Reservations are available at Browns Lake Campground, a US Forest Service site set within Kaniksu National Forest outside Cusick, Washington, accessible by vehicle, boat, foot, or trail. Sites accommodate RVs up to 44 feet, and the campground includes pit toilets, bear-resistant food storage, a dump station, picnic tables, and firewood for purchase. One important note for trip planning: there is no water source on site. As Terrie M. puts it, "Has pit toilet but no water, so bring your own."
The lake is the main draw. Anglers will find fly fishing only rules in effect, and several reviewers mention kayaking as a reliable activity. A trail circles the lake and connects to a grove of old-growth trees worth the walk. Past fire and storm damage has thinned the tree canopy noticeably, so summer sun hits the sites directly during midday hours. Sites are described as large and moderately separated from one another, and a dispersed camping area outside the main campground gives visitors an additional option close enough to walk in.
Cell coverage is limited to roughly one bar of T-Mobile signal with intermittent reliability. Starlink users have reported workable connectivity despite tree interference with satellite reception. Campers who want more lake-based options in the same forest can look at Half Moon Lake or South Skookum Lake Campground for a different setting within the same general corridor.
Description
Browns Lake is a 88.1 acre, 23' deep, high elevation lake that is in a setting of forested mountains. The lake is known for its fly fishing and camping. There is a primitive boat launch on the south end. While at the lake you can enjoy fishing, camping, canoeing and viewing the cutthroat spawning run in the spring. History: Earl Broten wrote about moving up from Spokane and growing up in the town of Locke in Pend Oreille country in the early 1900’s. His stepfather staked some claims at Brown’s Lake across the Pend Oreille River, where they were looking for ways to get the ore out. That didn’t seem as successful as the fishing opportunities went though. His family would bring back large trout from Brown’s Lake. There is also a historical cabin located within the campground built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBrowns Lake Campground is located in Washington near Cusick
Public CampgroundDirections
From Newport, follow State Highway 20 north for 15 miles to the town of Usk. Cross the bridge over the Pend Oreille River on the east edge of town and follow the Kings Lake Road (County Road 3389) 4 miles to the junction of Forest Road 5030000 (Browns Lake). Travel north on 5030000 for 4 miles to the campground entrance.
Coordinates
48.43611164 N
117.19527755 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
Drive Time
- 1 hr 31 min from Spokane, WA
- 1 hr 38 min from Coeur d'Alene, ID
- 3 hrs 14 min from Lewiston, ID
- 4 hrs from Wenatchee, WA
