Chelan, Washington serves as a gateway to North Cascades camping experiences with elevations ranging from 1,100 feet along the Columbia River to nearly 9,000 feet in the surrounding mountains. Campgrounds near Chelan provide access to both desert-like conditions and alpine environments, creating diverse camping options where summer temperatures can exceed 100°F at lower elevations while remaining mild at higher altitudes.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Douglas Creek offers trails through unique canyon landscapes. "I hiked the canyon for ~3miles. Lots of groundhogs and birds," reports one camper at Douglas Creek. The trail provides scenic views that "almost reminded me of Utah near Moab."
Water activities: Beebe Bridge Park provides riverside recreation along the Columbia. A visitor notes, "There's a boat launch, playground, beach area with swimming area roped off, and a big open field to play any games you like. The Columbia River runs right along the campground which helps to keep the air cooler." The park remains "constantly full in the summer for good reason."
Winter sports access: For off-season adventure, Wenatchee River County Park serves as an ideal base. A camper shares, "We did a snow camp there and LOVED it! A little pricey in the snow because of the ski trails but so much fun." This location provides year-round options for seasonal outdoor activities.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Beebe Bridge Park receives praise for its upkeep. "The grounds are immaculately kept, the bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned everyday, and the location is great," notes one reviewer. Another adds that "ball fields, tennis and basketball courts" complement the riverside location.
Swimming areas: Daroga State Park features dedicated swimming zones. A visitor comments, "Nestled in a bay right on the water with views of the Columbia river and mountains. Lots of space for kids to play, ride bikes or swim." The park's amenities include "bathrooms and pay showers."
Natural privacy: Antilon Lake Campground offers more secluded glamping close to Chelan, Washington. "Our campground backed right up to the lake. There were a couple people enjoying the lake, fishing and having a beer, but overall we enjoyed the spot in solitude," shares one visitor who appreciated the quieter experience.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Lakeshore RV Park provides year-round camping options with different availability patterns. "Come summer you won't be able to get a reservation in this park, but in January it was wide open! We have stayed here for many years to enjoy the Chelan WinterFest Festival in January."
Access challenges: Some sites require specific vehicles. At Douglas Creek, "Need a truck to access part of the roads and sites, we only saw a few sites before the road was flooded and we couldn't go forward." Another visitor confirms: "Dual sport motorcycle or 4 wheel/all wheel drive recommending with good ground clearance. Multiple water crossings."
Weather considerations: Be prepared for variable conditions. At Antilon Lake, one camper reports, "Our visit was a completely random one, one of us just selected a spot on the map, and we went. We arrived after dark, set up camp, told a few stories, and went to bed. The view in the morning is beyond description. The only detractor was the mosquitos and bees."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Wenatchee River County Park provides family-friendly spaces. A reviewer notes the park has "Nice level asphalt roads and paved sites. Grounds/grass well maintained." Another camper shared, "The sites are spread out nicely, never feeling crowded."
Space for activities: Beebe Bridge Park offers recreational areas for children. "Great Place for family and kids," writes one visitor, highlighting the "ball fields, tennis and basketball courts" available at the campground, plus "swimming and boating right there on the Columbia River."
Swimming safety: Daroga State Park provides designated swimming areas. "This place is pristine and gorgeous. Nestled in a bay right on the water with views of the Columbia river and mountains. Lots of space for kids to play, ride bikes or swim," notes a camper who found the park "excellent" for family camping.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping: Thousand Trails Leavenworth provides glamping near Chelan, Washington during colder months. "October is perfect time. So quiet, leaves changing, crisp weather. Just make sure you have heated water hose," advises one RVer who rated their experience five stars.
Site selection: At Daroga State Park, RVers should note site limitations. One RVer shares: "From an RVer's perspective the site pads are very narrow which makes them difficult to pull through or back into. I watched several campers attempt to park and none were able to do so without driving on the grass a bit."
Seasonal sprinkler awareness: Daroga State Park has an automatic watering system. "The only unpleasant part of the trip was the automatic sprinkler system coming on Monday-Friday for 30 minutes at each site. We had to almost pack everything up into the trailer each day and then pull it all back out if you did not want to get completely wet."
