Northport sits in the northeastern corner of Washington at an elevation of approximately 1,640 feet, providing cooler summer camping conditions than lower-elevation regions. The area features dense coniferous forests with mixed pine, fir, and cedar trees surrounding several small lakes and the Columbia River watershed. Camping options around Northport range from basic tent sites with vault toilets to furnished glamping accommodations with hot showers and full amenities.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Sullivan Lake Campground offers access to clear, warm waters for fishing. "Amazing. Beautiful view very nice sites. Bathrooms well keeped. Lake is right there. It's super warm water very clear water," notes one camper at Sullivan Lake Campground.
Hiking forest trails: Several trails surround the camping areas, ranging from easy lakeside paths to more challenging forest routes. "We did about half of the lakeshore trail and found some beautiful views and even a rope swing," reports a visitor at Sullivan Lake.
Swimming in mountain lakes: The lakes in this region warm up enough for comfortable swimming by mid-summer. At South Skookum Lake Campground, a camper shared, "The lake was great for a swim and to play fetch with our dog."
Wildlife viewing: The Northport region offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities with minimal light pollution. At South Skookum Lake, "There is a nice trail that goes around the lake where you will see a variety of wildlife."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the Northport area feature thick vegetation between campsites. One camper at Edgewater Campground noted, "Each site is large with trees between so you do have a lot of privacy."
Clean facilities: Despite being remote, campgrounds maintain clean restrooms and facilities. At South Skookum Lake, a reviewer mentioned, "This campsite has the cleanest restrooms I have ever seen."
Star viewing: The lack of light pollution makes Northport ideal for stargazing. A camper at Edgewater Campground shared, "This section of the Colville, there is so much to see and do! This campground is close to many attractions and has great fishing!"
Boat access: Many lakes have boat launches for non-motorized watercraft. "This is a more rustic campground with only a few water pumps available and no other services besides a toilet. Each site is large with trees between so you do have a lot of privacy," explained a camper at Edgewater Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak summer season, first-come-first-serve sites fill quickly. At Sherman Pass Overlook Campground, a visitor noted, "Most spots can fit trailers but some more private than other spots."
Bear safety: Bears are active in the Northport wilderness area. Proper food storage is essential at all campgrounds. South Skookum Lake provides "bear safe" garbage containers, and campers should use them consistently.
Water availability: Water sources vary between campgrounds. At Sherman Pass, "Water from a hand pump well and vault toilets available."
Cell service limitations: Most camping areas have limited or no cell service. A South Skookum Lake camper mentioned, "We stayed outside number four which is close to the entrance. The beauty of being so close to it there is cell service so if you need to get in contact with anyone, it's about a two minute walk."
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities for kids: Several lakes offer safe swimming areas for children. At Lionhead Campground, a visitor shared, "We love the privacy and ability to not worry about any unlocked vehicles or items left in the beach."
Easy hiking trails: Many campgrounds feature family-friendly trails. South Skookum Lake has "about a mile and a half loop around the lake, which is an easy hike. I was able to carry my newborn on a pack and didn't die."
Glamping options for comfort: Families seeking more comfort can find glamping accommodations in Northport, Washington. At Beaver Lodge Resort, "The cabins are rustic but clean. We now bring our RV and really enjoy our stays here. There's a lake, a restaurant and small store and lots of trails for hiking and biking."
Wildlife education opportunities: Kids can learn about local wildlife through observation. A Beaver Lodge visitor mentioned, "Perfect lake to swim in that is connected to a larger ski lake with a channel so there is not heavy boat traffic on the ski lake."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs. At Sherman Pass Overlook Campground, "Turn around loop is tight but doable with full size Dodge and 32' trailer."
Hookup variations: Electric and water hookups are limited to certain campgrounds. A Beaver Lodge Resort visitor noted, "The spot we had for a 29' was a little tight but there was enough room between the RVs. Problem we had was that much of the grounds were empty but we had a camper on either side. Also, the hookups were not in good spots."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional work to level RVs. "We would have fit in a few of spots and there was 8 total with tighter loop turn around at end," mentioned a camper at Sherman Pass.
Temperature variations: Higher elevation campgrounds provide relief during hot weather. "Cool sleeping at this elevation when hot weather persists in lower lands," noted a visitor to Sherman Pass Overlook.
