Free Camping Collection
Dispersed Camping
North Fork Chewelah Creek
About
USDA Forest Service
Colville National Forest
The stream flows through low wooded mountains joining the South Fork to form Chewelah Creek. This stream flows into the Colville River. In addition to fishing, visitors also hunt, horseback ride and camp along the creek. There are approximately 8 miles of the North Fork located on NFS lands. There are also many tributaries to the North Fork that are fishable. There are dispersed camping sites that exist along the stream at various locations.
Washington state fishing license required. See Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at http://wdfw.wa.gov/ for more information.
Quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Campfire in developed fire ring only
Fireworks are prohibited
Pets must be under voice command or on leash
OHV use allowed
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Food and wildlife attractants must be properly stored at all times
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Nice area. Plenty of dispersed spots around.
Usually visit in April. There are a TON of dispersed camping areas within a mile of this "campground" so if its full, it's not a big deal.
With that said, I've never run into any issues with folks using this campground but there's a first time for everything. Most of my time spent in this area has been dead quiet and usually quite private.
Comfortable
The good -A beautiful camp ground. Small space with multiple dispersed camp sites along the creek and throughout the wooded area. The creek is very small but powerful. You can not swim but still a great place to get wet. If you have a tube bring it and enjoy a short river ride. Not a good place to fish. The main camp area is completely shaded keeping things cool. The camp is very close to the creek. Still there was no issues with bugs. I did not need bug spray. There are established stone fire pits or you can gather up some rocks and make your own. Plenty of deadfall and fire wood all over the place. There is also a fence that runs the perimeter of the camp area. Helping to keep the predators out. The only animal I saw besides squirrels and birds was a skunk. Bears, coyotes, wolves and cougars are know to frequent the area.
The bad - Many of the locals are not friendly and claim the whole creek portion of the camp ground for themselves. There are about 6 different camp sites directly on the main creek. The others are spread out through the woods. People often use the creek just to bring their kids down to frolic in the water for a few hours. More than once I have been approached and ran off by hostile creek users. Im sure there are good folks around their too. That said the few people I have met out there are nasty and will refuse to share the campground causing all kinds of drama until you just get mad and leave. Last weekend I was approached by 4 men who were not camping just using the creek to tube with their kids. I was told that I better go find another place to camp. That they were using the creek and I could not be there. I set up anyways camping away from them and was not in anyway a bother to them. Still they continued to come over and harass me about leaving. Until I finally I strapped on my pistol approached them and told them I wasn't going any where. I was met with a lot of cussing and threats. But finally They did leave! So sad a beautiful place I truly loved the area. Not sure if I will continue to go back. It was not worth the ignorance or drama of other human beings. No toilets or electricity, No wifi or fresh drinking water. If you can avoid ignorant humans I would recommend this place to camp.
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Great area for exploring
We found a great spot to camp but since it was dispersed we made our own fire ring and camped in this area. There were some other sites that were occupied or we did not like it as much as the spot we ended up pitching up camp. Saw no ticks, but did get a few bites from other insects.
Hearing the birds was really cool.
Location
North Fork Chewelah Creek is located in Washington
Directions
From the Three Rivers Ranger District Office take Meyers St to US-395 S. Follow US-395 S to Sand Canyon Road in 33 miles. Take a left onto Sand Canyon Road. Stay on Sand Canyon Road for 7.2 miles. Park at the signed area on the right.
Coordinates
48.34479 N
117.607 W