How much does camping cost at Lake Ellen East Campground?

Camping fees at Lake Ellen East Campground range from $6/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Lake Ellen East Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Lake Ellen East Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. All sites are pack-in/pack-out and lack formal reservation systems, as inferred from authoritative sources.

Can I see photos of campsites at Lake Ellen East Campground before I book?

Yes! Lake Ellen East Campground has 15 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Lake Ellen East Campground?

Lake Ellen East Campground is open Memorial Day Weekend through September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Lake Ellen East Campground?

Lake Ellen East Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Lake Ellen East Campground?

Fire policies at Lake Ellen East Campground: Campfires are allowed only in developed fire rings. Fireworks are prohibited.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Lake Ellen East Campground have?

Lake Ellen East Campground has 15 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Lake Ellen East Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Ellen East Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Lake Ellen East Campground?

Lake Ellen East Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Lake Ellen East Campground?

Popular activities at Lake Ellen East Campground include Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Lake Ellen East Campground

4.11

18 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Fishing Camping Washington

Quick Facts

2,277 ft

Price

$6/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Memorial Day Weekend...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,277 ft

Price

$6/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Memorial Day Weekend...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Lake Ellen East Campground

$6.00 - $6.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fee is $6 per single site. Additional vehicle fee is $2 per night.

Standard Site Fee$6.00

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USFS

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Lake Ellen East Campground

48.5022, -118.2461

Nearby places

Kettle Falls, WA: approximately 15 miles (estimated driving time approx. 24 minutes).

Nearby supplies

Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel are likely available in Kettle Falls, WA. No specific details or distances provided beyond the 15-mile proximity.

Driving directionsFrom Kettle Falls, WA: Head west on US-395 N/WA-20 W for 3.7 miles. Turn left onto WA-20 W continue for 4.1 miles. Turn left onto the Inchelium Kettle Falls Rd continue for 4.5 miles. Turn right onto Lake Ellen Rd continue for 3.6 miles. Turn right to stay on Lake Ellen Rd continue for 1.3 miles. Campground entrance will be on the right.

Access through the campground is via a one-way, single-lane gravel road loop. The road provides basic accessibility, but no mention of seasonal closures or other significant terrain challenges are evident in the authoritative sources.

Weather at Lake Ellen East Campground

Best Time to Camp at Lake Ellen East Campground

Summer delivers the warmest conditions and the full range of activities. Daytime highs run 70 to 85°F. Nights drop to the mid-40s or mid-50s. The lake warms enough for swimming by mid-summer, though reviewers note it stays shallow. Weekdays are moderately busy. Expect more people Memorial Day Weekend and mid-July through August. Fall brings crisp mornings and good hiking weather before snow closes access for winter.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Deciduous trees turn gold; quieter off-peak visits and good wildlife viewing.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Memorial Day Weekend through September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Memorial Day Weekend - September 30

About Lake Ellen East Campground

Lake Ellen East Campground sits on the eastern shore of a 75.5-acre lake in Colville National Forest, about 15 miles from Kettle Falls. The 15 primitive sites are well-separated by vegetation and run $6 per night. It's a quiet spot for fishing, wildlife viewing, and paddling, with vault toilets but no potable water.

Lake Ellen East Campground caters to tent and primitive camping. The sites are small and scattered between the north and south ends of the lake. Tent camping is the primary option available.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the warmest conditions and the full range of activities. Daytime highs run 70 to 85°F. Nights drop to the mid-40s or mid-50s. The lake warms enough for swimming by mid-summer, though reviewers note it stays shallow. Weekdays are moderately busy. Expect more people Memorial Day Weekend and mid-July through August. Fall brings crisp mornings and good hiking weather before snow closes access for winter.

Natural Features and SceneryThe lake sits at 2,277 feet in a natural basin where northern conifers mix with deciduous trees that turn gold in fall. The 75.5-acre lake has shallow coves good for kayaking and deeper channels that hold rainbow trout. Bald eagles hunt from the trees. Ospreys dive for fish. You'll see beavers working the banks at dusk. The forest reflects in the water on calm mornings. Summer brings wildflowers. Winter brings ice and snow.

Geological RegionSet within the vast expanse of Colville National Forest, Lake Ellen East occupies a unique ecological crossroads where boreal wilderness meets temperate forest splendor. This 75.5-acre jewel was carved by ancient geological forces, creating a natural basin that now cradles one of the region's most biodiverse aquatic ecosystems. The surrounding landscape tells the story of millennia through its varied forest composition - from hardy conifers adapted to northern climates to deciduous species that paint the hillsides gold each autumn. This convergence of ecological systems creates an unusually rich habitat that supports everything from microscopic lake organisms to the magnificent bald eagles that rule the skies above.

Scenic ViewsViews primarily include the serene Lake Ellen and the surrounding natural scenery, which features diverse vegetation and forest landscapes. 'Amateur photographers also enjoy the area for its picturesque opportunities.'

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotel-style lodges or formal accommodations at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 p.m.

Check-out

12:00 p.m.

Stay Limit

Maximum length of stay is 14 days.

Groups

No group site details are provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe 15 sites loop along a one-way gravel road. They're small and shaded, with good separation between them. Vegetation provides privacy.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are pack-in/pack-out and lack formal reservation systems, as inferred from authoritative sources.

AccessibilityAccessibility details are not provided.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as small, shaded, and well-separated by vegetation for privacy.

PrivacyCampsites offer good privacy due to vegetation between sites.

Total Campsites15 campsites

Recommended SitesSites on the south end of the lake are described as small and covered with shade, offering 'plenty of privacy between sites.' Reviewers suggest portable motion sensor lights to mitigate nighttime wildlife disturbances.

Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Lake Ellen East Campground provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. The lake is a short walk from the campsites and features good fishing for rainbow trout and sunfish. Wildlife such as bald eagles, osprey, and beavers can often be spotted. The area is also popular among amateur photographers for its scenic beauty. Some campers enjoyed the 'huge star-filled sky at night.'

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsOne user review mentioned the potential presence of rattlesnakes near rocky areas. 'There is a chance you may find a rattlesnake up in the rocks.' Nighttime wildlife activity can also include animals snorting and stomping near campsites.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed only in developed fire rings. Fireworks are prohibited.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Trash & RecyclingVisitors must pack out all trash and waste as there are no detailed facilities for trash or recycling.

Water FeaturesLocated adjacent to a 75.5-acre lake. 'Access to the lake for fishing and swimming is a short walk.' The lake supports fishing and kayaking but is described as shallow for swimming.

Camp HostOne review positively mentions the campground host: 'Camp host so friendly and helpful... beautifully kept campground.' Details about availability and contact information are not provided.

Cell CoverageNo details about cell phone service availability or provider coverage are mentioned.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.1

18 reviews

Satisfactory

Lake Ellen East Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's seclusion, scenic beauty, and opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. It is considered peaceful, especially during less busy times. However, some users mentioned encountering wildlife at night and recommended bringing precautions such as motion sensor lights.

Review Summaries

Based on 18 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users praised the campground for its quiet and secluded atmosphere. The campsites were described as private and well-shaded. Other highlights include good fishing opportunities, a star-filled...

Based on 18 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of potable water, the need for campers to pack out their trash, and some campsites being primitive. Wildlife activity at night, such as critters investigating...

Based on 18 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One user noted the division of campsites with '10 on the north end of the lake, and 5 on the south end.' The north-end sites were described as more primitive.

Based on 18 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing potable water and supplies due to the lack of water on-site. Portable motion sensor lights are suggested to deter nocturnal wildlife. Some reviewers advised being cautious...

Based on 18 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate that the campground is less crowded during off-peak times, such as weekdays or non-holiday weekends. Summer months are popular for fishing and wildlife viewing.

Based on 18 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Had the whole place to ourselves... It was very peaceful.' (June 2018) 2. 'A nice place to kayak or launch a small fishing boat. Locals told me the fish in it were Sunfish and Trout.' (June...

Based on 18 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews address accessibility.

Based on 18 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

There are no specific pet-related reviews, but the campground requires pets to be leashed.

Based on 18 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Kayakers and trout anglers get the most out of this place. The primitive boat launch works for canoes and kayaks, rainbow trout and sunfish are in the lake, and at $6 a night the 15 well-shaded sites rarely feel crowded on weekdays. Star-gazing is genuinely good.

Skip if

No potable water is a hard stop for campers who didn't plan around it. The south-end five sites are more primitive than the north ten, the lake stays shallow for swimming, and nighttime wildlife nosing through camp will wake light sleepers.

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Campgrounds

Colville National Forest

Lake Ellen East Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Lake Ellen East Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>Lake Ellen East Campground is one of two campgrounds located on each end of the 75.5 acre Lake. Access through the campground is a one way, single lane gravel road loop. Campsites have good separation with lots of vegetation for privacy. Access to the lake for fishing and swimming is a short walk. Wildlife viewing is abundant with bald eagles, osprey, loons, beaver and more.  This is a popular lake for families with small children because of the large availability for fishing off the bank. Fishing for rainbow trout is good. Many amateur photographers also enjoy the area for its picturesque opportunities.</p>

Open Season: Memorial Day Weekend – September 30