Pet friendly camping locations surround Lake Chelan in eastern Washington, offering options at various elevations from 1,100 feet at the lake to over 4,000 feet in surrounding hills. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while spring and fall camping provides more moderate conditions with cooler nights. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited winter access at select locations.
What to do
Water activities at the lake: Lake Chelan State Park Campground provides excellent water access with docks and rental options. "Amazing dock system and access to the lake, great day use area where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards," notes Marie L. about Lake Chelan State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities year-round: Multiple fish species inhabit area lakes, with Antilon Lake offering more secluded options. "I caught 3 gorgeous brown trout from my kayak, which made 2 delicious meals. I literally had the entire lake to myself," reports Christine R. about her experience at Antilon Lake Campground.
Vineyard tours and wine tasting: Unique camping experiences await at area wineries. Victor E. describes Cheval Cellars Wine Camp as "Convenient to town, easy to find with nice elevated views of lakes and valley. Host was gracious, helpful and offers vineyard tour, tastings and sells a Syrah and Grenache."
What campers like
Clean facilities and amenities: Campgrounds near Chelan maintain high standards for bathrooms and common areas. Campers at Entiat City Park appreciate the "gorgeous" setting, with Luke L. noting, "This park is gorgeous! It is small, but super clean. So clean that it looks brand new (maybe it is?). All sites have a view of the Columbia River, and the beach is swimmable."
Waterfront sites with direct access: Beebe Bridge Park offers premium waterfront camping with well-maintained grounds. Taylor W. shares: "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, and the location is great!"
Quiet camping options away from crowds: When Lake Chelan gets busy, smaller campgrounds provide alternatives. Kathy B. explains why she chose Wapato Lake: "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."
What you should know
Book waterfront sites early: Competition for prime spots requires advance planning. Marie L. advises about Lake Chelan State Park: "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."
Weather considerations: High winds affect some campgrounds, particularly those on riverfront properties. Travis B. notes at Daroga State Park Campground: "Also plan on it being windy during your stay as you are on the river and it is unavoidable."
Wildlife and pests: Mosquitoes and other wildlife require preparation. "Watch for the critters they are ruthless so cover ALL your dry goods!" warns Marie L. about Lake Chelan State Park, while Serena G. cautions 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."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation areas: Family-friendly campgrounds offer dedicated play spaces. Courtney J. recommends Lake Chelan State Park: "This was our first time at Lake Chelan since we our new to the PNW. With that being said he had a blast! The water was still a little chilly but he was able to dip his toes in the water and get a little wet. There was also a nice playground for him to play on as well."
Swimming areas for children: Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park provides designated swimming areas. Laura L. notes, "We went during the week and had the place almost to ourselves. The creek was roaring, so it made for great sleeping and the lilac trees were blooming, so it smelled like heaven."
Sports facilities for active kids: Some campgrounds feature athletic fields for family activities. Mike D. highlights Beebe Bridge Park amenities: "One of the best campgrounds I have stayed at. Ball fields, tennis and basketball courts. The restrooms that are kept in very clean condition. Swimming and boating right there on the Columbia River. Great Place for family and kids..."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability varies: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of services for RVs. Family H. notes about Daroga State Park: "The other big downfall is the lack of waste disposal at the sites. This means that small RVs with small tanks are not able to stay more than a few days."
Sprinkler systems can affect camping: At some campgrounds, irrigation systems impact site usage. Travis B. warns about Daroga: "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."
Year-round options limited: Few campgrounds remain open during winter months. Dawn G. shares about Lakeshore RV Park: "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!"
