256 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Manson, Washington span from developed state parks to primitive dispersed sites across the region, giving campers options from free rustic sites to full-hookup RV camping with waterfront access. Lake Chelan State Park, about 15 miles from Manson, offers waterfront camping with both tent and RV sites that consistently receive high ratings. Antilon Lake Campground in Manson provides a more rustic option with free camping and basic amenities. Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park features boat-in access with hookups for RVs. The region includes several mixed-use campgrounds accommodating various camping styles including tent sites, RV hookups, and a few cabin options at Lake Wenatchee State Park further west.
The camping season in this area generally runs from April through October, with some sites like Lake Chelan State Park open from March to November. Summer temperatures frequently reach into the 90s, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. "Make sure you've brought your Discovery Pass. Easily reservable online campsites for tent/car camping as well as RV and group sites," notes one camper about Lake Chelan State Park. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months, as lakefront sites typically book 9-12 months in advance. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary facilities, while dispersed options like Chelan Lookout on NF 8410 provide free camping without amenities. Cell service is generally reliable near developed campgrounds but may be limited in remote areas.
Waterfront access represents the primary draw for many campers visiting the Manson area. Several visitors highlight the clear waters of Lake Chelan as a standout feature. At Lake Chelan State Park, one visitor noted, "We camped in the tent camping side towards the lake and had a decent amount of privacy. There was a stream leading to the lake right behind our site which was beautiful and so relaxing to listen to at night." Campgrounds often feature boat launches, swimming areas, and fishing access. While lakefront sites offer premium views and water access, they typically provide less privacy than forested sites. Public lands around Manson offer a quieter experience compared to the more developed and family-oriented state parks, which feature playgrounds, picnic areas, and organized activities during summer months.
"With that being said the walk in sites along the lake are amazing. The walk in on most of them is not much more than a normal site (down a few steps)."
"Cost=$30-$40, reservable through Washington State Parks."
from $12 - $41 / night
Check Availability"This is a great glampround right by Chelan, I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn’t right off the highway, we like to go for walks and bike rides with our kids and the location limited us to just the"
"We 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."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability"I chose a beautiful spot overlooking the lake and close to a vault toilet. It was clean and well stocked. There was also a dumpster."
"Tons of wildlife, wild flowers, hiking trails and all around good views. If you're looking to avoid the crowds I would advise going in the middle of the week to atleast claim your site!"
"Typical state park for Washington. Clean and beautiful. A portion of the sights are walk in only, however they do provide wheel barrows to help pack in your gear."
"Walk in spots for tent camping you have to walk a half mile to camp from your car. Rv spots are nice but close to other ppl."
from $12 - $155 / night
Check Availability"The park itself is really well maintained, and in a beautiful location. The lake and surrounding hills were beautiful."
"Alta Lake is a nice, clean park with decent tent sites. We had a site in Loop 2 on the right (on the lake side). It was away from the main area, parking lots, boat launch or store, so pretty quiet."
from $23 - $166 / night
Check Availability"The campground is divided into two parts by a crisp clear and cold Wenatchee River, flowing out of Lake Wenatchee, locat d in the central Cascade Mountains of Washington."
"_We love camping in this area of Washington. There are so many campsites and each one is just far away from the nearest town which is so nice to know that you won't be bothered by the busy road."
from $23 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Right next to the creek where all you hear is the creek running past you. It muffled the noise from our camp neighbors up above us which was really nice at night."
from $23 - $111 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Lots of spots between Entiat River Rd 19 and this location. Ground is mostly a fine dirt."
"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."
"the restrooms are a short walk; spare, but usually quite clean. nice dock facility, but secure your bumpers well due to passing boat wakes."
"One of the many awesome boat up National Forest Service campgrounds along Lake Chelan. Gorgeous lake front spots, with firepits, picnic tables, and pit toilets. Creek is near the campground."
TravelerWe’ve stayed here before, and each time the stay has been wonderful! Our first time was when an unexpected snowfall happened (over 2 feet) while camping. One of the hosts let us stay in the laundry area to stay warm, and even offered one of the cabins to cook in to stay out of the elements. The RV park is wonderfully kept and the facilities is all regularly cleaned. It’s a short walk onto the main strip of Winthrop.
TravelerThe heated bathrooms with showers were definitely comfort on our cross country road trip. We arrived after hours but because we already had made reservations that morning we were able to use the slider and enter the campground. Star gazing is always top priority. We headed down to the lake’s beach to snap some shots with my iPhone 14 Pro night, setting on a tripod and remote.
GuideIt's really a great little gated park that's fairly affordable. Unfortunately, it's right off the highway and on the other side of the river are the train tracks. Both are quite active. Otherwise this is a 5-star. Office folks were friendly and helpful.
LegendWe spent a pleasant evening in this beautiful park. Facilities are clean and well kept. Sites are spread out with plenty of grassy area between each site.
TravelerBig open lot good for night stay for free. We came around 9pm and found a spot with no problem, it was very quiet and the toilets are exceptionally clean.
LegendWe dry camped here for three nights. On and off there was two or three other campers with us. Lots of area probably could hold 20 to 30 campers. About 20 minutes from grand Cooley Dam. Right on the lake. Downfall there really wasn’t any place to hike or walk in the area. Sign posted you were to have a Discover pass from Washington, but we were unable to get one and nobody ever stopped to check.
RangerThere was one RV here when we got here, stayed at a spot close to the road, didn’t like that we could hear all the cars. The RV left the next day so we stole his spot right by the creek. Trails were all around. Rock Fire pits were at each site but were flagged in the middle to deter burning at the moment. Road is a little bumpy to each site but nothing our sprinter couldn’t handle when taken slow and avoiding big rocks. We found one bathroom at the beginning of the sites, but my partner said they were not great. We brought our dog and he loved it!
GuideIt is basically a gravel lot along soap lake. It has full hookups and costs $52/ Night. Easy to get in. You have to use the QR code box on the board beside the gate. It works easily and you get your gate code by email quickly. The internet is strong but slow. We are using our Verizon with 5g signal. Showers nice and hot.
LegendWe camped here for one night. It’s about a mile down a dirt road that is fairly well maintained. Several gravel campsites. Right next to the lake, although you can’t really see it with all the bushes. But there is a gravel boat ramp that you could launch a kayak or a canoe from. There is a vault toilet, but it’s pretty sketchy. Was nice and quiet. Only one other camper here with us.
Camping opportunities near Manson, Washington range from 1,600-foot lakeside sites to forest dispersed options reaching elevations of 4,750 feet. This region experiences significant temperature variations, with average summer highs of 85-90°F and nighttime lows that can drop to 55-60°F. Campers can find both reservation-required state parks and first-come, first-served dispersed sites throughout the region's national forest land.
Fishing access: Lake Chelan offers various fishing opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers. At Antilon Lake Campground, campers can catch multiple species. "I camped here in mid-May 2023. I camped in dispersed campground 'A' and really enjoyed it. There is good shore access for bank fishing (I caught sun fish, crappie, and brown trout)," notes one visitor.
Swimming options: The region features several designated swim areas with varying amenities. Beebe Bridge Park provides a structured swimming experience. "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," reports one camper.
Boat launching: Several campgrounds maintain boat launches for watercraft access. At Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park, "Dock for boats, fishing area is very limited. Swimming area is a bit sad but I think it's mainly for the little ones," according to one visitor. This park serves as a convenient entry point for exploring Lake Chelan by water.
Waterfront access: Direct lake and river frontage ranks highly among camper preferences. Entiat City Park earns praise for its Columbia River setting: "This place was a hidden gem when I was looking for a campground last minute. Great campsites with green grass and views of the river. Clean modern bathrooms. A lakefront park for swimming and a dock for boats/jet skis etc."
Cleanliness standards: Well-maintained facilities consistently receive positive mentions in reviews. "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," notes one visitor about Entiat City Park.
Off-grid experience: Some campers specifically seek locations with limited connectivity. At Antilon Lake, "I had 1 bar of Verizon if remember correctly," mentions one camper, while another notes: "No cell service for me out here (T-Mobile)." This location provides a balance of accessibility and disconnection.
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning, especially for waterfront sites. "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," explains a visitor to Lake Chelan State Park.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds involves driving on unpaved roads. For Chelan Lookout dispersed camping, "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."
Weather variability: Wind conditions can significantly impact camping experiences. "We liked camping here but the road can be loud. The lake is gorgeous but very windy! It's great for a night!" notes a camper at Lake Wenatchee State Park.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature designated play areas for children. "There was also a nice playground for him to play on as well. We got one of the water sites so we had a nice view of the lake from our tent," shares a Lake Chelan State Park visitor about their experience camping with a two-year-old.
Child-friendly water areas: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming zones. One visitor to Lake Wenatchee State Park notes, "Amazing! Our spot faced the lake and surrounding mountains. The lake has such a nice beach!! Great swimming for adults and kiddos! There is also a playground that my niece loved."
Wildlife awareness: Children often enjoy wildlife sightings, but proper storage prevents unwanted encounters. "TIP: Watch for the critters they are ruthless so cover ALL your dry goods!" warns a Lake Chelan State Park camper.
Site dimensions: RV spaces vary significantly between campgrounds. At Alta Lake State Park, "we camped in spot 5 in loop 1, or the woods campground... It's very barren and hot." Another camper notes, "Sites are very close together, little privacy and weekends at lake are busy."
Utility access: Hookup availability differs across the best places to camp near Manson, Washington. "Water, electricity and plenty of perfect grass! Great family camping with a small swimming area and boat launch. This is a perfect campground if you are a boater," shares one RVer about Beebe Bridge Park.
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for comfortable RV setup. One visitor to Lake Wenatchee State Park notes, "20 ft max vehicle length, per sign at campground entrance," while another camper at Alta Lake mentions specific site limitations for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Manson, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Manson, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 256 campgrounds and RV parks near Manson, WA and 36 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Manson, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Manson, WA is Lake Chelan State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Manson, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 36 free dispersed camping spots near Manson, WA.
What parks are near Manson, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Manson, WA that allow camping, notably Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
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