Best Tent Camping near Palisades, WA
Tent campers in the Palisades area of Washington have several established camping areas within a 30-minute drive, including Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites and several primitive locations in the surrounding public lands. The area features both established campgrounds with basic facilities and more remote dispersed camping options in settings that range from riverside locations to elevated positions with panoramic views of the Columbia River gorge.
Most tent camping sites feature primitive conditions with minimal amenities. Frenchman Coulee offers vault toilets but no running water, while dispersed sites like Swakane Canyon require campers to pack in everything they need including water. Sites are typically situated on hard-packed dirt or gravel surfaces with occasional grassy clearings at higher elevations. One camper noted that "the tent spots are nice bordered with pea gravel. Level and flat." Fire restrictions are common during summer months, with complete bans often implemented from July through September. Many sites require a Washington Recreation Pass, and dispersed camping generally follows the standard 14-day stay limit enforced on public lands.
The tent camping experience varies significantly by location and season. At Frenchman Coulee, tent sites provide direct access to popular rock climbing areas, with one visitor reporting that "there are great holds and the people you meet are great." Wind can be a considerable factor at exposed sites, particularly those along the Columbia River or at higher elevations like Chumstick Mountain. Seasonal considerations include intense summer heat at lower elevations and limited shade at many sites. Wildlife sightings are common, with bighorn sheep frequently observed at Rocky Coulee Recreation Area. Access roads to more remote tent sites often require high-clearance vehicles, with several reviewers mentioning challenging road conditions to reach the more scenic and secluded camping locations.
