Fishing, hiking, and wading in a shallow river give Lewis & Clark Trail State Park Campground its main draws, with the water close enough that, as Clare M. puts it, the "river is so close to hop in." The campground sits in forested terrain outside Dayton, Washington, running from April through October and serving as a reliable overnight stop for travelers moving between Missoula and Portland. A loop trail winds through dense vegetation and passes the small river at the back of the park, giving hikers a short but shaded route without leaving the grounds.
The roughly 25 sites are spread across individual spots, two group areas, and two teepees available for rent. Sites are notably private from one another, with tall cottonwood trees providing considerable canopy cover. That shade comes with a caveat: Hayley S. notes "lots of cottonwood trees, so stay away if you have allergies." Sites vary in size, with some offering limited tent space, and the campground as a whole runs small enough that neighbors are within earshot on busy nights.
Bugs are a consistent concern across summer reviews, particularly mosquitoes and stinging insects. Campers report that a campfire helps keep mosquitoes at bay, but heavy-duty repellent is worth packing regardless of the month. The river, while close, requires a short scramble to reach and runs shallow, with a rocky bed. Water shoes with good grip matter here. Cell service is available at the campground, though some visitors choose to ignore it.
Reservations are available and provide some reassurance for those unfamiliar with the area, though first-come, first-served sites have historically been accessible even during peak season. RVs up to 28 feet can use electric and water hookups, and a dump station is on-site. Showers require coin payment, and cleanliness has been inconsistent across visits. Campers exploring camping near Lewis & Clark Trail will find nearby options including Lewis & Clark Tee pee campground and Lewis & Clark Campground a short distance away. This campground suits road-trippers, families with kids who can handle rocky river access, and anyone who wants a forested site with hookup options in southeastern Washington.
Description
Lewis and Clark Trail State Park is a 37-acre camping park with 1,333 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Touchet River. Identify long-needled ponderosa pine, alder, maple and cottonwood trees and do some birdwatching (for common mergansers, red-tailed hawks and orange-crowned warblers, among others).
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLewis & Clark Trail State Park Campground is located in Washington near Waitsburg
Directions
From town: Go 5 mi SW on US-12.
Address
36149 Hwy 12
Dayton, WA 99328
Coordinates
46.28721553 N
118.0719656 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/1/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 user
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/1/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 user
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 27 min from Walla Walla, WA
- 1 hr 1 min from Kennewick, WA
- 1 hr 19 min from Lewiston, ID
- 2 hrs 7 min from Spokane, WA


























