Entiat offers camping experiences along the Columbia River's eastern shores with sites positioned on drought-resistant grasslands mixed with Ponderosa pine forests. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F between June and August, while spring camping brings wildflower displays across the lower elevation sites. Water access varies widely between established campgrounds with some providing direct river frontage and others requiring up to half-mile hikes to reach shorelines.
What to do
Hiking the Mad River trail: Pine Flats Group Campground connects directly to hiking routes with varied terrain. "Nice spots but size limits trailer length unless you get pick of spots. Van or tent camping everywhere! Tables, rings, outhouses. Great hiking trail up Mad River trail and great bike riding up Tyee road," notes Teresa H. from Pine Flats.
Swimming in river pools: During hot summer months, rivers provide essential relief from high temperatures. At Beebe Bridge Park, "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," according to Taylor W.
Winter activities: For off-season visitors, some campgrounds remain accessible year-round. "We stayed at this campground over the winter and it was one of the most peaceful and beautiful campgrounds we've been in. We did a snow camp there and LOVED it! A little pricey in the snow because of the ski trails but so much fun," shares Nicole B. from Wenatchee River County Park.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Many campers prioritize waterfront access. At Daroga State Park Campground, "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," reports Kayko S.
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers appreciate well-designed layouts. "We got lucky and picked up a cancelled reservation on a whim. Never been here before and got a great waterfront spot with beautiful grass and view. The beach and playground were clean and the tent spot was perfect," notes Chris from Beebe Bridge Park.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards matter to frequent campers. "Super easy camping. Trailer or tent...by no means is this roughing it. Great place with water, electricity and showers. Dump station available. Also has huge grass areas and boat launch," states JASON D. from Daroga State Park Campground.
What you should know
Weather extremes: Summer heat can be intense while evenings cool rapidly. At Antilon Lake Campground, one camper warns, "BRING BUG SPRAY!!! After setting up our tent and bunking down for the night we found probably 100 mosquitoes INSIDE of the tent. We were able to kill them all but spent the rest of the night listening to thousands of mosquitoes."
Access challenges: Some roads to glamping sites near Entiat remain primitive. "The 8 miles of road to get to Douglas Creek Rec area is gravel, primitive-no signs. Between the parking lot and campsites several large puddles/ponds took over the road," reports Sabrina A.
Reservation requirements: Planning ahead is essential for popular campgrounds. "This park does not take reservations so be ready to come early," advises a camper about certain sites, while others note that "The group site does take reservations. Great park facilities."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Family camping requires specific facilities. At Leavenworth-Pine Village KOA, "We take our kids on fancy vacations but their favorite stop every year is the Leavenworth KOA. There are events all weekend, a shuttle into Leavenworth, movie nights and a cheap pancake breakfast," shares Amanda B.
Consider walk-in site distances: Some glamping in Entiat, Washington requires hauling gear. "The walk in sites are over 1/4 mile away from the parking lot. It can be a fight to grab one of the wheelbarrows to haul your stuff too and from the site," cautions Anne C. about Daroga.
Plan for noise variation: Some campgrounds experience varying noise levels. "Typical state park for Washington. Clean and beautiful. Only draw back is the wind. It can sure make for a tough set up of camp. Sites do have a small wind break," notes Zane G.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions matter: Not all RV sites accommodate larger vehicles. "Beautiful park with well maintained grounds. But 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," observes Family H.
Water management: RVers should prepare for water restrictions. "If you are staying in one of the RV sites it has water and power hook ups. Our stay was great, 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," advises Travis B.
Dumping facilities: Limited waste disposal affects longer stays. "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," notes one reviewer about glamping options near Entiat.
