Best Tent Camping near Oroville, WA

General: A variety of different campsites in two sections ranging from economy to basic to popular, with and without hookups, and priced according to peak or non-peak season. There are also three cabins and two group camp areas. 

Site Quality: We are happy we were able to book a basic tent site with our campervan (there were more than a few others with RVs in these sites). Parking was on grass and not completely level, but we made it work. Each site had a picnic table and fire ring (although there was a fire ban in effect when we were there). The sites with utilities had paved camper pads. 

Bath/Shower house: Clean with soap and air dryers. The showers are free but you are asked to not use more than three button pushes. My shower in the afternoon was completely COLD and I am not sure if it was the time of day, the particular shower, or user error. My husband’s shower got hot midway through. 

Activities/Amenities: All things water-based including jet skis, water skiing, kayaking, SUP, and fishing. There is also a boat wash. There are also numerous trails used for hiking, running, and mountain biking. Other activities include volleyball and horseshoes.

Despite my cold shower and the fact that state parks are becoming increasingly pricy (with reservation and out-of-state fees, we paid $ 77 for two nights for a tent site), we enjoyed our stay here.

Cool sleeping at this elevation when hot weather persists in lower lands.  We pull a 32’ Outdoors RV trailer behind a full size 6’ bed and quad cab Dodge truck.  We would have fit in a few of spots and there was 8 total with tighter loop turn around at end.  Water was off due to Covid and was no trash dumpster but did have outhouses.  Nice trail to go hiking out back of campground and simple walking wheelchair loop at Overlook parking lot.  Was some road noise when the few cars around here passed us since CG is beside road at summit of Pass but was still nice private spaces with table, fire ring and near level parking pads.

We found Bonaparte Lake Campground through Dyrt when sites were not available at Curlew State Park and we needed some place in that Okanagon/Ferry County area of Washington. Part of Bonaparte Lake is available by reservation. We lucked out at the time and found what ended up being the perfect site. It had plenty of room for our A Frame trailer and truck and could have fit another vehicle on the site. The table/fire ring area was generous and private, with space for our dog to be on a 25 ft lead. In fact, the whole site was very private with the campers to the right of us at least 50 feet away from us and no one to the back of us or to the left of us directly. I guess I should stop saying how great our site was so we can get it again sometime! In our loop we only had pit toilets. In the non-reservation loop there was one restroom with flush toilets and then other pit toilets. No showers available. The non-reservation loop had lovely sites as well with some right on the lake. Our loop had lake sites, too. The camp host was amazingly helpful and friendly, giving us maps of things to do in the area. We took a loop to find old ghost towns and remnants in the area plus other loops. We tried to schedule our trip up this way in July to beat the smoke from forest fires but unfortunately due to early heat conditions and dryness forest fires started early this year. We ran into some smoke the 2nd day of our trip there but the third day was clearer. It never got bad while we were at Bonaparte Lake but just over the mountains in Oroville where we went to get gas, it was in the unhealthy range of the Air Quality Index. We will definitely go back to Bonaparte again sometime. It would make a beautiful trip in the early fall.

Camped here June 26 - July 1 2022 and had the campground almost to ourselves. The first night, there was a family who went home the next day. On the last night, an old couple stayed there for the night and were gone the next day. On the day of our departure, which was a Friday, a family arrived. Basically, we had the campsite for ourselves during the weekday - so if you like that idea, come on a weekday. 

There are 5 campsites with fire grates and a picnic table. The best site would be 5 and 4 which is right at the water. However, 5 (which was where we were at) is the penthouse of campsites because of the shade + water access. Site 1 has the best shade at the cost of being beside the vault toilets (wasn't smelly though). The rest, you will be toast under the sun. So, ideally have a canopy of some sort. 

Site 1: Best Shade / Beside vault toilet

Site 2: No shade

Site 3: No shade

Site 4: Water access / no shade

Site 5: Water access + shade

The area has been engulfed in wildfire back in 2021 so probably the reason why not so many choose this place, but it is slowly recovering. It is bear country so be responsible enough. However, the only animal we saw during our week stay was a deer - besides chipmunks and squirrels. Oh, lots of mosquitoes and flies. Come prepared.

If you like to hike, there is a trailhead at the end of the NF road going north. The road is surprisingly well-maintained. You would have to ride your car going there as it is far. 

If site is packed (on probably rare occasions), there are lots of disperse areas you can occupy. There's one up north not very far from the campground that can probably fit 3-4 cars in and 3-4 tents. 

Do not go during unstable weather as the risk of flash floods are high due to past wildfire.