundary Dam not too far away."
The waterfront campgrounds along Sullivan Lake receive consistently positive reviews for their clear water and scenic mountain views. East Sullivan and West Sullivan campgrounds provide lake access with tent and RV sites nestled among trees, offering reasonable privacy between campsites. Visitors particularly value the swimming opportunities and hiking trails, including the lakeshore trail accessible from several campgrounds. While Sullivan Lake camping areas can become crowded during peak summer weekends, less-visited options like Campbell Park provide quieter alternatives. A review noted that Sullivan Lake has "Amazing views. The water is clear. The mountains are beyond gorgeous." Camping areas throughout the region serve as convenient bases for exploring nearby attractions, including Gardner Cave at Crawford State Park, Boundary Dam, and the international border with Canada.
Best Campgrounds near Metaline Falls (153)
1. Boundary Dam Campground
"It is a small campground right next to the Boundary Dam and thanks to Seattle City Power is absolutely FREE! It just went through a major overhaul so everything is new and well maintained. "
"Campground Review: https://www.seattle.gov/light/Boundary/recreation.asp
Usually I would stay away from campgrounds like Boundry Dam Campground, also known as Forebay Recreation Area."
2. Crescent Lake Campground
"***All reviews below this and above this are for Crescent lake in the Olympic National Park (also beautiful), Not this Crescent lake in the Colville National Forest, which the map indicates."
"This is for Crescent Lake in the NE corner of washington, not the one in the olympics(which is also a wonderful campground)."
3. Edgewater Campground
"We found lake access to be semi-difficult besides a single boat ramp but the nearby Sullivan lake has a great day use beach area"
"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."
from $31 - $62 / night
Check Availability4. Sullivan Lake Campground
"Expect to walk several hundred feet to the water. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table with space for 2 cars. Most will fit and RV."
"Lake is right there. It's super warm water very clear water. Hint there is a rope swing on the left and side of the lake. Camp hosts are wicked as."
5. Sullivan creek campground#2
"I found this awesome little campground on my way to Sullivan Lake from Metaline Falls. It is just off the main road, next to Sullivan Creek."
"All camping is Free on Sullivan Creek Rd)
The site is near the river (multiple paths for easy access), has a bear box, and a fire ring."
6. East Sullivan
"Campsite 36 in the Pine loop is just a short walk away from a lovely lake beach that has fire pits and picnic tables."
"The lake itself is amazing. Perfect temperature for swimming on a hot day, clean as glass, rocky/sandy bottom and no weeds."
from $31 - $120 / night
Check Availability7. Campbell Park at Box Canyon Dam
"I was surprised at the location and the really cool Hydro Electric Dam!"
"Close to 6 camping spots we saw, and in early April, there is nobody here but us to enjoy it. If you don't mind the chilly breeze, the spot by the creek close to the vault toilet is superb."
8. Noisy Creek
"Sullivan lake has amazing views. The water is clear. The mountains are beyond gorgeous. About 15 mins from metaline falls is a cave that you can take free guided tours."
"The trail along the lake offers beautiful views of the lake but had a fire in recent years so a few spots are a bit more exposed to the sun. "
from $31 - $120 / night
Check Availability9. Sullivan Creek Campgrounds
"Close to the road and creek. Large site that can accommodate two small travel trailers (up to 20 ft) and multiple tenting areas. Large bear box, and fire ring."
"It’s right next to the river and about 150 yards from the road. At the site: Fire Ring, and a bear box."
10. Mountain Refuge Ranch
from $60 - $100 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 49 min from Spokane, WA
- 1 hr 56 min from Coeur d'Alene, ID
- 3 hrs 33 min from Lewiston, ID
- 4 hrs 31 min from Wenatchee, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Metaline Falls, WA
106 Photos of 153 Metaline Falls Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Metaline Falls, WA
337 Reviews of 153 Metaline Falls Campgrounds
- KKeely W.Scout
Snag Cove Campground — Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Views with noise
Great visuals. The views are fantastic. Great dock and put in for kayaks and boats. But the road noise gets to me after awhile.
- WWendy M.
GuideThe Inn at Priest Lake
Great spot near Priest Lake!
Small campground but well maintained! We rode e-bikes to the local restaurant, marina and general store. Beautiful area!
Erin G.GuideSkookum Creek Campground
Nice spot for a few nights
We got the nice pull through near the end of the spots. It was level with a large flat picnic area overlooking the little creek. Paddled the creek a bit but can’t really get far. Surrounded by private land so not much hiking- that’s the only complaint really. Toilets clean despite lack of camp host. Site was clean and level, quiet place despite moderate traffic in and out.
Sean G.
TravelerLittle Pend Orielle National Wildlife Refuge
Free camping in national wildlife refuge
Multiple free camp locations with 5 or 6 sites each throughout the refuge. Camping in designated sites only. This is one of the few NWR you can camp in and its beautiful. Fire rings and vault toilets. Obey burn restrictions as some other campers were not. Very remote with no cell service, great wildlife viewing. Also grizzly bears in the refuge.
- GGillian W.Scout
Schweitzer Mountain Fire Station
Fire station mountain
Quite a good place to park our truck camper. You drive about 4-8 miles up the paved windy road so long campers may have trouble. You park in this big gravel lot across the fire station. I think good views- but we’re here while it’s Smokey from the Canada fires (7/29/26). Bathrooms on site. No other kind of hookups. Residential trash allowed after visit but please be respectful of what you throw away.
Saraj B.
LegendReeder Bay Campground
Tent-ish Site
Reeder Bay is my favorite spot on Priest Lake. Getting a campsite here in July is usually next to impossible, but I set up a Dyrt Alert and managed to snag a waterfront site for my tent the second someone canceled.
Love:
-Prime Location: Road traffic noise is a non-issue; it’s tucked away and quiet in terms of cars. Plus, there's a beach walk right from camp that leads over to the neighboring resort.
-Facilities: The bathrooms were surprisingly clean and feature actual flush toilets!
-Convenience: Firewood is available right on-site for $8 a bundle (bring cash!)
Downside:
-Generator Hub: Even though there are no hookups or potable water, about 90% of the campground was filled with oversized RVs. Because of this, you’ll hear generators running almost nonstop, which takes away a bit from the peaceful wilderness vibe if you're tent camping.
- RRae F.Guide
North Fork Chewelah Creek
Large rig approved - Private creek access
I had a great time here with my huskies and my cat. I updated the location here on The Dyrt app. The exact address is 3399 Sand Canyon Rd, Chewelah, WA. There are at least 10 dispersed fire rings. Many of the sites have direct access to the creek. There are multiple trails that go up and down both sides of the creek and many logs that have fallen over it so you can walk across to the other side. The entire creek is fully shaded by trees and doesn’t get much sun. It only gets to about knee-deep in some parts - it’s July right now. People use this area for snow activities in the winter. There are many large areas with hard packed dirt that are relatively level and good for big rigs. There is one pit toilet bathroom that I can see and a few picnic tables. This is an active logging road right now so trucks go by every hour or so. There is definitely wildlife out here. Be cautious for bears and other large predators. I have seen wild turkeys, squirrels, tons of different birds, butterflies, and something large ran behind our campsite last night. There is plenty of shade and also plenty of open areas for setting up solar panels with all day sun. There is no cell service up here, but Starlink works great. The creek is beautiful and clear and cold. So refreshing and if you really needed to drink it, you probably could. I have not seen any hiking trails per se, however, you could walk up and down the logging roads and explore the forest line pretty easily in many parts. If you go up the logging road to the right, there is an old mine that you can access. There seems to be little pathways spread out randomly through the forest as you continue down the road. This is the perfect spot for boondocking, unless you’re worried about cell service. I’ve been able to leave my dogs off leash and they are so happy to run free through the creek and around the fields and through the forest. This place really does have so much to offer. We’re here by ourselves right now, so we have the luxury of privacy and perfect quietness to enjoy the sound of the creek and the bugs and the birds.
- RRae F.Guide
Northfork Chewelah Creek
Perfect spot by the Chewelah Creek
I don’t normally leave reviews like this, but there is some confusion about the location of this place. I believe there is another location listed here on the dyrt app. If you put 3399 Sand Canyon Rd into your GPS you’ll get here just fine. This is the perfect spot for boondocking. There are at least 10 campfire rings and huge open spots to park big rigs. Plenty of creek access, I’m sure you could fish here, but I’m not into that. The creek gets up to about knee-deep in the deepest spots. This is connected to an active logging Road so there are logging trucks that go by every few hours. But that also means you know the roads are good for heavy rigs. I’ve been here for a few days and there were only two other people here when I got here and now it’s just me. This is a great spot for privacy. There are minimal mosquitoes, lots of butterflies, definitely a good amount of flies, dragonflies, wild turkeys, and I just saw a large bird flying overhead that looked like a crane.
Guide to Metaline Falls
Camping spots near Metaline Falls, Washington center around the Pend Oreille River and Colville National Forest at elevations between 2,100-2,600 feet. The region receives significant snowfall from November through March, limiting access to many campsites during winter months. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day, with cooler 45-55°F nights even during peak season.
What to do
Visit PeeWee Falls: This waterfall is accessible by boat from Boundary Dam Campground, located just a short paddle away. "PeeWee falls is only a 5 minute paddle from the campground, if that! Highly recommended!" writes Megan W. The falls can only be reached by water from the campground's boat launch.
Explore Gardner Caves: Located near Crescent Lake Campground, these limestone caves offer free guided tours. "A short drive away is the Gardner Caves which offers free guided tours if you have a discovery pass," notes Douglas S. Tours run Thursday through Monday at 10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm.
Take advantage of dam tours: Free Boundary Dam tours provide a unique look at hydroelectric power generation. "There is also FREE Dam tours Thursday-Monday. They are offered at 10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm," shares Andrea R. The dam tour goes through a limestone cave and offers historical context about the area.
What campers like
Free camping options: Unlike many recreation areas, several free campgrounds exist in the region. At Campbell Park at Box Canyon Dam, campers appreciate the value. "A very lovely free campground provided courtesy of the hydroelectric company. Around 10 sites with free firewood, washrooms, drinking water and a small lagoon for swimming. Did I mention it's free??" reports Ryan C.
Clear lake waters: Sullivan Lake West Campground offers exceptionally clear water for swimming and fishing. "Hands down favorite place," states Paiton L. The lake maintains good water quality throughout summer with relatively warm temperatures for the region.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer good spacing between campsites. At East Sullivan, "The established campgrounds at East Sullivan and West Sullivan are typical well-maintained Forest Service campgrounds... there is plenty of space between sites (though you can still expect to hear your neighbors)," notes Shella B.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly during summer. "Make sure you book in advance most the time it's full," advises Myresa J. about Sullivan Lake campgrounds. Weekends from mid-June through August typically require reservations 2-3 weeks in advance.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in the area around Sullivan creek campground. "Did have a late night bear visitor but was camping in my van so not too concerning," mentions Jeanna A. Bear boxes are provided at most sites, with Marcus K. noting, "The site has a bear box, and a fire ring."
Road access considerations: Not all camping areas have easy access. "The road in is narrow and has a bit of down hill slope," cautions Andrea R. about Crescent Lake Campground in the Colville National Forest. Some forest service roads remain unpaved and may become rutted after rainfall.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Edgewater Campground provides river access with a boat launch suitable for children. "Great campground with river access and boat launch," says Eddy R. The relatively calm waters of the Pend Oreille River offer safer swimming than creek areas.
Best sites for shade: Look for well-shaded sites during hot summer days. "The sites are spacious and well separated. Each includes a fire pit, picnic table and tent pad," reports Douglas S. Sites 1-10 at Sullivan Lake campgrounds typically offer the most afternoon shade.
Day-use amenities: Many campgrounds provide picnic areas for families. "Each site has a fire ring and picnic table with space for 2 cars," notes Callie B. Boundary Dam Campground offers additional facilities like a fishing dock and extensive day use areas near the water.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. At Noisy Creek, one camper noted: "Great site to connect with the lake, but didn't enjoy the tent spots available. Ground was hard and mostly prepared for RVs." Most sites accommodate RVs up to 30 feet, but larger rigs may struggle at all but Boundary Dam and Edgewater campgrounds.
Hookup availability: No campgrounds in the immediate area offer full hookups. "The sites are extra large and can take just about any RV size you have. The roads in are nice and paved as well," reports Andrea R. about Edgewater, though she notes there are "no hookups."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. "Sites 1-4 which are very close together and tent only sites. The RV sites are also close together," observes Andrea R. about Boundary Dam Campground. RVers should bring leveling blocks as most sites weren't originally designed for recreational vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Ledbetter Cove and Boundary Dam campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Ledbetter Cove and Boundary Dam campgrounds?
Boundary Dam Campground (also known as Forebay Recreation Area) offers impressive amenities, especially considering it's completely free, courtesy of Seattle City Power. The campground recently underwent renovations, so facilities are new and well-maintained. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. The campground provides vault toilets, trash service, and potable water. Historical significance adds to the appeal, as parts of the movie "The Postman" were filmed here. While specific information about Ledbetter Cove isn't available in current reviews, the nearby East Sullivan campground offers large, shaded sites with easy access to a lake beach with fire pits and picnic tables.
What RV accommodations are available in Metaline Falls?
What RV accommodations are available in Metaline Falls?
RV accommodations near Metaline Falls include several options for different preferences. Mistequa Casino Hotel RV Park offers spacious sites with plenty of room between units, conveniently located next to the casino and an international car museum. For those willing to drive a bit further, Colville Fairgrounds RV Park provides basic RV facilities within reach of Colville's charming downtown area. Sullivan Lake West Campground can accommodate larger rigs and offers water and toilet facilities. Many RVers also enjoy Boundary Dam Campground, which underwent recent renovations. Most sites in the area are seasonal, typically open from late spring through early fall, with limited winter accessibility.
Where are the best campgrounds near Metaline Falls, WA?
Where are the best campgrounds near Metaline Falls, WA?
The Metaline Falls area offers several excellent camping options. Sullivan Lake Campground is just 15 minutes from Metaline Falls with stunning mountain views and crystal-clear water for swimming. Another top choice is Noisy Creek, featuring gorgeous lake views and proximity to cave tours. Adventurous campers can explore Sullivan Creek Campground #2, a dispersed camping area just off the main road with fire rings but no amenities. For those seeking a more developed experience, East Sullivan and Crescent Lake campgrounds in the Colville National Forest offer scenic settings with access to recreational activities.
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