Tent camping near Snoqualmie Pass offers diverse options ranging from established campgrounds to backcountry sites at elevations between 2,500 and 4,500 feet. The area receives heavy snowfall from November through April, with summer temperatures typically reaching 70-85°F during July and August. Forest Service Road conditions can deteriorate rapidly after rainfall, with many access roads requiring vehicles with adequate clearance.
What to do
Fishing in alpine lakes: Cooper Lake at Owhi Campground has rainbow trout for anglers to catch. A camper noted, "Rainbow trout are available to catch for the crafty fisherman" and that "the trout were jumping some, bring your fishing pole!"
Hiking to mountain lakes: The trail to Pete Lake Backcountry Camping offers an accessible wilderness experience. "The hike is an easy 4.5 miles of gradual up and down but you won't gain more than 600 feet of elevation at any time," according to one hiker. The trail is described as "a bustling, dusty trail covered in berry bushes and beautiful blooms."
Paddling on no-motor lakes: Several lakes near Snoqualmie Pass restrict motorized watercraft. At Owhi Campground, "Cooper Lake hosts non-motorized-only boats which makes for a peaceful camping experience," and another reviewer confirmed it has "a boat launch available but motors are not allowed on the lake."
What campers like
River access for water activities: Salmon la Sac Road Dispersed Camping provides numerous riverside camping options. One camper explains, "You can float the river down to Cle Elum lake. Once the weather warms up the river lowers and slows down. Lots of area for kids to create their little pools to swim in."
Lakeside tent spots: Campers appreciate shoreline access at many locations. "The sites are right near Cooper Lake, so if you have kayaks, paddle boards, etc... it's the perfect place (with Mountain View's!)," notes a camper about Owhi Campground. Another mentions there are "a few small pebble-strewn 'beaches' along the lakeshore where you can set up a few chairs."
Secluded camping options: White River Dispersed Camping provides isolation from crowds. "The second night, I managed to find a spot tucked super far in that had a small private beach. It was farther from the road so you couldn't see or hear anything. I didn't see anyone else the whole afternoon/night," reports one satisfied camper.
What you should know
Limited amenities at dispersed sites: Most dispersed camping areas lack facilities. For Kachess Lake Logging Road Campsites, a camper warns, "No water. No electricity. Secondly, the site was trashed. We picked up a full garbage bag of trash." Come prepared with trash bags and sufficient water.
Road conditions require attention: Forest roads accessing many camping areas can be challenging. One camper noted about White River, "4x4/high clearance vehicles recommended - saw some subarus trying to navigate into a cleared area and it was pretty scrape-y."
Seasonal challenges: Alpine lakes remain cold year-round. At Melakwa Lake, a camper reported, "In July there was still ice on the lake, which is at 4500ft." Another noted at Pete Lake, "The bugs ate us alive, so we were really happy for our Repel candles and bug spray, otherwise they may have carried us away to feed off of later."
Tips for camping with families
Look for walk-in sites with lake access: These provide safer play areas away from vehicle traffic. One visitor to Owhi Campground observed, "Cooper Lake is absolutely stunning and admittedly the campsites are situated pretty well for views and privacy."
Consider space needs: Some sites accommodate group camping better than others. At Salmon la Sac Road Dispersed Camping, "Lots of space for big groups, but it does get crowded on the weekend. Lots of little secluded spots which are more quite at night."
Prepare for elevation and terrain: Many tent campsites near Snoqualmie Pass have challenging access. About Owhi Campground: "Steep hill and trails to all the sites - pack light and even then it is A LOT of work getting into your site." This becomes especially important when camping with young children.
Tips from RVers
Research road access limitations: Most tent camping areas near Snoqualmie Pass have limited RV accessibility. A visitor to Cold Creek Campground noted, "Overall, this was a great location with paved roads most of the way in. The last few miles are hard packed dirt but well maintained."
Consider tent camping from an RV base: Some campers with larger rigs use accessible areas as a staging point. "There are only one or two sites on this logging road that are available for RVs our size (ours is a Class A 35') about a mile up the compacted gravel road from the lake," reported an RVer at Kachess Lake Logging Road Campsites.
Watch for clearance issues: Forest roads may have unexpected obstacles. As one camper advised, "The road can be a bit thin, so I would be careful with extra large vehicles. It is also a bit of a challenging road, so low clearance vehicles wouldn't be treated well."
