When someone mentions “The Feathers” in Eastern Washington, chances are they are climbers! Frenchman Coulee in Vantage is known for the famous spot called The Feathers, and it includes some of the best and most popular beginner rock-climbing routes in Washington state.
But the fun doesn’t stop there!
Frenchman Coulee has some of the coolest camping spots near Vantage, and we’re sharing all about what to expect, cool things to do (for non-climbers) in the area, and more cool tips. Let’s get started!
Just to be clear on titles:
Frenchman Coulee Campground is not really an “official” campground. We put ‘official’ in quotations because there is no place to reserve a spot, no utility hookups, and no real marked off spots.
The area is marked with plenty of signs that say “Discover Pass Required” so make sure you pick up yours before heading out here. You can find more about the pass here in our guide to PNW forest passes, but you can purchase one for $30, and it’s good for the entire year!
We were also told that park rangers come by occasionally to check and see if you have your pass. We didn’t see any when we camped there, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come around a check. Citations for not having a Discover Pass are $99, so better to have one than not!
The coordinates to Frenchman Coulee are here (47.0278503,-119.9670767) and you can access it by taking Exit 143 off I-90. This is a great spot to go camping with your friends if they live across the state because this exit is almost exactly halfway between Spokane and Seattle!
There are a few areas between the climbing walls that have flat spaces among the sagebrush, where cars can drive up and pitch a tent anywhere they deem usable. It’s a free for all, which means you could have the place to yourself one weekend, and return to see it packed the next.
Most of the people who come to this campground come exclusively for the climbing opportunities. We often saw neighboring campers hike up in the evening to climb after the sunset, and waking up at the crack of dawn to get back on the routes.
Because of the lack of organization and oversight, there is a potential for this place to be rowdy. Most people that come here respect the general rules of camping, but just be prepared for noisy neighbors who may not know these written/unwritten rules.
For your convenience, here are some things to remember when camping at Frenchman Coulee:
So, what’s the point of camping at Frenchman Coulee in Vantage if you’re not a climber? Well, a lot of reasons actually! Here are some fun things to do around Vantage, Washington:
There are plenty of access points to get in the Columbia River or enjoy a day by the water. Our group of friends brought two kayaks and a paddleboard, and we had a lot of fun taking them out on the river! Make sure to always wear life jackets (PFDs) because this is still a flowing river.
Here are some convenient water access points near Frenchman Coulee in Vantage:
Because of the plethora of amazing climbing routes in Frenchman Coulee, we were able to hike to the top of some of the areas to get great views of the arid, vast landscape below! There are quite a few short and steep trails to explore in the very immediate area, but there are also awesome trails nearby if you’re looking for a more formal hiking trail.
Here are some popular hikes around Vantage, Washington:
While Frenchman Coulee is no doubt a climber’s paradise, there is so much more to do here! We hope that this post inspired you to learn more about camping in the Vantage area and shed some light on new campsites and adventures to take this season.
Happy camping!