Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Lake Chelan National Recreation Area

pet friendly (on 6’ leash), quiet, shaded. Clean bathrooms, but no showers. Fire ring, table, and bear proof cabinets at each site. surrounded by forest and on Diablo Lake! water is cold, but stunningly beautiful. some really nice hikes

This ia a beautiful camping location, but we have encountered fires, rattlesnakes, and torrential rains - including flooded camp gear. Fun spot, but have woken up to snakes sleeping under tents - probably not the best spot for kids or curious pets

Washington Rolling down the road on the Cascade Loop I took in all the scenery and enjoyed every moment. But something I noticed along the way was that cell signal was minimal and with that it made it a bit harder to find locations to stop for the night. Typically I enjoy a more remote site or a good forest camp, however along the loop, though there are many forest service roads, most certainly with camping available, being so remote without cell signal and roads looking more questionable in some areas, I feared going to far off the beaten path into the unknown in my small car. 

This brought me to the Riverbend RV Park, a Good Sam park along the loop which actually allocates some of their spaces to tent campers. Privately owned the features were a bit more expansive than many of the sites I had visited along the way including running water and full hook ups for those in RVs. Additionally they had a propane refill station which was quite nice for a small charge without having to wander into town to find supplies. 

The layout of the location was nice as it formed a large loop easy to access even by the largest of rigs. The office welcomed you as your drove in and made it easy to stop, pay for your site and find out all the information you needed to know not only about the campsite but also the surrounding area. A few brochures inside noted area attractions and information about the loop itself. This office also housed a small general store which had a few items you might need while at camp and some general items which could be nice in way of snack and food. Nothing large, but certainly helpful for those who were weary from the road and all the traveling excitement. 

This park welcomes families but also their pets, with a large pet area for them to run free and enjoy stretching their legs. Otherwise throughout camp they do ask you keep your pets on a leash, which seemed more than fair considering the large space they were given to enjoy free of burden. 

The kiddos were also welcome with their own play area that was well maintained and away from the other campers just enough to not disrupt the silence of the camp. This area had its own water fountain to assure hours of safe and hydrated play. 

The sites themselves were typical of an RV park, a standard picnic table and enough room to move around a little but still somewhat closer to your neighbors than you would be at many forest campsites. I found that the camping area I checked out for myself had a little more distance between the sites which was nice but there was no tree coverage so it is a bit of a trade off for space or shade. 

On premise is an activity room and also a restroom area. Restrooms offer showers and warmth on the cold days and night and the activity room is a large room with plenty of space to enjoy a game night or some time watching television in a more social setting. There is also a laundry facility at this building which was super helpful for catching up along the loop after several weeks of travel. 

All in all though this was privately run and thus a bit more expensive, around $30 a night, the benefits of the stay at this location were vast. Though it wasn’t my style of camping for every night a stop here was a nice way to check out some of the many amenities which contrast some of the other camps along the way. Definitely worth a stop if you are in an RV or if you want to have a place with a lot of benefits.

TIPS: 

• If you are a larger unit this is a great place to stay for amenities and size of spaces you will easily be able to pull in and get comfortable with your slides at this location.

• Location of this campsite is key as it is close to town but also along the loop within driving distance of the North Cascades Park and also some of the Washington State Parks.   If you can detach and use this as a home base it will work well with your travels.

We came to this little gem of a campground from 6/22-25/2107. Based off our research, Black Pine CG had more use than we expected but we found a nice site (#23) away from the cluster of activity with a beautiful view of the mountains and lake. Even though the CG was almost full on the weekend, it was quiet (no loud or hooligan activity). There are two sections to the CG, upper and lower. We would have liked site #3 in the upper section if it had been available. There was quite a bit of day use activity at the lake with cars going in and of the campground beginning around 12:00 noon (weekdays and weekends).

The CG hosts were lovey. Lynn and Sherry keep the place spotless. Cleanest bathrooms ever! The camp supplied drinking water and there is plenty of firewood to be found. The pets on leash rule is strictly enforced.

Of course there were mosquitos but were only really bothersome at the usual morning and dusk time. It was not windy and overall was a beautiful and quiet CG.

We ventured down to the lake on day 2 and walked the short interpretive trail that goes about 1/2 way around the lake. Nice little trail and handicapped accessible. We only saw a couple of other folks on our walk.

There is active use for fishing from docks, kayaks, canoes, and rowboats. No motors allowed except for trolling motors but we never saw one. Discouraging site was the large brown trout in the garbage. Want and waste. Unfortunate.

In summary, Black Pine is a beautiful, peaceful, gem to enjoy and relax with easy access to trail heads in the area. We probably won't return because it was busier than we prefer. We're typically dispersed site campers but wanted to try out Black Pine Lake CG with our pop-up camper on this trip. It was an enjoyable location as we explore our new home state of Washington (transplants from Oregon).

Stayed here with my dog. Beach and swimming area are NOT dog friendly. There are areas to play in the water but it’s not as accessible. Staff was pleasant. Like any other place follow all posted rules.

Great Cabin Bunk Bed Came With sheets pool is warm great air vent the cabin was the best  I have seen in my life great staff the cabin holds 4 people and 1 Dog great playground made friends Great 2 Times I Came

This is a very busy park/campground so it’s kinda noisy when you wanting to get away! However we still had a great time hanging out at the lakeside beach area, it’s dog friendly, hot weather, and close to downtown Winthrop for great shopping and food!

This site will be on your right as you drive up NF-1062. someone made a firepit using stones, it will be easy to spot. 

This was my very first dispersed camping that i did with my dog. will comeback if i drive by or something.

Campground Review: Colonial Creek Campground

https://thedyrt.com/camping/washington/washington-colonial-creek

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/255201

Colonial Creek Campground, Diablo Lake Washington, is the prettiest place I've been to in Washington! Half the campground is reservation only, the other half is walk in. There is something like 176 total campsites, if I remember correctly. Each campsite is equipped with a large bear box, fire pit, picnic table and tent pad. The restrooms are large with flush toilets and sinks. There are no showers. Large bear proof trashcans, and water spigots are spread through each side of the campground. Thunder knob Trail starts on the south Campground and Thunder Creek trail is on the North campground. There is a fishing dock and a boat launch on the North campground. We stayed in site #15 which was great during the week. I felt this site offered zero privacy, the fire ring was positioned so you had to watch the road, the rest of the large site had a creek, but the trail went past our campsite, so a ton of people, familes, dogs, would all walk past our site. There is parking for the walk in sites right next to you, but those also take the trail. There is also nobody on the other side of you. So it gave a sense of privacy on a Wednesday, but not Friday-Sunday. At $16 a night, I felt it was great compared to other campsites. The beauty of this Campground and surrounding area is unparalleled. Would defiantly be back, but I would probably try for a more secluded site.

Ranger review: Icemule Cooler

https://icemulecoolers.com/collections/pro-coolers/products/the-icemule-pro-large

As a ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes get products in exchange for an honest review. Icemule coolers are perfection! This is the Large and it is huge! I was very surprised at the quality and size for the price. I love this cooler because it is super easy and comfortable to carry. No more big, heavy, bulky coolers to cart around. On this trip I used it as my main cooler. I froze 14 bottles of water to use as ice. I kept bacon, sausage, chicken, ground beef, hotdogs, butter, syrup and coffee creamer plus all the water bottles and soda in this bag. It was heavy, but held up to the challenge! It kept those bottles of water for 3 days before I had to buy ice. There is a compartment on the front for picnic supplies. I have also used this just as a dry bag. It's got great versatility and it even floats. I am 100% an Icemule cooler fan and recommend to anyone, whether a car camper or hiker, you will enjoy this cooler.

This is one of my most favorite places to camp and just hang out during the day. Ive met great people out here and its so peaceful. Theres tons of trails and wild life. Ive been camping at this campground for over 30 yrs now havent missed one yet! So ill see up there! Im not working...me and my dog mischief are up on the trails somewhere.

Campground Review: Maple Grove campground (boat-in or hike-in)

3.5 stars

I have a love and hate relationship with Maple Grove campground and in my experience it has all depended on the season in which I have visited the lake.  I love the campgrounds along the lake and amazing views of Mount Baker, just hate the unbearably busy fishing and camping crowds, biting flies and mosquitos summer brings.

I have been to Baker Lake three (3) times in the last three (3) years to camp and have only been able to actually camp on the lake two (2) of those three (3) trips. September has been my golden month on the lake as far as luck in finding a camping site.  We no longer even bother heading up to Baker Lake or any of the surrounding campgrounds in July or August unless we are there to fish and/or already have a reservation. We once made the trip up mid-July for our anniversary and found out upon arriving in town it was the opening weekend of sockeye salmon fishing season and I have never seen so more boats packed onto a lake except at Sea Fair!  It was crazy!  No camping available, not even on the side NF / FS roads. 

When you do have the chance to make the journey to Baker Lake’s Maple Grove campground, you will find a small campground tucked in a serene maple grove shading the shoreline of the lake.  You have two (2) options to access the campground;

1. Hike in via Baker Lake Trail 610 (stock and leashed pets allowed). From the Mt. Baker Ranger District office in Sedro-Woolley, WA follow State Route 20 east for 16 miles to milepost 82. Turn left (north) on the Baker Lake Highway (Forest Service Road 11). Continue for 14 miles to the Baker Dam Road and turn right. Drive past the Puget Sound Energy Kulshan Campground and across the Upper Baker Dam. After crossing the dam, turn left on FS Road 1107. Follow road 1107 for 1 mile and look for the trailhead and parking area on the left side of the road. You will need an America the Beautiful pass or a NorthWest Forest Pass to park at the trailhead. Register your group at the trailhead and get ready to hit the trail.

Once you start the hike the first real point of interest you come across is the bridge at Anderson Creek at 1.5 miles down the trail, followed by Anderson Creek Campground at 2 miles.  Continue on another 2 miles and you will reach the spur for the Maple Grove campground.

2. Boat in. When boating in you have a number of over-night parking lot options to park your vehicle in during the summer season, granted you can find parking. In the off-season you can park over-night at either Kulshan boat launch or Panorama Point boat launch which are open year round. 

Maple Grove campground has a wooden boat dock but depending on water levels I’ve seen it completely beached or floating alone in the water, you’ve been warned. 

Maple Grove Campground hosts six (6) official, semi-private campsites that you’ll find free on a first come first serve basis. No need to bring the dehydrated meals or bear canister (unless you backpacked) because there are bear boxes located at almost every site to store food and scented items. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit and grill. We found at least one topless toilet located near the camp with a nice view of the forest, rumor has there are more. There is no running water on this side of the lake so bring your water filter to head to the local creeks with.   

If you do have the pleasure of hiking in to Maple Grove Campground or chose to explore the surrounding area, take the time to check out the forest as it is full of huge, old growth trees, some trees still showing the evidence of old lumbar scars. If you continue hiking past Maple Grove there are two (2) more campgrounds further north along the lake; Swift Creek and Noisy Creek.

The real pleasure of staying at the Maple Grove Campground or any of the boat-in/hike-in campsites along this side of the lake, are the majestic views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksun rising up above Baker Lake. You can literally sit on the dock all day soaking up those epic views.

Warning: I have heard rumors that the boat-in/ hike-in camps along Baker Lake can get rowdy and loud with large group parties in the summer months.  We haven’t had this experience personally but have heard tales of this happening and seen reports of this on WTA.

Tuesday June 19th Colonial creek campground north loop. (pay cash/check at box) Temps in the 80’s in Seattle, hot at campground wIth cool breezes. Spot #21 $16 a night first come Bear lockers provIded Parking in site. Great for a small travel trailer. No hook ups. Neighbors barely visible through thick foliage. Direct access to creek. Rocky banks, lots of fell trees. Trees for a hammock. Bathrooms and water spigots are equal distances away in opposite directions. Nearby Diablo lake is a beautiful light teal green and is colder than hell freezing over. It would be nice for kayaking, but not even the quickest dip. Leashed dogs allowed. no showers

Disclaimer - I never camped here, but we visit the park all the time during the day whenever we are in the area to let our dog swim and just enjoy the lake.

This place is BUSY. There is no real privacy as most of the sites are clumped together on loops in a grass field by the lake.

The lake is fun - people are always boating (there is a boat slip) and floating and swimming. So if you want to be around a large community, (and don't mind no privacy) then this could be the place for you.

If you are tent camping, there are MUCH better campgrounds in the area that offer more privacy.

We came out and stayed here over Memorial day weekend and the bugs were so bad we only made it one night! The campsites are nice, there are a bunch of nice ones down by the river in the lower loop, and the upper loop has nice secluded, heavily treed ones on a creek. However, there were more mosquitos there than I have seen in my whole life. Our dog was crying and just stayed in the car, and we had to set up our tent inside our picnic shelter to protect from what bugs we could. This campground is also super popular for dirt bikers, so if you don't bike and are looking for a quiet campsite, this isn't it.

Outside the picturesque town of Leavenworth, lies the most stunning body of water in the Pacific Northwest. This was our first camping trip and we could not have picked a better time or place. We visited in September when summer was slowly becoming fall. The weather was cool but not unmanageable and the camp ground was near empty. The only sounds that could be heard were the wrestling of leaves, the gentle lapping of waves, and the nightly screaming of elk in the distance.

At the time of our visit, there was a burn ban but we were allowed to use a propane fire pit.

We plan on going back when it’s a bet warmer so we can take our kayaks.

Our dog loved it!

Lots of waterfront sites to choose from with a decent amount of buffer between sites. Had our pick of sites of the various loops when we arrived Friday afternoon in late summer, but went with a recommendation from a Dyrt review and picked site 53 (West Loop) for waterfront access. Campground traffic picked up Friday evening and the remaining waterfront sites filled up by Saturday. We allowed our dogs to check out and play in the creek (leashed), but they were in and out in less than 5 minutes. The creek rocks are big and slippery with lots of little crevices for their paws to slip into. No wildlife encounters other than frogs and chipmunks. Next time we will probably stay at a site that overlooks the creek instead of being right on the creek. PS: Camp hosts said no tying to trees. Leave your tree-tie hammocks at home.

These campgrounds are about a 4 mile hike in from the trailhead. Plenty of wild berries, flowers, and ferns along the way. We had fun just relaxing under the Big Leaf Maple trees. Each campground has a flat tent site. Some also have fire pits with grills and picnic tables, but not all. There is a pit toilet and urine diverter on site. There are also a couple bear boxes to share, as bear (and deer!) roam this area. The lake is lovely, though it was a bit too cold in June to swim. There is a small floating dock on the lake. Spectacular views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan - be sure to watch the sunset. Boaters frequent this lake so there is a bit of motor noise, but this doesn't bother me. Dog-friendly campsite. This made for a very relaxing overnight backpacking trip!