Free camping around Spokane, WA???

Hello,
The titles says it all. A group of six is coming from Missoula to check out this Deep Creek. Is there any free camping in the vicinity?

Thanks in advance,
Josh

Hi Josh,

First, hope the road trip goes well and the climbing at Deep Creek is even better. The answer to your question is a qualified "no." If you want to camp free anywhere in the vicinity of Deep Creek for free you will be either doing so illegally or trespassing on private land, or both. But near Deep Creek is the "Bowl & Pitcher" Campground at Riverside State Park (the Park has its own website). Normally reservations are needed, but now, several weeks after Labor Day you can just show up and are highly (not guaranteed) likely to get a camping spot. I think it is around $20.00 per night, but split six ways that is not bad, and you get a reasonably decent site with good toilet and water for the money, plus it is secure. From the campground tt is only a few minutes drive to any of the trailheads into Deep Creek (at least three seperate ones that I know of). If that is too expensive, there are various dirt roads in and around the park where you can take your chances with a bivy. But having lived in and around Spokane all my adult life I would try the above campground if at all possible. The campground is minutes from downtown and the northside of town, which means easy access to nice places to eat and other amenities.

Cheers,

Bob Loomis, Spokane, Washington

Josh- Did you make it out to Deep Creek yet? If you guys still need a place to stay I'd be happy to put you up at my place. I have a few extra rooms and plenty of tent space in the yard. Travelling climbers are always welcome.

Hey thanks for the replies! A local climber, Chris, actually let us stay at his house. The Spokane climbing community is great! Fun stuff at Deep Creek as well!

Thanks for the suggestion and offer