257 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several quiet campgrounds surround Methow, Washington, with options ranging from developed parks to backcountry sites. Methow City Park Campground has good-sized sites and hiking trails that start nearby. Methow Area State Park sits among thick stands of trees, giving campers more separation from others. If you head into the National Forest lands around Methow, you can find spots for dispersed camping without designated sites. Methow Recreation Area tends to fill with people who want to fish or paddle, as it sits close to water. The campground at Methow County Park has better facilities than most, including maintained bathrooms and tables for eating. Since wildlife moves through the area regularly, hanging food or using bear canisters keeps both your supplies and the animals safe. During summer weekends, you'll want to book ahead, as the campgrounds fill quickly when weather warms up. Many people arrive without reservations only to find no spots available. Both tent and RV campers can find appropriate sites throughout the Methow area.
"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 $31 - $166 / night
Check Availability"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 - $56 / 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!"
"Located in a side trib of the Methow Valley, this campsite is located amongst two creeks on either side."
"Just far enough off the road and nestled between two creeks, this small but spacious camp ground offers a nice roadside oasis to spend the long weekend or just an overnight for overlanders making miles"
from $8 / night
Check Availability"Next to Hwy and behind tall bushes. Vault bathrooms 1/4 mile down the road. Pretty quiet spot even though 300 yards from highway."
"Not to noisy for being close to the highway. Can put a tent up in the raised area. Ground is very soft so hard to stick stakes in the ground. There was some trash left around."
"This is just a large gravel parking lot off the side of the highway. Next to a river though so not bad if you wanted to bathe or swim in the morning. Also has a vault bathroom."
"It has rest rooms and is in a nice location."
"Lake is wonderful, beach area, showers, fishing, boat launch, jet skis....all the amenities. Beautiful grounds, close to Winthrop for outings, and other Methow activities!"
"The towns of Mazama and Winthrop are figuratively but not literally cool, and with temperatures rising over 110 during the record heatwave of July 2021, the lake was a lovely place to cool down."
from $12 - $180 / 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 $31 - $111 / night
Check Availability"This tiny Park nestled in the city along the waterfront boasts several docks, a playground, parking for up to maybe four RVs, toilets and showers, a kick-ass bakery within walking distance with great drinks"
"Near the peak of Fox Mountain, this area is at one of the highest points in the area. Great cell service(AT&T) and a amazing view for both sunrise and sunset!"
GuideA little bumpy of a road getting into our spot. The initial road wasn’t bad. We took the first road on the left. Some spots on the road were a tight squeeze fitting through with overgrown shrubs. Some mosquitoes, but we were next to a lake, so to be expected. Beautiful sunset though!
ScoutWe have been coming to this park for over 10 years, we travel with a group of 5 RVs. The cost has doubled over the last couple of years to $50.00 a night. The park is mostly empty now.
GuideMy boyfriend and I stayed here before spending time in the Cascades. There is about a dozen pull off spots on the side of the road and then a few more at the top by the lake. The lake was almost non-existent/dried out when we visited. We only saw two other people while there. The views are incredible
RangerNothing too special. Close to Leavenworth (18 minutes). You can hear the cars and trycks on the road. Looks like 3 large spaces to camp
TravelerWhat a beautiful spot! We went to the left once we got in to the lot and it was perfect. There is a put toilet and it was very quiet.
LegendI stayed here for a Thursday and Friday night in June, and it was the perfect home base for a Leavenworth getaway. While the cabin is cozy, definitely a"pack light" kind of space, it’s exceptionally well-designed and packed with everything you actually need, including a kitchen. The highlight was walking directly out to the Wenatchee River with nice views from the deck, plus a great community space with a grill for when you want to socialize. The location is also incredibly convenient. It’s entirely walkable, but I zoomed into town on my electric scooter for groceries, dinner, and wine tasting. My only recommendation is to stay longer.
TravelerThis is a big camp ground with lots of close together sights.
TravelerJust used this spot for one night. Not to noisy for being close to the highway. Can put a tent up in the raised area. Ground is very soft so hard to stick stakes in the ground. There was some trash left around. If you bring a dog watch their paws the gravel is supper small and gets caught in between there pads, as well as broken bottles on the ground.
GuideFirst impression-Ah I like this place. Friendly hosts during a busy vintage motorcycle rally. Mature crowd so not loud and obnoxious. Nice large grass spot that’s well maintained. My site had full hookups (30 amp), water and dump water. $60/night 25 June 26. Showers and toilets spick and span clean. Showers are private and they provide towel and cloth floor mat. Just drop a $1 token into machine for a hot high pressure shower. I imagine this setup is like the 1800 S in mining towns. What a great experience! Very large washing machines and dryers for large items lime comforters or sleeping bags? Used for my comforters and was so nice. A easy walk to downtown. 3 minute walk and located in the street below. Very cool historic museum across the street. First class setup that’s highly educational.
Camping sites near Methow, Washington include developed and primitive options along the Columbia and Methow rivers. The region sits at the confluence of these waterways, creating a landscape of dry pine forests at lower elevations with mountain terrain rising to nearly 9,000 feet in surrounding peaks. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while winter brings frequent sub-freezing conditions between November and March.
Fishing access points: Several areas provide designated river entry for anglers near Methow River Fishing Access. "The negative is that you're right on highway. It's just a dirt parking lot and the ground is too solid to put tent spikes into," notes camper cadams287, though the riverside location compensates for the basic amenities.
Lakeside swimming: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas with varying facilities. At Lake Chelan State Park Campground, "The swimming area is nice, with grassy and shoreside areas to lay out. There are also large playfields with courts which people were always welcoming in others to play," according to Kate I.
Hiking trails: Forest Service lands contain numerous paths leading to waterfalls and viewpoints. At Foggy Dew Campground, camper Joey H. notes, "Hiking trails close by that lead to a big waterfall. Highly recommended this spot." These trails range from short walks to multi-day backpacking routes.
Creek sounds: Many campsites border flowing water, providing natural white noise. Carrie J. describes Foggy Dew Campground: "It's so peaceful to sit next to your campfire and hear both the crackling of the fire and the bubbling flow of the creek. Definitely some nice sounds to fall asleep to!"
Waterfront camping: Direct water access ranks highly among visitor preferences. At Alta Lake State Park, camper Casey R. appreciated that "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."
Off-grid solitude: Some dispersed camping areas offer complete separation from crowds. Cooper Mountain Road dispersed camping provides "Great cell service (AT&T) and an amazing view for both sunrise and sunset!" according to joseph, making it ideal for remote workers wanting connectivity with isolation.
Fire restrictions: Many areas implement seasonal burn bans during summer months. Check with ranger stations before arrival as conditions change rapidly. Christine R. noted at Antilon Lake Campground: "Aside from a very windy/rainy day and night with 40 mph gusts, the weather was perfect and I loved falling asleep to the sound of the frogs and crickets."
Wildlife considerations: Bears and smaller wildlife frequent camping areas. Proper food storage prevents problems with animals. Some campgrounds provide metal food lockers or poles for hanging supplies.
Site selection timing: Most established campgrounds fill completely on summer weekends. Weekday arrivals fare better for securing spots. According to Sonia B. at Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park: "My first visit was Memorial day weekend in 2017. Very busy campground and day use area."
Lake activities: Families often center activities around water recreation. At Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground, Courtney J. shared: "This was our first time at Lake Chelan since we are new to the PNW. With that being said he [her two-year-old] had a blast! The water was still a little chilly but he was able to dip his toes in the water and get a little wet. There was also a nice playground for him to play on as well."
Equipment rental options: Some parks offer boat and recreational equipment rentals. Check availability seasonally as offerings change. Marie L. described Lake Chelan State Park: "Amazing dock system and access to the lake, great day use area where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards."
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds maintain designated play areas for children. These provide activity options during non-water times or inclement weather conditions.
Hookup availability: Limited full-service sites exist in the region. At Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park, Leonard H. noted: "Paved streets & individual sites, Most sites close to level, Restrooms and showers clean and work well, Nice walking paths, Good family park with fishing/swimming/boating possibilities, Dump station at exit for those w/o sewer hookup sites."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require significant leveling for larger rigs. Pack leveling blocks and wheel chocks. Shay F. warned about Alta Lake: "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."
Seasonal water access: Lake levels fluctuate significantly through seasons. Boat launch facilities may become unusable during drought periods. Jennifer H. reported at Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park: "Unfortunately the water was little low than we expected."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in the Methow Valley?
The Methow Valley offers diverse camping experiences for all preferences. Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground provides a beautiful lake setting with swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities, plus it's conveniently located near Winthrop for town amenities. For a more rustic experience, Foggy Dew Campground sits between two creeks with simple facilities and affordable $8/night rates. Other excellent options include Klipchuck Campground with its proximity to cooling waters, Black Pine Lake Campground for mountain views, and Sullivan Pond Camp for quiet dispersed camping. Early Winters Campground near Mazama offers shaded sites under tall trees, making it a perfect respite from summer heat.
What amenities are available at Methow Valley campgrounds?
Methow Valley campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities. Winthrop/N. Cascades National Park KOA Holiday provides full-service amenities with a western vibe and river access. For state park amenities, Daroga State Park Campground features clean facilities, paved trails, and both standard and walk-in sites with wheelbarrows available for gear transport. Amenities across the valley range from basic vault toilets and picnic tables at rustic sites like Early Winters and Klipchuck to more developed facilities including showers, boat launches, and swimming areas at state parks. Some campgrounds offer water access, shade trees, and proximity to towns for supplies. Most public campgrounds have potable water and vault toilets, while dispersed camping areas typically have no facilities.
Can you camp along the Methow River?
Yes, several campgrounds provide access to the Methow River. Klipchuck Campground is situated near the Methow River and Early Winters Creek, offering refreshing spots to cool off during hot summer months. Early Winters Campground also provides access to the river system in the Mazama area. The river's current can be swift early in the camping season, making swimming unsafe during spring runoff, but becomes more accessible as summer progresses. For fishing enthusiasts, the Methow River Fishing Access points provide dedicated spots for anglers. Remember that when camping near waterways, it's important to follow Leave No Trace principles and camp at least 200 feet from water sources in dispersed areas.
Keep Exploring
