Camping sites near Conconully, Washington center around two lakes and adjacent wilderness areas at elevations between 2,300 and 4,500 feet. Weather ranges from summer highs in the 90s to winter lows below freezing, with forest service campgrounds typically opening late May through September. Creek-side campsites fill quickly on holiday weekends, particularly at the smaller, more remote locations.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground offers excellent shoreline fishing options. "Great Campground for our class c. Beautiful sunset as we looked at the North Cascades. Minutes from Winthrop," notes Travis H. about the convenient fishing location.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common at most Conconully area campgrounds. As one camper at Shady Pines Resort reports, "Our dogs were happy playing in the water and watching the deer, geese and herons."
ATV/UTV trails: The area provides extensive riding opportunities, particularly near Salmon Meadows Campground. "Tons of dirt bike/side by side trails in the area," confirms a reviewer, while another mentions "awesome trails from this spot to ride UTVs."
Stargazing: Open meadows create ideal conditions for night sky viewing. Joseph P. says Salmon Meadows has an "open area perfect for stargazing" and notes that "the views of the meadow are very peaceful."
What campers like
Creek access: Many campsites offer direct creek or lake frontage. At Kerr Campground, Joseph P. shares, "Have camped up here with family every summer for over 30 years, clean sites with good creek access." Another reviewer adds, "Wonderful sites all along the creek."
Small-town atmosphere: Conconully offers a unique rural experience with its small downtown area. Mercedes D. observed at Conconully State Park that "all the locals rode their ATVs/ORVs around town like cars," adding local character to the experience.
Waterfront views: Several resorts offer premium lake views. Katie S. from Shady Pines Resort reports, "Relaxing stay, great panoramic water view and excellent customer service... We drove through the other 2 campgrounds in the area to compare - Shady Pines was definitely the best choice!"
Off-grid experience: For campers seeking a technology break, Green Lake offers complete disconnection. As Tonia S. says, "I love this place no cell service, no power no water just my family and the lake."
What you should know
Spotty cell coverage: Most campgrounds have limited or no cell service. At Conconully State Park, one camper notes "You had to ride up to the cemetery up the road if you wanted to get cell phone service."
Reservation requirements: While some campgrounds are first-come, first-served, others require advance booking. At Liar's Cove Resort, reservations are recommended, especially during peak season, with cabins and RV sites available.
Mosquito preparation: Insects can be problematic in early summer. One visitor to Pearrygin Lake State Park shared: "We were scheduled to camp for 2 nights but ended up leaving after 1 night... the mosquitoes were everywhere. We drove in to town to get additional mosquito repellents and nothing worked."
Wind conditions: Lake areas can experience significant wind. A camper at Pearrygin Lake noted wind was a factor in their decision to leave early, combined with insect issues.
Tips for camping with families
Group facilities: Several campgrounds accommodate large family gatherings. At Pearrygin Lake State Park, Cara F. reported, "The sites were good for multiple tents and group activities... It was a very nice site for group camping."
Kid-friendly activities: Lakes provide excellent recreation for children. Sarah H. mentions, "I think the best part was the beach. The kids loved kayaking near the ducks," though she cautions about boat traffic on the lake.
Campground ambiance: Some sites are livelier than others. At Pearrygin Lake State Park, one visitor observed it's "definitely more toward the 'campground culture' crowd versus people looking for a quiet, peaceful escape. Lots of large groups playing music, rowdy kids having fun, generators running, etc."
Playground access: Facilities for children vary by location. One parent at Conconully State Park commented, "Enjoyed the play area with my son, we had a great time fishing and camp site was perfect."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Most developed campgrounds offer relatively level parking. At Pearrygin Lake, Leonard H. found "Paved streets & individual sites, Most sites close to level" and noted the campground had "Dump station at exit for those w/o sewer hookup sites."
Loop selection: At larger campgrounds, some loops offer better RV accommodations. Jeremy M. advises about Pearrygin Lake: "A and B loops are the best. C is run down and little hookup sites."
Size restrictions: Smaller campgrounds have limited space for large rigs. At Rock Lakes Campground, Jeff C. cautions they "would not recommend anything more than a teardrop trailer" due to site size limitations.
