Panhandle Campground

Panhandle Campground offers convenient on-site boat launch access to the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington, located 32 miles north of Newport via LeClerc Road. This small, heavily forested campground features river-view campsites and a swimming beach area, making it a good basecamp for paddlers and boaters. The facility is reservable through Recreation.gov (509-447-7300), and while not ADA-accessible, it accommodates both tent and RV camping with most sites within walking distance of the water.

The Pend Oreille River at this location is a major waterway—the 141-mile river has an average flow of over 26,000 cubic feet per second and maintains a modest 2.1 ft/mile gradient. The river is wide and deep, supporting motorboats (35 mph speed limit applies) and water sports, as well as kayaking, canoeing, and excellent fishing for bass and trout. Paddlers should respect the motorboat traffic and be aware of the river's substantial flow velocity of nearly 10 feet per second. The campground also features small wetland areas that attract abundant bird life, making it appealing for paddlers interested in wildlife viewing.

Overview
Panhandle Campground is set in a heavily forested area on the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington. This small campground offers sites with views of the river, plus a swimming area right along the campground.Recreation
Canoeing and birding are popular activities. Small wetlands areas lie on the south end of the campground, attracting an abundance of birds. Excellent fishing...

Overview
Panhandle Campground is set in a heavily forested area on the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington. This small campground offers sites with views of the river, plus a swimming area right along the campground.Recreation
Canoeing and birding are popular activities. Small wetlands areas lie on the south end of the campground, attracting an abundance of birds. Excellent fishing opportunities for bass and trout exist in the river as well.

Power boating and water skiing are possible on the wide, deep Pend Oreille River. Boating speeds are limited to 35 mph. A boat ramp is located on-site.Facilities
Sites are suitable for tents and large RVs. Most sites are private and all are within a short walk of the river. Drinking water, vault toilets and picnic tables are among the campground's amenities.
Natural Features
The campground stretches along the east bank of the Pend Oreille River. A thick middlestory offers good privacy between campsites. The Pend Oreille River flows north for about 130 miles into Canada and merges with the Columbia River. The beautiful mountains and valleys were shaped by glaciers in the Ice Age.

The Colville National Forest encompasses 1.1 million acres in the northeast corner of Washington State. The forest's great salmon runs first attracted Native Americans to the area, then miners, homesteaders and fur trappers. Its variety of resources and natural beauty continues to attract visitors today.
Nearby Attractions
Cruise the forest roads within a 30-mile radius and find an abundance of scenic overlooks and chances to see wildlife.

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