CampgroundsDB

Elbow Lake

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping is free, and it is open from Memorial Day weekend to October 27. Elbow Lake is a National Forest campground near Northport, Washington.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Northport, Washington

Managed by
National Forest

Elbow Lake sits inside Colville National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Elbow Lake: A small lake now split in two by a marsh (north 7.1 acres, south 6.4 acres); shoreline is public but thick brush limits water access. Two-pole fishing allowed. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Free

Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28

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

Elevation
2,907 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage mapped
T-Mobile
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.4 mi away, 5G about 0.5 mi away
Verizon
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.

48.9489, -117.9841 in Stevens. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Elbow Lake is open from Memorial Day weekend to October 27 , at 2,907 ft.

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

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Elbow Lake?
No. Elbow Lake 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 Elbow Lake?
Camping at Elbow Lake is free.
Is there drinking water at Elbow Lake?
No. Elbow Lake has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Are dogs allowed at Elbow Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Elbow Lake.
When is Elbow Lake open?
Elbow Lake is open from Memorial Day weekend to October 27.
How long can you stay at Elbow Lake?
The stay limit at Elbow Lake is 14 days.
Is there cell service at Elbow Lake?
Not at the campground on the FCC map, but T-Mobile shows 4G LTE about 0.4 mi away and 5G about 0.5 mi away and Verizon 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, or Verizon at Elbow Lake itself, and nothing from AT&T 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.
Who manages Elbow Lake?
Elbow Lake is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Elbow Lake

fishypedia.com · 20 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Rigley Lake, whose mapped center point is 20 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Rigley Lake fishing on fishypedia.com.

First-come Summit Lake Kettle Falls · National Forest Season Memorial Day weekend to September 30 Fee Free First-come Sheep Creek Campground Northport · State Forest Season Not on record Fee No camping fee (first come, with a Discover Pass) First-come Pierre Lake Kettle Falls · National Forest Season Memorial Day weekend to October 27 Fee Single Site: $10 per night; additional vehicle $2 Reservable North Gorge Campground Barstow · National Park Service Season Not on record Fee $23/night

More campgrounds: camping near Northport and campgrounds in Stevens.

Sources

First-come, first-served Free
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