Tent campsites in the Tumtum, Washington area range from established campgrounds to more primitive tent setups along bodies of water. Nine Mile Recreation Area in Riverside State Park provides tent sites along Long Lake with access to water activities, while Amongst The Pines offers a more intimate camping experience with only two sites available. Most locations are operational from late spring through early fall, though specific opening and closing dates vary by campground.
Primitive tent camping areas near Tumtum typically offer basic amenities suitable for self-sufficient campers. Sites often include fire rings and picnic tables, but drinking water is inconsistently available across locations. Vault toilets are standard at most established campgrounds, including Skookum Creek Campground and Rogers Bar. Access roads to several tent camping areas may be unpaved, with some requiring navigation through private property or along winding forest roads. One visitor noted that the "entry road is narrow, it is not paved, and meanders through private property, so slow down!"
Tent campers seeking solitude will find several options with varying levels of isolation. The shoreline tent sites at Rogers Bar offer a true primitive camping experience where visitors can enjoy cool, clear water along spacious beach areas. Skookum Creek provides grassy tent sites spaced far apart, creating privacy even during busy periods. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "it's a relatively small loop campground along a creek, close to the Pend Oreille River. Gravel road, ideal for tent camping." Walk-in tent sites at Flodelle Creek Campground provide additional seclusion with only five sites available, making it an excellent option for campers seeking a quieter experience in a wooded setting away from larger, more developed campgrounds.
"The campsite is butted up to the lake, which makes it great for sunsets and sunrises. There is hardly any shade at the campsite. The RV/camper sites have full or partial hook-ups. All back in."
"We stayed here for one night and were absolutely thrilled at how peaceful and quiet the space was. You’re right off the water and the get an amazing view of the sunset."
"We're excited to have this new listing on our platform. Check them out and leave them some love."
from $20 - $30 / night
"Robin was unbelievably accommodating with our situation and even introduced my daughters to all the farm animals."
from $35 / night
"However, each site has a nice fire ring, large picnic table, and loads of elbow room. The vault toilets are relatively new and well maintained."
"It's a relatively small loop campground along a creek, close to the Pend Oreille River. Gravel road, ideal for tent camping."
"Dirt trails on the water which is a beautiful little cove on lake Roosevelt. Bald eagles, and lots of bugs. Most often in the summer you can hear the big pow wows going on across the river at night."
"Clearest lake I've ever seen !"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $23 / night
"I always take my boat in because there is a dock, but one time I saw people there with no boat and when they left, they wandered into the woods, so I assume there is some way to hike in and out."
TravelerVery flat spot several miles off ethe interstate. Small 2 lane road next to it. Lots of sites, nothing marked just back in and hang out. No water and electricity, but great for FREE! Convience store down the road with gas and a few things.
ScoutRight in the middle of civilization, and packed in, but very nice. Nice trees, nice facilities, well maintained. Families are here, well behaved. Booked online. The owner noticed us and introduced himself. Will use again when I want the amenities.
GuideNice enough and well maintained park. Probably 1/3 - 1/2 of park appear to be full time residents. Sites are close with gravel for RV and a cement pad with a picnic table at each one. Combination of pull thru's and back-ins. Good power and water pressure, sewer hookups can be a bit challenging depending upon the tree roots and the adapters you have. Large shower and laundry facility. Pool is inside with a spa tub - neither are huge. Friendly staff and conveniently located just off of I-90. Good Wi-Fi and cell service, but no cable TV.
RangerNot far off the main, road was decent. Not a ton of shade but good places to park or pop a tent. Only a few flies, really pretty scenery. Good cell signal, nice place.
GuideThe only reason I’m not giving it a 5 star is because it’s a high density campground. There are some nice features like a community grilling area and laundry. Plenty of showers and bathrooms and they were clean. There is a small patch of grass between each site and a picnic table for each site. The sites and roads are asphalt. Our site was level. Very clean campground.
TravelerRV park is in a beautiful area right where on the Spokane River meets Coeur d’Alene Lake. Amenities are nice and the park is well cared for however the green area around site is not level. It is bumpy and sloped making it hard to set up chairs.
TravelerWasted a lot of time to discover the campground is closed, and is still not for military personnel. A military ID is required to enter, when it’s open
RangerNice little RV spot. Half of the park is closed for new electrical work. We are a little close together, but it works out fine. This is a Thousand Trails/KOA combined park with a little store and nice staff. Hot Tub and Pool at the clubhouse. Small Lake for fishing and paddle boats.
GuideWe just stayed here for one night on our way to Glacier National Park. The campground is pretty and the 11 sites are all well spaced giving you plenty of room. Showers don't have great water pressure, but they're free for campers. Bathrooms are clean. I highly recommend this campground! Site 9 is the best (you can see the lake from this site), but you really can't go wrong with any of the other sites. I wouldn't recommend Site 11 as it's right near the parking lot.
Tent camping around Tumtum, Washington spans across the Pend Oreille River valley and surrounding forested areas, typically at elevations between 1,600-2,100 feet. The camping season generally runs from May through October, with July and August offering the most reliable weather conditions. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during daytime hours, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop into the 40s.
Water activities on Lake Roosevelt: Rogers Bar provides access to clear, cool water with spacious beach areas perfect for swimming and paddling. One camper reports, "There is plenty of beach to explore and the water is cool & clear to play in! Be sure to bring a boat of some kind to enjoy water sports but be careful if in a kayak or canoe as the main channel is popular with skiers and tubers."
Wildlife viewing near Sterling Point: Camp at Sterling Point for opportunities to spot bald eagles and observe diverse wildlife. According to a regular visitor, "It is a beautiful area and reasonably isolated at night depending on whether or not there are other campers in the area." The shoreline location makes it ideal for wildlife observation during early morning hours.
Farm animal interactions: When staying at Amongst The Pines, families can arrange to meet farm animals on the property. As one camper described, "Robin was unbelievably accommodating with our situation and even introduced my daughters to all the farm animals. On top of that, the space was perfect for a couple young kids to run around and explore."
Spacious, private campsites: Skookum Creek Campground offers generous spacing between tent sites. A satisfied camper noted, "Nice spots spaced quite far apart. Grassy with fire rings and tables. Sometimes people stay awhile because it's so nice." Another camper appreciated that "each site has a nice fire ring, large picnic table, and loads of elbow room."
Waterfront access: Shoreline camping at Cloverleaf Campground provides direct access to water activities. One visitor shared, "Spots are clean with fire pit and tables. Dirt trails on the water which is a beautiful little cove on lake Roosevelt." The same camper mentioned excellent opportunities for "fishing, kayaking, floating a sun island, rock hounding, and bird watching."
Cultural experiences: Camping near tribal lands offers unique cultural exposure. At Cloverleaf, campers report, "Most often in the summer you can hear the big pow wows going on across the river at night." This provides an unexpected dimension to the camping experience not available at most locations.
Site availability constraints: Some smaller campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Nine Mile Recreation Area, campers should verify operating dates before visiting. One frustrated visitor reported, "Drove up a winding road for 20 min to find the park was closes [sic]." This underscores the importance of confirming seasonal availability.
Water conditions vary by location: Lake and river conditions can impact recreational activities. At Nine Mile Recreation Area, a visitor warned, "Took our waverunners out there for the day so much seaweed couldn't launch them." Water levels and conditions change seasonally, affecting swimming and boating access.
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Many sites require self-sufficiency. A Rogers Bar camper advised, "There is a vault toilet but that is it. There is no water so bring your own." Similarly, at Sterling Point, campers should know "there are picnic tables and fire pits, but no bathrooms or garbage collection."
Seek campgrounds with activity space: Choose locations with room for kids to explore safely. One parent who stayed at Amongst The Pines shared, "We stayed here on a whim for a road trip stop. It ended up being one of the best nights of the road trip... the space was perfect for a couple young kids to run around and explore."
Consider proximity to water: Waterfront sites offer built-in entertainment but require supervision. At Nine Mile Recreation Area, a family noted, "Great family place, so much to do for everyone. Especially if you love the water. The campsite is butted up to the lake, which makes it great for sunsets and sunrises."
Look for nearby attractions: Combining camping with day trips enhances the experience. An Amongst The Pines visitor recommended, "We got there early and were able to check out the nearby brewery/fruit picking spot which made for a pretty ideal road tripping night."
Prepare for limited hookups: Many best tent camping near Tumtum, Washington sites have minimal RV amenities. At Skookum Creek, campers mention the campground is "ideal for tent camping" with "gravel road" access, indicating potential challenges for larger rigs.
Understand access limitations: Access roads can present challenges. At Nine Mile Recreation Area, a camper cautioned, "The entry road is narrow, it is not paved, and meanders through private property, so slow down!" Such terrain may pose difficulties for larger recreational vehicles.
Consider generator restrictions: In campgrounds like Camp Gifford at Deer Lake, which caters primarily to tent campers, noise restrictions may limit generator use, making it important to have alternative power sources for extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Tumtum, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tumtum, WA is Nine Mile Recreation Area — Riverside State Park with a 3.3-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Tumtum, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Tumtum, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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