Colonial Creek Campground is located in a breathtaking old-growth forest on the shoreline of Diablo Lake, right on State Route 20 (the North Cascades Highway) in North Cascades National Park.
Colonial Creek Campground - North Cascades National Park
Campers will love the easy access to many of the park's highlights. Nearby attractions include the North Cascades Visitor Center and epic hiking trails like Thunder Creek Trail, Cascade Pass, and Thunder Knob Trail, which is a 3.6-mile trail with epic views and crosses several forest types in the area!
The campground is located on the shores of Diablo Lake. If you have the chance, go canoeing or kayaking! Its water is a bit, okay, way too cold for me to go swimming, but the glacial runoff makes for an unforgettable trip as you paddle on this turquoise lake! The Ross Lake Overlook is also a must as both lakes are absolutely breathtaking and will be, without a doubt, a place you will show photos of to all of your friends.
Colonial Creek is broken down into two sections: the Colonial Creek North Campground and the Colonial Creek South Campground.
Colonial Creek North Campground has 41 campsites, and the Colonial Creek South Campground has 96 campsites, 19 of which are tent-only, 19 of which are walk-in tent camping sites, and 1 group site.
Here, you will also locate the trailer dump, boat launch, fishing pier, fish cleaning station, amphitheater, and parking for two hiking trails: Thunder Creek Trail and Thunder Woods Nature Trail.
- Make sure to check the National Park Service Website for any alerts of wildfires, road closures, and if any campfire bans are in effect before making reservations and before you visit North Cascades National Park. This park has a high-elevation mountain pass, snowy winter conditions in the winter and the potential for extreme wildfires in the summer.
North Cascades National Park Entrance Fee
North Cascades does not require an entrance fee and is a fee-free park. Camping fees still apply.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Colonial Creek Campground Map
Colonial Creek Campground Camping Fees
Campsite Cost:
Nightly Fee - $24/night for reservations
Senior/Access Camping Fee: $ 12
Colonial Creek Campground Reservations
Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes
Phone Number? 1-877-444-6777
Online Reservations: Recreation.gov
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? You can make reservations up to six months in advance
Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis when the campsite placard reads "OPEN". A First-come, first-served group must leave a site when a reservation is scheduled to arrive.
For First-come, first-served sites first select a site and leave something to show occupancy. Then return to register. Go back and clip the registration tag on the post in the campsite and set up camp.
Campground Information
Season:
Colonial Creek North Campground is open seasonally, usually late May to Mid-September.
Colonial Creek South Campground is open seasonally with reservations, usually from mid-May to mid-September. Campsites 64-73 are also open in the winter, but there is no water or garbage service, and only vault toilets are available. Snow can also be present.
Number of Sites: South Loop - 96 sites, North Loop - 41 sites
Campground Address:
Colonial Creek Campground
C/O North Cascades National Park Complex
Milepost 130 SR 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA. 98284
Location in the park: Located off of SR 20 at milepost 130. 25 miles (40 km) east of the town of Marblemount and 63 miles (101 km) west of the town of Winthrop.
Colonial Creek Campground Amenities
Bathrooms Available: there are flush toilets and vault toilets available seasonally.
Hot Showers: No
Laundry: No
Is there WIFI available? No
Is there Cellular Phone Service Available? No
Is a camp host available on-site? Yes, seasonally
Is firewood available for purchase? No, firewood is available outside of the park.
Is there a food storage locker/bear box in the site/area? Yes
Amenities at each campsite:
Is a fire pit/ Fire ring available on the site? Yes, but make sure to check if campfires are allowed, as the fire danger in the summer can create a fire ban in this area.
Is there a picnic table in the site? Yes
Potable Water/ Drinking Water? Yes, seasonally
Don't forget to pack
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!
Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!
Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.
RV Camping at Colonial Creek Campground
RV Length: 25 feet, This campground is not large RV-friendly. Large RVs can better be accommodated in Newhalem Creek Campground sites.
Generators: 8 am to 8 pm
Dump Station: No
Hookups: No
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
How to get to Campground
Located off of SR 20 at milepost 130. 25 miles (40 km) east of Marblemount, 63 miles (101 km) west of Winthrop.
Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people at a campsite: 8
The number of cars per campsite: 2
Checkout time: 12 p.m.
Quiet Hours: 10 p.m.- 6 a.m.
Generator Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Pets Allowed:
Pets must be on a maximum 6-foot leash in the campground.
Pick up waste after your pet and put it in a receptacle.
Do not leave pets unattended.
Pets are not allowed on trails in North Cascades National Park.
Pets are allowed on trails Pets are allowed on trails in Ross Lake National Recreation Area and the PCT.
Don't forget to Pack
Lodging Options
Lodging options outside the park from both the West and East sides of the park
From the West end of park in Concrete, WA.
Mt. Baker Hotel—This is a 2.5-star, 8-room hotel with Air Conditioning, free parking, and free Wi-Fi. There is no elevator, some rooms are upstairs, and no pets are allowed.
On the east side of the Park is Winthrop, Wa.
Most people who drive through Winthrop end up stopping and spending some time here! Yes, this is a tourist town, and it has an undeniable appeal, with an old West feel and wooden walkways between buildings.
I personally really like Winthrop, especially the Old Schoolhouse Brewery. It has good food and pretty good beverages too! As far as Lodging goes, there are several options.
Sun Mountain Lodge is a popular hotel in the Winthrop area. It has a 4.5/5 star rating and breathtaking views of the North Cascades and the Methow Valley. The hotel includes free parking, free internet, a pool and fitness center, bicycle rentals, and more!
Additional information on North Cascades National Park
Complete Guide to North Cascades National Park - Your complete guide to planning your trip to North Cascades.
Where to go car camping in North Cascades National Park—This is your complete camping guide for North Cascades National Park, including reservation information and more!
Gorge Lake Campground - This is your complete campground guide, including photos of the campground, site amenities, reservation information, and more!
Newhalem Creek Campground - This is your complete campground guide, including photos of the campground, site amenities, reservation information, and more!
Goodell Creek Campground - This is your complete campground guide, including photos of the campground, site amenities, reservation information, and more!
National Park Sites near North Cascades National Park
San Juan Island National Historical Site
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Check out all of the National Parks in Washington along with neighboring National Parks in Idaho, National Parks in Oregon, Hawaii National Parks, and Alaska National Parks
Additional Photos of Campground
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