About this campground
Palmer Mountain Management Area comprises more than 6,500 acres of public land and is managed by the BLM. It is a great place for hiking, backpacking, dispersed camping, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, and fishing at tiny Washburn Lake. The autumn is especially picturesque when the many stands of aspen trees create a brilliant yellow and orange background. Visitors are sure to find a favorite spot to enjoy the quiet, scenic views of the Okanogan hillsides, aspen tree groves, grasslands, and the serene waters of Washburn Lake. Know Before You Go Open season: Palmer Mountain Recreation Site is open YEAR ROUND, but the main access road is closed by snow in winter. 3 primitive campsites with fire rings; first come first serve. No restrooms available. No drinking water available. Pack out all trash. Please keep pets on a leash and dispose all pet waster in trash receptacles. Cell phone coverage may be limited. Point of Interest Palmer Mountain is alive with color during spring and early summer, when many varieties of wildflowers bloom. At the higher elevations, wildflower season extends well into June and July when highland meadows seem carpeted with colorful blooms.
Getting there
From Tonasket, Washington: Travel State Highway 97 to the Loomis Oroville Highway and continue west towards Loomis. After approximately 12 miles, turn right on the Washburn Lake Road. Follow the gravel road to the parking area above Washburn Lake and to other public lands administered by BLM.
Activities
- CAMPING
- HIKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Bonaparte Lake CampgroundColville National Forest25 mi
- Lost Lake Group UnitColville National Forest25 mi
- Copper Glance TrailheadOkanogan-Wenatchee National Forest33 mi
- Methow Valley Ranger DistrictWashington37 mi
- Winthrop National Fish HatcheryFish And Wildlife Service37 mi
- Chickadee TrailheadOkanogan-Wenatchee National Forest40 mi
Explore more Washington camping
Palmer Mountain doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Washington campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse Washington camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.