Best Tent Camping near Spokane, WA
Tent campsites near Spokane, Washington range from established state park grounds to primitive forest sites, offering varied experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Nine Mile Recreation Area in Riverside State Park provides tent camping directly on Long Lake with swimming access and boat launches. Other options include Skookum Creek Campground, a free Department of Natural Resources site with spacious tent sites along a creek, and Lakes Divide Road, which offers dispersed primitive tent camping opportunities.
Most tent campgrounds in the Spokane region feature basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between established and primitive sites. Skookum Creek provides vault toilets and picnic tables but no running water, requiring campers to bring their own supply. Nine Mile Recreation Area offers more developed facilities with toilets and some shower access. Primitive tent setups at Lakes Divide Road have no facilities whatsoever, making it essential to pack in all supplies and practice proper waste disposal. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly at higher elevations, so tent campers should prepare for temperature fluctuations even in summer months.
The tent camping experience around Spokane offers notable solitude, particularly at less-developed sites. Areas like Skookum Creek provide significant distance between campsites, creating privacy even when other campers are present. The region's forested terrain offers natural shade at many locations, though Nine Mile Recreation Area has limited tree cover at some sites. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for hiking, fishing, and wildlife observation. A visitor commented, "Skookum Creek is relatively small with sites spaced quite far apart, making it ideal for tent camping with plenty of elbow room even when other sites are occupied." Lakes Divide Road provides more rugged, isolated tent camping for those seeking deeper wilderness immersion, though road conditions can be challenging.