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Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Crescent Lake Campground

8 Reviews

About

National Forest

Crescent LakeBeautiful twenty-two acre lake located nine miles north of Metaline Falls, WA and just a mile south of the Canadian border adjacent to Highway 31 which is part of the International Selkirk Loop. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April through October 31. This lake receives annual plantings of rainbow trout. A small rustic three site campground lies just above the lake. Amenities include: tables, fire rings, concrete vault toilet and animal proof garbage can. No potable water is available. It is best suited for small RV's or tent camping. Facilities 3 small campsites with picnic tables, and fire pits No drinking water 1 vault toilet Garbage disposal (animal proof)

A Discover Pass or Washington State Fishing License is required for access, and can be acquired through Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website.

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Location

Crescent Lake Campground is located in Washington

Directions

From Metaline Falls WA: Head northeast on Grandview St toward International Selkirk Loop N/Lehigh Ave. Turn right onto WA-31 N/International Selkirk Loop N/Lehigh Ave continue for 11.5 miles. Sharp left onto East Side Rd for 0.3 miles to destination. Google map directions from Metaline Falls WA

Coordinates

48.98777778 N
117.3133333 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

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For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Becky

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 23, 2021

Secluded Yet Just Off the Road

Once you turn west onto the Vista House Road and drive 0.25 mile (passing the lake) you'll find the campground entrance. The 3 sites are in full shade and are NOT on the water. Crescent Lake in the Colville National Forest is tiny and only would take 5 mins or less to paddle to the other side. Douglas S. who wrote a review in July 2019 for this campground gave all the accurate information for this campground in the Colville National Forest. We camped at Boundary Dam for Labor Day weekend so we only hung out here for the day but it was very peaceful and we didn't come across anyone else.

Month of VisitOctober

Douglas S.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2019

My favorite lake in Washington plus free camping.

This is for Crescent Lake in the NE corner of washington, not the one in the olympics(which is also a wonderful campground). This campground consists of 3 sites decked out with picnic tables, a fire pit, tent pad and bear boxes. There is a vault toilet close to all sites and a bear proof trash bin. There is no host, store, water, or other amenities, the perfect rustic getaway! It is run by the US Forest Service and is TOTALLY free!!! No pass or fee needed. It is just up the hill from the pristine small lake on the road to the Vista House. The vista house is a single room with windows overlooking the Pendorile river as it flows through Boundary Dam and into Canada. The Vista House hase mens and womens flush restrooms if you are camping here and need a bit of civilisation! It is 1 mile from a canadian border crossing yet gets very little traffic. The best feature of this campground is the gorgeous turquoise water in Crescent Lake. It is stocked seasonally with brown and rainbow trout. I have seen MANY turtles and frogs on the shores, as well as elk, deer, bald eagles and even a bear! The Boundary Dam is about 20 minutes away and offers free tours plus there are the Gardner Caves close to that, so there are always activities to do. This is a must see treasure of washington and I HIGHLY recommend at least visiting.

Site1

Month of VisitJuly

(11) View All

Andrea R.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2019

The Real Crescent lake

***All reviews below this and above this are for Crescent lake in the Olympic National Park (also beautiful), Not this Crescent lake in the Colville National Forest, which the map indicates.

This Campground is in the thick of the Colville National Forest, on the East side of Washington State. There are only three campsites, best for tents or very small campers, no your 40 foot RV will not fit.....They are not reserveable, fcfs. It is a free campground, 1 mile south of the Canadian border. The road in is narrow and has a bit of down hill slope. Each site is equipped with fire rings, bear boxes and picnic tables. There is one Vault toilet. Bring your own water as there is no access. There is also one bear proof trash can. The campground is up hill from the lake in thick of pines. Just up the road from Crescent lake is the Boundary Dam Vista House. It offers beautiful views of the Boundary Dam, The Canada Border and Beyond, The Pend Oreille River, The Selkirk Mountains, and more! Also close to Metaline Falls, where the 1997 Kevin Costner Film, The Postman, was filmed.

The lake was even clearer than the one on the west side, it is stocked with Rainbow trout, and it's super awesome to see where you are fishing. For being a roadside lake I was quite impressed. There are a very few, SMALL, pull offs on the small dirt road on the lake. At the end is a slightly larger area to turn around in, or park (please leave enough room to let others turn around) There is a rope swing, however, the lake is not deep enough at the moment to be able to swing. People do kayak and canoe. There is no room for your trailer. If it fits in or on your car, feel free to use your boat. Most importantly please, respect this area, it's beauty is unparalleled.

(10) View All

Alison C.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2018

Peaceful spot on beautiful Lake Crescent

We stayed in one of the A-frame chalets on the beautiful Lake Crescent as part of our Olympic National Park trip. They had yard games out on the lawn and comfy chairs to relax in. Our patio overlooked the lake. They also had a restaurant on-site and a little shop with snacks, ice cream, and coffee. The tent and RV campsites were a little close together, but in a beautiful setting. Wish we would have had more than 1 night here. Across on the other side of the lake was the Lake Crescent Lodge. Here you could rent canoes and kayaks. They also had a really nice restaurant and gift shop.

SiteA-frame Chalet

Month of VisitOctober

(13) View All

Tonya T.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 30, 2018

Most peaceful place ever

Campgrounds, hiking trails, waterfalls, lake, cabins historic lodge.. heaven! Nice getaway retreat for couples ❤️

Month of VisitOctober

(17) View All

Heartworn H.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2018

Very Busy Campground

I tried coming here twice and both times it was not only full, but many cars circling through the loops in search of a camp.

I ended up camping a little farther west of Crescent Lake, but came to spend the days here.

It seems like a well-maintained site but just very busy, and loud. I found an area farther away along the lake where I could have some quiet and solitude which was incredibly enjoyable.

The lake is very special, powerful place. I hope people can respect the area, as everywhere I went I found so much trash that I was picking up and packing out.

Hope to return to Crescent Lake soon and enjoy the clean and peaceful waters.

Month of VisitSeptember

(5) View All

chelsea S.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2018

Fairytale

The campground is first come first serve “walk in” sites. No showers, has flush toilets and running water. No electricity at our site, but we had a fairytale view of the forest overlooking the lake.

Jessica C.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 11, 2017

I've never seen water so blue!

This lake is rumored to have healing abilititys. I just love it because it's insanely beautiful!!! The campground is cute but super busy during peak season so try for an off season adventure like we did!

Month of VisitOctober