Colonial Creek South Campground
Colonial Creek South Campground requires reservations during the peak season, from late May through early September of each year. These block releases will be 6 months in advance and 7 days in advance. Campsites #64 - #95 and #116 - #164 are available for reservations 6 months in advance. Campsites #96 - #113 are available for reservations 7 days in advance. Any sites not reserved during the peak season are available same-day as first-come, first-served for 1 night only and can only be claimed in person at the campground.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Washington · reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 48 |
| Walk-in | 33 |
| Hike-in | 9 |
| Host/management | 4 |
Site guide
90 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 064 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 065 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 066 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 067 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 068 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 069 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 070 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 072 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 073 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 074 | Walk-in | Back-in | 21 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | 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 | 43 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 071ADA, 113ADA, 116ADA are listed accessible |
The campground is located on the southern side of State Route 20, with some campsites along the lakefront of Diablo Lake. The entire facility offers drinking water, flush toilets, garbage and recycling, RV dump station, and some paved parking spaces, but most sites have uneven gravel parking. Each campsite offers a picnic table, bear box, and campfire ring.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Colonial Creek South Campground is located near milepost 130 on State Route 20. From Burlington, WA, drive 70 miles (113 km) east on State Route 20. From Twisp, WA, drive 71 miles (114 km) west on State Route 20.
| Coordinates | 48.6896° N, 121.0961° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireLuna
10 mi from the campground · 8,553 acres · 42% contained
- WildfireBorder 2
22 mi from the campground · 9,108 acres · 74% contained
- WildfireSisi
27 mi from the campground · 4,615 acres · 34% contained
- WildfirePtarmigan
28 mi from the campground · 25,566 acres · 90% 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 ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Goat's Beard Mountain Supplies ↗ | 32.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Cottonwood RV Sales and Service ↗ | 51.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
(4K UHD) REVIEWING EACH CAMPSITE @ Colonial Creek South Campground | Diablo Lake | North C
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Stephen Mather Wilderness.
- inStephen Mather Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 638,173 acres
- 12.7 miOkanogan-Wenatchee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,858,129 acres
- 14.2 miPasayten Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 531,325 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
On the National Register nearby
- Sourdough Mountain LookoutBuilding · Diablo · 3.7 mi
- Devil's Corner Cliff WalkSite · Newhalem · 5.8 mi
- Swamp–Meadow Cabin EastBuilding · Diablo · 8.4 mi
Natural features
Colonial Creek South Campground is surrounded by a forest of western redcedar, western hemlock, Douglas-fir, red huckleberries, and other native vegetation. The campground has easy access to Diablo Lake for recreating.
Recreation
Campers can access the Thunder Creek Trailhead from the South Loop. The Thunder Knob Trailhead is on the north loop across State Route 20. Fishing is allowed in Diablo Lake with a Washington State Fishing license, the nearest location to purchase a license is in the town of Marblemount, WA. Follow Washington State Fishing Regulations when recreating. Black bears are active in this campground and the surrounding trails. Be aware of your surroundings while hiking, picnicking, and camping. Use the provided bear boxes in your campsite to store coolers, cookware, and other odorants when not in use. If you encounter a bear around the campground or on a trail, inform campground staff or go to the North Cascades Visitor Center and fill out a bear report.
Nearby
Traveling west on State Route 20: The North Cascades Visitor Center is 11 miles (18 km) west on State Route 20 from Colonial Creek South Campground, operating seasonally, typically from May to September. Campers can find the passport stamps, exhibits, park film, park store, and much more. Traveling east on State Route 20: Diablo Lake Overlook is 1.5 miles (2 km) east on State Route 20. the turquoise lake can be viewed safely from this area and there is ample day use parking and vault toilets. Ross Lake Overlook is 5 miles (8 km) east on State Route 20, this is a less developed vista point. There are two pull off areas with interpretive way sides and with views of the Ross Dam and Ross Lake.
Guidebooks for North Cascades National Park and 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 Colonial Creek South Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Colonial Creek South Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Colonial Creek South Campground have?
94 sites, including 48 standard sites without power, 33 walk-in sites, and 9 hike-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Colonial Creek South Campground?
The longest site here provides 43 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 there showers or a dump station at Colonial Creek South Campground?
The entire facility offers drinking water, flush toilets, garbage and recycling, RV dump station, and some paved parking spaces, but most sites have uneven gravel parking.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Colonial Creek South Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Colonial Creek South Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Colonial Creek South Campground?
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.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Colonial Creek South Campground?
Sites 071ADA, 113ADA, and 116ADA are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Colonial Creek South Campground?
Campers can access the Thunder Creek Trailhead from the South Loop. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Colonial Creek South Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Colonial Creek North Campground (0.2 mi), Gorge Lake Campground (3.1 mi), and Newhalem Creek Campground (7.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Colonial Creek South Campground in?
Colonial Creek South Campground is a North Cascades National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: North Cascades National Park