The Mica area of eastern Washington sits at approximately 2,400 feet elevation, featuring mostly pine forest terrain interspersed with open meadows. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F while winter brings significant snowfall, making many camping sites near Mica, Washington seasonally accessible. Several campgrounds in the region offer both shaded forest sites and open areas with grassy camping spots.
What to do
Hiking trails and waterfalls: Liberty Lake Regional Park contains a diverse trail system including a path to a waterfall. "It has paved/gravel roads. It is surrounded by a heavily wooded area that is very beautiful and well kept up," notes Angel A. The park features both short and extended hiking options suitable for various skill levels.
Boating and paddling: Camp Coeur D'Alene provides direct water access with complementary equipment. One camper mentioned, "This place has great amenities (free canoes, hot showers, flush toilets, free firewood) which made it the nicest campground I had been to for awhile." The lake offers calm waters ideal for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds in the region offer wildlife observation opportunities. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, campers report regular wildlife sightings. "While we were there the campground hosts did a fantastic job of keeping everything clean and tidy. Several hiking trails, including an equestrian trail, waterfall, fishing and lots of wildlife. There were deer in the campground every day, we saw moose, owls, pilated woodpecker, and hawks," shares Joel R.
What campers like
Shaded camping spots: The forested areas provide natural cooling during summer months. "The tent sites were nicely shaded so I wasn't baking in them. There's many hiking trails nearby to explore and you're walking distance from the lake," explains Annika W. about Liberty Lake Regional Park. This natural shade becomes particularly valuable during July and August when temperatures frequently reach the 80s.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-serviced bathroom and shower facilities. At Camp Coeur D'Alene, "The campground has beautiful treed sites with lots of amenities. They are redoing the pool, and the bathrooms are very clean," reports Julie M. Regular maintenance appears to be a priority at most established campgrounds in the region.
Spacious sites: Campers frequently note the generous size of campsites at certain locations. At Willow Creek Retreat, "Sites are big and grassy. Relaxed and quiet place," according to Heidi C. Some campgrounds design sites specifically to accommodate larger camping setups with ample room for additional equipment.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. Spokane KOA Journey tends to reach capacity during peak season. "This KOA was a convenient stopover for us during our travels on I-90. There seemed to be a large contingent of other travelers as many left early in the morning," notes James W. Reservations should be made 3-4 months in advance for weekend summer stays.
Train noise: Several campgrounds in the region experience railroad noise. At Spokane KOA Journey, campers are advised that "It is right next to an active railroad, so bring earplugs if you don't want to be woken up by trains several times," according to Kristen M. Similar train noise affects other campgrounds in the valley areas.
Site privacy considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly in terms of privacy between sites. "I stayed in the tent part of the campground, and the sites (especially the first few) are awfully close. This is a great campground for camping with friends but I don't recommend it for a quiet getaway," writes Annika W. about Liberty Lake Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several camping areas offer swimming opportunities for children. "The best part of the campground was the accessibility to the lake. It has a beach where you can swim and kayak and canoe and fish, birds and wildlife around singing beautifully day and night. More of a family oriented Campground but great for a couple of nights," reports Steve M. about Liberty Lake Regional Park.
Playground accessibility: Some campgrounds provide playground equipment. Northern Quest RV Resort includes "a playground, basketball court, dog park, clubhouse, pool and bathhouse. All are nice," according to a camper. These amenities can keep children occupied during downtime at camp.
Wildlife education opportunities: The region offers natural wildlife viewing that can be educational for children. At Riverside State Park's Bowl and Pitcher Campground, "This is a nice little campground with plenty of tent sites and trails to check out. It is really close to Spokane but is nestled in such a way that you would not realize the city is there," notes Terrie M.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Several campgrounds offer concrete pads specifically designed for RVs. At Northern Quest RV Resort, "Nice park with concrete sites available," notes a reviewer. Level sites reduce setup time and stabilization issues for larger rigs.
Overnight parking options: Free overnight RV parking exists for travelers passing through. At Cabela's in Post Falls, ID, "Great place to rest after a long drive. Check in at customer service stay up to 2 days," advises Dave B. This option works well for those not requiring hookups for short stays.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The road in was kinda sketchy if you are pulling a large RV," cautions Angel A. about Liberty Lake Regional Park. RVers with larger rigs should call ahead to confirm accessibility details before booking.