Several campgrounds surround Carlton, Washington, positioned in the Methow Valley at 1,647 feet elevation. This area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and cold winters with significant snowfall. Most local campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October due to winter conditions, with vault toilets typically available year-round even when water systems are winterized.
What to do
Fishing access points: Leader Lake Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities with multiple species available. "Lake has trout, largemouth bass and crappies," notes Katie H. about Leader Lake Campground. Josh C. adds, "We stayed on the East Side of the lake by the dock... right on the water."
River activities: The Methow River provides opportunities for kayaking and water play near several campgrounds. At Riverbend RV Park, campers appreciate the riverside location. Jennifer H. mentions it has "nice quiet amenities... easy river access, playground was older but did the trick for the kids, nice paved roads to scooter and skate."
Mountain hiking access: The camping areas near Carlton serve as gateways to mountain trails. Boulder Creek offers "Beautiful mountain views. Creek is amazing," according to Sharon T., who notes that "Restrooms are cleaned daily."
What campers like
Well-maintained grounds: Many campgrounds in the area feature grassy sites and clean facilities. Scott-Christy B. at Pine Near RV Park notes, "We used a tent site which was in excellent shape. The views from our site were of the North Cascades. Only a short block walk into the heart of Winthrop."
Proximity to towns: Several campgrounds offer convenient access to nearby communities. Gary P. describes Pine Near RV Park as having "Nice grassy sites, great staff," while Miranda M. adds, "Great little campground with very nice owners. My only complaint is that the showers cost money!"
Waterfront views: Many campsites provide direct lake or river access. At Beebe Bridge Park, Gail S. shares, "We had a site next to the river. The grass was well maintained and the entire part was inviting looking. Our site had a small pebbled beach area."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most glamping options near Carlton operate primarily in summer months. At Antilon Lake Campground, Amy S. notes, "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."
Reservation systems: Booking requirements vary significantly. David H. reports on Antilon Lake, "Our visit was a completely random one, one of us just selected a spot on the map, and we went."
Bug awareness: Insects can be problematic, especially in warmer months. Serena G. warns about Antilon Lake: "BRING BUG SPRAY!!! After setting up our tent and bunking down for the night we found probably 100 mosquitoes INSIDE of the tent."
Weather patterns: The region experiences distinct seasonal changes. Christine R. shared about Antilon Lake, "Aside from a very windy/rainy day and night with 40 mph gusts, the weather was perfect and I loved falling asleep to the sound of the frogs and crickets."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several family-friendly campgrounds provide play areas. Taylor W. says of Beebe Bridge Park, "There's a boat launch, playground, beach area with swimming area roped off, and a big open field to play any games you like."
Swimming opportunities: Water access varies by location. At Shady Pines Resort, Katie S. reports, "Our dogs were happy playing in the water and watching the deer, geese and herons."
Camp activities: Some sites offer additional entertainment options. Kelley from Riverbend RV Park mentions, "Lots of shade trees, level site, good spacing, places to access the river," and Mary F. adds that Riverbend has a "Good sized dog run and a lot of games for guest use. We had fun using corn hole game."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers should consider specific site features when booking. At American Legion Park, Peter describes it as a "parking lot with grass area for tents. Toilets and shower. $10 per night," adding that "The park is sandwiched between a busy city street and the river."
Hook-up availability: Utility connections vary widely between campgrounds. Jonathan T. notes American Legion Park provides "free showers, free WiFi, bathrooms, water faucet, and water spigot," which can be valuable amenities.
Parking considerations: Access roads and site dimensions affect RV camping options. David & Sue C. found Shady Pines Resort to be "An absolutely fantastic little campground for all sizes, from tents to big RVs!! Jacob the manager was a great help the entire stay."