Tent camping spots around Manson, Washington range from lakefront sites to mountain settings at elevations between 1,100-4,000 feet. Summer temperatures regularly reach the high 90s from July through August, creating challenging conditions for campers without shade. Most dispersed camping areas require Northwest Forest Pass permits, available at ranger stations in Chelan for $5 daily or $30 annually.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Antilon Lake Campground provides decent fishing for various species with minimal equipment. "The brown trout I grilled was good, too!" notes a camper who visited in spring 2023. Another visitor caught "sun fish, crappie, and brown trout" while bank fishing from dispersed campground "A".
Water recreation: At Lake Chelan State Park Campground, visitors can rent equipment for water activities. "Amazing dock system and access to the lake, great day use area where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards," according to a recent visitor. The park features extensive dock facilities with rental options during peak season.
Mountain biking: The forest roads near South Navarre Campground offer miles of trails accessible directly from campsites. "Miles of trail to enjoy from the site," reports one reviewer, making it popular for cyclists seeking backcountry routes. The access road requires high-clearance vehicles with good tires.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at Mitchell Creek provide opportunities to spot deer, various bird species, and occasional fox sightings. "Loved it! Lots of boat parking with breakwater," shares one camper who spent time observing wildlife from their lakeside site.
What campers like
Lakeside access: The best tent camping near Manson, Washington often includes direct water access. "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)," mentions a camper about Lake Chelan State Park.
Privacy options: Mitchell Creek Campground offers secluded tent sites separated by natural vegetation. "Camped here last weekend. Loved it! Lots of boat parking with breakwater. Pit toilet was very clean," notes a reviewer who appreciated the site layout.
Swimming areas: Safety Harbor features designated swimming areas with gradually sloping shorelines. "Great swimming area!" says one visitor who appreciated the clean beach access and shallow entry points perfect for families.
Cost savings: Many tent campers appreciate the free dispersed options like Antilon Lake Campground, where campers can find lakeside sites without fees. "If you're looking to enjoy chelan but avoid the town, antilon is just the place! Extremely peaceful. Tons of wildlife, wild flowers, hiking trails and all around good views," writes a reviewer.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to remote tent sites often requires appropriate vehicles. "Travel is best in a high clearance vehicle with good tires. It's a long drive on a dirt mountain road. NOT for trailers," warns a camper about South Navarre Campground.
Seasonal challenges: Summer brings insects to many camping locations. "BRING BUG SPRAY!!! After setting up our tent and bunking down for the night we found probably 100 mosquitoes INSIDE of the tent," cautions one Antilon Lake visitor. Most tent campers recommend late spring or early fall to avoid peak mosquito season.
Facilities limitations: Most primitive tent sites have minimal amenities. "No creek nearby, so be sure to have enough fresh water or pull from lake. Bring a water purifying device," advises a camper about Deer Point. Water filtration equipment is essential for tent camping at most sites outside established state parks.
Weekend crowds: Goose Creek Campground and other accessible locations fill quickly on weekends. "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," notes one reviewer. Weekday arrivals significantly improve site selection.
Tips for camping with families
Water safety precautions: Families at Lake Chelan State Park should note dock conditions. "There is also a loop at the other end of the park that is more standard drive in sites. The water sites you park at the top and carry your things down to the site so be prepared for that," advises a parent who camped with children.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "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 veiw of the lake from our tent," mentions a parent who camped with a toddler at Lake Chelan State Park.
Wildlife protection: Secure food storage is essential with children. "Watch for the critters they are ruthless so cover ALL your dry goods!" warns a family camper at Lake Chelan State Park Campground, noting that small animals regularly search for accessible food.
Terrain considerations: Families with young children should evaluate site layouts carefully. "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)," notes a reviewer about Lake Chelan State Park's tent-specific areas.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers should research specific site dimensions. "Campground caters to atv riders with trails and large sites with extra parking," notes a visitor to Goose Creek Campground, one of the few areas that accommodates both tents and small RVs.
Dust management: Dry conditions create significant dust issues. "Passing cars would kick up the fine dust in the dirt lot RV/trailer sites," warns a camper at Goose Creek about the upper camping area conditions during summer months.
Services availability: Most tent camping areas near Manson lack hookups. "Large state park with everything you could possible need for a family camping weekend. Nice sites with lots of shade, showers, clean restrooms, swimming area, docks, beach front sites," explains a reviewer about the amenities at Lake Chelan State Park, one of the few locations with developed facilities.
Reservation requirements: Lake Chelan's prime RV sites book far in advance. "Beach front sites (reserve 9 months in advance!), RV sites with electricity and water hookups," advises an experienced camper about securing the most desirable locations.
