Colonial Creek North Campground

Campground · 37 bookable sites ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Ross Lake National Recreation Area (National Recreation Area) · Open Access

37
Bookable sites
30 ft
Max rig length
up to 8
People per site
1
Accessible site
1,232 ft
Elevation
Tent pad, picnic table, fire grate and bear box at campsite.
Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

Overview

Colonial Creek North Campground requires reservations during the peak season, from late May through early September of each year. 

Important changes to booking windows: To better serve visitors, Colonial Creek North Campground will release campsites in two staggered block releases. These block releases will be 6 months in advance and 7 days in advance. 

  • Campsites #1 - #35 are available for reservations 6 months in advance.
  • Campsites #36 - #43 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.  

Colonial Creek North Campground may be open as first-come, first-served after the peak season until the campground closes for the year, typically in mid to late September.   

The campground is remote, yet bustling and is nestled in old-growth forest. Located on the north side of State Route 20 near milepost 130, there are 37 campsites that are surrounded by forest and located on Diablo Lake.    

Colonial Creek North Campground can accommodate a variety of camping, whether it’s drive-in camping, or walk-in tent camping. The campsites vary in size from small to medium. Most of the campsites do not accommodate large trailers or RVs. 

Recreation

Campers can access several trails from within the facility, such as Thunder Knob Trail located in the North Loop and Thunder Creek Trail from the South Loop.    

Fishing is allowed in Diablo Lake with a Washington State Fishing license, the closest location to purchase a license 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. 

Facilities

The campground is located on the northern side of State Route 20. The entire facility offers drinking water, flush toilets, garbage and recycling, and some paved parking spaces, but most sites have uneven gravel parking. Each campsite offers a picnic table, bear box, and campfire ring. An RV dump station is located in the South Loop. 

Natural Features

Colonial Creek North Campground is forested with western redcedar, western hemlock, Douglas-fir, red huckleberries, and other native vegetation. The campground has easy access to Diablo Lake for recreating.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (360) 854-7200.

Nearby Attractions

Traveling west on State Route 20:  

The North Cascades Visitor Center is 11 miles (18 km) west on State Route 20 from Colonial Creek North Campground, operating seasonally, typically from May to September. Campers can find the passport stamps, exhibit, 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 displays and with views of the Ross Dam and Ross Lake. 

The facts

  • 37 bookable sites
  • 40 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 1 accessible site
  • Vehicles up to 30 ft
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: CCNC

Site types

  • 31 Standard Nonelectric
  • 6 Walk To
  • 3 Management

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed
  • Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

40 campsites at Colonial Creek North Campground

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeAccessWaterMax rigPeople
01CCNCWalk To——————8 🐾
02CCNCWalk To——————8 🐾
03CCNCWalk To———Hike In——8 🐾
04CCNCWalk To———Hike In——8 🐾
05CCNCWalk To———Hike InLakefront—8 🐾
06CCNCWalk To———Hike InLakefront—8 🐾
07CCNCStandard NonelectricParallel—SlightDrive In—22 ft8 🐾
08CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
09CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
14CCNCStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
15CCNCStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
16CCNCStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
17CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
18CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
19CCNCStandard NonelectricBack In—ModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
20CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
21CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
22CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
23CCNCStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
24CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
25CCNCManagement——————8 🐾
26CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
27CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
28CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
29CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
30CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In—25 ft8♿ 🐾
31CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
32CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
33CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—30 ft8 🐾
34CCNCManagement——————8 🐾
35CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
36CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSevereDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
37CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSevereDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
38CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
39CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSevereDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
40CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
41CCNCStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
42CCNCStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSevereDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
43CCNCStandard NonelectricParallelGravelModerateDrive In—25 ft8 🐾
44CCNCManagementBack InGravelModerate——25 ft8 🐾

Getting there

Colonial Creek North 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 (114 km) miles west on State Route 20.

48.69100, -121.10100 · 48°41'27.6"N 121°6'3.6"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 79°F in Aug, down to 38°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F394349576670787971584538
Low °F303033384449535449423530
Precip in12.37.48.24.62.72.31.31.53.48.613.711.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Colonial Creek North Campground

Can you reserve a site at Colonial Creek North Campground?
Yes, Colonial Creek North Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Colonial Creek North Campground have?
40 sites in total, of which 37 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Colonial Creek North Campground?
30 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Colonial Creek North Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Colonial Creek North Campground.
Does Colonial Creek North Campground have hookups?
No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Colonial Creek North Campground?
Campfires are allowed at Colonial Creek North Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Colonial Creek North Campground

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Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-20.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.