Tiffany Springs Campground

Hello, Washington outdoor lovers! Are you searching for a serene escape where the trails are right at your doorstep and the views are truly breathtaking? For many of us in the Evergreen State, finding a peaceful, less-crowded camping spot is key to a perfect outdoor adventure. Today, we're shining a spotlight on a fantastic option for those who love to hike and immerse themselves in nature: Tiffany Springs Campground. Nestled within the vast Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, this campground offers a rustic, yet incredibly rewarding, experience for campers and hikers alike.

Tiffany Springs Campground isn't about luxury amenities; it's about connecting with the natural beauty of Washington. It's a place where you can wake up to the sounds of the forest, enjoy a campfire under the stars, and immediately step onto a beautiful hiking trail. Praised by visitors for its direct access to the Tiffany Lake Trail and its well-maintained, spacious sites, this campground is a testament to the simple joys of outdoor living. If you're looking for a free, first-come, first-served spot that serves as an excellent base for exploring the high country of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Tiffany Springs Campground is an ideal choice for your next adventure.

Tiffany Springs Campground is located at NF-39, Loomis, WA 98827, USA. This places it in the high-elevation mature forest of the Okanogan Highlands, within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. It's an area known for its stunning natural beauty, high-elevation forest communities, and diverse wildlife.

Accessibility to Tiffany Springs Campground requires navigating Forest Service Road #39. While the area is described as "easily accessible by motor vehicle during the summer months," it's crucial to note that Forest Service Road #39 "has not been graded recently and is not recommended for passenger vehicles. Trailers are prohibited." This suggests that a vehicle with higher clearance, such as a truck or SUV, would be more suitable for the drive. Access from towns like Conconully or Loomis typically involves paved roads transitioning to gravel Forest Service roads. From Conconully, you might take County Road #2017 to Forest Service Road #37, then turn onto Forest Service Road #39. From Loomis, the Toats Coulee Road becomes Forest Service Road #39 at its northern end. The roads are generally well-maintained gravel, but some sections can be bumpy. The area is typically snow-free and accessible from late June through the end of September, with roads often buried under snow for the rest of the year, making it accessible only by foot or snowmobile during those times. It's always wise to take a detailed, up-to-date map and check current road conditions with the Colville National Forest before planning your trip.

Tiffany Springs Campground offers a rustic yet functional camping experience, providing essential amenities for a comfortable stay in a natural setting. As a Forest Service campground, it emphasizes self-sufficiency and environmental responsibility.

• Campsites: There are 6 single campsites available, each providing a designated space for tents.

• Picnic Tables: Each of the six campsites is equipped with its own picnic table, offering a convenient surface for meal preparation and outdoor dining.

• Fire Pits: Every campsite includes a fire pit, allowing campers to enjoy campfires when conditions permit. It's important to note that campfires are only allowed in developed fire pits, and fireworks are prohibited. Always check for current fire restrictions before lighting a fire.

• Outhouse/Vault Toilet: One toilet facility, described as an outhouse or vault toilet, services the campground. While reviews mention it can sometimes be out of toilet paper, it provides a crucial facility for waste management.

• No Potable Water: It is important for campers to know that there is no potable (drinking) water available at the campground. Visitors must bring all their own water or be prepared to filter/purify water from natural sources if available nearby.

• No Garbage Service: There is no garbage service available. Campers are required to "pack out garbage," adhering to Leave No Trace principles.

• Food Storage: Food and wildlife attractants must be properly stored at all times to prevent attracting animals. While not explicitly mentioned if bear boxes are provided, proper storage is a mandatory restriction.

• First-Come, First-Served: Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning reservations are not typically taken.

• No Fee: Tiffany Springs Campground is a fee-free campground, offering an affordable outdoor experience.

• No Trailers: Trailers are prohibited from accessing the campground due to road conditions.

Tiffany Springs Campground offers a range of features and highlights that make it particularly appealing to hikers and those seeking a quiet, immersive outdoor experience in Washington:

• Direct Hiking Trail Access: A major highlight is the direct access to hiking trails. The Tiffany Lake Trail #373 begins right across Forest Service Road #39 from the campground. This trail offers a "nice casual trail down to Tiffany lake" where visitors can relax or continue for a longer hike, including up towards Tiffany Mountain and Honeymoon Pass.

• Proximity to Tiffany Lake: While not directly on Tiffany Lake, the campground serves as a popular trailhead for a relatively short hike (about 2.5 miles one-way) to Tiffany Lake, a beautiful alpine lake known for fishing and scenic beauty.

• Beautiful Views: The area, including the hike to Tiffany Lake, offers "great views" of surrounding peaks and landscapes, including open areas with "wildflower meadows" (especially in areas burned during the 2006 Tripod Fire), and impressive vistas of Tiffany Mountain.

• Well-Maintained Campsites: Despite its rustic nature, the campground itself is "fairly well maintained," with spacious sites and generally "smooth with hardly any rocks," making for comfortable tent pitching.

• Secluded and Peaceful Atmosphere: With only six campsites, the campground offers a more intimate and less crowded experience than larger, more developed sites, providing a true sense of solitude.

• High-Elevation Forest Environment: Located in a high-elevation mature forest, the campground features subalpine fir, subalpine larch, whitebark pine, and Engelmann spruce, offering a distinct and beautiful forest community.

• Wildlife Observation: The area is known for wildlife. Reviewers mentioned the possibility of spotting deer and elk, and the broader Tiffany Mountain area is notable for unique bird species like the Boreal Owl and Boreal Chickadee.

• No Fee Camping: Being a free campground makes it an incredibly accessible option for budget-conscious adventurers.

• First-Come, First-Served Simplicity: For spontaneous trips, the first-come, first-served system offers flexibility, though arriving early is advisable during peak times.

Address: NF-39, Loomis, WA 98827, USA

Phone: (509) 486-2186

Mobile Phone: +1 509-486-2186

This phone number likely connects to the Tonasket Ranger District office of the Colville National Forest, which manages Tiffany Springs Campground. It's the best point of contact for current information on road conditions (especially for NF-39), trail status, fire restrictions, and any other updates regarding the campground.

For Washington residents, Tiffany Springs Campground offers a truly special kind of outdoor experience that aligns perfectly with our state’s love for the wild and the serene. We are fortunate to have vast national forests, and this particular gem provides an ideal blend of rugged beauty and accessible adventure, making it a highly suitable choice for a local getaway.

The biggest draw for many Washingtonians will be the direct access to outstanding hiking trails. As one reviewer aptly put it, "If you like nice hiking trails right next to your campsite this place is perfect." The ability to step out of your tent and immediately embark on a journey to Tiffany Lake or deeper into the mountains is an undeniable perk. This makes it an excellent base for weekend excursions focused on exploring our incredible trail system, without the need for long drives to trailheads once you've set up camp.

Furthermore, the rustic, free, and first-come, first-served nature of Tiffany Springs resonates with a segment of our local outdoor community that prefers solitude over crowds and embraces self-sufficiency. It’s a place where you can genuinely disconnect, surrounded by the high-elevation beauty of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, with its unique trees and potential for wildlife sightings. While it requires a vehicle with decent clearance and the foresight to bring your own water and toilet paper, these small preparations are a worthwhile trade-off for the peace, privacy, and pristine natural beauty that Tiffany Springs Campground so generously offers. For Washingtonians seeking a genuine, unpretentious, and hike-centric camping experience, this spot is truly a local treasure.