Curlew Lake State Park Campground, near Republic, Washington, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a beautiful lake view. The campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, complete with amenities like electric hookups and picnic tables, making it a comfortable place to set up camp.

Visitors rave about the stunning scenery, especially the sunsets and the chance to see wildlife like ospreys and various birds. The swimming area can get busy, especially during hot days, but there are plenty of spots around the lake for a refreshing dip. One camper noted, “Great site for sunsets and campfires,” highlighting the picturesque setting.

For those who like to explore, the surrounding area is ripe for adventure. There are hiking trails nearby, and the local town of Republic offers grocery stores and restaurants for your convenience. While some campers mentioned that the sites are a bit close together, the friendly vibe and natural beauty make it a worthwhile destination for families and friends alike. Whether you're fishing, swimming, or just soaking in the views, Curlew Lake State Park Campground has plenty to offer.

Curlew Lake State Park Campground

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Malo, WA has a lot to offer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Malo campgrounds just for you. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

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The Best Camping Near Malo, Washington

There is the state park and 3 other resorts on the lake. All have full hook ups. 

Nice grassy areas and hookups available - lake has excellent bass fishing and bird watching. 

Nice, well kept state park on the southeast shore of the lake. Garbages emptied and bathrooms cleaned regularly. The designated swimming area had a lot of geese poo so we opted to find other areas to swim. Zero reliable cell service in the park. Had to drive back towards Republic to make a call. 

Green Grass Camping

Based on visit in August of 2019. The lake had a pretty significant bloom of algae and a lot of mill weed at this time, but it was still a great visit.

The lake and surrounding area is gorgeous. If coming from the West I recommend taking Hwy 2 across the Cascades then take Hwy 21 north across the Columbia (via the free Keller Ferry) and all the way to the Lake. The whole stretch of Hwy 21 between the border and Columbia is one of the best in the PNW. Take Hwy 20 back from Republic for more splendor.

Decent-sized IGA for groceries, convenience stores, and a few restaurants in Republic nearby

This is a big campground on a big lake, but the three loops help to create three different experiences. We camped in #79, one of seven tent sites on the somewhat isolated lower loop. All of the sites on the lakeside of this loop are pretty large and nice. Save for a few trees there isn't a lot separating each site and all are visible from the lake, so not exactly private either. South of the park are cabins across the bay that you can see and hear. During the day there is a lot of activity on the water, including speedboats blasting Nickelback (it is close to Canada).

Over a little hill from the lower loop is swimming beach and day-use area. This area was pretty busy with locals as the temperatures hit 100 during our visit. The bathroom has pay showers, outlets, and was recently renovated. Plan your showers for the morning or evening.

The middle loop is on top of hill that has a wooded slope on the lakeside. There are two distinct areas here, one is literally a loop of sites on grass in classic WA State Parks fashion. The other section is series of 10 or so sites on the hillside and in the woods that you have to park and walk into. The sites were all different sizes and distances from each other. More privacy here, but there is a trail just above the shore that runs by many of them, so keep your shorts on.

The upper loop is the largest and has mix of RV and drive-up sites in a little valley ringed by walk-in sites on top of the hill. Note that from the sites in the valley you can't really see the lake but there are scattered trees to provide some shade. Not my cup of tea, but there is another shower area and a little store operated by the hosts that had ice, wood, and some frozen treats.

  

Back to our experience: the lower loop is on edge of a small bay and natural marshland. We had a clear view of an Osprey nest (see pictures) that the hillside trails goes right by.

In addition to the Ospreys we saw many birds drawn to the marsh and trees, several kinds of fish, turtles, and nutria in the water. In addition to a few red squirrels we also were visited by a tiny skunk who sauntered up through the reeds on the hillside to lick the griddle I left on the ground by our table (always clean up, folks). It left without incident, but I was glad we didn't have out dog with us or else things could have ended quickly.

  

In the area are hikes in the Kettle River Range, the Ferry County Rail Trail (which I want to check out next time), and numerous back roads to explore. Because of the heat we did some trips in the van up to the border, Ranald MacDonald State Park (smallest in the state), Swan Lake, the city of Curlew, and of course the ice cream serving establishments of Republic.

  

I wish the lake would have been more pleasant to be in, that's the only reason for the 4 star review. I'm not sure if it is like that every year, so I would contact the park office or check on social media to see.

Pines, Ospreys, Rocky Cliffs, and Sunsets

This was a great campsite, the area was so pretty and we had a great view of the lake! The campsites are pretty close together though, so there isn't much privacy. Also, the trail was pretty overgrown, and not the easiest to navigate at times. 

Photos of Curlew Lake State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers