Colonial Creek South Campground
Closed — Ten walk-in tent sites (sites 64-73) are open first-come, first-served during winter from October through late May with no water, services, or fees. The full campground operates with reservations from late May through early September. A brief first-come, first-served period may occur in early to mid-September before winter closure.
Perry Fire
The Perry Fire is an active wildfire west of Ross Lake. Area, trail, and camp closures are in effect. Take precautions when recreating outdoors when heavy smoke is present.
Campfires Banned in All Portions of North Cascades National Park Service Complex
Effective Thursday, July 3, campfires or the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans, and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.
Cascade River Road Detour Alert
The Skagit River Marblemount Bridge will be closed for repairs September 2-16 and Cascade River Road will not be accessible from Marblemount. Visitors must use a detour route on SR 530 and the Rockport Cascade Road to access areas on Cascade River Road.
Park Access along State Route 20 Affected by Upcoming Closures
There are upcoming temporary trailhead closures on popular areas within Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest along State Route 20 from August 18-September 25 which affects park access.
Stehekin Flash Flood and Debris Flow Area
The Stehekin area is prone to flooding, which increases in a post-fire environment. Know before you go – visit the Post Fire Safety page for information on what to do in a flash flood and debris flow area
Fire Closures - Trail, Area, and Camp Closures
For closures due to fire activity visit the Fire Closures page, including trail, area, and camp closures for current and post fire conditions.
Be Aware of Break-ins along State Route 20
Prevent smashed windows and theft. Break-ins are not uncommon at trailheads along State Route 20. Remove your valuables and electronics and take associated electronic cords.
Hozomeen Gate Remains Closed
Until further notice, the gate at Hozomeen will remain closed; vehicle and foot traffic across the US/Canada border is prohibited. Visitors must enter through a designated port of entry.
Diablo Lake Boat Launch Inaccessible to Powerboats
Due to silt accumulation, the Diablo Lake boat launch at Colonial Creek South Campground is not usable for launching most powerboats. Expect shallow or no water at the launch ramp and the possibility of needing to carry your boat to or from the water.
Smoke from Wildfires May Affect Air Quality
Smoke from wildfires is to be expected with active fires across the region.Take precautions when recreating outdoors when heavy smoke is present.
About
Colonial Creek South Campground is a remote yet popular campground nestled in old-growth western redcedar, western hemlock, and Douglas-fir forest on the shores of Diablo Lake. Located at milepost 130 on State Route 20, the campground offers 93 campsites that vary in size from small to medium, with most sites not suitable for large trailers or RVs. The campground features 10 walk-in, tent-only sites that remain open during the winter months. The campground provides direct access to the Thunder Creek Trailhead from the South Loop, while the Thunder Knob Trailhead is accessible across State Route 20 on the north loop. A fully accessible fishing pier and boat launch on Diablo Lake offer opportunities for water recreation, though boaters should note that the launch may have shallow water due to silt accumulation. Fishing is permitted with a Washington State Fishing license. Black bears are active throughout the campground and surrounding trails. Bear boxes are provided at each campsite for storing coolers, cookware, and other odorants. The campground is surrounded by native vegetation including red huckleberries and offers stunning views of the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake. During peak season, the campground operates on a reservation system with sites released in two booking windows: 6 months in advance and 7 days in advance.
Directions
Colonial Creek South Campground is located near milepost 130 on State Route 20. From Burlington, drive 70 miles east on State Route 20. From Twisp, drive 71 miles west on State Route 20. The campground is on the south side of the highway, 20 miles east of Marblemount and 63 miles west of Winthrop.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $24 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 36ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 36ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| noca_information@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (360) 854-7200 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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