Tent campsites near Cashmere, Washington access the surrounding Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 7,000 feet depending on location. The region experiences substantial seasonal temperature fluctuations, with summer daytime highs often reaching 90°F while dropping to 45-50°F at night at higher elevations. Most dispersed camping areas require travelers to navigate Forest Service roads that can quickly deteriorate after rainfall.
What to do
Hiking to alpine lakes: The region near Cashmere provides access to numerous alpine lake trails. At Colchuck Lake, one visitor described their experience: "Beautiful 4 mile hike up (8 round trip) to the lake. There was a weird smell coming from the river, so maybe don't drink from it haha. Bring plenty of your own water, also BUG SPRAY. Lots of bugs at the lakeside."
Fishing mountain streams: Several camping areas offer fishing opportunities in nearby creeks and rivers. At FS Road 7601 Dispersed, campers can access the river directly: "We camped right along the river, and there was even a little access point for kayaks and canoes and calm water for the kids."
Mountain biking: The forest roads and trails throughout the region provide excellent mountain biking opportunities. Many camping areas serve as starting points for day trips on bikes, with varying difficulty levels from beginner to advanced technical trails requiring 4-8 hours to complete.
What campers like
River access: Many campers appreciate sites with direct water access. At Glacier View Campground, "Quiet, clean, and almost every campsite has its own access to the lake. Some bigger than others but still a nice touch. Lots of little animals to watch. And hidden lake trail head is .5 miles from camp."
Proximity to trailheads: Tent sites near popular hiking destinations are highly sought after. One camper at FS Road 7601 Dispersed 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."
Relative seclusion: Despite being accessible, many campers value finding quieter spots away from crowds. A visitor to Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping observed: "This area of the southeast corner of the NF has very little traffic compared to others, we saw only one ATV for the whole time we were there."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many camping areas require navigating rough forest roads. A camper at Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping noted: "This would get 5 stars if it weren't for the terribly bumpy and long road up to the main site. My Toyota Highlander made it up, but I was a little nervous."
Wind exposure: Several camping areas experience significant wind, especially at higher elevations. Campers should secure tents properly. "It gets pretty windy at night but there are treelines you can position against," reported one Chumstick Mountain visitor.
Permit requirements: For backcountry camping at Snow Lake Zone, permits are required and difficult to obtain: "The Snow Lake Zone is one of the permitted camping areas in the Enchantments. Permits here are very hard to get via the lottery (but easier to get than a permit for the Core Zone)."
Bug prevalence: Mosquitoes can be overwhelming in certain areas during summer months. A camper at Glacier View Campground shared: "The mosquito swarms in mid-June are ABSOLUTELY unbearable. No amount of bug spray seemed to matter, they were flying into ears/eyes/mouths and into the flame from the cookstove by the hundreds."
Tips for camping with families
Sandy beach areas: For families with children, sandy beach areas provide safer water access. At Icicle Group Campground, one camper noted: "Flat, sandy soil, good for tents, lots of room" although they cautioned that "sandy soil blows around pretty bad if it's windy."
Accessible fishing spots: Look for camping areas with easy fishing access for children. At Lake Chelan State Park Campground, there are "Nice sites with lots of shade, showers, clean restrooms, swimming area, docks, beach front sites."
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Several camping spots feature calmer water areas suitable for younger swimmers. One camper at FS Road 7601 reported: "There was even a little access point for kayaks and canoes and calm water for the kids."
Bathroom facilities: For longer stays with children, consider campgrounds with toilet facilities. A camper at Goose Creek Campground mentioned: "The waterfront sites were awesome and you had your pick between tent sites right at the creek's edge or some more spacious sites that could accommodate RVs and trailers up higher overlooking the water."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Many dispersed areas have limited space for larger vehicles. A camper at Goose Creek Campground noted: "Campground caters to atv riders with trails and large sites with extra parking."
Dust management: Dirt roads and camping areas can become very dusty in summer months. At Goose Creek Campground, a visitor observed: "It was a bit too dusty for my liking and the river was too cold to hangout in. If you don't have certain campgrounds to access the water you're having to go between bushes and can really do water play."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations can affect RV systems. At Lake Chelan State Park Campground, visitors recommended bringing additional cooling options during summer as "It was a bit crowded but it's to be expected during the final week of summer. Lake was nice and cool."
