Map showing campground location near Easton, Washington

Camper submitted image from Kachess Lake Lakebed

Kachess Lake Lakebed

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

When Kachess Lake drops to low water levels, the exposed lakebed opens up a wide, flat expanse for dispersed camping along the eastern shore of the lake in Wenatchee National Forest. Sites are self-selected and undesignated. The road in has sharp-edged rocks that have caused tire damage for at least one RV camper, though a 26-foot Class C has made it through without incident. The entrance requires some navigation, and the interior tracks are rough enough to warrant caution at low speeds.

Expect company. On warm weekends, ATVs and dirt bikes move through the area throughout the day, and road noise carries from the highway running alongside the site. One reviewer notes the area gets "overcrowded if temperature is above 80." Cell service is reliable on AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, which is notable given how remote the setting looks from the lakebed. Campers consistently flag a litter problem, including broken glass and dumped waste in spots north of the main camping area. No garbage services are provided, so everything that comes in must leave with you.

Burn bans are in effect July through September due to fire danger, and rangers actively enforce them. Driving on the lakebed itself is prohibited regardless of water levels, as the area serves as spawning habitat for bull trout. Fines for littering and illegal fires are substantial. Kachess Lake Dispersed — NF Road 4818 sits just to the northwest for campers wanting a more structured dispersed option, and Kachess Hidden Camp on Forest Road 4818-101 is a short distance southeast along the same forest road system.

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Map & DirectionsKachess Lake Lakebed is located in Washington near Easton

Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

47.27543843 N
121.1890404 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 19 users
Last on 7/27/26
VerizonLTE
Good Coverage
Verified by 12 users
Last on 7/27/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 7/27/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 19 users
Last on 7/27/26
VerizonLTE
Good Coverage
Verified by 12 users
Last on 7/27/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 7/27/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Dispersed

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Phone Service
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Drive Time

1 hr from Seattle, WA
1 hr 8 min from Yakima, WA
1 hr 21 min from Wenatchee, WA
1 hr 40 min from Bremerton, WA

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Reviews8 Camper Reviews - Kachess Lake Lakebed

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

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1 Star

4.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the spacious sites and scenic lake views as highlights. However, numerous guests pointed out significant noise from ATVs and challenging rocky terrain that can damage vehicles.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Emma W.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 30, 2026

Perfectly Trashed

It’s a beautiful spot with amazing cell service but every site is so littered. Pick up your trash!

Siten/a

Month of VisitMay

Elena M.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2025

Beautiful but dirty

Beautiful view, but very dirty, dusty and noisy, dirt bikes are everywhere.

Month of VisitJuly

HECTOR A.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2025

Camping next to the lake

Dispersed camping , plenty space but some times overcrowded if temperature is above 80.

SiteN/A

Month of VisitJuly

Tabitha E.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2025

Great off road camp site!

Great spot off the lake to camp for the night. The rangers were putting out a fire when we arrived. Seems to have been successful. There is a burn ban in effect for this reason. If you are looking for solitude, this is not the spot. It's popular for large groups with ATVs but people were respectful and I slept like a baby after the sun went down.

SiteWe stayed towards the left and had very quiet neighbors. the other side was a little rowdier but they weren't super loud.

Month of VisitAugust

Jonathan T.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2025

Beautiful little oasis

This place is amazing, easy to get into, lots of camping spaces, beautiful views.

There is a lot of garbage, and especially broken glass bottles 😢

Asides from that is great! We have full bars on T-Mobile, and have no neighbors with 300 feet or so.

The entrance is a little tricky, and the “road”s are a little rough when you’re down here.

Site600 feet to the left

Month of VisitJune

Laura M.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2025

Beautiful - some trash dumps :(

Great boondocking. We made it fine in our 26ft class c, but the big sharp-edged rocks were concerning to drive over. And when we left we found a giant rock wedged between the two back tires (the dually tires). Not sure if we would go back, for this reason. But the lake level was really low when we stayed there, so there was plenty of available space for camping. A van or two, a truck camper, tent campers, a little scamp, and lots and lots of day time ATV users shared this space with us.

Cell service was good for both ATT and Verizon. Even though the area looks so remote, it’s right next to the road, so you have road noise that’s fairly loud. There was some trash, normal amounts, nothing horrible, until we came across this massive dumping ground of cans and food waste and broken glass and just general garbage, a couple miles north, along the lake. It was so disheartening.

(11) View All

Lets Go O.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2024

Land Destruction

Up to $5,000 fines for litter and $10,000 for illegal fire (plus up to a year jail time) now enforced!

People are destroying this lake. There is NO legal driving in the lake bed, even when the water is low. The lake bed is spawning grounds for the endangered Bull Trout. The lake nearby, Kacheless, is now closed due to people driving in the lake bed.

There are also burn bans July-September due to extremely high fire danger. Mountains of garbage around due to no garbage services, and human feces everywhere.

PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT. Respect the land on which you travel, or this too will be closed down.

Month of VisitJuly

Matt M.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2024

Kachess

Pretty good, many people riding atvs and dirtbike which kind of ruins the experience.

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

What permits or regulations do I need to know for dispersed camping at Kachess Lake?

Kachess Lake has strict regulations with hefty fines for violations - up to $5,000 for littering and $10,000 plus potential jail time for illegal fires. A complete burn ban is often in effect, especially during dry seasons, so check current fire restrictions before visiting. Driving in the lakebed is prohibited as it's spawning grounds for endangered Bull Trout. No permits are required for dispersed camping, but pack-in/pack-out principles must be followed. The area is actively patrolled by rangers enforcing these regulations to protect the lake from further environmental damage.

Where are the best dispersed camping spots around Lake Kachess?

The Kachess Lake Lakebed offers numerous dispersed camping opportunities, especially when water levels are low. The lakebed area provides spacious camping spots with beautiful views and enough room for larger RVs including class C motorhomes. Many campers find good spots with adequate privacy (up to 300 feet between sites during less busy periods). While the entrance can be tricky to navigate, once inside you'll find plenty of space to set up camp. Be aware that the terrain includes sharp-edged rocks that may be concerning for some vehicles, so careful driving is recommended.

What activities can you do while camping at Kachess Lake, WA?

Kachess Lake offers numerous recreational activities for campers. Swimming and water sports are popular when water levels permit. Hiking opportunities abound in the surrounding forest areas. Many visitors enjoy ATVs and dirt bikes, though this creates noise that may not appeal to those seeking tranquility. Fishing is available, though remember the lakebed is spawning grounds for Bull Trout. The area has good cell service (confirmed full bars on T-Mobile), making it suitable for those needing to stay connected. Stargazing is excellent on clear nights, and the scenic mountain views provide perfect backdrops for photography.

When is the best season for camping at Lake Kachess?

The optimal time to camp at Kachess Lake is late spring through early fall, with mid-summer offering the warmest conditions but also the most crowds. When temperatures exceed 80°F, the area tends to become overcrowded. For a more peaceful experience, consider visiting in late spring or early fall when there are fewer visitors but temperatures remain comfortable. Water levels are typically lower in late summer, which can provide more accessible camping areas on the lakebed, though this changes seasonally depending on precipitation and snowmelt.

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Map & DirectionsKachess Lake Lakebed is located in Washington near Easton

Coordinates

Connectivity

Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

DISPERSED CAMPING

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

Drive Time

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What permits or regulations do I need to know for dispersed camping at Kachess Lake?

Where are the best dispersed camping spots around Lake Kachess?

What activities can you do while camping at Kachess Lake, WA?

When is the best season for camping at Lake Kachess?