T
Teresa A.
Legend
LegendWenatchee Confluence State Park Campground
Overnight stay
We 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.
Camping near Chelan, WA
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Camping around Lake Chelan in Washington includes several state parks with lake access for summer visitors. Lake Chelan State Park Campground sits right on the water, which works well if you want to swim or launch kayaks easily. Many campers also head to Alta Lake State Park Campground where the hiking trails are good for walking with kids or taking bikes. If you like fishing, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park has multiple lakes and streams to try your luck. The campsites throughout the area tend to be decently sized, and most have well-maintained bathrooms. During summer, you'll want bug spray since mosquitoes can get bad, especially in the evenings. Some of the camping areas have basic facilities rather than full amenities, but the lake views and surrounding landscape make the trade-off worthwhile. Chelan camping works for both groups with children and people traveling alone.
Best Campgrounds near Chelan (242)
1. Lake Chelan State Park Campground
"Great option to camp at Lake Chelan about 15 min from Chelan on the quiet south shore."
"We stayed at Lake Chelan State Patk and had a wonderful experience. We rode our bicycles, but admittedly not a lot of options away from the road."
from $12 - $41 / night
Check Availability2. Beebe Bridge Park
"This is a great glampround right by Chelan, I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn’t right off the highway, we like to go for walks and bike rides with our kids and the location limited us to just the"
"Walmart up on top of the hill 6 miles in Chelan. They have a dump station here also. Great Place for family and kids..."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability3. Alta Lake State Park Campground
"The park itself is really well maintained, and in a beautiful location. The lake and surrounding hills were beautiful."
"Alta Lake is a nice, clean park with decent tent sites. We had a site in Loop 2 on the right (on the lake side). It was away from the main area, parking lots, boat launch or store, so pretty quiet."
from $23 - $166 / night
Check Availability4. Daroga State Park Campground
"Typical state park for Washington. Clean and beautiful. A portion of the sights are walk in only, however they do provide wheel barrows to help pack in your gear."
"Walk in spots for tent camping you have to walk a half mile to camp from your car. Rv spots are nice but close to other ppl."
from $12 - $155 / night
Check Availability5. Antilon Lake Campground
"If you're looking to enjoy chelan but avoid the town, antilon is just the place! Extremely peaceful. Tons of wildlife, wild flowers, hiking trails and all around good views."
"I chose a beautiful spot overlooking the lake and close to a vault toilet. It was clean and well stocked. There was also a dumpster."
6. Entiat City Park
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability7. Wapato Lake Campground
"I decided to stay here instead of trying to find a spot at Lake Chelan. The campground is on a small lake just a few miles from Lake Chelan. I wished I'd had a kayak or canoe. "
"With two docks for fishing and floating as well as the adjascent boat launch, you’ll be able to play with all your water toys on Wapato Lake!"
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability8. Lakeshore RV Park
9. Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park
"Right next to the creek where all you hear is the creek running past you. It muffled the noise from our camp neighbors up above us which was really nice at night."
from $23 - $111 / night
Check Availability10. Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed
"Lots of spots between Entiat River Rd 19 and this location. Ground is mostly a fine dirt."
"Sandy dirt camping site near the USGS sensor station. No fires today due to high fire danger, but there was a pit in the camp. Tent right on the ridge. Dirt road was 12 miles up the mountain."
Drive Time
- 43 min from Wenatchee, WA
- 2 hrs 25 min from Yakima, WA
- 2 hrs 55 min from Seattle, WA
- 3 hrs 15 min from Mount Vernon, WA
Recent Camping Photos near Chelan, WA
263 Photos of 242 Chelan Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Summerhill Farm
Bigelow SpringsS
Cheval Cellars Wine CampM
Lake Chelan State Park Campground
Antilon Lake CampgroundC
Mitchell Creek Campground
Daroga State Park Campground
Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 DispersedL
Alta Lake State Park Campground
Secret Camping Spot #1
Twenty-Five Mile Creek State ParkS
Entiat City Park
Recent Reviews near Chelan, WA
801 Reviews of 242 Chelan Campgrounds
Lisa M.LegendMillion Dollar Boat Launch Dry Camp
Nice dispersed camping area
We dry camped here for three nights. On and off there was two or three other campers with us. Lots of area probably could hold 20 to 30 campers. About 20 minutes from grand Cooley Dam. Right on the lake. Downfall there really wasn’t any place to hike or walk in the area. Sign posted you were to have a Discover pass from Washington, but we were unable to get one and nobody ever stopped to check.
Kylee R.
RangerChiwaukum Creek
Stayed by the creek for a few nights!
There was one RV here when we got here, stayed at a spot close to the road, didn’t like that we could hear all the cars. The RV left the next day so we stole his spot right by the creek. Trails were all around. Rock Fire pits were at each site but were flagged in the middle to deter burning at the moment. Road is a little bumpy to each site but nothing our sprinter couldn’t handle when taken slow and avoiding big rocks. We found one bathroom at the beginning of the sites, but my partner said they were not great. We brought our dog and he loved it!
- DDuane H.
GuideSmokiam Campground & Kampers Korner
Nice clean not spectacular
It 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.
- Betsy W.Ranger
Quincy Lake
Quiet!!
Pit toilets clean and stocked. Sites spread out. Only one other camper on a Saturday. Diverse landscape with variety of birds Verizon 2 bars on ridge 1 bar in lower sites. No trash or water.
- Lisa M.Legend
Ankeny #1
Free but nothing special
We camped here for one night. It’s about a mile down a dirt road that is fairly well maintained. Several gravel campsites. Right next to the lake, although you can’t really see it with all the bushes. But there is a gravel boat ramp that you could launch a kayak or a canoe from. There is a vault toilet, but it’s pretty sketchy. Was nice and quiet. Only one other camper here with us.
- Charlie Y.Guide
Coulee City Campground
Crosscountry traveler
Discovered this CG around dusk...We needed a site for the night...Full hook up...kiosk serviced CG....Decent CG clean, safe,secure...We decided to stay a couple of nights in order to visit Coulee Dam....glad we did! Woke up after nite #2 to find a flat tire on my tow vehicle...picked up a large screw somewhere the night before....Tried to plug it myself to no avail......sought out advice from local mechanic...he recommend Les Schwab Tire shop in either Ephrata or Coulee Dam....We drove to Ephrata(incredibly scenic drive)..arrived at Les Schwab tire shop an hour before they closed....very busy place.....I told the salesman I would like to have the tire pulled off the rim and a patch put on from the inside.....He said well as you can see we're very busy but I'll try and get it done before we close...20 minutes later the salesman calls and tells me my tire is repaired and ready to be picked up....He printed out an invoice...COMPLIMENTARY REPAIR....NO CHARGE....I couldn't believe it....The tire wasn't bought at one of their dealerships as I live on the East coast...So I HIGHLY RECOMMEND EPHRATA Les Schwab Tire Shop should you ever be in the neighborhood.........Coulee City municipal campground saved the day.....I was able to extend the visit long enough to make the necessary repairs...Incredibly scenic area in the high desert.... I saw on one review about prickly little tree droppings...yes indeed all around on the ground....but high desert and you can expect such things....A fair amount of dog droppings ...so watch your step. Overall we were pleased with the campground....price was decent
- Lisa M.Legend
Wenatchee Confluence State Park Campground
Beautiful Campground
Beautiful state park right on the Columbia river. There are several pull through sites as well as lots of back in sites and dry camping sites. Most of the sites have water, electric and sewer hook ups. On asphalt pads. Showers were clean and lots of hot water. Great hiking and biking trails in the area. Right next to a huge park that has a playground and volleyball and horseshoe pits. Grass everywhere! Did get charged $15 extra for being out of state resident.
- JJay E.
ScoutWenatchee River County Park
Overbearing Rules
I camp in my RV in private and public parks all over the PNW approximately 60 days per year. This park is a clean park and rates are OK. HOWEVER, I've never seen rules so ridiculous and overbearing. No tobacco use anywhere in the park, including the day use area. You have to leave the property and stand on the street like some kind of outcast vagrant if you want to enjoy a cigar after hunting all day. There are cameras everywhere and you are being monitored for any possibility of violating one of their many overbearing rules. There is a$100 dollar fine if you use tobacco in the park. The sprinkler system turns on at 4:00am and will soak anything you have in the grass. My chairs were soaked. My trailer was also getting hit at 4:00 am even though we were completely on the pad. You cannot put anything on the grass- not even a rug for wiping your feet after hunting all day. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PARK if you enjoy sleep, tobacco, or privacy!
Guide to Chelan
Camping near Lake Chelan offers options between 1,100 feet elevation at the lake shoreline to higher forest sites reaching 4,750 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during July and August with minimal rainfall. The area features both established state park campgrounds with full amenities and free dispersed camping sites on National Forest land.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park provides access to both Lake Chelan and a fast-flowing creek for different fishing experiences. "My first visit was Memorial day weekend in 2017. Dock for boats, fishing area is very limited," notes Sonia B. about Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Many campers bring their own watercraft, but rentals are available at some campgrounds. "Amazing dock system and access to the lake, great day use area where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards," writes Marie L. about Lake Chelan State Park Campground.
Beach relaxation: Several campgrounds offer dedicated swimming beaches with varying amenities. "The swimming area is nice, with grassy and shoreside areas to lay out. There are also large playfields with courts which people were always welcoming in others to play," reports Kate I. about Lake Chelan State Park.
What campers like
Direct water access: Sites with immediate lake access are highly prized and book quickly. "If you can get a site on the beach here it's well worth the alarms you have to set on your phone to get them! The sites are smallish and a little weird shaped but you get direct access to the water," shares Marie L. about Lake Chelan State Park.
Scenic views: Chelan Lookout offers stunning panoramas from higher elevations for those willing to drive uphill. "Great campsite with an awesome view. Sandy dirt camping site near the USGS sensor station...Tent right on the ridge. Dirt road was 12 miles up the mountain," explains Luke B.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms and showers at established campgrounds. "The campground was pretty empty btw and wasn't a big deal to switch. Spending the day on this lake was Amazing!!! Warm water they had paddle boards and kayaks to rent by phone so that was a plus," notes Erika D. about Alta Lake State Park.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer conditions can be extremely hot with afternoon winds. "Only draw back is the wind. It can sure make for a tough set up of camp. Sites do have a small wind break," explains Zane G. about Daroga State Park.
Reservation timing: The most desirable sites book months in advance, especially waterfront locations. "Large state park with everything you could possible need for a family camping weekend. Nice sites with lots of shade, showers, clean restrooms, swimming area, docks, beach front sites (reserve 9 months in advance!)," advises Shari G. about Lake Chelan State Park.
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife can disrupt camping if proper precautions aren't taken. "Watch for the critters they are ruthless so cover ALL your dry goods!" warns Marie L. about Lake Chelan State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "We wanted to go somewhere for Mothers Day since the weather was going to be beautiful! So with this being our son (who is two) first official camping trip we wanted to make sure there would be stuff to keep him occupied. With that being said he had a blast!" shares Courtney J. about Lake Chelan State Park.
Swimming safety: Consider campgrounds with designated swimming areas for children. "I grew up coming to this campground and I compare all campgrounds to this one. The grounds are immaculately kept, the bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned everyday... There's a boat launch, playground, beach area with swimming area roped off," describes Taylor W. about Beebe Bridge Park.
Activity options: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation facilities. "Ball fields, tennis and basketball courts. The restrooms that are kept in very clean condition. Swimming and boating right there on the Columbia River," notes Mike D. about Beebe Bridge Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on seasonal considerations and amenities. "We got 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. It was enjoyable to sit by the river and watch the sunset," shares Gail S. about Beebe Bridge Park.
Water quality concerns: Some campers report issues with water quality at certain campgrounds. "Park like setting. Pull throughs are right on top of each other. Recommend back in. They water every night, you have to pull everything in, every night. Water came out brown each morning without a filter," cautions Craig S. about Lakeshore RV Park.
Seasonal scheduling: RV camping options vary significantly by season. "I am surprised to find how often we camp in the snowy winter months, empty campgrounds are a plus this time of year! Come summer you won't be able to get a reservation in this park, but in January it was wide open!" advises Dawn G. about Lakeshore RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the best camping spots in Lake Chelan, WA?
Where can I find the best camping spots in Lake Chelan, WA?
Lake Chelan offers diverse camping options to suit every preference. Lake Chelan State Park Campground stands out with its waterfront sites on the quiet south shore, about 15 minutes from Chelan town. It features excellent water access, boat launching, and a family-oriented atmosphere. For those seeking more remote experiences, Baldy Mountain Dispersed Camping provides incredible sunset valley views along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route. The area is accessible via NF-8410 road, though high clearance or 4x4 vehicles are recommended. Additional options include Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park and Wapato Lake Campground, which offers a quieter alternative just a few miles from Lake Chelan.
What amenities are available at Lake Chelan campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Lake Chelan campgrounds?
Amenities vary across Lake Chelan's campgrounds. Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park offers clean bathrooms with showers, a nice dock, and a small store right on the lake. The park also provides access to water recreation with boat rentals available nearby. Lake Creek Campground on the Entiat River offers a more secluded experience while still maintaining essential facilities. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide toilets and potable water, while state parks typically offer additional amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and shower facilities. Cellular reception varies by location, with better coverage at developed sites closer to town. For visitors seeking full hookups, several RV parks in the region offer electricity, water, and sewer connections along with additional conveniences.
Can I find RV camping options at Lake Chelan?
Can I find RV camping options at Lake Chelan?
Columbia Cove RV Park offers dedicated RV camping with convenient access to a boat launch, making it ideal for anglers. While sites are somewhat narrow and located within a neighborhood setting, the park provides essential hookups for RV campers. For a different experience, Chelan County Expo Center offers RV camping on a large grassy field with moderately level sites. Those seeking state park amenities can find RV-friendly options at Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge Park, both accommodating larger vehicles with appropriate hookup options. Most developed campgrounds around Lake Chelan can accommodate RVs, though site lengths and hookup availability vary, so reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months.
Are there tent-only camping sites available at Lake Chelan?
Are there tent-only camping sites available at Lake Chelan?
Yes, Lake Chelan offers excellent tent camping options. Lake Chelan State Park Campground features spectacular tent sites right on the lake, creating an amazing experience for tent campers. The park has a large swimming area and is located about 10 miles from town. Wapato Lake Campground, just a few miles from Lake Chelan, offers lakefront tent sites on a smaller, quieter lake that's perfect for kayaking and canoeing. For more adventurous campers, the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest surrounding Lake Chelan provides numerous dispersed camping opportunities with minimal facilities but maximum privacy. These areas, including Chumstick Mountain locations, see very little traffic compared to developed sites, offering a true wilderness tent camping experience.
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