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Reserve your campsite early, wait for summer with growing anticipation, then join the ranks of visitors who make Lake Chelan a family tradition. This social camping park pulses with life in the summer. Generations of families return to the blue lake every year; they even try to book the same campsite they've used since the 1960s and '70s. But, while they'll jockey online for their favorite spot, veteran Chelan-goers happily share this gem with first-timers, and many lifelong friendships begin there. Lake Chelan State Park has a long, sandy beach, shaded picnic tables and a calm lagoon. The 50.5-mile lake, with a depth of 1,486 feet, draws boaters, sailors, anglers, water skiers, windsurfers and seasonal residents. The area features some of the finest hiking trails in Washington, and adventurous hikers make the park their base from which to explore the North Cascades. For visitors hoping to chill out in their camp chairs, float the lagoon in a raft and soak up the homey atmosphere with family and friends, this place cannot be beat. Lake Chelan State Park is a 139 acre public recreation area and nature reserve located on the southwest shore of Lake Chelan, and on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. In 1942, Washington State made a large land purchase and allocated part of the land for Lake Chelan State Park. Today, the park attracts visitors from all over thanks to its range of camping, picnicking, hiking, boating, and water activities. Unusual for Washington, this park is known for its expansive 6,000 ft sandy beach, shaded picnic tables and a large, crystal lagoon spanning 55.5 miles in area, with water as deep as 1,486 feet. Subsequently, the lagoon draws boaters, sailors, anglers, water skiers, windsurfers, and fishers as well. Without a doubt, Lake Chelan is the most famous part of this park. However, don’t let its splendor captivate you too long- because there area is full of amazing hiking as well. In fact, the park features some of the finest hiking trails in Washington, from which adventurous hikers make the park their base to adventure in the North Cascades. If hiking isn’t your thing however, chill out in a camp chairs under a nice shaded tree, paddleboard out to the center of the lagoon, and then finish your day taking in the cozy atmosphere with at your campsite with family and friends. When it comes to fun for everyone, Lake Chelan State Park is sure to please. While the park is open year round, it really comes alive during the summer. Visiting Lake Chelan is a long standing tradition for many local families and friends. Consequently, as soon as school retires for the summer, swaths of families return to the blue lagoon every year for their annual lake trips and family outings. And you better believe they have a preference for the “family campsite” that they’ve probably used since the 70s. You’ll want to reserve your campsite well in advance if you’re planning to join the ranks of Lake Chelan regulars. Even then, veteran Chelan-goers happily share their beloved campground with newcomers, and a number of lifelong friendships are formed here. Get your family and friends together, and come make Lake Chelan a new tradition this Summer (or avoid the crowds and visit sooner!)
Antilon Lake camping area is a dispersed camping area great for large groups and accessible to small RV's. Antilon Lake is open to fishing, and non-motorized or electric-motor boats. Not recommended for swimming. During the summer this camping area can be hot, dry and one of the first areas to close to campfires. Spring and Fall are much more pleasant.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/
This boat-in campground offers a picnic shelter and a dock with a 17 boat capacity. There are seven campsites (7 tables, and fire rings) available and two toilets.
Legend
T mobile 5G. Dead fish and algae in the lake- green speckles. The water is green. The picnic tables are partially buried in the sand. The discovery pass including the processing fee was $13. The sites are big and well spaced along the reservoir shoreline. Saw about 3 Pit toilets equally spaced along the shore line. Nice old trees providing shade. Nice breeze to close the day. Can't see any flies.
Traveler
Great campsite with an awesome view. 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. Lots of switchbacks, but passible in a sedan. Takes 45 mins to get up. Take shady pass road to the top.
Guide
We chose a spot in the rv tent area which was not very clean and very loud. Stay in the outer ring if you have an RV.
Guide
This place was so fun we plan to go back again in September! Even though the sites were close together, we still felt like we had a lot of privacy. There were lots of paths to take our kids for walks or bike rides. And the swimming area at the lake was really nice. They even had a snack shack! The only thing that was missing was a better playground. There was a slide, and that was about it.
GuideThe place is pretty good! Except the wifi that is overused and make it difficult to even connect. In terms of outdoor activities and amenities it's a good stop
Scout
Everyone at the camp ground was constantly being attacked by yellow jackets, being stung multiple times. The bathroom toilets had no cover so the bugs were bad. Other than that everything about the place was beautiful and fun
Scout
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ScoutJ
TravelerI love this state park, the landscape of glacial-carved coulees and sagebrush covered shrubsteppe is gorgeous and unique. The park is truly a geological wonder. As campgrounds go, this one is very windy! Keep that in mind if you are tent camping, as you could easily lose your tent!
If camping here I cannot suggest campsite 88 in campground D unless you are in an RV. It's just a very basic, gravel site with little shade, right by the road entering the campground, and not private at all. It is right across from a nice beach though so could be a good spot for an RV. Campsite 118 looked much better and I plan on choosing that site instead next time.
I do not suggest the Sun Lakes Resort campsite that is not managed by Washington State Parks unless you like being packed in like sardines. Camping at the state park managed campsite is far better.
Traveler
I could see this spot being great for group sites. But the campsites were hard, small, and lacked privacy. Also, being in the upper loop, the Park Ranger made us extinguish our small tabletop smores solo stove. Not a big deal for us, but put a damper on our evening.
The beach and park were great! Lots of amenities—showers, sand beach, docks, volleyball, seating, grills, etc. However, the volleyball court sand was incredibly shallow and hard. Avoid diving to the ground while playing.
The Park Ranger let us know we could have a fire on the beach—which was the saving grace of the trip.
Traveler
If you disregard the rough old permanent stayers, unclean, weeds and parked cars,, the lake view at sunset was beautiful
GuideThe score is more for the abundance of things to do in the area than for the campground itself.
I was there for a trail run race that went deep in the Sun Lakes back country and the floor of the Dry Falls area. Just stunning scenery. While I didn't get to partake on my trip, the lakes offer fishing, boating, and swimming.
The camping itself is the standard state park experience, sites close together, not much for privacy. But they are nice spots, and well maintained.
Guide
There are multiple pull outs and established dispersed camping opportunities all along the entire road through the Ancient Lakes area. The specific spot marked on the dyrt map is just one spot. But consider this a review for the whole area.
The whole area is very unique, and the highlight is definitely hiking down into the canyon and Dusty Lake area. Spider web of trails down there open for hikers, mountain bikers, and horses. Overnight backpacking is allowed down there as well.
The upper lakes offer fishing and boating, paddle boarding as well if you are confident in your skill to stay on the board. I would not recommend swimming, or getting in the water at all, as it's all agricultural runoff.
The spot I stayed is south of the marker on the map, right on the north west bank of the Evergreen Reservoir. This was early April, on a Saturday, very late afternoon after hiking all day. Most spots were already taken, and I snagged one of the last established spots I could find. More of a pull off, pretty close to the road, and on the smaller side. But there are other, larger, spots if you can grab one.
Essentially no shade, very exposed, spring and fall would be the best time here.
GuidePersonally I really enjoyed this park and camping. The park itself is really well maintained, and in a beautiful location. The lake and surrounding hills were beautiful. Even with the few private homes nearby, it didn't really take away from the scenery in my opinion.
I camped in the upper loop in a site that backed to the hill side. The layout of the sites are very unique, no two sites (in the upper loop at least) are alike. My spot had a lower parking area with room for two cars. The you step up to the "living room" where the picnic table and fire pit were, then off of that area was a isolated tent pad area.
The next spot over on one side was up hill from me, so didn't really see them (but could hear them). The spot on the other side was closer and lacked a little bit of privacy, but as far as state parks go, it was still fairly spread out. I was also there for a Saturday and Sunday night, so Sunday the park completely emptied out and I think there were only 2 or 3 others in the entire upper loop, and not near me at all, which was nice.
I'm sure there are times when the lake gets overrun with motor boats and jet skis, but the weekend I was there (6/8 & 6/9) wasn't to bad at all. Paddle boards and kayaks outnumbers the boats with motors, and even those weren't racing around the lake, they were all fishing.
I mostly camp in dispersed camping areas, but this is a state park I would put on my short willing to return to list.
Guide
The negative review is strictly for the camping, the park itself overall is nice. But the majority of the camping is surrounding a large open grass area, with all the spots very close to each other. Sitting next to the fire pit in my spot, the neighbors vehicle next to me was less than 25 feet away. Just no privacy whatsoever.
To be fair, I expected that, I didn't come here for a see no people experience. Was just part of a personal mission to visit every state park in WA. But I want to share the experience for others who may be considering camping here, so they are prepared.
The park itself is nice, right on a large lake (a dammed portion of the Columbia River) with opportunities to swim, fish, boat, paddle board, etc. And I recommend taking a hike or bike ride along the nicely paved path down to see the dam (just be on the look out for rattlesnakes).
ScoutI occasionally go down here for fishing. Nice little campground. Easy access to the water. The waterfall really flows in the spring, but slows as summer sets in. Fishing was decent. The boat launch is only available during high water. When Grand Coulee starts letting the water down in Lake Roosevelt the Hawk Creek boat launch gets closed. Don’t worry there are a few other boat launches within a short drive (10-15 minutes).
ScoutWe are alone in rv park. RV 30'.
Traveler
We loved this campground. The grounds were well maintained, and bathrooms were clean. There was a good amount of space between sites, which was great. Most spots were very nice, and many were right next to the water. My guess is that it's a busy park during peak season, but our shoulder season timing was perfect for peace and quiet. There are a couple of good hikes nearby, and I hiked the Steamboat Rock hike. The first 1/3 of the hike was more moderate with steep trails and scree, but it gets easier once you're past that.
TravelerPros: good fishing, good amenities (shower, bathroom, etc), price, cleanliness, availability. Cons: Typical designated camping stacked right next to each other so barking dogs, crying kids, or drunks are highly likely to be a nuisance. Overall it's really well maintained and accessible. There's a little grocery store/market/gas across from the park on 262 if you need anything.
Legend
We spent Thanksgiving weekend camping this year. The campground was partially open but very empty. The bathroom was open and warm, which was lovely. We hung out, hiked, fished, and enjoyed the deer, pheasant and wild turkeys wandering the grounds.
GuideEasy roads to get into. Excellent quiet campground. Beautiful scenery
Scout
During the winter months while traveling construction workers stay here and work long days and hours the ownership does not allow large propane tanks for residents. This is unheard of in the northern states . Have to move sites every six months whether you like it or not. Would not recommend this park to anyone ownership over charges for propane and site spots that are called premium because they have trees that lean sap and leaves on your 100k RV . Trees are rarely trimmed . New management has just taken over and let’s see how they do, but I believe the ownership needs to come to reality. With not allowing large propane tanks during the winter month for the long working hour people.
GuideWe had 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.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! The Swiftwater Farm is a small farm with a nice area for camping and chilling in a hammock. Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!
Scout
We stayed one night here. The hosts were kind without being pushy. The actual camping spot is small, and pretty basic, but we didn’t need a bunch of fancy amenities. For camping sites In that area, Whimsey was very affordable.
Overall, it was quiet, affordable, and just what we needed.
RangerPerfect in every way. Close to a major town, store and restaurant across the road, giant sites with a good layout to still feel somewhat secluded and if you’re an angler, you’re 100 yards away from the boat launch.
ScoutThe park maintains front sites much better then back, cabins are not that great and not worth what they charge for them, they have only had 1 decent manager since they bought park and he left, their are much better parks in the area and don't charge as much, owners want Westside rates on eastern side of mountains, would not recommend
Camping near Coulee City, Washington, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just relaxing by the water, there’s something for every type of camper.
Camping near Coulee City, Washington, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Coulee City, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Coulee City, WA is Lake Chelan State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Coulee City, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Coulee City, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
