Colonial Creek North Campground

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

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.