Best Equestrian Camping near Mazama, WA

The road to Hart's pass is carved into the side of a mountain and NOT for the faint of heart. But once you're up there, the views are great. It was pretty smoky in August of 2018 from all the wildfires and the campground itself was burned through in the not too distant past (not sure when) but it is still a gorgeous spot. It is the kick off for the last leg of the PCT before Canada and the start of a nice backpack South to Rainy Pass.

There is little or no shade or privacy because of the lack of trees but the sites are fairly far apart. 

Great place for star gazing!

This spot has been the 2nd choice for my family over the years, we typically camp at Kerr camp just down the mountain a little way but we have enjoyed this spot as well, awesome trails from this spot to ride Utv's. The gazebo is always awesome for a large family gathering and the views of the meadow are very peaceful. Wish there was more of a creek but I cannot play God.

Camping is great for those who like to experience the atmosphere of the mountains and forests or resorts that also have camping. As the article above shows, camping is very fun if we have a happy spirit. So let's see the feedback experiences of customers when coming to the camping places on this website: https://suikagameonline.io

Along Thunder-creek trail Junction is tucked away about 10 miles in. While the hike is relatively easy-moderate while passing through the other camps, once you get pass camp Tricouni you have 2.2 miles until camp Junction and it’s a strenuous hike up the mountain for about a mile. There are 3 campsites to choose from in Junction. Get there relatively early because there are only 2 with a view of the glacier, the third is nice and private and tucked away but you won’t see the mountain from the site. The pit toilet is tucked away in some trees to your left of the campsites with plenty of privacy and scenery. Junction great spot for camping or to break for lunch and take in the gorgeous views. I will add if you choose to visit during a warmer time bring bug spray and get a fire going ASAP to keep them at bay until the night air comes in.

Gorgeous backcountry campground, complete with firepits and privy -- makes roughing it even easier. Water is easy access from Thunder Creek, which is just down the hill. This site is about 10 miles south of the Colonial Creek Campground, a great basecamp option for this trek, as you start the hike through old growth forest. This is the perfect site for a large group, but it also has quite a few smaller “tucked away” spots for individuals, couples, etc. The views of Boston Glacier (currently the largest glacier in the North Cascades National Park) and multiple waterfalls are fantastic. Bear canisters are required, as the predominant fir trees in the area are not conducive to hanging food. Cost=free! Permit required from NOCA Visitor Center.

Currently, there is a 72-hour camping limit and is a city park, which means they don't accept any type of pass or discount such as the Discover Pass. The fee is $10/night (72 hours maximum). But you can still hang out here during the day-use hours until then, if you don't have the money.

I like this area very much. Nothing spectacular, but free showers, free WiFi, bathrooms, water faucet, and water spigot is hard to beat.

You can call them and ask any questions. The number is 509-422-3600

Nice park beside very slow river adjacent to busy road. No dogs on grass. Garbage. Picnic tables. Shaded. Stay 72 hours. Warm shower. Flush toilet. $10/night/vehicle or tent

Great place if you’re just looking for a spot to spend the night or take a shower. The park is sandwiched between a busy city street and the river. Bathrooms are old but clean. Possibly open all night. There are no individual spots it’s just a long parking lot with a grass area for tents.

Visited 7/26-7/31 2020 Loop 1 site 22 Pros- clean facilities, great day use area, some campsites (loop 3) are on the water. The lake is cool and clear. Nice staff. Kayak and paddle board rentals (not this summer due to covid). Close to Winthrop and Chelan.

Cons- extensive fire damage in 2014 has downed many trees and most campsites have zero or little shade. Sites are very close together, little privacy and weekends at lake are busy. My main issue was the out of date campsite photos. Our site showed 6 trees but we had zero (cut down I’m guessing due to fire). We knew it would be hot but we also thought there would be shade.

The campground is beautiful. Because of the fire that destroyed the campground, there is next to no privacy on each campsite.

Pros: -Stars were incredible- we saw the milky-way and a few shooting starts -clean flushable bathrooms -views, access to hikes -cool lake to swim in -cellphone service (although we opted to put our phones in airplane mode to unplug) -family friendly

Cons: -noise: during quiet hours there was zero enforcement of quiet time. We had a camp next to us partying until 1am and another group up at 6am putting up a canopy and being incredibly loud -no privacy at campsites -there is a fire ban, so if you are hoping for s’mores make sure to bring a propane stove (not a con for us, but may be for others) -bees: there were so many bees. If you are allergic I recommend staying away. We had a screened in canopy and still managed to get several inside -not a ton of shade, mostly because of precious fires

We we did enjoy staying here but two big things that were not so wonderful was the lake was very busy with skiers and tubers so anyone enjoying lighter vessels like kayaks had to watch out or go late in the evening when the big boats are off the water. The campsite had nice Landscaping but where stacked pretty closely together at least on the inner campsites. The rather short trail to the bluff behind the campground was rather steep in areas but well worth the trip  when you did get to the top.

This Campground was good for a single visit for us but will likely not return in exchange for a quieter and less visited park.

We camped here in early October on Friday night. Only the lower loop was available. Our site was a standard one with no hookups. It cost $25 in the off season. There is a trail to the beach but not much of interest. There is a day use area if you want to swim or launch a boat.

We camped here because my grandparents used to camp and fish here.

It was quiet even though there were some private homes nearby

There were full hook up sites for the larger RVs so we didn’t have the sound of generators to bother us.

We had a tent site up on the hill that was semi-private with beautiful views. Plenty of birds to wake you with the sunrise. I could see how the lake could be busy in peak months but it wasn’t while we were here.

You park really nervst the other, that’s why only 4 stars, hood for fishing, hook ups, great view, well maintained

Personally 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.

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.

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. Our site was sweet, it had a trail down to a small open sandy stretch of beach that was basically our own private beach. Took the cooler and a pop up tent and enjoyed the beach all day. We went in August and it was hot, the lake was super refreshing! (photo from WA State Parks & Rec commission)

Alta Lake was perfect! Weather cooperated and gave us mid 80’s the 4 nights/5 days we were there. The area is beautiful! Peaceful and quiet the whole time.

One of the best campground I've ever visited. Lots to do and very well taken care of.

I look forward to Alta Lake every year! I try to get my favorite spot on the end near the water and stay as many days as my life will allow. We take our kayaks and explore. Hiking trails are close by.

It can get crowded up in the RV section. People seem to enjoy themselves, it gets pretty loud and rowdy in the afternoon and evening. I am glad we have other options. Our Basecamp is only 16 feet long and we can run off the grid, so we actually can take it along the lake in a tent spot. If you are going to attempt it, it is truly a tight fit. Be careful! Sites are small, pull off is more accurate than pull through,and we used a lot of blocks to level up. I wouldn't think this place is known for privacy, but I think it makes up for it with location. The bathrooms are nice and have showers too.

Lots of fish, birds, turtles, and little critters running around. The lake is lovely. There are motorized boats allowed, kayaks and swimmers be careful!

Well besides the fact that the camping is literally site on top of site. Unless you like camping looking down on your neighbors camp an arms reach away. ( insert eye roll ) and the one guy ranger who “didn’t have time to talk to us” simply about switching sites because we booked online. And was sandwiched in between two large family sites. Anyways we ended up being helped by a nice lady ranger who made time and even checked on us later to see if we were all good. After changing sites. The campground was pretty empty btw and wasn’t a big deal to switch. Spending the day on this lake was Amazing!!! Warm water they had paddle boards and kayaks to rent by phone so that was a plus. So three stars for the lake. Two for the nice ranger and one for camp site layout. Flushing toilets and pay showers available but Should be expected for $40 a night.

Great day park, not so great for camping. We stayed in spot 5 in loop 1, or the woods campground. There was a capped pipe that appeared to be waste water dump but was not. When we asked the park attendants why it wasn’t labeled or locked they had no answers. We ended up with an ant infestation in our camper and we camp very clean. It’s very barren and hot. The good was the camp was quiet and the sandy swim beach was nice, but only during the week. It was packed on the weekend.