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Dispersed Camping

Kachess Lake Lakebed

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Kachess Lake Lakebed is located near Kachess Lake in Washington, offering a terrain of forested areas and open lakebeds. Temperatures in this region typically range from 30°F in winter to 80°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Snoqualmie Pass, providing opportunities for hiking and exploring nature.

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Location

Kachess Lake Lakebed is located in Washington

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

47.27543843 N
121.1890404 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Last on 8/9/25
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Last on 8/9/25
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

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

DISPERSED CAMPING

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

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Kachess Lake Lakebed needs a permit.


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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

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
  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Tabitha E., August 2, 2025
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
  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Jonathan T., June 25, 2025
  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Jonathan T., June 25, 2025
  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Jonathan T., June 25, 2025
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.

  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Laura M., June 5, 2025
  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Laura M., June 5, 2025
  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Laura M., June 5, 2025
  • (11) View All
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
  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Lets Go O., August 16, 2024
  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Lets Go O., August 16, 2024
  • Review photo of Kachess Lake Lakebed by Lets Go O., August 16, 2024
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.