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Coffeepot Lake

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Spokane Border Field Office, Coffeepot Lake sits on BLM land in eastern Washington's agricultural plateau, giving access to a small, cliff-edged lake that draws anglers, birders, and boaters more than swimmers. The lake has a dock and a boat launch, though reviewers note the launch surface is uneven underwater, and the water carries enough algae that most visitors skip swimming. No water is available on-site, so campers need to bring their own supply.

The five sites are back-in only, sized for tents and cars rather than larger rigs, and spaced close together with little separation between them. Shade is limited to a partial tree line and a covered picnic area. Floodlights in the parking lot are a notable drawback for night sky viewing, though Mint T. notes that "lay in your car or tent's shadow and the rest of the stars won't disappoint." Wildlife activity runs high: deer, coyotes, herons, ospreys, pelicans, and bats are all documented by multiple visitors.

Weekday crowds tend to be light, often just a lone angler or two. The campground stays open year-round, and vault toilets and picnic tables are on-site. Nearby options include Twin Lakes to the northeast and Pacific Lake Recreation Site to the southwest. Campers who want a low-key lake base in a remote corner of Washington with consistent wildlife sightings will find Coffeepot Lake worth the detour.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsCoffeepot Lake is located in Washington near Odessa

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Located west of Harrington, in Lincoln County Washington. From Highway 28, turn west onto Coffeepot Road and travel about 12 miles to the gravel entrance on the left. Plan for a drive of about 1 ½ hours from Spokane.

Coordinates

47.50029885 N
118.55725597 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
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    Verizon
    No Coverage
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    AT&T
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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

Drive Time


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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Coffeepot Lake

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5 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the remote, peaceful setting with excellent wildlife viewing and lake access. Most appreciated having the campground to themselves, though visitors must bring water due to unavailable facilities.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Sep. 11, 2023

stargazing and birdwatching fantastic

widest, darkest skies in the state.... EXCEPT for the 3 glaring white/daylight floodlights in the parking lot. WTF. lay in your car or tent's shadow and the rest of the stars won't disappoint.

extremely, extremely active wildlife. dozens of kinds of birds and bats. neat big bugs. we woke up to a flock of pelicans. at night, coyotes howling in ALL directions and raccoons rustling all around by the water and looking at us. they had a loud growling tussle at one point. at another point, one of the birds (goose? duck?) met a loud, violent end in the water that sounded really close by. kinda spooky! found a dead duck right on the shore by the dock in the morning. i would have thought its killer had it for dinner...

if they turn the damn lights out, it might become the best dark sky site in the state. it's still pretty good but very frustrating to stay out of reach of greatness due to such a boneheaded design choice. daylight floodlights! in the *overnight campground!*

we packed in water. with all of the agriculture around here I dunno if the lake is filterable. there is a broken spigot.

Sitecowboy camped on driveway by privy away from lights
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2021

Small area, small lake

This is a small little area off the road not too far. There was only one other person there fishing when we were there. The campsites are close together with no privacy between. They look big enough for a tent and this would be a fun area to float the small lake in a tiny boat and fish. We followed a little trail to another part of the lake too. This overall is not a place I'd recommend swimming. We saw a few deer and a coyote while we were out. I would return here though I don't think it would be my first choice for camping.

SiteDay use
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Coffeepot Lake by Shelby , August 22, 2021
  • Review photo of Coffeepot Lake by Shelby , August 22, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 26, 2021

Tranquil

Was amazed at how quiet and peaceful it was here. I had a smaller camp trailer that didn’t really fit but I was the only one there. The 5 spaces are designed for cars and tents. The lake was so tranquil and the lake cliffs were pretty magnificent to boat up against. All kinds of birds, waterfowl, coyotes And deer. The launch is a bit sketchy and uneven under the water. Very easy access to this lake though and in a rather remote area so not busy during the week.

Month of VisitJuly
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  • Review photo of Coffeepot Lake by meryl H., July 26, 2021
  • Review photo of Coffeepot Lake by meryl H., July 26, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2020

Lonesome

If you like being almost completely alone, this is your spot! They sites aren’t very huge and private, but that doesn’t matter because you will most likely have the whole campground to yourself. Only a fisherman or two may be there. The lakes crystal clear water is beautiful. There is a pretty nice beach if you take the trail down from the metal barn to the opposite end of the lake.

Reviewed Jul. 22, 2017

Hidden gem...

We had this place completely to ourselves when we stayed there...it was amazing! There is lake access with a small dock and boat launch, a common area consisting of covered picnic area with picnic tables, and a public vault toilet. We were camping in a tent trailer; easy access and ample space to turn around. Sites are fairly level and are back-in only...though there appeared to be a spot for RV parking (no hook-ups). There is a line of trees near the camp sites offering partial shade (depending on where the sun is), but the sun gets pretty brutal; other than the covered picnic area, shade is limited.

Note: There was no water available when we visited (locks on pipes & faucet handles removed), so be sure to bring your own!

Wildlife: We witnessed a confrontation between a giant heron and an osprey...it was pretty impressive! The heron made a noise that sounded a lot like what I'd imagine a pterodactyl would have sounded like. Also, we heard what must have been a pack of at least 6 or 7 coyotes a little after 11pm...and then heard wolves howling in the wee hours of the morning. Super cool!

Lake: We didn't have a boat or fishing poles...but I'd imagine that the lake would be great for both. It had a fair bit of algae...so probably not a lake you'd necessarily want to swim in. My husband, however, found the lake to be great for flying his RC float plane. Oh! And there was an old abandoned cabin on the opposite side of the lake...creepy cool.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Coffeepot Lake by Jayda R., July 22, 2017
  • My husband flying his RC float plane on coffeepot lake; includes a pano of the campground area.
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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to camp at Coffee Pot Lake?

Summer and early fall are ideal times to camp at Coffee Pot Lake when the weather is pleasant and the lake is at its most inviting. The lake's crystal clear water is particularly beautiful during these seasons. Late summer (July-August) offers warm temperatures perfect for enjoying water activities. Visitors seeking solitude will appreciate that the campground is typically very quiet with few other campers even during peak season. The area also offers spectacular stargazing opportunities with remarkably dark skies, making clear summer nights especially rewarding.

What fishing opportunities are available at Coffee Pot Lake?

Coffee Pot Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities in a tranquil setting. The crystal-clear waters make it a favorite spot for anglers, who often have the lake nearly to themselves. There's a small dock and boat launch available for easy water access. The lake is ideal for small boats or float fishing. While specific fish species aren't detailed, the peaceful environment and beautiful surroundings—including magnificent lake cliffs you can boat up against—enhance the fishing experience. Expect to see abundant wildlife while fishing, including various waterfowl and birds.

What amenities are provided at Coffee Pot Lake Campground?

Coffee Pot Lake Campground offers basic amenities for a rustic camping experience. The campground features five campsites primarily designed for cars and tents, a vault toilet, and a covered picnic area with tables in a common space. For water recreation, there's lake access with a small dock and boat launch. While the sites aren't particularly private or separated from each other, the campground's remote nature means you'll likely have considerable space to yourself. Be aware that larger camping trailers may find the spaces challenging, though smaller trailers can fit. The parking lot has floodlights, which may affect stargazing directly from camp.

Where is Coffee Pot Lake Campground located in Washington?

Coffee Pot Lake Campground is located in eastern Washington, situated in a secluded area that's accessible via roads but far enough from population centers to offer remarkable solitude and some of the darkest night skies in Washington state. The campground sits alongside the picturesque Coffee Pot Lake, known for its crystal clear waters and dramatic cliff formations. It's positioned just off a road, making it relatively easy to find despite its remote feel. For exact directions and coordinates, contact the managing agency as the campground is somewhat off the beaten path.