Best Campgrounds near Metaline Falls, WA

First time taking the godson camping and this was the perfect spot.  The godson's mom told me she went to this area when she was young and then I saw it here on The Dyrt.  At first I entered the coordinates listed on the page and it took me to the opposite entrance to Colville National Forest - there are no places to camp on that side due to the steep drop.  Make sure you follow the written directions - just follow Sand Canyon all the way out and it will take you to the proper entrance to Colville National Forest.  There are a few different pull-offs to camp sites.  The one we stayed at was a bit further down the rock road.  It is a loop off the main road and there are several camp sites along the creek.  There is also a vault toilet - very clean - in this area.  The godson loved it - he even played in the freezing cold water.  I enjoyed the peace and quiet!

Please do your due diligence in this area. This is the ONLY park for the whole county as well as the parks and recreation (soccer, baseball, tennis, etc). Being mindful to local families by not parking sideways along the fence line and do not block the business in the log cabin. I think train noise is the least of your worries as the summer this area is where ALL of the events take place. This is not an area where locals want free camping as it has caused lots of issues. Let me say it again, there are many campsites in the area including North Haven Campground up the road ($35 a night for full hookups) that welcome you. This area does not welcome you. Please stay away.

Pulled in for the night and we were impressed with the wide parking area and facilities, however, a train engine was going back and forth on the tracks at 1:00 am, then idling with air pressure releases for about an hour waiting for another train to pass. It was so loud it vibrated the trailer. When the other train finally came, they must have been crossing the road back because it blew its whistle many times right beside us. We parked close to the road out of the way, but it was about 50’ from the tracks, so it kept us up all night. We don’t mind the sound of trains, but this was ridiculous!

Luby Bay Campground offers a beautiful lakeside experience, with many sites featuring direct lakefront access. The campground is surrounded by trees and foliage, providing a sense of privacy, and the sites are nicely spaced apart. 

In the back corner of the lower loop, there is designated parking for boat trailers and extra vehicles. I launched my boat at the Priest Lake Marina just a mile down the road for a small fee, but I appreciated the free trailer parking at the campground. 

The flushing toilets were impressively clean—better than many I've encountered at other campgrounds. 

The road through the campground is paved but narrow, roughly 1.5 vehicles wide, so backing in a trailer requires some finesse. 

Each site comes with a bear-proof locker, which is essential for safety. The only downside was that our locker had trash bags left by the previous occupants, which hadn't been cleaned out before our arrival. This seems to be a minor oversight by the host. 

Overall, I had a great stay and would recommend Luby Bay Campground.