The best camping in Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, WA

Eastern Washington’s Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area protects the 125-square-mile Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake and some of the land surrounding it, serving as an outdoor recreation spot and attracting campers, boaters, anglers, and hikers. While it's primarily a summer destination, plenty of Washingtonians descend on the area in the wintertime to snowshoe, cross-country ski, and play in the snow. None of the public Lake Roosevelt campgrounds have hookups, but independently owned RV parks and Hipcamps are in the area.

• Great for boat-in camping: Detillion Campground is the largest boat-in campground with its own dock, 12 campsites, and vault toilets.
• Great for families: Lakefront Kettle Falls Campground offers RV and tent camping with easy access to the town of Kettle Falls.
• Great for winter camping: Fort Spokane Campground offers year-round vault toilets and an entire loop of campsites that stay open in winter.

1. Camping fees are half off from October through April, but winter options are limited.
2. All camping is by advance reservation only. Campsites open up for reservations at 7 am Pacific time, six months in advance.
3. You can make reservations by calling the US Forest Service or using their online reservation system.
4. Keller Ferry Campground is bookable through a third-party concessions provider.
5. Boaters may camp along the shoreline but cannot camp within half a mile of any developed areas, such as campgrounds, boat launches, or parking lots, without first obtaining a boat moorage agreement.

Lake Roosevelt is a year-round destination, and while most come here during the warm summer months to take advantage of hiking, camping, and water recreation opportunities, there's plenty to do during the snowy winter months, too, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. If you want to go camping, July and August combine limited rainfall with warm weather, with highs in the mid-80s, and temperatures don’t start to drop drastically until the later part of September.

• You can get gas, groceries, and other supplies in the nearby town of Coulee Dam.
• Most toilets in the park are ADA accessible, and some campgrounds offer ADA sites.
• Be prepared for rain and cold weather, no matter the season, as temperatures can drop considerably after dark. It's wise to download offline maps before you head out, as cell coverage can be spotty away from developed towns.
• Check ahead for road closures, particularly if visiting during the snowy winter season.