Are you planning a tent camping trip to Moses Lake? We've got you covered. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
The free camp sites - There is a designated areas located near the main parking area. There are no designated sites but you can drive in on rough dirt trail. Portable toilets are nearby but there is no running water, no picnic tables and no fires are allowed. The area can become quite busy during long weekends or when there are big concerts held at the nearby amphitheater in George.
$10 / night
Guide
Nice spacious sites. Lots of privacy between sites. No dog park. Great view of the lake from your door. We took a 4 mile, one-way, bike ride to the town of Vantage and then to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest. The town of vantage is very small with a lot of closed shops. Has a gas station and convenience store. That’s about it. Very scenic area and quiet and relaxing.
GuideArrived on a Sunday without reservations and had several spots to choose from for our 3 night stay. Easy Lake access. The grounds are immaculately kept up - sites are very spacious - bathrooms and showers super clean. Road our e-bikes into Vantage - only a gas station/convenience store - very expensive - but it is the only game in town as everything else is closed. Continued our e-bike ride to Ginkgo Petrified forest - nice little 3 mile hike. The town is 2.5 miles from camp and another 2 to get to the petrified forest. Would stop here again. Had a relaxing time.
Legend
T mobile 5G. Dead fish and algae in the lake- green speckles. The water is green. The picnic tables are partially buried in the sand. The discovery pass including the processing fee was $13. The sites are big and well spaced along the reservoir shoreline. Saw about 3 Pit toilets equally spaced along the shore line. Nice old trees providing shade. Nice breeze to close the day. Can't see any flies.
Traveler
I travel for work and I stay here almost every week to save money on hotels. I’ve also taken my family here over the summer for camping and hiking. We all love it. Very quiet. Weekends can get kinda busy due to hikers and rock climbing enthusiasts. I suggest coming up early if you plan to stay the weekend. Many beautiful views. There is even a waterfall I sleep across from. On clear nights you can see all the stars. Which is my favorite! There are lots of sites to camp. In car/tent/RV it’s pretty accessible. There are some rougher spots where you probably should have four-wheel-drive or at least a higher stance vehicle.
TravelerGreat location so close to 90 but tucked away - will be staying here often
Guide
We chose a spot in the rv tent area which was not very clean and very loud. Stay in the outer ring if you have an RV.
Scout
The sign says you need to register, couldn't find anywhere to register. Sign on board says closed for camping, it was a Covid-era sign. Requires a discover pass, but otherwise, free. Didn't see any park employees. I camped on a Friday evening and was the only one there camping except for an RV boondocking in a different section. Has a boat ramp and a spot you can fish from. No campfires.
GuideThe place is pretty good! Except the wifi that is overused and make it difficult to even connect. In terms of outdoor activities and amenities it's a good stop
TravelerThe views are amazing, plenty of open campsites and nobody was around us when we camped. A perfect quiet getaway.
GuidePopular rock climbing area that gets many people through the day. Dispearsed camping in 2 areas. The first spot as you come from the road is much smaller and doesn't have any pit toilets. I prefer to park here when its not busy as the "Feathers" basalt columns are really pretty to camp up next to. The second open site down the road has pit toilets and is a much larger area. Both are nice but also there are many cars, campers, tents and becomes a much more lively area in the evening depending on the crowds.
I think this is a great spot but I move on during the day when the rock climbing crowds start to swarm and park near you. There are some nice trails that take you up above the climbing area and you can get to the backside to get some nice views and away from the crowds. Can get pretty hot here in the warmer months but a beautiful spot to camp if you can avoid the busy/peak times.
Traveler
This, like the other spots in Frenchman Coulee, is seldom empty, but it's much less packed than the areas closer to the climbing. This spot offers the best views, sunrises, and sunsets, at the cost of no shade and a healthy dose of wind. If you're going for the rugged feel, this'll do it. OF NOTE: The vault toilets are about a mile away from here.
Traveler
Overall it's not great nor is it terrible. It's always busy and often a bit crowded in the main portion but the people are usually not too rowdy. The scenic views are killer, the wildlife is active, and the mini trails around the place feel adventurous. The climbing is bang on but it's bouldering or lead climbing only. BE WARNED, THE BATHROOMS ARE STANKY (hot tip: bring a citronella candle and your own TP)
TravelerI love this state park, the landscape of glacial-carved coulees and sagebrush covered shrubsteppe is gorgeous and unique. The park is truly a geological wonder. As campgrounds go, this one is very windy! Keep that in mind if you are tent camping, as you could easily lose your tent!
If camping here I cannot suggest campsite 88 in campground D unless you are in an RV. It's just a very basic, gravel site with little shade, right by the road entering the campground, and not private at all. It is right across from a nice beach though so could be a good spot for an RV. Campsite 118 looked much better and I plan on choosing that site instead next time.
I do not suggest the Sun Lakes Resort campsite that is not managed by Washington State Parks unless you like being packed in like sardines. Camping at the state park managed campsite is far better.
Traveler
If you disregard the rough old permanent stayers, unclean, weeds and parked cars,, the lake view at sunset was beautiful
GuideThe score is more for the abundance of things to do in the area than for the campground itself.
I was there for a trail run race that went deep in the Sun Lakes back country and the floor of the Dry Falls area. Just stunning scenery. While I didn't get to partake on my trip, the lakes offer fishing, boating, and swimming.
The camping itself is the standard state park experience, sites close together, not much for privacy. But they are nice spots, and well maintained.
Guide
There are multiple pull outs and established dispersed camping opportunities all along the entire road through the Ancient Lakes area. The specific spot marked on the dyrt map is just one spot. But consider this a review for the whole area.
The whole area is very unique, and the highlight is definitely hiking down into the canyon and Dusty Lake area. Spider web of trails down there open for hikers, mountain bikers, and horses. Overnight backpacking is allowed down there as well.
The upper lakes offer fishing and boating, paddle boarding as well if you are confident in your skill to stay on the board. I would not recommend swimming, or getting in the water at all, as it's all agricultural runoff.
The spot I stayed is south of the marker on the map, right on the north west bank of the Evergreen Reservoir. This was early April, on a Saturday, very late afternoon after hiking all day. Most spots were already taken, and I snagged one of the last established spots I could find. More of a pull off, pretty close to the road, and on the smaller side. But there are other, larger, spots if you can grab one.
Essentially no shade, very exposed, spring and fall would be the best time here.
TravelerBeautiful overlook site. Perfect for Overland type vehicles. The entrance to the site is rough. Scouting is a good idea before attempting entry with a trailer.
TravelerPros: good fishing, good amenities (shower, bathroom, etc), price, cleanliness, availability. Cons: Typical designated camping stacked right next to each other so barking dogs, crying kids, or drunks are highly likely to be a nuisance. Overall it's really well maintained and accessible. There's a little grocery store/market/gas across from the park on 262 if you need anything.
Traveler
I just dropped by today for a look see. The place looks quite nice. Picnic tables and tent pads on crushed rock probably 1/4-. I couldn’t find where to park.
GuideMid week in fall, we have the place to ourselves! Surrounded by gorgeous cliffs with hikes and scrambles, if you are not a rock climber. Drive down to the end of the road for gorgeous access to the Columbia.
It’s very primitive, with two pit toilets and no other services. Sites are not designated, just find a spot you like.
Scout
During the winter months while traveling construction workers stay here and work long days and hours the ownership does not allow large propane tanks for residents. This is unheard of in the northern states . Have to move sites every six months whether you like it or not. Would not recommend this park to anyone ownership over charges for propane and site spots that are called premium because they have trees that lean sap and leaves on your 100k RV . Trees are rarely trimmed . New management has just taken over and let’s see how they do, but I believe the ownership needs to come to reality. With not allowing large propane tanks during the winter month for the long working hour people.
Scout
We stayed one night here. The hosts were kind without being pushy. The actual camping spot is small, and pretty basic, but we didn’t need a bunch of fancy amenities. For camping sites In that area, Whimsey was very affordable.
Overall, it was quiet, affordable, and just what we needed.
LegendWaterfall, gorge, amazing scenery! There is a pit toilet and there were some people climbing. No accessible water. Only a couple miles from the highway. It was windy, as this whole area is. But well worth it! Note: some of the rocks on the paths to the campsites were pretty pointy, but the road in is well maintained.
RangerPerfect in every way. Close to a major town, store and restaurant across the road, giant sites with a good layout to still feel somewhat secluded and if you’re an angler, you’re 100 yards away from the boat launch.
ScoutThe park maintains front sites much better then back, cabins are not that great and not worth what they charge for them, they have only had 1 decent manager since they bought park and he left, their are much better parks in the area and don't charge as much, owners want Westside rates on eastern side of mountains, would not recommend
Scout
widest, darkest skies in the state.... EXCEPT for the 3 glaring white/daylight floodlights in the parking lot. WTF. lay in your car or tent's shadow and the rest of the stars won't disappoint.
extremely, extremely active wildlife. dozens of kinds of birds and bats. neat big bugs. we woke up to a flock of pelicans. at night, coyotes howling in ALL directions and raccoons rustling all around by the water and looking at us. they had a loud growling tussle at one point. at another point, one of the birds (goose? duck?) met a loud, violent end in the water that sounded really close by. kinda spooky! found a dead duck right on the shore by the dock in the morning. i would have thought its killer had it for dinner...
if they turn the damn lights out, it might become the best dark sky site in the state. it's still pretty good but very frustrating to stay out of reach of greatness due to such a boneheaded design choice. daylight floodlights! in the *overnight campground!*
we packed in water. with all of the agriculture around here I dunno if the lake is filterable. there is a broken spigot.
Scout
In the area to visit relatives. Facilities were clean. People we met were nice and helpful. Propane available to purchase. If visiting check out Country Mercantile about 20 miles south. Good eats!
Moses Lake, Washington, offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the beauty of the region. From well-reviewed sites to unique local attractions, there's something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Moses Lake, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Moses Lake, WA is Warden Lake North with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Moses Lake, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Moses Lake, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
