Best Tent Camping near Spokane Valley, WA
Tent camping options near Spokane Valley, Washington include several established campgrounds with walk-in tent sites and primitive backcountry areas. Nine Mile Recreation Area in Riverside State Park offers tent-only camping with waterfront access, clean facilities, and hiking trails covered with wildflowers during spring and summer months. The Lil Red Barn provides 11 tent campsites with amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. For those seeking more seclusion, Breakwater Campground across the Idaho border offers primitive tent camping along a tributary of the Coeur d'Alene River.
Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with Nine Mile Recreation Area open from May through September. Sites are typically set on a mix of grass, dirt, or gravel surfaces with varying levels of shade. Campers should verify seasonal closures before traveling, as several visitors reported finding gates locked upon arrival. Many primitive tent sites require self-sufficiency, with one camper noting, "It's just a place to pitch a tent and have a fire. And it costs nothing." Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most backcountry tent camping locations, particularly at Breakwater Campground and Lakes Divide Road.
Tent campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere as a highlight of the region. According to reviews, Nine Mile Recreation Area provides "an amazing view of the sunset" and access to "a nearby walking path through the woods covered in wildflowers." The sites at Mica Bay Boater Park are described as "flat and quiet," though access requires either hiking in or arriving by boat. Lakes Divide Road offers dispersed tent camping opportunities along a "steep but well-maintained forest road" with pull-offs that provide privacy. Fall camping is particularly rewarding, with one visitor reporting that in September they had "the whole campground to ourselves" at a nearby DNR site, making it ideal for backcountry tent camping experiences.
