Best Tent Camping near Orient, WA
Colville National Forest surrounding Orient, Washington offers several tent-only campgrounds with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Davis Lake Campground, located approximately 2.5 hours from Spokane, provides walk-in tent sites in a forested setting. Crescent Lake Campground, situated just one mile south of the Canadian border, features three primitive tent campsites equipped with fire rings, bear boxes, and picnic tables. Highland Glenn Ranch offers a private tent camping option with drinking water and toilet facilities. China Bend Winery provides four tent sites with both boat-in and drive-in access, making it suitable for paddlers exploring the area's waterways.
Most tent campgrounds in the Orient area have minimal facilities, requiring campers to bring their own water and supplies. Vault toilets are common at established sites, though maintenance varies seasonally. Access roads to many backcountry tent camping locations involve navigating dirt or gravel roads, with the final approaches sometimes requiring high-clearance vehicles. According to one visitor, Davis Lake Campground's final 45 minutes involves "a windy dirt road." Fire restrictions may apply during dry summer months, and bear activity necessitates proper food storage in provided bear boxes or personal containers. First-come, first-served policies apply at most public land tent sites, with no reservation systems in place.
Tent campers frequently report excellent wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the region. One camper at Crescent Lake noted seeing "turtles and frogs on the shores, as well as elk, deer, bald eagles and even a bear." The small lakes scattered throughout the forest provide fishing opportunities, with several stocked with rainbow trout. Sites at Flodelle Creek Campground offer particular privacy, with a visitor describing how "each site has good privacy from the others" and noting that a Discover Pass makes camping free. Summer temperatures at higher elevations provide relief from valley heat, while spring access may be limited by snowmelt. Most primitive tent campgrounds in the area remain uncrowded except during peak summer weekends, offering solitude for those seeking quiet backcountry camping experiences.
