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A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

Forest Service campground

West Sullivan

Forest Service campground in Colville National Forest, Pend Oreille County, Washington. About 2,700 feet. 3.8 miles from Metaline Falls.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Colville National Forest
Elevation
About 2,700 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
10 10 standard non-electric
Longest rig
35 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Pend Oreille County

Overview

West Sullivan Campground is located at the north end of Sullivan Lake and about five miles east of Metaline Falls in northeast Washington. The campground provides a unique environment where campers can enjoy a variety of recreational activities.

Recreation

The Sullivan Lake Basin provides campers with opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and hiking. Fishing in this deep mountain lake is most successful from a boat. Common fish species in the lake include burbot (ling cod) and Kokanee salmon. Canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding are among the most popular water sports on the lake.

Campers and walk directly from their campsite to a designated swimming area on the lake. Also, within walking distance are a short nature trail and the Lakeshore Trail, a designated National Scenic Trail that runs along the eastern shore of the lake. This 4.2 mile trail offers viewpoints of the lake and is a popular day hike for all ages. The nearby Salmo-Priest Wilderness offers multiple day outings with many excellent hikes and picturesque scenery.

Boat ramps are located on the north and south ends of the lake in East Sullivan and Noisy Creek Campgrounds.,

Mountain bikers can enjoy several surrounding Forest Service roads and trails.

Facilities

All sites at West Sullivan are accessible and the parking aprons are gravel and grass. Campsites do not have electric hookups, but each one comes with a picnic table and fire ring . Drinking water, accessible vault toilets, garbage service and food storage containers are provided.

Natural Features

This small campground is located in a mixed stand of conifer trees with a dense understory that offers privacy between campsites. It sits at 2700 feet in elevation on the lakeshore. Sullivan Lake covers 1291 acres and has a depth of 320 feet. Hall Mountain rises abruptly from the eastern shore of the lake to a height of over 6000 feet. A small airstrip lies adjacent to the campground and allows campers to fly in by chartering a plane or bringing their own small aircraft.

The forest boasts exciting wildlife such as grizzly and black bears, cougars, bald eagles and the last remaining herd of woodland caribou in the United States.

Nearby Attractions

The Mill Pond Historic Site, located 2 miles north of the campground, details the early history of Metaline Falls through a series of interpretive signing. A historic cabin is located along the interpretive trail which travels over the Mill Pond Spillway.

A scenic drive along the International Selkirk Loop offers numerous scenic attractions. Several forest road systems in the immediate vicinity offer great views of the Selkirk Mountains.

Sullivan Lake is about four miles southeast of Metaline Falls, a quaint town with historic buildings. Crawford State Park is located on the west side of the Pend Oreille River near the U.S.- Canada border. In the summer, a park ranger conducts under-ground tours of Gardiner Cave, the main attraction at this park. Seattle City Light offers tours of their Boundary Hydroelectric Project, on the main-stem Pend Oreille River one mile from the international border.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • historic & cultural site
  • swimming site
  • visitor center
  • water sports
  • wildlife viewing

The land around West Sullivan

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated August 20, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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