262 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 $23 - $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 - $41 / 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!"
"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."
"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"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 - $149 / 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 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!"
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.
LegendEnjoyed a couple nights relaxing at this great spot. A couple of visitors drove through to check out the river but we were the only ones camping. We stayed at the back at the site with beach access.
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.
LegendNice large spot bug enough for a few rigs. Big rig friendly as well. There are 2 separate fire rings far enough away from eachother that 2 parties could be down here. Easy Access to the river.
Ground is very sandy so be cautious during wet weather. No trash all over the place which is so lovely.
Didnt have any issues with bugs.
Not many cars drove by on the FS road throughout the day.
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.
GuideWe originally drove up NF-51 to check out Falls Creek Campground (which is also beautiful) and discovered this gem! While there is no fee per night to camp, a Discover Pass is required (unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license).
No potable water or hookups available. Very stinky pit toilet. Fire rings at sites but there was a ban in place when we were there.
There was plenty of room when we were here, but I would imagine it is very busy during the summer and hunting season.
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!
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 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.
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