Newhalem, WA

Colonial Creek South (Diablo Lake)

Book on recreation.govLakesideMountain viewsForestYear-roundHikingFishingPaddling (kayak / canoe / SUP)Motor-boatingFlush toiletsFire pitDrinkable waterPicnic tableRV dump stationBoat launch / RampBear box / lockerAmphitheater

Availability

Each day shows how many of this campground’s sites are open.

About this spot

Overview

Colonial Creek South 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 South Campground will release campsites in two staggered block releases. These block releases will be 6 months in advance and 7 days in advance.  Campsites #64 - #95 and #116 - #164 are available for reservations 6 months in advance. Campsites #96 - #113 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 South Campground may be open as first-come, first-served after the peak season until most of the campground closes for the year, typically in mid to late September.   Ten walk-in, tent-only campsites (#64 - #73) are open as first-come, first-served before and after the peak season, from January through late May, and early September through December of each year.  The campground is remote, yet bustling and is nestled in old-growth forest. Located on the south side of State Route 20 near milepost 130, there are 93 campsites that are surrounded by forest and located on Diablo Lake.    Colonial Creek South 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 the Thunder Creek Trailhead from the South Loop. The Thunder Knob Trailhead is on the north loop across State Route 20.   Fishing is allowed in Diablo Lake with a Washington State Fishing license, the nearest location to purchase a license is 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 southern side of State Route 20, with some campsites along the lakefront of Diablo Lake. The entire facility offers drinking water, flush toilets, garbage and recycling, RV dump station, and some paved parking spaces, but most sites have uneven gravel parking. Each campsite offers a picnic table, bear box, and campfire ring.

Natural Features

Colonial Creek South Campground is surrounded by a forest of western redcedar, western hemlock, Douglas-fir, red huckleberries, and other native vegetation. The campground has easy access to Diablo Lake for recreating.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (360) 854-7200.

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 South Campground, operating seasonally, typically from May to September. Campers can find the passport stamps, exhibits, 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 way sides and with views of the Ross Dam and Ross Lake.

Typical weather

Air temperature

Average daily high-low
Average daily high and low air temperature, January through DecemberEach vertical bar shows a monthly average daily high and low in degrees Fahrenheit.41°29°JJanuary: average high 41°F, average low 29°F41°27°FFebruary: average high 41°F, average low 27°F47°32°MMarch: average high 47°F, average low 32°F54°37°AApril: average high 54°F, average low 37°F64°43°MMay: average high 64°F, average low 43°F71°50°JJune: average high 71°F, average low 50°F79°55°JJuly: average high 79°F, average low 55°F81°57°AAugust: average high 81°F, average low 57°F72°52°SSeptember: average high 72°F, average low 52°F59°43°OOctober: average high 59°F, average low 43°F47°35°NNovember: average high 47°F, average low 35°F40°29°DDecember: average high 40°F, average low 29°F

5-year average · Open-Meteo

Diablo Lake

Average water temperature
Average water temperature for Diablo Lake, January through DecemberEach point shows the monthly average water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.JFMA41°MMay: average water temperature 41°F45°JJune: average water temperature 45°F48°JJuly: average water temperature 48°F50°AAugust: average water temperature 50°F46°SSeptember: average water temperature 46°FOND

What to expect

  • Sites
    ~100 sites, no hookups, no fires allowed
  • Nearby
    Marblemount (45 min), Newhalem (15 min)
  • Hikes
    Thunder Knob (kid-friendly), Diablo Lake Trail, Pyramid Peak
  • Other things to do
    Diablo Lake Overlook, North Cascades Visitor Center, Ross Lake boat-in
  • Notes
    Glacier-fed Diablo is iconic turquoise but ice-cold; bear lockers required.