Sullivan Lake Washington (Colville National Forest)

Sullivan lake is a gem in the Colville National Forest. A lot of attention gets placed on Priest Lake just across the mountains. But today I’m going to tell you all about this lesser known destination in northwestern Washington.

Visit once and you’ll fall in love with Sullivan lake. If you are craving, pine trees, mountain lakes, and rural mountain roads then you have come to the right place. Let’s go!

Where Is Sullivan Lake?

Sullivan Lake is located in the Colville National Forest in the northeast corner of Washington. It is 5 miles east of Metaline Falls, Washington and approximately 16 miles south of the Canadian Border near the town of Nelway, British Columbia.

The largest cities near Sullivan Lake are:

• Spokane, Washington
• Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
• Sandpoint, Idaho.

Directions from each of these cities will route you through Newport, Washington. Newport is a small town on the Pend Oreille River next to the border of Idaho.

• Sullivan Lake is 1 h 57 min (93.8 miles) via US-2 E and WA-20 W from Spokane, Washington (Google Maps Directions From Spokane)
• Sullivan Lake is 2 h 8 min (106 miles) via ID-41 N and WA-20 W from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (Google Maps Directions From Coeur d’Alene)
• Sullivan Lake is 1 h 44 min (88.2 miles) via US-2 W and WA-20 W from Sandpoint, Idaho (Google Maps Directions From Sandpoint)

Sullivan Lake, Washington Weather

Weather at Sullivan Lake is very seasonal. It is typically wet in spring and fall, snowy in the winter, and hot and dry in the summer. On average there are 14 days of rain out of 92 days in June, July, and August. During this span the average high temperature ranges from 76 to 80 °

Average temperature and rainfall at Sullivan Lake Washington

Month	Average High/Low Temps (°F.)	Rainy Days Per Month
January	High: 36°, Low: 24°	11 inches
February	High: 40°, Low: 22°	9 inches
March	High: 48°, Low: 27°	9 inches
April	High: 56°, Low: 34°	9 inches
May	High: 64°, Low: 40°	10 inches
June	High: 76°, Low: 46°	9 inches
July	High: 80°, Low: 51°	5 inches
August	High: 79°, Low: 49°	4 inches
September	High: 70°, Low: 43°	5 inches
October	High: 54°, Low: 37°	8 inches
November	High: 41°, Low: 29°	12 inches
December	High: 34°, Low: 22	12 inches

Best season to visit Sullivan Lake Washington

My favorite months to visit Sullivan Lake are May and October. There are fewer people here these months because kids are still in school and less families are camping and taking vacations.

Sullivan Lake in May

Spring is a beautiful time of year no matter how you approach it. It feels so good to leave the snow behind and experience the higher more comfortable temperatures of summer.

If you choose the right weekend in May you can have great weather and the extra benefit much emptier campgrounds. Also, May is early enough in the season to avoid most of the danger and negatives of wildfires. Typically you are still allowed to have a campfire as the danger level is low.

Sullivan Lake in October

Even though May is a great month to visit, my favorite month at Sullivan Lake is October. The crisp mornings, fresh air, and autumn smells are unbeatable. The fleeting feeling that fall gives makes me feel like I have to soak up all of the beauty around me before it’s gone again for another year.

The Western Larch trees on the west side of Sullivan Lake are always beautiful. It’s worth a drive to Sullivan Lake every fall just to see them!

Shopping at Sullivan Lake Washington

Sorry you won’t find anywhere to shop at Sullivan Lake.😁 Sullivan Lake is remote and surrounded by nature. You’ll need to be fully stocked up before you go. Because you’ll most likely be passing through Newport, Washington to the south I I recommend:

• Safeway (maps link) in Newport, Washington
• Super One Foods (maps link) in Oldtown, Idaho
• Selkirk Ace Hardware (maps link) in Oldtown, Idaho

Between Safeway and Super One Foods you should be able to find any food items you’ll need, including bags of ice to keep your food and drinks cold.

Local Tip: Safeway in Newport is extremely busy in the summer months. If you need groceries and the parking lot is full, you might have a better time across the bridge at Super One Foods. 

Selkirk Ace Hardware in Oldtown, Idaho, just across the Pend Oreille River sells quite a bit of outdoor, camping, and fishing gear.

Local Tip: Ace Hardware Ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power in 2019 and this is definitely true about the Oldtown store. If you can't find what you need, ask and someone will be sure to help you out. I lived a few miles from this store for 7 years and went there all the time. 

Camping at Sullivan Lake, Washington

There are three great options for camping at Sullivan Lake.

• West Sullivan Campground (north end of the lake)
• East Sullivan Lake Campground (north end of the lake)
• Noisy Creek Campground (south end of the lake)

West Sullivan Campground

• No fees charged after Oct. 31
• Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis or by reservation at Recreation.gov
• Opens Memorial Day Weekend
• 7 campsites
• North end of beautiful Sullivan Lake, Washington
• Forest Service website: West Sullivan Campground

West Sullivan Campground is on the north end of Sullivan Lake. It’s about five miles east of Metaline Falls and 65 miles north of Newport, Washington. The campground provides has a beautiful location with plenty of outdoor recreation nearby.

It includes a beautiful day use area as well for people wanting to picnic. The views are spectacular for taking photos. There is a dedicated swimming area that is popular with families and children.

West Sullivan Lake Campground has a beautiful view of the lake and is an excellent sunrise photo location.

East Sullivan Lake Campground

• Boat launch remains open after campground closes. 
• Single sites, double sites, and 1 group site are available for reservation at Recreation.gov 
• Opens Memorial Day Weekend
• 40 campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, and tent pads
• 1 group site for up to 40 people
• North end of beautiful Sullivan Lake, Washington
• Forest Service website: East Sullivan Campground

The East Sullivan Lake Campground is the largest campground of the three around the lake.

Families especially love this campground because of the large swimming beach on the north end of the lake. Here is a link to the Google Map and Reviews so you can do extra up-to-date research!

Noisy Creek Campground

• Boat launch is open year around, weather permitting.
• Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis or by reservation at Recreation.gov
• Opens Memorial Day Weekend
• 20 campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, and tent pads
• South end of beautiful Sullivan Lake, Washington
• Forest Service website: Noisy Creek Campground

Noisy Creek Campground is also managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

The campsites at Noisy Creek are set back from the lake. There is a trail that takes you to the lake but do not expect to see the lake from your campsite.

There is a day use area open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm with access to the boat launch and a swimming area. The campground has drinking water, vault toilets, and a garbage disposal.

You can make to make reservations at Recreation.gov (Noisy Creek). I recommend this if you are visiting during the busy months or on weekends, as spots often fill up.

Note: I have camped at Noisy Creek several times on a Sunday night and have not needed to make reservations. To find empty sites last minute I recommend camping in early season (end of May) or late season (after Labor day in September) and on less popular days (Sunday-Wednesday).

7 things to do at Sullivan Lake, Washington

Discover what “quiet” means

Spoiler Alert: It is really quiet!

Just over the mountains is one of the most popular places in Idaho. For anyone familiar with the geography of eastern Washington and North Idaho you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Priest Lake is the reason Sullivan Lake is the best kept secret in the Inland Northwest.

Priest lake is a beautiful and amazing place. It’s popular for good reason.

The lake is big, with lots of room for boats. There’s a lot of shoreline so it’s perfect for people’s cabins. It has fancy boat rentals, vacation houses, and resorts.

It even pops up a little higher on a Google search of “What To See In The Inland Northwest”.

I don't think Sullivan Lake is even mentioned in any of those "Things To Do In The Inland Northwest" Google search results.

People from out of town probably haven’t even heard of it. Which is exactly why Sullivan Lake so awesome! It’s quiet because most of the summer tourists are at Priest Lake, on the other side of the mountains.

Drive on Sullivan Lake Road

One of my favorite things to do at Sullivan Lake is to drive on Sullivan Lake Road. The road, which runs on the east side of the lake, has multiple pull outs with views along the way.

From Noisy Creek Campground, turn right, and drive toward the lake. Stop at the pullout by the wooden bridge and take a few photos of the lake view towards the north.

Also if it’s the right time of year, look for flashes of pink in the creek to catch a glimpse of the Salmon in the river.

Continue up the road and admire the beauty that seems to appear around every bend, even in the winter!

Go without cellphone service

Places where cell phones and the internet have yet to find their way, hold a certain appeal to me. If you find the right place, it can feel just a little more beautiful.

Even though you might not be able to call, tweet, or check your instagram you might want to keep your phone with you. I use my phone as a camera pretty often. It’s honestly the best camera that most of us own. I use VSCO to edit my phone photos to take them look just a bit better. I wrote a whole guide on how to do it here VSCO Tutorial.

I also use Gaia GPS with pre-downloaded topo maps anytime I’m exploring the mountains of Washington and Idaho. This app can run without cell phone service since it only relies on a GPS signal. Just make sure your location settings are turned “on”, and your appropriate map is downloaded.

Travel Tip: There is little to no cell phone service with any provider at least as recent as March 2023. If you are needing to meet up with friends at one of the campgrounds or trail heads, make sure to plan ahead. 

If you spend anytime in the outdoors, I highly recommend Gaia GPS (link here). I don’t get paid to say this. I’m simply recommending it from personal experience.

See the fall colors of the Western Larch trees

The Colville National Forest is an amazing place to view the fall colors. Fall, in the Inland Northwest, has a quality that is impossible to describe and can only be experienced.

There are excellent photo and viewing locations all around Sullivan Lake. I recommend starting at the south end and driving north along the lake.

Make sure to keep an eye on the changing seasons and plan to visit Sullivan Lake in October. The Western Larch trees turn yellow in the fall before the needles fall off.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

― L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

The Colville National Forest doesn’t have the classic colors and stately feel of the New England states. Instead, it has a rustic and vintage beauty that complements the rainy weather and foggy river valleys.

Visit the quaint town of Metaline Falls, Washington

Metaline Falls is a tiny and now quaint town in Pend Oreille County in Northeastern Washington. Metaline Falls is 5 miles west of Sullivan Lake. (Google Maps directions here)

The town began as a settlement of people working in the lead and zinc mines in the early 1900’s. It was officially incorporated in 1911. Based on recent census data it is estimated that the population is between 250-280 people.

Restaurants in Metaline Falls, Washington

You’ll be happy to know that Cathy’s Cafe (Facebook Page) is the #1 out of 2 restaurants in Metaline Falls. I can personally recommend a stop at this small restaurant.

It will be a fun experience if you remember where you are. The food is good, and the people (if you find some) are friendly if not a little curious about the visitors.

After your meal take some time to walk around town and look at the old store fronts and enjoy the simple beauty of this old west town.

Hike The Sullivan Lake Trail

• 8.2 Miles Round Trip
• Elevation gain: 250 ft.
• Maximum Altitude: 2,840 feet.
• Free: No Permits Required

This is an awesome hike to do in October for awesome views of the Western Larch trees.

From State Route 31 just before you get to Ione, Washington, take a right on Sullivan Lake Road. Follow this road until you get to Noisy Creek Campground.

Note: The trail runs between Noisy Creek Campground and East Sullivan Lake Campground. It is possible to begin the hike from either campground since it is not a loop.

If you’re going to start from East Sullivan Lake Campground at the north end of then find a place to park, and locate the marked trail head. It is a 0.6 mile walk through the “nature walk” before you will turn right (south) on the Lakeshore Trail.

For about a mile you will walk through the forest, and then come to an overlook that gives you a great view of the lake. At this point, continue down the trail along the lake shore. There are plenty of opportunities here to take photos, stop by the rocky shore of the lake, and enjoy the spectacular views.

The Lakeshore Trail will continue along the shoreline ,then eventually cross Noisy Creek and head down into the Noisy Creek Campground. This is grizzly bear country so you’ll want to take logical precautions.

The Inland Northwest including northeastern Washington and North Idaho is a rural and rugged outdoor community. Most people pack weapons when they are hiking and if you’re coming from the West coast you’ll likely notice the cultural difference.

Like anywhere, respect needs to be shown to the people you meet and the nature you’re experiencing. Be safe, be respectful, and you’re bound to have a good time.

Take photos of Sullivan Lake at sunrise

As a photographer, the photo opportunities is one of the best things about Sullivan Lake.

Where: From the north end of the lake, stop the West Sullivan Lake Campground day use area and walk down to the beach. You will have a perfect view looking south across the lake.

When: Early, early early! Whenever you shoot the sunrise it’s best to get there at least 30 minutes before the sun rises. Not only will this let you get ready, but it’s one of the most beautiful times of day to experience while surrounded by nature.

What: I have been loving shooting landscapes with a longer lens lately. Typically I have my Canon 16-35 f/2.8L on my camera, but I’ve got a lot of great photos when I pop on the 135mm prime or a 70-200. What you use will depend on what the light is doing, and what kind of texture you get on the lake. I’ve shot ice, frost, and water smooth as glass from this vantage point.

History Of Sullivan Lake

Sullivan Lake fits into the larger history of the Pend Oreille River Valley and the indigenous people who lived along it’s banks for hundreds of years before white people arrived. John Nordstrand wrote an excellent essay of the history of Metaline Falls and surrounding area. The following is quoted from that essay:

A 1987 archaeological dig at Sullivan Lake near Metaline Falls established that Native Americans inhabited the Metalines area as long ago as 8,000 to 11,000 years. When the first outside explorers and fur traders came into the region in the early 1800s, the Kalispel tribe populated the area. There is evidence of hundreds of Native American camps and villages, some dating back thousands of years, along the Pend Oreille River, which was the life’s blood of Indian culture. However, there is little or no evidence of Indian settlement along the river to the north of Metaline Falls, due no doubt to the difficulty of navigating its turbulent waters.

John Nordstrand (Excerpt from Metaline Falls — Thumbnail History)

I enjoy knowing at least something about the people who came before me, and how they lived on the land I’m visiting. I hope this gives you a glimpse into the history, and spurs you to keep reading. Pend Oreille County in Washington has a beautiful landscape and fascinating history.

For more information about this area I recommend visiting the two local libraries located in Newport, Washington and Priest River, Idaho. Both include a small section of interesting history texts that will help you learn more.

• West Bonner Library District – Priest River | Address: 219 Main St, Priest River, ID 83856 (Facebook Page)
• Pend Oreille County Library – Newport Branch | Address: 109 S Union Ave, Newport, WA 99156 (Website)

What to do in the Colville National Forest?

After living near the Colville National Forest or 7 years I have a wealth of stories, posts, and local information to share with you about this area. I can’t wait to share them with you.

If you’re reading this now it’s because our blog is brand new and I simply haven’t had time to publish all of this info yet. But I promise it’s coming!

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