Panhandle
Panhandle Campground is set in a heavily forested area on the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington. This small campground offers sites with views of the river, plus a swimming area right along the campground.
More like this: reservable in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 33 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
12 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 011 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
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
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 33 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Sites are suitable for tents and large RVs. Most sites are private and all are within a short walk of the river. Drinking water, vault toilets and picnic tables are among the campground's amenities.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 17 to Labor Day Weekend |
| Forest | Colville National Forest |
| Booking | Sites are available by reservation at Recreation.gov (1-877-444-6777). |
| Fees | Camping: $29/single site. Extra vehicle: $10 (Overflow Parking). Day use: $10. Season Day Pass for Colville and Idaho Panhandle: $52 |
| Rules | Washington 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 |
Weather by month
Getting there
From downtown Newport, travel east on U.S. Highway 2 for 0.75 miles. Immediately after crossing the Pend Oreille River bridge, turn left on LeClerc Road and travel 32 miles north to Panhandle Campground.
| Nearest town | Cusick, Washington |
| Coordinates | 48.5100° N, 117.2714° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedSl Rx - Ione
18 mi from the campground
- PrescribedLpr Rx - Paulke
19 mi from the campground · 331 acres
- WildfireSilver
29 mi from the campground · 2,593 acres · 30% contained
- WildfireParker Lake
39 mi from the campground · 1,531 acres · 1% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 21.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Anacortes Telescope & Wild Bird ↗ | 29.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Parkway RV ↗ | 40.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Campground Review | Panhandle Campground OK | RV Living
Public land it sits in
Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge begins about 13.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 13.4 miLittle Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 40,908 acres
- 14.1 miColville National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,752,994 acres
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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
The campground stretches along the east bank of the Pend Oreille River. A thick middlestory offers good privacy between campsites. The Pend Oreille River flows north for about 130 miles into Canada and merges with the Columbia River. The beautiful mountains and valleys were shaped by glaciers in the Ice Age. The Colville National Forest encompasses 1.1 million acres in the northeast corner of Washington State. The forest's great salmon runs first attracted Native Americans to the area, then miners, homesteaders and fur trappers. Its variety of resources and natural beauty continues to attract visitors today.
Recreation
Canoeing and birding are popular activities. Small wetlands areas lie on the south end of the campground, attracting an abundance of birds. Excellent fishing opportunities for bass and trout exist in the river as well. Power boating and water skiing are possible on the wide, deep Pend Oreille River. Boating speeds are limited to 35 mph. A boat ramp is located on-site.
Nearby
Cruise the forest roads within a 30-mile radius and find an abundance of scenic overlooks and chances to see wildlife.
Guidebooks for Washington
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Panhandle?
Sites at Panhandle are reservable on Recreation.gov. Sites are available by reservation at Recreation.gov (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 Panhandle?
Camping: $29/single site. Extra vehicle: $10 (Overflow Parking). Day use: $10.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Panhandle?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Panhandle open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 17 to Labor Day Weekend.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Panhandle have?
13 sites, including 12 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Panhandle?
The longest site here provides 33 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
Can I have a campfire at Panhandle?
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
Is there cell service at Panhandle?
FCC coverage maps show T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Panhandle?
Canoeing and birding are popular activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Panhandle?
Cusick, Washington. Cruise the forest roads within a 30-mile radius and find an abundance of scenic overlooks and chances to see wildlife.
Source: Getting there
What if Panhandle is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Browns Lake Campground (6.1 mi, first-come), South Skookum Lake (8.9 mi), and Gillette Campground (13.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby