1 campground with availability this weekend
Dispersed camping options dominate the tent camping landscape near Ardenvoir, Washington, with several primitive tent campsites spread throughout the surrounding Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping and Swakane Canyon/Creek Campsite offer free tent camping opportunities for those seeking more remote experiences, while established options like Lake Chelan State Park Campground provide more amenities for tent campers approximately 20 minutes from downtown Chelan.
Most primitive tent campsites in the Ardenvoir area require high-clearance vehicles to access. The forest roads leading to Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping feature challenging terrain that may require 4x4 vehicles. According to one visitor, "This would get 5 stars if it weren't for the terribly bumpy and long road up to the main site." Tent campers should expect minimal facilities at dispersed sites - no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Many areas require Northwest Forest Passes or permits. Fire restrictions frequently apply during summer months, especially in the drier eastern slopes of the Cascades. Tent sites at Lake Chelan State Park offer more amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water and restrooms.
Areas farther from main roads typically offer greater solitude for tent camping near Ardenvoir. Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping provides expansive mountain views with sites positioned along treelines that offer some wind protection. A review mentioned that "it gets pretty windy at night but there are treelines you can position against." The Swakane Canyon area features a forest patch at the end of a poorly maintained gravel road, with one established fire ring. Lake Chelan State Park provides more structured tent campsites with some waterfront options, though these areas become crowded during peak summer months. Many tent sites near water features like creeks or lakes offer natural white noise that enhances the camping experience. Winter snow typically closes higher elevation tent campsites from late fall through spring.
"This is a great park and a premium camping location on the popular Lake Chelan. A favorite location for west siders to escape the rain for some guaranteed sunshine in Central Washington."
"We camped in the tent camping side towards the lake (site 89) and had a decent amount of privacy."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $41 / night
"There was a fire ring which is how we could tell it was a spot. The views of the mountains all around are insane!!! Loved watching the sunset and sunrise up here. It is very windy!"
"Within the almost 4 million acres of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, lie countless locations for dispersed camping."
"One fireplace - check if fire ban is active!"
"It was ok don't like the fact that we had to park our vehicle so far away from campsite because it was a bitch to get to camping area"
"Right on lake wenatachee, 18 a night. 4 vault toilets and plenty of sites, picnic tables, water access and fire rings. we had the entire camp ground to ourselves very romantic, slept right on the beach"
"The first few sites had space for RVs, but after that it's primarily hike-in sites, but a one or two sites for a camper van to pull into (which is the option we chose)."
"I had heard from the ranger that things could get wild, but it wasn’t too bad. The dirt road is long with curves, and can get bumpy at times."
"Tons of wildlife, wild flowers, hiking trails and all around good views. If you're looking to avoid the crowds I would advise going in the middle of the week to atleast claim your site!"
"Stopped to check out Goose Creek Campground which was pretty much empty when we got there, but had loads of trash left behind by previous campers."
"Campground caters to atv riders with trails and large sites with extra parking."
from $18 - $28 / night
"Awesome National Forest Service campground, just 3-4 miles above 25-Mile State Park on Lake Chelan. Lots of shade and great trees for hammocks."
"One of the many awesome boat up National Forest Service campgrounds along Lake Chelan. Gorgeous lake front spots, with firepits, picnic tables, and pit toilets. Creek is near the campground."
"the restrooms are a short walk; spare, but usually quite clean. nice dock facility, but secure your bumpers well due to passing boat wakes."
"Originally we were set up on a small pull off on the side of the road, but then we took a walk and saw a small road shooting off the side with 3 large spots with fire pits."
"Each of the 3 spots had easy access to the river. It's only 2 miles away from the Stuart and Colchuck Lake TH too!"
ScoutIt was fairly easy to get to this area however despite our best efforts we only found one established campsite with a fire ring. Road getting here was mostly paved with some debris on the roadway. We lost GPS signal just before arriving and passed NF200. I gave 3 stars because we were unable to locate other sites. Maybe it was just me but we drove quite a while on NF200 and only found the one right at the entrance.
TravelerThe heated bathrooms with showers were definitely comfort on our cross country road trip. We arrived after hours but because we already had made reservations that morning we were able to use the slider and enter the campground. Star gazing is always top priority. We headed down to the lake’s beach to snap some shots with my iPhone 14 Pro night, setting on a tripod and remote.
LegendRoad closures due to a bridge out closed off probably the better sites up top but we did find a great spot off the road with a view. Enjoyed a nice evening under the stars and a campfire.
LegendWe spent a pleasant evening in this beautiful park. Facilities are clean and well kept. Sites are spread out with plenty of grassy area between each site.
RangerDecent little camp ground, designated spots at the top an you can drive down to the lake. Walking around you did see a fair amount of trash N no cell signals.
RangerNot far off main road, and gravel road not bad at all. Absolutely no cell coverage, a few designated spots.
ScoutFREE!! NO FEE!! This place has around 20 spots. Some of the spots are on one road right as you enter with a vault toilet. But if you continue and take a right down that road there are more spots and another vault toilet. The larger sites are on this second road.
Each spot has a picnic table and fire ring.
It looks like the road has a closed during the winter but the camping is still open. Snowmobiling to the sites.
LegendAmazing but a bit dirty and lots of other campers. We stopped for a river visit but didn’t stay the night
GuideIt is basically a gravel lot along soap lake. It has full hookups and costs $52/ Night. Easy to get in. You have to use the QR code box on the board beside the gate. It works easily and you get your gate code by email quickly. The internet is strong but slow. We are using our Verizon with 5g signal. Showers nice and hot.
Dispersed camping options in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest dominate the camping landscape near Ardenvoir, Washington. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 5,000 feet on the eastern slopes of the Cascades, creating varied microclimates that affect camping conditions. Summer temperatures often reach 85-95°F during daytime hours but can drop below 50°F at night, especially at higher elevations.
Fishing at Antilon Lake: Antilon Lake Campground provides good fishing opportunities with several species available. According to one camper, "I camped in dispersed campground 'A' and really enjoyed it. There is good shore access for bank fishing (I caught sun fish, crappie, and brown trout)" while another mentioned, "I caught 3 gorgeous brown trout from my kayak, which made 2 delicious meals."
Hiking near trailheads: FS Road 7601 Dispersed camping spots provide convenient access to popular trails. One camper noted, "The trailhead to the Enchantments trails is right up the road so it is very convenient compared to sleeping in the parking lot at the trailhead." Another camper confirmed the location advantage: "It's only 2 miles away from the Stuart and Colchuck Lake TH too!"
Water activities at Lake Wenatchee: Glacier View Campground offers direct lake access for water recreation. A camper explained, "I take my kayak and I can launch it directly from my spot," while another visitor highlighted that "almost every campsite has its own access to the lake. Some bigger than others but still a nice touch."
Lakefront camping: Campers appreciate sites directly on water bodies. At Mitchell Creek Campground, one visitor called it their "Favorite campsite on Lake Chelan" with "Gorgeous lake front spots, with firepits, picnic tables, and pit toilets." Another camper at Mitchell Creek noted the "Lots of boat parking with breakwater. Pit toilet was very clean."
Privacy and solitude: Many campers value the secluded nature of camping options. At Antilon Lake Campground, a visitor enjoyed "camping in peace" explaining that "A quiet campground with no reservations was exactly what we were looking for on the weekend prior to Memorial Day. Our campground backed right up to the lake."
Mountain views: The best tent camping near Ardenvoir, Washington often includes scenic vistas. One camper at FS Road 7601 described "beautiful views of the surrounding mountains" while another visitor mentioned that "Each of the 3 spots had easy access to the river."
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require capable vehicles. A camper at Swakane Canyon/Creek Campsite reported "Over 4 miles of poorly maintained gravel road, but with a nice forest patch at the end. One fireplace - check if fire ban is active!"
Bug considerations: Insects can be problematic during certain times. A Glacier View camper warned: "Day 3: The wind dies down and OUT COME THE MOSQUITOS... The mosquito swarms in mid-June are ABSOLUTELY unbearable. No amount of bug spray seemed to matter, they were flying into ears/eyes/mouths."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ardenvoir, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ardenvoir, WA is Lake Chelan State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ardenvoir, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 87 tent camping locations near Ardenvoir, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
