Lake Chelan Campgrounds
Lake Chelan Campgrounds
Lake Chelan is over 50 miles long, and while the Northern half of the lake can feel deserted and offers tranquility, the Southern section of the lake can be busy during the summer season. Measuring an ear popping 1,486 feet deep, the third deepest lake in the United States, behind Crater Lake and Lake Tahoe, is Lake Chelan. Campsites can be found all around the lake, from boat-in and hike-in campsites to state parks, find your perfect Lake Chelan campsite with this guide.
There are many different activities to do while camping along Lake Chelan. The region is home to close to 40 wineries, and there is likely to be a winery a short drive, or walk, away from your campsite. Water activities are extremely popular, and you will often find folks paddleboarding, boating and jet skiing on the lake. There are a number of different hiking and mountain biking trails in Chelan Valley - use our Lake Chelan Hiking Guide to find the perfect outing.
RV Parks
There are a number of options for overnight stays in your recreational vehicle in the Chelan Valley, including a couple of state parks, local municipality parks as well as private RV parks. Most RV Parks listed below also have a small number of tent-only sites for folks without an RV.
Lake Chelan State Park
Lake Chelan State Park is on the Southern part of the lake, on what is commonly referred to as the South Shore, about 15 minutes from the downtown area of the city of Chelan. The park sits on 139 acres of land and boasts a 6,000 foot shoreline, with the sandy beach being the main attraction for summer time campers. There is also a boat launch, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, paddleboard rentals as well as a couple miles of hiking trails via the Little Bear Trail.
Lake Chelan State Park offers 108 standard campsites, some of which provide amazing waterfront views, 18 partial hookup sites, and 17 full hookup sites. The restrooms include showers. Lake Chelan State Park is open year round and while spaces are typically easy to come by in the off-season, expect every site to be reserved well in advance during the summer.
Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park
Twenty Five Mile Creek State Park is located at the literal end of the road 25 miles up lake on the south shore and encompasses 232 acres. The park has 25 standard campsites, 4 partial-hookup sites, 7 full-hookup sites, with two restrooms and six showers available. The park is open April 1st through October 31st and closed for the winter season.
The park has an excellent boat launch that provides access to the northern section of Lake Chelan, which is much quieter and more remote than the Southern half as well as moorage for boats. There is also a small store available within the park, which is quite useful given this park is a ways from the commercial area of Chelan. There is a small swimming area, as well as a dock for fishing. The Twenty Five Mile Creek valley has a number of trails open to hiking, mountain biking and dirt biking : see our Lake Chelan Hiking Guide for more information.
Lakeshore RV Park
The Lakeshore RV Park is run by the City of Chelan and conveniently located on the shores of Lake Chelan within the city of Chelan, providing easy access to various restaurants and amenities. There are 163 full hook up sites with most able to accommodate 40 foot RVS, the exception being 22 tent only sites with 16 foot by 16 foot tent pad.
The park has picnic tables, dump station, restrooms and coin operated shower, and is located adjunct to the Don Morse park, which has tennis courts, play structures, basketball and volleyball courts and a large beach for swimming. The Lakeshore RV park is open year round, however the restrooms and showers are closed from November through March (tent only sites are closed as well during this time).
Beebe Bridge Park
The Beebe Bridge Park, run by the Chelan County PUD, is located four miles east of Chelan along the banks of the Columbia River. It features 46 tent and RV sites with electricity and water, restrooms showers and also provides a dump site.
The campground is open for camping from April 15th until October 15th, and also features a swimming area, boat launch, boot moorage, tennis courts, horseshoe pits and playground area. Nearby is the Beebe Springs Wildlife Area with a number of interconnected hiking/walking trails.
Wapato Lake Campground
Owned by the Manson Parks and Recreation District, the Wapato Lake Campground on the shore of Wapato Lake is open from April 15th to September 30th. The campground has tent-only sites, as well as RV sites with access to electricity and water, however no sewer access is provided. The campground also offers bathrooms, showers, boat launch and beach access.
Kamei Campground & RV Park
Kamei Campground & RV Park is a small private campground located on the shores of Wapato Lake with spots for tents, RVs and trailers. The campground also has three travel trailers available for rent, and the campground is open from the 4th weekend in April through Labor Day.
Kamei Campground & RV Park has a boat launch available for $2.00, and also rent row boats and life jackets. Wapato Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout and fishers can also pull out Perch, Bass and Bluegill.
12 Tribes Lake Chelan RV Park
The 12 Tribes Lake Chelan RV Park has two locations, one of which is located adjacent to the casino in Manson, and has twenty-one 72′ long x 42′ wide pull-through sites. The other site is located on the water next to the Old Mill Park, and has a swimming area and dock. Sewer, water and electricity are available, as well as a dumping station. The park is opened seasonally in the summer.
Summerhill Farm RV Park
The Summerhill Farm RV Park is a boutique RV park with a small number of 35' full hook-up spots, and is located near the city of Chelan.
Drive To Campgrounds
The Forest Service maintains a number of drive-to Lake Chelan campgrounds in the Twenty-Five Mile Creek and Antilon Lake area. With the exception of Snowberry Bowl campground, all the other campgrounds do not require a fee for camping, but offer minimal or no services like potable water and restrooms.
Antilon Lake Campground
Antilon Lake is a no-fee campground located on the shores of Antilon Lake, above Lake Chelan. There are four sites spread out along Grade Creek Road, and sites A through C are run by the Department of Natural Resources and do not have any facilities. Site D, on the shores of Upper Antilon Lake, is run by the Forest Service and features two vault toilets on site, and is suitable for RVs as well as tent camping. Antilon Lake is stocked with brown trout each spring for fishing and is open to non-motorized boats. While camping is allowed year round, the forest service road to Antilon Lake is covered in snow during the winter and used as a snowmobile route. The Antilon Overlook hike is a short walk from the camppground, and at the southern end of the lower lake is the Fourth of July Mountain hike.
South Navarre Campground
South Navarre Campground has four campsites and pit toilets and is located 35 miles from the city of Chelan on the north shore and there are no fees to use the campground. Accessing the campground requires an hour and half drive on Forest Service roads and you should consult with the local ranger office to get the latest updates on the condition of the road. There are a number of trails for hiking, mountain biking and dirt-biking close to the campground. Refer to our Lake Chelan Hiking Guide for more information.
Snowberry Bowl Campground
The Snowberry Bowl Campground is located a short distance up Twenty-Five Mile Creek with all but the last mile on paved road and is open May through October. The Campground has seven single tent sites, and two small group / RV sites. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings (check with the ranger office for fire restrictions in the summer and fall) and there is potable water available onsite. Fees of $15 required per site, with $5 per additional car.
Grouse Mountain Campground
The Grouse Mountain Campground is located on a ridge off of Grouse Mountain and the four tent sites provide amazing views of Lake Chelan. Accessing the campground requires 6 miles of driving on a dirt forest service road. Each tent site has fire rings and picnic tables, and there are two pit toilets available, however no potable water is available at the site. No fees are required to stay at this campground. There are a number of trails open to hiking, mountain biking and dirt biking neary along Devil's Backbone. Refer to our Lake Chelan Hiking Guide for more information.
Junior Point Campground
Requiring 12 miles of driving on the dirt forest service road Shady Pass, Junior Point Campground offers five tent-only campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. Situated at 6,600 ft elevation, this is one of the higher drive-in campsites in the state of Washington. No fees required. There are a number of trails open to hiking, mountain biking and dirt biking neary along Devil's Backbone. Refer to our Lake Chelan Hiking Guide for more information.
Handy Springs Campground
This tiny campground in Twenty-Five Mile Creek area has a single tent-only site with a pit toilet. Access requires either driving roughly 13 miles along the dirt forest service road Shady Pass from Lake Chelan side or via Entiat River Valley. No fees are required to camp here. There are a number of trails open to hiking, mountain biking and dirt biking neary along Devil's Backbone. Refer to our Lake Chelan Hiking Guide for more information.
Boat In Campgrounds
There are a number of boat-in Lake Chelan Campgrounds within the National Forest and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area along the upper section of Lake Chelan. In general, there are no fees to camp at these sites, however a Federal Dock Site Permit is required to use docks between May 1 and October 31. No permit is required if you kayak and canoe and don't use the floating docks (e.x. You pull your craft onto the shore instead of tying up at the dock). Many of these sites can also be reached via hiking trails, and can be popular spots during the summer months.
Mitchell Creek Campground
Mitchell Creek Campground is just up-lake of Antilon Lake Campground and Emerson Acres, and is only accessible via boat. It's a very popular campground during the summer months, as it's the most downlake boat-in campground. There is a good sized dock with 17 boat capacity, along with seven campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, and two vault toilets.
Deer Point Campground
Deer Point Campground is one of the closest boat-in campground on Lake Chelan, situated 3.5 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the north shore. It features a floating dock with capacity for eight boats, and five tent sites complete with picnic tables and fire rings. The campground also has two pit toilets available.
Safety Harbor Campground
Safety Harbor Campground is closed for the foreseeable future due to the Uno Peak fire in 2017 and the risk of flash floods. The campground has a floating dock with 6 boat capacity, four tent sites, two fire pits and picnic tables and a vault toilet.
Corral Creek Campground
Located 9 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore, Corral Creek Campground has a floating dock with 6 boat capacity, 4 tent sites, 2 picnic tables, 2 fire rings and 1 toilet available and is open year round.
Graham Harbor Campground
The Graham Harbor Campground is 12.5 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore, and features a floating dock with a ten boat capacity. There are five tent sites, seven tables, six fire rings, two toilets and a communal shelter available at the campground. A ¼ mile trail connects to the Graham Harbor Creek Campground.
Graham Harbor Creek Campground
The Graham Harbor Creek Campground is 12.6 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore, and features a fixed dock with a four boat capacity. The campground has four tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, and one vault toilet. A ¼ mile trail connects to the Graham Harbor Campground.
Prince Creek Campground
Located 15.4 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park, Prince Creek Campground has a floating dock with three boat capacity. The campground features Prince Creek offers six tent sites, five fire rings, five tables, and three toilets. Prince Creek is the southern end of the Lakeshore Hiking Trail, a 17 mile trail that connects to Stehekin, as well as the Prince Creek Wilderness Trail which ascends into the Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness. The campground is serviced by the ferries as needed and is a popular spot to start and end hikes.
Domke Falls Campground
Domke Falls Campground is 18 miles up-lake from Twenty-Fice Mile Creek State Park on the south shore and is accessible year-round. It features a floating dock with a six boat capacity, and four tent sites with picnic tables, as well as three fire rings and one toilet. There is a short trail to view Domke Falls; however, this campground does not provide access to the nearby hiking trails of Domke Lake nor Domke Mountain Lookout.
Refrigerator Harbor Campground
Located 21 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore near Lucerne, Refrigerator Harbor Campground has a floating dock with 4 boat capacity and is accessible year round. The campground has four tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, a communal shelter and two pit toilets.
Lucerne Campground
The Lucerne Campground is located 21 miles up-lake from 25-Mile Creek State Park on the south shore in the small community of Lucerne. It features a dock 11 boat capacity. Potable water is available at the campground and it has 3 tent-only sites. A trail connects this campground with the Refrigerator Harbor Campground
Lucerne Campground
The Lucerne Campground is located 21 miles up-lake from 25-Mile Creek State Park on the south shore in the small community of Lucerne. It features a dock 11 boat capacity. Potable water is available at the campground and it has 3 tent-only sites. A trail connects this campground with the Refrigerator Harbor Campground
Moore Point Campground
The Moore Point Campground is 24 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the north shore and 5.5 miles down-lake of Stehekin. It features a fixed dock with 3 boat capacity that is only accessible when waters are raised. The campground has four tent sites with fire pits and picnic tables, a picnic shelter and two vault toilets. The campground is a short distance away from the Lakeshore Trail and has nearby level space for additional dispersed camping.
Flick Creek Campground
The Flick Creek Campground is located 25.8 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the north shore along the Lakeshore Trail. It features a floating dock with 4 boat capacity. The campground has 2 tent sites with a communal fire ring, picnic table, toilet and food storage locker.
Manly Wham Campground
The Manly Wham Campground is located 27.2 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore. There is a floating dock with 2 boat capacity, and the campground has a single tent site with a picnic table, fire ring and toilet.
Purple Point Campground
Located just north of Stehekin Landing (less than 10 minute walk) and 28.3 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek on the north shore . Purple Point Campground has a large floating dock with 15 boat capacity with 6 tent sites with picnic tables, potable water and a flush toilet. Given its proximity to Stehekin, this is a very popular campground, and reservations can be made in advance. Unlike most other campsites around Lake Chelan, there is a fee to camp here.
Weaver Point Campground
Located 29 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek, the Weaver Point Campground is located across the lake from Stehekin Landing on the south shore. The campground has 2 floating docks with 16 boat capacity. Note, due to lowering of lake levels in the off-season, the docks are removed each fall and are re-installed early each summer once lake levels reach 1,096 feet. The campground has 16 tent sites with picnic tables, potable water, a communal food storage locker and 2 flush and 6 pit toilets. The campground provides access to the 3.5 Stehekin River Trail and Devore Creek Trail.
Hike In Campgrounds
For those looking for remote Lake Chelan campgrounds, consider the two hike-in only camps below. The Cascade Creek Campground is a common stop for overnight hikers along the Lakeshore Trail, while the Holden Campground provides access to a number of amazing trails in the North Cascades.
Cascade Creek Campground
Located along the Lakeshore Trail 5 miles up-lake of Prince Creek and 25.4 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek on the north shore, this campground has two tent sites, 1 picnic table, 1 fire ring and a Wallowa toilet.
Holden Ballpark Campground
Holden Ballpark Campground is situated 1 mile away via a trail from Holden Village in an open field and features a single Wallowa Toilet. This campground provides access to a number of hiking trails, including Cloud Pass Trail, Holden Lake, and Copper Creek. Holden Village can be accessed by bus from Lucerne Landing, with current rates at $15 for roundtrip and $10 for one-way.
Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping, also known as boondocking and off-grid camping refers to camping in areas without any facilities, such as running water and toilets. Regulations around dispersed camping vary by state as well as the entity in charge of the land. In the Lake Chelan area, dispersed camping is allowed, just remember some basic rules like camping 100 feet away from water sources and no fires. Below are a couple of my favorite dispersed camping areas.
Antilon Lake
Antilon Lake has a campground, with a couple of sites (A through C) run by the Department of Natural Resources and one site (D) run by the forest service. However, there are a number of areas where you can pull off from the Grade Creek forest service road and find a level spot to camp. One of the best involves a tricky road, the Antilon Spur Forest service road (8200-115). While not a long road, Antilon Spur is often fairly narrow with untrimmed bushes and branches overflowing onto the road, and near the bottom there is a steep and rutted section that is tricky to navigate. But the reward is a nice level site overlooking Antilon Lake.
Lone Peak Campground
Next to the Lone Peak trailhead are a couple of level spots suitable for camping. While it is marked as Lone Peak Campground on Google Maps, there are no facilities available, and no nearby water source, short of hiking a mile down to the North Fork of Twenty-Five Mile Creek. The forest service road, 5903-100 Lone Peak Trailhead, to Lone Peak is in pretty good shape, but note, just past the camping area the road is impassable as there are numerous blowdowns.
Shady Pass Road
Nestled in a stand of trees a couple miles from where Shady Pass Road turns to gravel in the Twenty-Five Mile Creek area, is a great level spot with views of Lake Chelan. Look for it on the right hand side as you ascend Shady Pass Road, but chances are it may be already occupied if you get there on a busy weekend.
