Best Campgrounds near Pateros, WA
Campgrounds in and around Pateros, Washington range from established state parks to free dispersed sites, with options for tent and RV camping along the Columbia and Methow Rivers. Alta Lake State Park offers developed camping with full hookups, picnic tables, and showers, while more primitive options include the Secret Camping Spot and Methow River Fishing Access areas. The region features both waterfront camping with swimming beaches and higher-elevation sites with mountain views, providing varied experiences within a 30-minute drive of downtown Pateros.
Road access varies throughout the area, with most established campgrounds accessible by standard vehicles, while some dispersed sites may require higher clearance. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with Alta Lake State Park typically open from April to October and Lake Chelan State Park available from March to November. "This is nothing fancy. A gravel parking lot by a little lake. But it's free and there's a toilet," noted one visitor about the Methow River Fishing Access. Summer temperatures can reach the 90s, making lakeside camping popular for swimming opportunities, though sites with shade are limited in some areas due to past forest fires.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Alta Lake State Park where some sites offer private beach access. Campers should be aware that developed campgrounds can become crowded, especially on summer weekends when motorized boats are common on the lakes. A visitor remarked, "We had a tent site up on the hill that was semi-private with beautiful views. Plenty of birds to wake you with the sunrise." The free dispersed camping areas provide basic amenities like vault toilets but lack drinking water or developed sites. City Park camping in Pateros offers convenient access to shops and restaurants but provides minimal privacy. Most RV parks and state campgrounds in the area recommend reservations during the peak summer season from June through September.
