Lake Ellen

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping costs Single site: $10 per night; additional vehicle $2 per night, and it is open from Memorial Day weekend to September 30. Lake Ellen is a National Forest campground near Kettle Falls, Washington.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Kettle Falls, Washington

Managed by
National Forest
Access road
Gravel

Lake Ellen: One of two campgrounds on the 75.5-acre lake: good bank fishing for rainbow trout, no gas motors or lead tackle, bald eagles, osprey and loons. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Single site: $10 per night; additional vehicle $2 per night

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

What's there

  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Fire rings
  • ✓ Pets allowed
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets, fire rings, and pets allowed. No potable water.

Rules

Stay limit
14 days
Quiet hours
10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Pets
Allowed

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Access road
Gravel
Elevation
2,258 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.2 mi away
T-Mobile
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.2 mi away, 5G about 0.4 mi away
Verizon
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.2 mi away
Inland Cellular LLC
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.4 mi away
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

48.5021, -118.2474 in Ferry. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Lake Ellen is open from Memorial Day weekend to September 30 , at 2,258 ft.

Sources: epqs.nationalmap.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Lake Ellen?
No. Lake Ellen is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Lake Ellen?
Camping at Lake Ellen costs Single site: $10 per night; additional vehicle $2 per night.
Is there drinking water at Lake Ellen?
No. Lake Ellen has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Are dogs allowed at Lake Ellen?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Ellen.
When is Lake Ellen open?
Lake Ellen is open from Memorial Day weekend to September 30.
How long can you stay at Lake Ellen?
The stay limit at Lake Ellen is 14 days.
Is there cell service at Lake Ellen?
Not at the campground on the FCC map, but AT&T shows 4G LTE and 5G about 0.2 mi away, T-Mobile shows 4G LTE about 0.2 mi away and 5G about 0.4 mi away, Verizon shows 4G LTE about 0.2 mi away, and Inland Cellular LLC shows 4G LTE about 0.4 mi away. The FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Inland Cellular LLC at Lake Ellen itself. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it.
Who manages Lake Ellen?
Lake Ellen is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Lake Ellen

More campgrounds: camping near Kettle Falls and campgrounds in Ferry.

Sources

First-come, first-served Single site: $10 per night; additional vehicle $2 per night
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