Glamping in Quincy, Washington provides an escape into the eastern Washington high desert landscape at 1,274 feet elevation. This region experiences hot summer days with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and cool evenings ideal for campfires. Water crossings on access roads to some camping areas can become challenging after spring snowmelt or heavy rainfall.
What to do
Fishing in local waters: Potholes State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities on O'Sullivan Reservoir. "There is a fish cleaning station and a shower, restroom area near the docks. Fish that can be found are: Walleye, Crappie, Bass, Trout. There are also a lot of Carp to encounter," notes a camper who rated their experience highly.
Explore canyon hiking trails: Douglas Creek features dramatic canyon landscapes with unique geology. "Hiked the canyon for ~3miles. Lots of groundhogs and birds... The grounds are minimal, no services (no toilets, picnic tables, hookups, trash bins etc). Had no cell service. Weather was in the upper 60's, no clouds. Perfect getaway," reports one visitor who enjoyed the primitive setting.
Swimming in natural pools: The Douglas Creek area offers natural swimming opportunities during warmer months. "Swimming In the pools is nice after hiking! I've been coming here since I was a kid and have hiked and camped all over Douglas creek. Beautiful scenery. Ticks are everywhere out there though, don't forget repellent!" advises a long-time visitor.
What campers like
Concert proximity camping: Gorge Amphitheatre Campground provides convenient accommodations for concert-goers with various comfort levels. "Several different levels here from Standard (zero frills with gen pop) to Glamping ($$). Can't recommend some sort of canopy enough - shade is a cheap luxury at the end of the day, especially if you're there for a three night engagement," suggests a regular visitor who prefers upgraded accommodations.
River access sites: The Columbia River offers recreation opportunities with accessible camping. "Great location with awesome views of the Columbia River Valley. Well maintained grounds and amenities for a Thousand Trails campground. There is a walking path that you can access easily from the campground that goes to the end of Crescent Bar," writes a visitor to Thousand Trails Crescent Bar.
Off-grid seclusion: For those seeking remote experiences, some areas provide complete disconnection. "A great place to get away from it all less than an hour from town. No amenities so bring it in and pack it out. Dual sport motorcycle or 4 wheel/all wheel drive recommending with good ground clearance. Multiple water crossings. You are on your own out here," writes a visitor about Douglas Creek's isolated camping options.
What you should know
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require adaptable gear. "HOT! This place can get hot in the summer. Always a fun time at The Gorge. The views of the river can't be beat. You are in close proximity to your neighbors so get to know them," notes a camper who experienced the summer heat at the Gorge Amphitheatre.
Wildlife awareness: Local fauna includes various critters requiring attention. "Wildlife gets 10x louder at night, the place really came to life around 11:30pm-12:00am," reports a Douglas Creek visitor. Another camper warns about rattlesnakes: "If you choose to leave your vehicle, it's a fun place for sure-footed adults, not a good place for small children. Steep cliffs, loose rock, rattle snakes, ticks and other wildlife."
Road conditions: Access to more remote camping requires appropriate vehicles. "The 8 miles of road H to get to Douglas Creek Rec area is gravel, primitive -no signs. The gravel road here is much narrower, and has more aggressive rocks/stones. Between the parking lot and campsites several large puddles/ponds took over the road," explains a camper describing access challenges.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer designated recreation areas. "Has shaded camping sites my children love swimming in the pool to cool off after warm day easy access to the campground they also had a play area," writes a visitor to Ephrata RV Park & Campground.
Farm animal experiences: Some private glamping options near Quincy include animal encounters. "Fun spot. Nice people. It's definitely off-grid. They have farm animals that the kids could see. The baby rabbits are so cute!" shares a visitor to The Oasis, a unique glamping destination with agricultural elements.
Safety considerations: Parents should research site-specific hazards. "I lost count of the dispersed campsites along this road, but I'll estimate 15-20 options in total. Some are better than others due to adjacency to the road or access to the creek," writes a Douglas Creek visitor, describing the variable site conditions that may affect family camping choices.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV campers recommend choosing sites carefully based on specific needs. "We stayed in tent camping site 17. It was the first row of sites, and had some lovely trees with shade. The campsites were all on grass which was nice. The site got nice shade in the morning and late afternoon to keep out of the heat," shares a visitor who appreciated the temperature management at their site.
Seasonal facilities: RV parks in the area have varying seasonal availability. "Wenatchee River County Park Really nice basic park that feels like a campground but it's RVs only, no tents allowed. The 50% Passport America discount is weeknights only, April and October only, for up to 5 nights. Campground is only open April through October," notes a visitor to Wenatchee River County Park.
Hookup considerations: Utilities vary significantly between locations. "The sites are backed up against the highway and was not only was it so loud we couldn't sleep—it literally shook the rig despite stabilizers. If we'd been further into the park, it still would have been uncomfortably loud," warns an RVer about noise issues that affected their stay despite having hookups.
