Tent campsites near Newport, Washington occupy a rugged section of the Colville National Forest at elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet. The camping season typically runs from late April through October, with July and August seeing the highest visitation. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during daytime hours, dropping to 45-55°F overnight even during peak season.
What to do
Swimming and cliff jumping: Green Bay Campground offers exceptionally clear water for swimming. According to Melissa G., "You can walk all the way out to where you cannot touch and still see the rocks on the bottom." The site includes natural cliff jumping opportunities for more adventurous visitors.
Fishing opportunities: Kalispell Island provides excellent boat-in fishing access. While powerboats create afternoon waves, Callie B. notes that conditions "settle in the evening and morning," making these times ideal for kayak fishing from island campsites.
Apple picking: For campers staying at Amongst The Pines, nearby fruit orchards offer seasonal picking. Aaron S. reports, "We got there early and were able to check out the nearby brewery/fruit picking spot which made for a pretty ideal road tripping night."
Kayak camping: Priest Lake supports multi-day paddling trips between island campsites. Missy S. shared her experience: "A group of us stocked up our kayak and we trekked out to Kalispell Island! Storms all around us but the views were beautiful."
What campers like
Solitude during weekdays: Mid-week camping offers notably quieter experiences at Green Bay Campground. William N. confirms: "We arrived on a Wednesday and had the place nearly to ourselves. Make sure to arrive early in the week if you want a camp site. Spots filled quickly in the days following."
Clear night skies: The Newport area provides exceptional stargazing opportunities. At Bartoo Island Boat-in Campground, Alen C. reports, "on a clear night, you'll see the bulk of the Milky Way."
Site spacing and privacy: Tent sites at Skookum Creek Campground feature generous separation between campers. Janet R. describes, "Nice spots spaced quite far apart. Grassy with fire rings and tables."
Lakefront beach access: Many tent sites in the Newport region provide direct water access. At Bartoo Island, Saraj B. notes the "pure sand" beach landing makes boat access straightforward, and each site offers substantial privacy.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most tent camping areas have minimal amenities. At Maiden Rock Campground, Libby N. warns there's "No pump for water source, only lake or creek," requiring campers to filter water.
Boat-in only access: Several prime camping areas require watercraft. Saraj B. notes important requirements at Priest Lake: "Bring a shovel and make sure your watercraft has an Invasive Species sticker (I bought mine at Cabelas in Post Falls on the way up)."
Weekend crowding: Popular sites fill rapidly on weekends and holidays. Emily S. indicates Green Bay's "Biggest complaint - road to get there. You do have to walk to your site but it's not far."
Seasonal insect concerns: Yellow jackets can be problematic at some Newport-area campsites. One camper at Green Bay reported, "Despite being frequently swarmed by them, neither of us got stung while we were there."
Tips for camping with families
Farm animal interactions: Camp Gifford at Deer Lake offers unique opportunities for children. Aaron S. appreciated that the host "even introduced my daughters to all the farm animals. On top of that, the space was perfect for a couple young kids to run around and explore."
Consider site location: When selecting tent sites near water, think about sun exposure. Callie B. suggests, "When choosing a site remember sunrise and sunset as I was lucky to have a place on the south side so there was shade during the hottest parts of the day and less sun at 5am when you want to sleep."
First-come sites strategy: For last-minute trips with children, Saraj B. recommends boat-in sites: "First come, first serve sites are your best bet for getting a campsite on Priest Lake during peak season. I was able to snag one of the 10ish first come sites last minute for a weekend."
Noise considerations: Avoid holiday weekends if seeking quiet family time. Jim B. warns about certain areas having "Loud, obnoxious and drunk boaters" during peak periods.
Tips from RVers
Day-use structures: The Skookum Creek Campground day-use area offers a unique covered structure with cooking facilities. Henry H. describes it as "a really neat structure with an open grill in the middle and a great view of the meadow through which Skookum Creek wanders."
Generator etiquette: While generators are permitted at some Newport area campgrounds, spacing helps minimize noise impacts. Henry H. notes, "even though the other site was running a couple of generators, I had enough room that the breeze and sounds of nature drowned it out."
Parking limitations: Many prime tent sites require short walks from parking areas. At Green Bay, Melissa G. notes, "There are two parking areas, and you have to hike down a short hike (moderately steep hill) to get to the campsites."
