roadtripper410656

Good roads in from Ione side, it's a fair climb so heavy haulers be warned. The roads are good because this is an Air Force SERE training area, thanks road runner crew. The lake is shallow, reasonably large and full of milfoil. There was zero folk on the dock, but honestly I am not sure how to fish in so much vegetation. There is a boat launch, several trail heads and a couple camping loops. I would not attempt this campground with my 272rl. The loops look tight enough to pin us, or at the very least cause some scrapes. One whole loop was empty (the lake views) and another loop had a few folks. Loop is a generous word, the campsites are pretty much on top of each other. This is a middle of nowhere type of campground, I got zero signal on Verizon or ATT, seems other reviewers caught some AT&T but I did not. It's very serene and here is the prize - right before you turn into the campground there is a jewel of a dispersed spot that has a perfect turn around and you could probably fit 3 big rigs in there. There is a window view of the lake and a few short steps to a postcard spot to set your chairs and listen to the wind and stare at the water. Don't tell anyone. Campground, meh. Secret spot, hell yeah.

This is a DNR campground, not BLM. Washington Discover Pass required. I've stayed a couple times since I found the site closed the hard way. They take good care of this small campground, the pit toilets are clean and serviced regularly. A few of the sites would be challenging for a bigger camper, some are fairly easy. However I did accidentally scrape a tree with my awning just driving through, so keep a close eye on the side clearances through a couple tight spots. We have seen eagles, lots of other critters a even a black bear one time. I see they are working on providing water which would be a nice addition, and also a camp host site has been taking shape over a couple years. Like many DNR sites we enjoy, locals seem to move in and stay for a bit. Hunters also take over big parts of the camp in season, run generators and all the usual hunter type activities. Locals also "cruise" the campground in trucks and ATV's looking for what, I don't know but I've never had anything stolen. My favorite Skookum Creek fellow camper story was one perfect Sunday morning I was sitting out enjoying coffee and the glory of this picturesque, quiet spot and another RV started blaring evangelical type propaganda over their speakers. I politely asked them to keep that to themselves and they graciously complied :) The town of Newport is down the river for supplies. You can hear the road, but it's never bothered me.

Remember when you were a kid and your parents dragged you camping ? This park is like what I remember. Kids screaming, dogs barking, packs of people heading to the bathroom and...generators. It's a pretty spot with lots of shade (solar will be a challenge) and old growth forest. Totally dry camp with water available at the dump station, which I took advantage of. We got lucky and snagged the last spot during busy season and it's the ADA one staring directly at the rest room. Close enough to hear the hand dryers lol. We came to escape the heat and smoke of Eastern Washington, so mission accomplished. This is a classic park built before trailers got big, so choose very carefully. The lower loop has the cherished water views, but only a few sites look like they would take a rig like ours. There is the Camas park to explore (only cabins but a old time store) and the whole of Camano (pronounced Cah-Man-oh) area to poke around. Worth a stay if you don't mind what a boondocker might see as a negative and other people just call camping. Free for me, disabled vet.

Like many Oregon State parks, it's like a small very organized camping city. We had to hop spots because our Class A could not make the cut into the spot we had reserved. I want to make a special thank you for the campers that would not help in the slightest by offering to get up out of their chair to move a vehicle. I appreciate the slack jawed yokel look for sure. Regardless the Oregon rangers cheerfully moved us to a site that worked. Easy walk to the beach through a sea of campers and dogs and playgrounds. Some folks like this style, I mean who doesn't like instant eye contact (even through your windows) right ? Right next to Newport for that tourist experience. Writing this review with blazing with Tmobile 5G 350 M down 50 up. Yikes ! Disabled vet rate was $8 for the reservation tax.

Mrs. Iceclimber has issued a "thou shall scout first" rule, and once again she is right, this time for our size camper for sure. This campground is now DNR discover pass. The approach drive is beautiful, you can go along the river or if you come through Colville your GPS might send you through a magical valley of farmland and pleasing vistas. Either way, you will enjoy the ride. once you get through Northport (there is a Grocery called Tony's) and cross the river, you are looking at 5 miles or so of gravel road. The road was in good shape, but it's a steep climb in and out. Lots of fire damage and salvage logging going on, which never gives me a good feeling in fire season. The campground was 100% empty and consists of small sites on the entry side, and across the creek is more and a big group site. The paint is not even dry on this campground, everything looks new. Here is the problem for us, these is maybe one site we could get our rig into. Once you cross the bridge, there is a loop turn around (and a storybook looking forest campsite) but I don't see our 272RL making it through the very tight turnaround because of trees. Lovely stream and campsites, simply not for larger trailers. There is a hand water pump and 1 ADA reserved site. Kudos to DNR for another great effort. Also we scouted up the road and there is a couple boondock looking sites smack on the creek that another reviewer call "upper sheep creek" but didn't see any signs indicating it was anything official. Quite a few private cabins/homes up that way with lots of unfriendly no trespassing signs so there is that.

Hawk Creek enters Lake Roosevelt here, hence a large and loud waterfall that reverberates into your camper. Your GPS might tell you to take a dirt road from Davenport, but you want the Miles Creston road approach from either direction because it's paved and a good road. Also you will pass Porcupine Bay and Fort Spokane, nice campsites as well. These are all NPS sites with varying degrees of bathrooms, power etc. They are open all year round. The campsites at Hawk Creek are very small, in fact my 25 footer barely fit and my vehicle had to go in an empty site. I ran into a Park Service ranger and asked if I needed to pay for the extra, he said no because the campground was not full. (or close to full) However be warned, there is literally no other place to park your car except down by the boat launch. I saw a smaller tow rig combo fit into a site, but there are maybe a couple sites like that. Class C's might be ok. Besides the waterfall, the lake will come right to the edge of the campground, when the lake is filled for summer. No reservations, first come...and I'm sure this place gets slammed in the summer. Although the campground was nearly empty, of course another trailer set up as close as possible and they ran their generator literally every minute of the day, even when they were not at the site ! SERIOUSLY PEOPLE. We bailed after a day thanks to this rather nice spot ruined by people that can't seem to live without electricity or whatever.

No cell service.

Working off Verizon hotspot to post this. Really a nice old growth campground. Seems that many reserved spots were taken, and the walk ins were basically wide open so had my pick. Other folks mentioned the trees and if you have double slides like me, might need to choose carefully. We are boondockers by preference and may not like this place when it gets busy, but off season it was nice and quiet. Showers were hot and free this time of year, and the bathroom was spotless for a campground. Noted a couple sketchy RV's that don't look like they move, seems to be the norm these days. There is a live in caretaker, and I met the Ranger when I paid. She was cheerful and speedy, but note they only open the office a couple hours a day this time of year. There was a phone that you can pay through 24 hrs or a self registration box.
Power and water included and there is a dump station, and even water available during the winter to fill your tank. What more does a camper need ? There is some road noise but it didn't bother me.

Season opener at Potholes, they stay open year around so if the roads are clear this makes a nice winter getaway with power and sewer. I paid $0 thanks to WA state parks disabled veteran pass. Seems a Discover Pass is needed for entrance and day use. The drinking water is reporting high for Nitrates (11.1 and the acceptable limit is 10) so we hauled our own. I read that they are thinking about drilling a new well, but anyway. There is corral loop parking style for RV's with 50 amp/full hookups. The layout and quality of the sites is 10 out of 10. We had a loop all to ourselves this time of year and it was simply lovely, a sunset for pictures, and music provided by coyotes. We hauled our own wood, not sure if they sell it. The grounds are pristine, seems to be well treed for shade. The other loops closer to the water are boondock only, and most look to be on the smaller side...a few spots actually back up to the water for a premier view. Very nice playgrounds for the kiddos, boat launches etc. I'm sure this place gets really busy in the summer, and hot. New experience for us - State Park wifi ! Very much appreciated for those of us that work remote.

Seasonal disclaimer we are heading south and it's late October. Two loops open one with power and water on, also showers that are free and quite clean. Some sites seem to have sewer. We snagged a pull through but they are rather tight for my Class A plus full sized Ram toad. I left the toad hooked up but I don't think I am getting out of the site with it attached. Regardless the park is spotless and the usual Oregon quality. The non power side looks very popular maybe it's cheaper I dunno but I think the non resident fee is $32. I am very fortunate to enjoy this place for free, thanks Oregon for taking care of the Vets. It's so nice here, I might spend an extra day. I am sure in summer this place is very busy with a boat launch. There is a train across the river, I can't hear it but it I see other people did.

I agree with other reviews this is probably the nicest RV park I have ever experienced. This a condo style meaning owners buy the lot and then pay a steep HOA for the beautiful grounds and golf course that winds through the park. You can rent a space direct from owners or through the park itself but buyer beware there is a $20 a day resort fee and depending on the length of stay you may have to pay your electric as well. If you want internet at the site, you pay. Although they don't want rigs older than 15 years there are many owners that have equipment that is way older but all kept up nicely. Another thing to watch out for if you rent, ask if the owner is storing their stuff on the lot. Our lot was so full the patio area was basically useless which was very disappointing and I would have objected if staying longer. There are no park models here and I swear it is so quiet people must be whispering when they talk. There is distant traffic noise but not a factor in enjoying this magnificent facility. After staying recently in another park that was full of noisy (and nosy) people and side by sides this is heavenly.