Campsites at Colonial Creek North Campground (2026 Guide)

For more, see Campsites at Gorge Lake Campground (2026 Guide).

For more, see Campsites at Lakeview Campground (2026 Guide) and Campsites at Lower Goodell Group Campground (2026 Guide).

For more, see Campsites at Harlequin Campground (2026 Guide).

For more, see Newhalem Creek Campground at Newhalem Creek Campground North Cascades National Park (2026 Guide).

For more, see Best of North Cascades National Park: Best Month to Visit (2026) and North Cascades National Park Weather: Best Season to Visit (2026 Guide).

For more, see complete visitor guide, all campgrounds, hiking trails, lodging and accommodations, Goodell Creek Campground at Goodell Creek Campground North, and Purple Point Campground at Purple Point Campground North.

If you are new to this area, the complete visitor guide covers the full range of what the North Cascades complex offers. This article focuses specifically on what you need to know about booking, arriving, and camping at Colonial Creek North.

Location and Setting

Colonial Creek North Campground is located on the north side of State Route 20 near mile marker 130, roughly 20 miles east of Marblemount and 63 miles west of Winthrop. The address is Colonial Creek Campground, Sedro-Woolley, WA, 98284. The campground sits in old-growth forest - Douglas fir and western hemlock tower over the sites, and the understory is mostly ferns and salal. The forest is dense enough that the lake views are filtered through trees at most sites; only a handful of spots get an open view of the water.

The campground is divided into loops, with 38 total sites plus additional walk-in tent-only spots. Six sites are designated tent-only, which matters if you are arriving without a hard-sided vehicle and want to avoid sharing space with RVs and trailers.

What the Official Website Doesn't Mention

The recreation.gov page lists all the basics - fees, site dimensions, reservation windows - but it does not tell you that the road noise from State Route 20 is audible at most sites. Not constant, but enough that if you are expecting total silence, you might want to bring earplugs for the first night. The traffic drops off significantly after dark, and by 10 PM it is quiet enough to hear the creek.

Fees and Reservations

The fee structure is straightforward:

• Reserved site: $24.00 per night
• First-come, first-served site: $24.00 per night

Reservations open on a rolling window - you can book up to six months in advance or as late as seven days ahead through recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. Checkout time is noon.

Once reservations end the first week of September, the campground shifts entirely to first-come, first-served until it closes for the season. Payment for walk-up sites is handled through pay.gov at tinyurl.com/NOCACamping. The fee is per site per night, with a maximum of two vehicles, eight people, and three tents per site.

A Note on Timing

If you are aiming for a reserved site in July or August, book as soon as the six-month window opens. Sites at Colonial Creek North Campground routinely sell out within hours of release during peak season, particularly the lakeside spots and the pull-through sites that accommodate longer RVs.

Current Conditions and Alerts - 2026 Season

As of the 2026 season, several conditions affect access and use of Colonial Creek North Campground. Check the NPS alerts page before you drive out here, because the situation can change quickly.

State Route 20 Closure at Milepost 130

State Route 20 is closed at milepost 130 - that is right at Colonial Creek Campground - in both lanes. The Diablo Lake Overlook is not accessible beyond this closure. This means you either arrive from the west (Marblemount side) or the east (Winthrop side), but you cannot pass through the closure to the overlook. The campground itself is accessible from the west approach, but the full North Cascades Highway through to the east side is not available at this writing. Check WSDOT's real-time map for current status.

Diablo Lake Boat Launch

The Diablo Lake boat launch at Colonial Creek South Campground is largely unusable for powerboats due to silt accumulation. Expect shallow or no water at the launch ramp, and be prepared to carry your boat to or from the water. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are manageable here; powerboats are not.

Other Relevant Alerts

• Flooding and landslide damage from December 2025 continues to affect some park infrastructure. Limited services are available.
• Vehicle break-ins are not uncommon at trailheads along State Route 20. Remove valuables, electronics, and even charging cables from sight.
• Peregrine falcon nesting closures are in effect from March 1 through July 15, 2026 at Newhalem Crag East and Newhalem Crag West - relevant if you are climbing in the area.
• Cascade River Road is closed to vehicles at milepost 20 (Eldorado), roughly two miles before the trailhead. Foot and bicycle traffic is permitted beyond the gate.

What to Do While Camped Here

The recreational draw of Colonial Creek North Campground is the lake and the surrounding trail network.

Diablo Lake Access

A fully accessible fishing pier extends into Diablo Lake from the campground area. This is a concrete pier with a railing - wheelchair-accessible and stable enough for anyone with mobility concerns. The fishing here is decent for trout and kokanee, but the real draw is just being out over that green water without needing a boat.

Trails

Two trails start from the Colonial Creek area:

• Thunder Creek Trail - A relatively flat trail that follows Thunder Creek through old-growth forest. Suitable for various ability levels, though the full length extends miles into the backcountry. Day hikers can walk as far as they like and turn around.
• Thunder Knob Trail - A short, moderate climb that rewards you with a broad view of Diablo Lake from above. Most visitors underestimate how hot this trail gets in afternoon sun - pack extra water for this stretch. The elevation gain is worth it for the overlook.

The Accessible Fishing Pier

Rangers will tell you that the fishing pier at Colonial Creek is one of the few fully accessible waterfront features in the North Cascades complex. It extends far enough into the lake to get you past the shallows where the water is murky, and the railings are spaced so that wheelchair users can fish comfortably. Early morning is your best bet for catching trout before the boat traffic starts.

Practical Advice for Your Stay

Cell service drops out at roughly the same point you lose sight of Marblemount. Do not expect reliable service at Colonial Creek. The campground does not have WiFi, and the nearest reliable signal is back in Marblemount or up at the Diablo Lake Overlook - which, as noted, is currently closed.

The parking situation varies by site. Some sites have a single gravel pull-in that fits one medium vehicle. Others have two-vehicle capacity. If you are in an RV longer than 25 feet, check the site dimensions on recreation.gov before booking - several sites are tight.

Bring your own firewood. The park recommends buying wood locally rather than transporting it from outside the region, to prevent spreading forest pests. Firewood is available for purchase in Marblemount and Newhalem.

Mosquitoes are present from June through early August. Not as bad as wetter parts of the Cascades, but enough that you will appreciate having repellent after dusk.

Which Sites to Target

Loop preferences matter here. The sites closest to the lake are in the A-loop and the walk-in tent section. If you want a flat, shaded spot with quick access to the fishing pier and boat launch, aim for the lake-facing side of the campground. The B-loop sites tend to be more forested and slightly more private, but they are farther from the water.

If you are arriving in September during the first-come, first-served period, arrive on a weekday before noon. The campground rarely fills on Sunday through Wednesday in the shoulder season, but Friday and Saturday arrivals often find every site taken by 2 PM.

For the full list of all campgrounds in the Colonial Creek area, including the south campground which has different site characteristics, check the camping overview page.

Practical Takeaways

• Reservations: Book six months out for July and August. After early September, walk-up only.
• Fee: $24 per site per night. Max 8 people, 2 vehicles, 3 tents.
• Season: Late May through mid-September. Verify exact dates seasonally.
• Current road conditions: SR 20 is closed at milepost 130. Confirm access from your direction of travel before departing.
• Boat launch: Not usable for powerboats. Kayaks and canoes can be carried to the water.
• Bring: Earplugs (road noise during the day), mosquito repellent (June-August), firewood purchased locally, cash or card for the self-pay station if arriving during first-come period.
• Don't leave in your vehicle: Valuables, electronics, charging cords, anything visible through windows.

Final Thoughts

Colonial Creek North Campground occupies a specific niche in the North Cascades - it is not the most remote campground in the park (that would be the walk-in sites up Cascade River Road), and it is not the quietest (the highway sees to that during daylight hours). What it offers is reliable lake access, decent facilities, and a position along the North Cascades Highway that makes it a logical base camp for exploring the western half of the park. If you manage to book one of the lakeside sites, the view at sunrise - that particular shade of turquoise coming into focus as the light hits Diablo Lake - is worth the logistical effort of getting here.