Best Campgrounds near Methow, WA

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Methow, Washington (250)

    1. Alta Lake State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Pateros, WA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 923-2473

    "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."

    2. Lake Chelan State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Manson, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 226-7688

    "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."

    3. Antilon Lake Campground

    9 Reviews
    Manson, WA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 682-2576

    "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!"

    4. Foggy Dew Campground

    4 Reviews
    Carlton, WA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 826-3275

    $8 / night

    "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"

    5. Methow River Fishing Access

    3 Reviews
    Pateros, WA
    7 miles

    "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."

    6. Secret Camping Spot #1

    2 Reviews
    Pateros, WA
    7 miles

    "Next to Hwy and behind tall bushes.  Vault bathrooms 1/4 mile down the road.  Pretty quiet spot even though 300 yards from highway."

    7. Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park

    6 Reviews
    Manson, WA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 902-8844

    "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."

    8. Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Winthrop, WA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 996-2370

    "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."

    9. Pateros City Park

    2 Reviews
    Pateros, WA
    7 miles

    "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"

    10. Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Methow, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 996-4000

    "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!"

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Recent Reviews near Methow, WA

642 Reviews of 250 Methow Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Jameson Lake

    Peaceful

    Peaceful and quiet, but can imagine right time of year it could get really busy because there’s a lot of space for camping. Minus one because you need to pay/need a pass to stay.

  • Eric O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Klipchuck Campground

    Great spot

    Many available spots, even on a Sunday prior to Labor Day. Campsite cost is $20 per night plus $2 in fees. Each site was very clean, with picnic table, fire pit, and a pretty flat tent pad. Pit toilets were very well maintained, and water spigots were at every other site. Would come again, highly recommend. Only payment option is to “Scan & Pay” where you scan the QR code with the recreation.gov app and you get a confirmation number, which you write down on your site post (once you get service the app will charge your card). No cash options afaik.

  • Eric O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Forest Road Dispersed Site

    Alright for a quick stop

    Small turn out near lake Wenatchee. Road was not visible on google maps, but it’s a small turn out right at the end of the bridge (if going north).

    Pulled off to the first site I saw and pitched a tent. Heard some other people more down the road, and saw another car pull in later in the night. I was glad to have found a spot at all given that it was really late and Labor Day weekend.

    There was a fire pit and a little bit of trash. Excellent phone service. Road noise was pretty loud but that didn’t bother me. Lots of tiny little flying bugs though. Had to put a light near my car while setting up my tent to keep them from swarming my face.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Nason Creek Campground

    Nice campground

    This campground has 3 loops. I found a FF site 22 that unfortunately is near the road. But no noise at night. There is a creek going through the campground. Nice for a hot day.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Klipchuck Campground

    Klipchuck Campground

    Nice campground. We stayed at a lovely site just a short walk from the river. The vault toilets were HORRIBLE though. The Scan & Go is also a rip off. You HAVE to use the system, and it's $20 PLUS fees. There's a 14-day stay limit, but I could only book 4 of my 5 nights at one time ($20/night plus $10 fee) and the final night I had to book the morning of ($20 plus $2 fee). Sporadic cell service here--weak, but great with a booster.

  • Ashley A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Goat Creek Sno-Park

    Good place to sleep

    Nothing special. Just a parking lot a little off the highway. People are rolling in untill about 10:30 and start leaving at 6. Clean pit toilet. Nothing wrong with it, great place just to sleep and keep moving.

  • Mark M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Alta Lake State Park Campground

    Lovely Campground

    Two Loops. Loop off the lake has larger sites with more privacy and view of the cliffs. The loop in the lake has lake views but the sites are on top of each other with no privacy. There are concessions for the kids on a large grass beach area with floats you can use. The view is amazing.

  • Katie S.
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Shady Pines Resort

    This place is a hidden gem!

    Relaxing stay, great panoramic water view and excellent customer service. Our dogs were happy playing in the water and watching the deer, geese and herons. Good WiFi. I really liked the bistro lights in the evening. We drove through the other 2 campgrounds in the area to compare - Shady Pines was definitely the best choice!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Wenatchee River County Park

    Very nice

    We stayed two nights. Everything is very clean and the staff is extremely friendly. Right on the river. They have Ice for sale on site. 50 amp service and sewer and water are all in available.


Guide to Methow

Camping near Methow, Washington, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Swimming: Head to Lake Chelan State Park Campground for some fun on the water. One camper shared, "We did a lot of kayaking early and later in the day and had a wonderful time. The water was calm like glass and so clear."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "This is a good basecamp for exploring the North Cascades."
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Antilon Lake Campground is a great spot. One camper mentioned, "I caught sunfish, crappie, and brown trout."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground stated, "Clean bathrooms/showers, beach swim access, awesome playground."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors highlight the helpfulness of the park staff. One camper at Lake Chelan State Park Campground said, "Friendly staff and clean restrooms."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A review for Daroga State Park Campground noted, "Beautiful park with well-maintained grounds."

What you should know:

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Alta Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Even though the sites were close together, we still felt like we had a lot of privacy."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have markets or stores nearby. A camper at Beebe Bridge Park pointed out, "We like to go for walks and bike rides with our kids and the location limited us to just the park or needing to drive into town."
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground is open from March to October.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A family at Lake Chelan State Park Campground enjoyed, "Nice playground and plenty of grassy areas for kids to run and play."
  • Book Early: Popular spots fill up fast. One camper at Alta Lake State Park Campground advised, "I booked in January (for an early June trip), and it was almost full already."
  • Bring Swim Shoes: Some swimming areas can be rocky. A visitor at Lake Chelan State Park Campground reminded others, "Nice swim area with plenty of spots to sit, but fairly rocky."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the RV sites are suitable for your vehicle. A review for Daroga State Park Campground mentioned, "From an RVer’s perspective, the site pads are very narrow."
  • Be Prepared for Wind: Some campgrounds can be windy, especially near water. A camper at Daroga State Park Campground noted, "If you are tent camping... it is almost a 1/2 mile hike out to the peninsula for your campsite."
  • Plan for Waste Disposal: Not all campgrounds have waste disposal at the sites. A visitor at Pearrygin Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The other big downfall is the lack of waste disposal at the sites."

Camping near Methow, Washington, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

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.