Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest? Finding a place to camp in Washington with your tent has never been easier. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest's most popular destinations.
BEAR WARNING: bears frequent this area, make sure to store food and garbage properly
This walk-in campground on Cooper Lake offers 22 tent-only sites.
$14 / night
$10 - $25 / night
Parking along FS Road 7601 is now allowed, but only on right side of road (going up). For vehicles parking on road or in parking area -- a NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or the Overnight Visitor Parking Pass that comes with Enchantments overnight permit must be on display on your vehicle’s dashboard. Day Passes can be purchased at trailhead, and pass must be displayed on dashboard of vehicle, even if parking on the road.
Located on the south shore of Lake Wenatchee. This campground also offers 16 walk-in sites located on the lakeshore.
$10 / night
The historic Mather Memorial Parkway (State Route 410) is the gateway to a recreational haven. On a clear day, enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Rainier. For more excitement, take a spin in the off-road vehicle area at Evans Creek, or zip down the slopes of Crystal Mountain Ski Area. Or if you prefer solitude, escape into the solace of the forest and leave the world behind.
Mather Memorial Parkway Created in 1931, this paved two-lane classic Cascades drive along Highway 410 from Enumclaw to the eastern edge of Mount Rainier National Park presents majestic views of Mount Rainier and surrounding peaks. More than 200 miles of trails accommodate hikers, horses and mountain bikes. Drive, hike or ride to the Suntop Lookout Cabin at the top of Forest Road 7315. Choose a primitive campsite along forest roads east and west of the parkway. In November buy a permit at the Enumclaw office and take the family out to the woods to cut your own Christmas tree. Most forest roads are unpaved and minimally maintained. Cell phones have limited coverage in the mountains.
Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Typically, it refers to roadside car camping, but also refers to backpacking in undeveloped sites. Dispersed camping means there are no services like trash removal, and amenities such as toilets, tables and fire pits, are not usually available.
It is your responsibility to plan ahead and learn the extra skills necessary for dispersed camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Dispersed camping along Forest Service roads is allowed where there is adequate space to safely park completely off the roadway and not on any vegetation. Whether car camping or backpacking, choose an existing campsite on bare or compacted soil. Unless signed as an area where a fee is required, dispersed camping is free. Dispersed camping is prohibited in developed campgrounds and areas posted closed or no camping. Some designated Wilderness areas have additional restrictions.
This campground offers 5 walk-in tent-only sites near a small lake and the Cle Elum River. There is no fee and no services. Pack out your trash.
The relatively flat hike to this long, shallow lake makes an excellent destination for families with children or an easy overnight camping trip.
Follow the Cle Elum River Trail as it moves through wooded forest and over bubbling streams while surrounded by a bevy of local berries: thimbleberry, bunchberry, mountain ash and huckleberry.
The initial gentle incline flattens out after the first half a mile as you continue through the woods. After one mile, the forest begins to open as the trail nears the lower portion of the main lake.
Listen for birds singing in the forested canopy, as they tend to gravitate toward the lake—this means you’re close. At two miles the lake comes into view. Arriving at the lower shores, you'll find plenty of picnic and camping options. The trail continues to the upper lake to offer incredible views of Cathedral Rock and Mount Daniel, which create a striking contrast to the flat valley holding the lake.
Return by the same route.
There's only one pit toilet, BYOTP, first come first serve. 2 miles in from the trailhead.
This campground is located along Blackpine Creek and provides access to Icicle Creek Trail #1551, Jack Creek Trail, and Blackjack Ridge Trail #1565.
Guide
What else can I say than we truly loved Chelan! We fell in love with this campsite last summer and already have our reservation confirmed for this summer!
This RV and tent campground is huge and we got a spot right on the lake, which was unforgettable! We made fires by the lake and had a very private tent site. The restrooms were quiet and clean, and there is so much to do in the nearby surrounding area! Highly highly recommend!
Guide
Within the almost 4 million acres of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, lie countless locations for dispersed camping. This area of the southeast corner of the NF has very little traffic compared to others, we saw only one ATV for the whole time we were there. This area lies along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route between the Cashmere and Chelan sections along NF-7400. Obviously, this is a 4X4 road and I wouldn't suggest it in anything less. Incredible sunset views of the valley in front of Chumstick Mountain, it gets pretty windy at night but there are treelines you can position against. This particular spot photographed is just up the hill off the roadside in a nice grassy clearing. More spots were just up the hill around the bend as well.
Guide
Has tent camping and bathhouse
Traveler
Good sites for tent camping but the sites aren't great for an RV.
Legend
We’ve camped here a number of times and love it. 4 kids and a dog. We’ve tent camped, stayed in the cabins and our class C RV. We’ve been in a variety of spots around the campground. Our favorite were tent camping over the river and being close to the playground & dog park on the RV. The store is the best I’ve come across at a campsite. Great kid craft activities, nice playground, yummy pancake breakfast, great access for swimming in the river. We walk to town. It’s awesome.
Ranger
A friend told me to check out Leavenworth. It was cute, but every bit the touristy type of thing I’m not a fan of. The real jewel of the area are these Wenatchee National Forest campgrounds. This one is right on the river. I think I paid $22. for a walk-in tent site (but we camped in the parking lot in our rooftop tent). The best walk in tent site is right on the river. Very relaxing. Beautifully wooded sites. Beware of bear activity.
Scout
Walk in spots for tent camping you have to walk a half mile to camp from your car. Rv spots are nice but close to other ppl.
Guide
Nice spots but size limits trailer length unless you get pick of spots. Van or tent camping everywhere! Tables, rings, outhouses. Great hiking trail up Mad River trail and great bike riding up Tyee road
ScoutPro: Great campground for convenience. Walkable to main town strip. Hot showers. Toilet paper stocked
Cons: Hours of pool/hot tub are narrow. Cost is a little high for a tent site.
Scout
nice park, close spots, very friendly host, swimming pool, fhu, fire pits, creek on back side of park. was very busy with a large group and kids riding bikes like crazy! plenty of tent sites too. $45/nite
Traveler
We stayed in the tent camping area. RV section looks very nice too. Had a great time, but next visit will select a site in the lower loop, further away from the interstate noise. Lots of trails for walking/biking and a swim area. Access to the upper stretch of the Yakima River. Clean restrooms and varied site size.
Traveler
On the Columbia/Wenatchee rivers in Wenatchee. We tent camped. All sites have sand tent pads. You cannot set tents on grass. Shower tokens are purchased 2 for $1.00 and each token allows a 3 minute shower. There is firewood available for $5.00 a bundle. Cell service was awesome/no free WiFi. Only 5 minutes to a ton of restaurants and Walmart/target. We would stay again and reccomened to others. Leavenworth WA is 20 miles away also.
Guide
It’s a nice KOA but my tent site was right next to the playground so I had kids running through my site and touching my truck. But they had a dollar rib night so that was great and the staff was really nice the whole time.
LegendGreat place to camp during Rodeo. Need to book a year in advance. Super nice sites on the Yakima river. My parents rented a cabin and we're wowwed! Nice folks and awesome scenery. Power and water to tent site. Good cell service and wifi. Hope to stay again soon
TravelerCabins with A.C. in the shade, works well for groups, but very close to each other, and for the cost, go stay at a nice hotel.
Tent camping in the field is horrible. 1 foot between our tent and neighbors. 103 degrees and not a single tree for shade.
Two of our three nights had issues with thieves taking bikes and coolers in the middle of the night.
THe river was the best place to hang for the day.
Traveler
Wonderful place to camp during autumn. Beautiful colors. Arrived for the last weekend before gates were closed (Closed noon Monday 10/11) A lot of no show reservations, recommend coming Saturday morning and taking the pick of the crop. Very close to amazing hikes and Leavenworth. Camp hosts were helpful, bathrooms were clean and comfortable. Fires were permitted, cold at night this time of year but many sites were still tent camping.
Guide
Great park, close to amenities! Fun kayaking and watersports with plenty of sun. Its a State park with full hookups and all the opportunities and drawbacks that come with such a place. It's well cared for though and the park staff doesn't let campers get out of control, so great for young families.
If you are tent camping pick a place with plenty of shade and BE AWARE of the grounds keepers watering schedule!!!
Guide
We stayed in a tiny house at this campsite, and had a great time exploring the local area. The campground also offers plenty of RV and tent sites. There are quite a few amenities as well including a pool and WiFi.
About 30 minutes from Leavenworth, this campground is a great launchpad for some unforgettable adventures. We look forward to coming back to explore even more!
Legend
There are several pullout towards the end of the Middle Fork Road that offer access to the river and dispersed tent campsites. These are in National Forest Land NOT in DNR land where dispersed camping has different regulations.
Great views of the river and the mountains above. No facilities and no cell-reception.
GuideRolled in late at night on an audible after campground at Lake Wenatchee didn't work out. Great tent sites, with decent spacing between them. This place is big, but didn't feel too crowded - at least during off-season. Super clean facilities, warm bathrooms, good provisions at their on-site store. Beautiful river walk, good proximity to town.
T-mobile 5G: pulling down 80-100mbps consistently, video calls were a breeze. ATT LTE: similar.
Scout
Stayed here while in the area to do a trail run. The campground is super well maintained, with plenty of parking at every spot. If you are tent camping, they have ~16' gravel pads for a tent at each site.
You will likely be surrounded by moderately high-end RVs. We definitely felt like the hillbillies of the park rolling up in Leif the Adventure Van.
Not a lot of food choices close by, with a pizza place and the clubhouse up the road being your only choices unless you want to drive into Quincy.
Scout
This is one of the most amazing campgrounds I’ve ever visited. It doesn’t look like much but it boasts waterfront tent camping and the showers and bathrooms are always clean and stocked. Sites are relatively small but big enough for two tents, their picnic table, fire pit, and some camping chairs. With two docks for fishing and floating as well as the adjascent boat launch, you’ll be able to play with all your water toys on Wapato Lake! I would highly recommend staying here if you want to visit the Chelan area without camping in downtown proper.
Traveler
Runs along a creek that you can here from all sites. Perfect for tent camping. The site offers picnic tables & a triangle shaped fire pit. The fire pits have a grill grate over top of them that we cooked dinner on at night. The facility only offers vault toilets, they were decent. The trash pick up is at the entry which did not smell & was picked up on Friday’s.
We had a few small visitors including a chipmunk & a field mouse.
Going up the mountain we found a really cool meadow & lake.
GuideWe stayed at Lake Chelan State Patk and had a wonderful experience. We rode our bicycles, but admittedly not a lot of options away from the road. However, 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. We stayed in a tent site which was perfect for our campervan. Although we were next to the boat trailer parking lot, really didn't notice the traffic. Friendly staff and clean restrooms.
Guide
This is a nice little place. The tent sites aren’t great. It’s worth the 10 bucks to upgrade. They were very nice and helpful. Connie is fantastic if you call and book. lots of trees and trails. They have a neat suspension bridge and a trail that leads to the river and one that leads to town. Close enough to town to be convenient, but far enough away that you aren’t bothered by noise. Showers and bathrooms were ok but clean. Loved staying here.
RangerNestled along a creek, close to popular Lake Wenatchee, this is a great place to camp if you want to spend time at the Lake, but do not want to deal with the "loop crowds".
Sites have picnic tables, firepits, and grills.
Tip: Tent Sites 52-56 are the best (along the creek, a little spaced out) 50-51 are close to each other. Half of the campsites are now reservation and half are first come first serve. It is also a seasonal campground, so check before you go to make sure it's open.
Legend
Tent camped here on a last minute whim. When the weather is not the greatest on the west side, we head to Cle Elum! This is all first come, first served camping. Nothing fancy, vault toilets, tables, fire ring. I would imagine if it was busy, it would be pretty loud and dusty. There is a small dirt bike track the starts here, so if you are looking for pristine quiet, this is not your place. If you come out to the woods to ride bikes, it would be awesome!
The weekend we were there, it was pretty quiet. Played in the creek. I would go back.
Tent camping near Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Washington offers a perfect blend of stunning natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is Owhi Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
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