By Michael Baker
The Best Tent Camping Spots in Northeastern Washington
Tent campers in northeastern Washington will encounter more rugged terrain than in the coastal areas of western Washington. They have, however, a variety of choices that can suit a skilled outdoors person who seeks seclusion from civilization or a family seeking its first night's sleep in a tent. Whatever the choice, book as far in advance as possible, as campsites are limited and can fill up quickly, especially during the summer.
Mount Spokane State Park
The 13,919-acre Mount Spokane State Park, located northeast of Spokane in the Selkirk Mountains, boasts about 100 miles of hiking trails. Campers can hike to the top of Mount Spokane's 5,883-foot elevation to catch a vista of Idaho, Montana and Canada. An annual 300 inches of snow in the winter transforms those trails into cross-country skiing trails. The park offers both standard and utility campsites for a $15 and $21 fee, respectively. Campers are limited to a 10-day stay in the summer but can stay up to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31. The park limits campers to eight people per campsite but also offers a group site that can host up to 100 people. For information, call (509) 238-4258.
Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge
Few spots in Washington offer the opportunity for quiet seclusion and wildlife communion like the 40,198-acre Little Pend Oreille (pronounced "pond o-ray") National Wildlife Refuge, located near Colville and about a day's drive from Seattle. It is the only mountainous, mixed-conifer preserve in the contiguous United States. Campsites are sparse, with no potable water and only metal fire rings as an amenity, but they allow campers the chance to see such wildlife as bald eagles, great horned owls, black bears, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer and painted turtles. The site has seasonal hunting and fishing opportunities, too. The park limits campers to seven-day stays from April 14 through Sept. 30. Campers can stay for two weeks the rest of the year. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Riverside State Park
Riverside State Park, immediately northwest of Spokane, suits campers who want the tent-camping experience but do not want to be too isolated from a few modern conveniences. The 10,000-acre park houses two campsites where tent sites are available for a $19 fee, plus an additional $2 per night charge. The park limits stays to 10 days from April 1 through Sept. 30 and 20 days for the rest of the year. Campers will have nearby opportunities for horseback riding, kayaking, birdwatching, cycling and golf. For information, call (888) 226-7688.
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, a national park located near the Columbia River's Grand Coulee Dam, houses 27 public campgrounds with a fire ring, picnic table and paved parking area. The adjacent lake makes the camp ideal for campers who also are boating enthusiasts, and Lake Roosevelt is one of the few federal parks that allows seasonal hunting. The campsites cost $10 per night from May 1 through Sept. 30 and $5 per night for the rest of the year. Both individual and group campsites are available. The park limits visitors to 14 consecutive days per campground and to 30 days within the area for a calendar year. For information, call (877) 444-6777.
Resources
About the Author:
Michael Baker has worked as a full-time journalist since 2002 and currently serves as editor for several travel-industry trade publications in New York. He previously was a business reporter for "The Press of Atlantic City" in New Jersey and "The [Brazoria County] Facts" in Freeport, Texas. Baker holds a Master of Science in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.
Photo Credits:
Public Domain Image, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mount_Spokane.jpg
