Colonial Creek South Campground
North Cascades National Park
Colonial Creek South 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 South Campground will release campsites in two staggered block releases. 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.
Colonial Creek South Campground may be open as first-come, first-served after the peak season until most of the campground closes for the year, typically in mid to late September.
Ten walk-in, tent-only campsites (#64 - #73) are open as first-come, first-served before and after the peak season, from January through late May, and early September through December of each year.
The campground is remote, yet bustling and is nestled in old-growth forest. Located on the south side of State Route 20 near milepost 130, there are 93 campsites that are surrounded by forest and located on Diablo Lake.
Colonial Creek South 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.
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.
Need to Know
This campground is located within a hydroelectric project. A warning system is in place to notify campers of high water. See entrance area or campground staff for specific information upon arrival.
- Wildlife frequents the area. All food must be stored in animal-resistant food lockers or hard-sided vehicles until use.
- There are no shower facilities or electrical hookups available.
Firewood, ice, gas, and other services are not available in the park complex. The nearest services are in the town of Marblemount, WA.
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Campsite occupancy is limited to eight people, three tents, and two vehicles per site.
Campground reservations are accepted during the specified season dates. Campgrounds may be open before or after the reservation season on a walk-up basis. For more information on camping in the North Cascades visit, www.nps.gov/noca.
No Show Policy: If you do not arrive at a campground or cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date, your reservation will be cancelled. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. On-site personnel may not be able to assist with reservations or cancellations. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to use it to makes space available for others.
Refund Policy
Customers may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Customers may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended.
Fees: Applicable fees, such as reservation fees, service/cancellation fees, lottery application fees, and change fees, are non-refundable.
Debit or Credit Card Purchases: Refunds for debit or credit card payments made after October 1, 2018 will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. In the event that a customer has cancelled this card, they will need to contact their card company to have the funds released. We cannot issue refunds to any card other than the one used to pay. If a customer paid with a debit or credit card prior to October 1, 2018 their refund will be issued in the form of a Treasury check.
Check or Cash Purchases: Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. You may update the address at the time you request the refund. It may take up to 6-8 weeks for the Treasury check to arrive. Please make sure your address is up to date in your customer profile.
Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within your Recreation.gov customer profile.
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.
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 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.
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.
Contact Information
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 360-854-7200
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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.
Available Campsites
- Site 090, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 137, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 069, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 073, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 103, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 113ADA, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 075, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 132, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Hike To
- Site 086, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 128, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Hike To
- Site 139, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Hike To
- Site 127, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 070, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 134, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Hike To
- Site 080, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 091, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 157, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 156, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 079, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 144, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 138, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Hike To
- Site 131, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 092, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 119, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 101, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 142, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 087, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 124, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 122, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 155, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 159, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 121, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 130, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 076, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 154, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 071ADA, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 125, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 162, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 111, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 074, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 161, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 065, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 143, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 093, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 068, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 150, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 082, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 084, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 141, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Hike To
- Site 066, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 102, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 163, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 099, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 100, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 094, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 072, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 151, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 149, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 164, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 116ADA, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 158, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 077, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 104, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 095, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 135, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Hike To
- Site 096, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 153, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 110, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 136, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 112, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 078, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 088, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 085, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 118, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 146, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 148, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 126, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 089, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 140, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Hike To
- Site 133, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Hike To
- Site 160, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 108, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 083, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 067, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 147, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 097, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 064, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Walk To
- Site 120, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 106, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 123, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 152, Loop Colonial Creek South Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
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