The camping season near Monitor, Washington typically runs April through October, with daytime temperatures averaging 80-90°F in summer. Located at 780 feet elevation in the Wenatchee Valley, Monitor sits at the transition between the arid Columbia Basin and the forested eastern Cascades. Campgrounds in the area frequently experience strong afternoon winds from the west, particularly during late summer.
What to do
Water recreation access: At Lincoln Rock State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy multiple water activities. "This beautiful campground has everything you want and need: water, trails, scenic views, ample campsites, clean bathrooms and easy access," notes one camper, who highlights that "there are boat launches for kayaking or motorboats and jet skis, with miles of water to explore. And fishing galore!"
Mountain biking: Derby Road dispersed camping offers proximity to mountain bike trails. "NF dispersed camping along Derby RD. Multiple sites along the road...make sure to look for signs as there are some pullouts marked 'no camping.' No amenities but super quiet," states one reviewer who appreciates the location's "great place when you need to escape."
Hiking opportunities: Camping at Johnny Creek Campground puts visitors close to numerous hiking trails. "We took our bikes and explored campgrounds nearby as well," shares one visitor. Another mentions, "The location was peaceful and near lots of hiking."
What campers like
River proximity: Blu-Shastin RV Park offers sites directly on water. "What a lovely park. Very picturesque along the river and great customer service!!" shares one visitor. Another mentions, "Creek right out the back of our site," noting the prime waterfront positioning.
Spacious sites: Wenatchee Confluence State Park provides generous spacing between sites. "I have never had such wide spread out spaces in any state campground. It was amazing. The spaces were level, lots of grass and enough trees to provide shade at every spot too," reports one camper. Another visitor notes the "large grassy areas and walking/biking trails all over the campground."
Swimming areas: Entiat City Park features dedicated swimming facilities on the Columbia River. "Perfect swimming spot. Showers, drinking fountains, flush toilets," states one visitor. Another adds, "A lakefront park for swimming and a dock for boats/jet skis etc."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: At Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground, insects can be an issue. "Be prepared for mosquitoes. But other than that very clean nice campsite," warns one reviewer. Another visitor advises, "Bring bug repellent because the mosquitoes are bad."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer. "Make sure you reserve a site online. If you just show up last minute you may be Sol," advises one Lake Wenatchee visitor. For Johnny Creek, a camper notes, "We drove through about 5 campgrounds and got the very last open spot."
Cell service variability: Coverage varies widely across the Monitor area. At Blu-Shastin RV Park, one camper reports, "No cell service with T-Mobile. WiFi at the clubhouse." For Derby Road dispersed camping, a visitor notes, "Verizon phone service was ok, T-Mobile was spotty at best occasionally a message would get through."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Entiat City Park offers safe swimming for children. A visitor notes it has a "beautiful water views" and "a lakefront park for swimming." Another adds that the "beach is swimmable" making it suitable for families.
Playground access: Lincoln Rock State Park provides recreational facilities beyond camping. "There are boat launches for kayaking or motorboats and jet skis, with miles of water to explore. And fishing galore!" one visitor explains. The campground features "ball fields, tennis and basketball courts."
Family-friendly activities: Wenatchee River County Park offers activities for multiple age groups. "Big, grassy spots with level concrete pads. Excellent water pressure. Great location on the river. Lots of places to walk the dogs. Sandy areas on the river to hang out," shares one visitor, highlighting the range of options for family members.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: At Wenatchee River County Park, concrete pads accommodate larger rigs. "Good level asphalt roads and paved sites. Grounds/grass well maintained," reports one RVer. Another notes, "Big, grassy spots with level concrete pads."
Hookup details: Icicle River RV Resort provides complete services but with some limitations. "Overall nice campground, but overpriced for what you get; $45-50 would be more in line with amenities," writes one RVer, adding that "WiFi is pretty bad, which is unfortunate if you try to download the laundry app."
Road conditions: For dispersed camping near Monitor, vehicle clearance matters. On Derby Road, a camper explains, "Service roads did have some heavily washed out areas and rocks that higher ground clearance and AWD/4WD would be beneficial, but a 2WD car could make it to some sites." Another notes they "went as far as we could in our Ram Promaster till there was a crazy steep and washed out climb."
