U.S. Forest Service · Colville National Forest · Metaline Falls, WA

East Sullivan

East Sullivan Campground is located at the north end of Sullivan Lake about five miles east of Metaline Falls, Washington. The campground provides a unique environment where campers can enjoy many recreational opportunities.

More like this: reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington · group sites in Washington

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Floating on Sullivan Lake at East Sullivan CampgroundEAST SULLIVANEast Sullivan CampgroundHiking at East Sullivan. A women looks out over Sullivan Lake
Photos courtesy of Ryry Bishop, Scenic Canyons Recreational Services, Inc, Aaron Schmidt · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups38
Walk-in7
Group sites1
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

46 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfacePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
017CEDARStandardPull-through45Gravel8 / 1YesYes
018CEDARStandardBack-in45Gravel8 / 1YesYes
019CEDARStandardBack-in40Gravel8 / 1YesYes
020CEDARStandardPull-through45Gravel16 / 2YesYes
021CEDARStandardBack-in40Gravel8 / 1YesYes
022CEDARStandardBack-in30Gravel8 / 1YesYes
023CEDARStandardPull-through45Gravel16 / 2YesYes
024CEDARStandardBack-in25Gravel8 / 1YesYes
025CEDARStandardBack-in45Gravel16 / 2YesYes
026CEDARStandardBack-in30Gravel8 / 1YesYes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length55 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySites 017, 018, 019, 020 and 34 more are listed accessible

Campsites do not have a view of the lake, but they are all a short walk away. Along the lake is a day-use area, walking trail, boat ramp, picnic tables and swimming area. The group campground is located near the boat ramp and can accommodate up to 40 people. A small airstrip adjacent to the campground is used by some campers who fly in with their small aircraft, or via a chartered plane.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
SeasonMay 17 to September 30
ForestColville National Forest
BookingSingle sites, double sites, and 1 group site are available for reservation at Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777
FeesCamping: $29/single site. Camping: $58/double site. Group Camping: $110/group site (Reservation only). Extra vehicle: none. Day use: $10. Season Pass for Colville Only: $52. Season Pass for Colville and Idaho Panhandle: $52
RulesWashington state fishing license required. Quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Campfire in developed fire ring only. Fireworks are prohibited. Pets must be on leash. OHV use prohibited in the campground. Maximum length of stay: 14 days. Food and wildlife attractants must be properly stored at all times

Colville National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near East Sullivan20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 3.10 inches of precipitation, 18.5 inches of snowFebruary: 1.98 inches of precipitation, 7.7 inches of snowMarch: 2.35 inches of precipitation, 3.4 inches of snowApril: 2.21 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowMay: 2.60 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 3.18 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 1.42 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.81 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 1.32 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 2.40 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowNovember: 3.23 inches of precipitation, 6.8 inches of snowDecember: 3.60 inches of precipitation, 18.2 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 26.7°F averageFebruary: 29.9°F averageMarch: 37.1°F averageApril: 45.3°F averageMay: 54.0°F averageJune: 60.1°F averageJuly: 67.8°F averageAugust: 67.2°F averageSeptember: 57.8°F averageOctober: 45.2°F averageNovember: 34.2°F averageDecember: 26.8°F average0 in5 in10 in15 in20 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Boundary Dam, 10 miles from the campground at 1,837 feet, station USC00450844 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 28 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 55 inches a year on the same inches scale. The shaded span is the published season, May 17 to September 30.

Getting there

Campground is located 95 miles north of Spokane, Washington. From the junction of State Highway 20, follow State Highway 31 three miles north to the junction of the Sullivan Lake Road (County Road 9345). Follow the Sullivan Lake Road for 12.5 miles to the junction of Forest Road 2200 (Sullivan Creek).

Nearest townMetaline Falls, Washington
Coordinates48.8614° N, 117.2828° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Sl Rx - Ione

    12 mi from the campground

  • Wildfire
    Parker Lake

    30 mi from the campground · 1,531 acres · 1% contained

  • Wildfire
    Upper Smith

    31 mi from the campground · 4,848 acres · 41% contained

  • Prescribed
    Lpr Rx - Paulke

    32 mi from the campground · 331 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗26.7 mi
Outdoor gearAnacortes Telescope & Wild Bird ↗36 mi
RV sales & serviceKootenay RV ↗38.8 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

campground review video of Koa Stanton exit Sullivan, MO

  • 0.6 mi
    Red Bluff ↗
    5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
  • 0.6 mi
    Sullivan Creek
    2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.7 mi
    Elk Creek
    2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.7 mi
    South Mill Pond
    0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 1 mi
    Mill Pond Flume
    0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 1.5 mi
    Sullivan Lake ↗
    4.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Salmo-Priest Wilderness.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Sullivan Lake covers 1291 acres and has a depth of 320 feet. Hall Mountain rises abruptly from the eastern shore of the lake to a height of over 6000 feet. The densely wooded nature of the campground provides privacy at each campsite, and plenty of shade for warm summer days. Wildlife such as elk, moose, white-tailed deer, and black bears can be spotted in the area. In the fall, the surrounding forests are ablaze with the yellow foliage of western larch and aspen.

Recreation

The Sullivan Lake Basin provides campers with opportunities for swimming, biking, fishing, boating and hiking. Canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and power boating are among the water sports popular on the lake. Campers can walk directly from their campsite to a short nature trail, as well as the Lakeshore Trail, a National Scenic Trail that runs along the eastern shore of the lake. This 4.2 mile trail offers viewpoint of the lake and is a popular day-hike for all ages. Biking along local trails and roads is also popular. Common fish species include burbot and Kokanee salmon. Fishing in this deep mountain lake is most successful from a boat.

Nearby

The trail to the top of nearby Hall Mountain offers great views of the lake basin and surrounding mountains. Wildflowers canb abundant on this popular trail. A 20 mile drive will take you to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness area, which offers excellent hikes and rugged mountain scenery. Sullivan Lake is about four miles southeast of Metaline Falls, a quaint town with historic buildings. Crawford State Park is located on the west side of the Pend Oreille River near the U.S.- Canada border. In the summer, a park ranger conducts under-ground tours of Gardiner Cave, the main attraction at this park. Seattle City Light offers tours of their Boundary Hydroelectric Project, on the main-stem Pend Oreille River one mile from the international border.

Guidebooks for Washington

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Washington
    Ellie Kozlowski, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Washington camping
    Tom Stienstra, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Hiking Waterfalls in Washington
    Sawyer Scheer, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at East Sullivan?

Sites at East Sullivan are reservable on Recreation.gov. Single sites, double sites, and 1 group site are available for reservation at Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at East Sullivan?

Camping: $29/single site. Camping: $58/double site. Group Camping: $110/group site (Reservation only).

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at East Sullivan?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is East Sullivan open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 17 to September 30.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does East Sullivan have?

46 sites, including 38 standard sites without power, 7 walk-in sites, and 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at East Sullivan?

The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at East Sullivan?

Yes, pets are allowed at East Sullivan. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at East Sullivan?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Washington state fishing license required.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at East Sullivan?

Sites 017, 018, 019, and 020 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 38 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at East Sullivan?

FCC coverage maps show T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at East Sullivan?

The Sullivan Lake Basin provides campers with opportunities for swimming, biking, fishing, boating and hiking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to East Sullivan?

Metaline Falls, Washington. The trail to the top of nearby Hall Mountain offers great views of the lake basin and surrounding mountains.

Source: Getting there