Lake Easton State Park sits in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains at approximately 2,200 feet elevation, providing access to both alpine forests and the Yakima River watershed. The area transitions between western Washington's dense evergreen forests and the drier ponderosa landscapes of eastern Washington. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing with significant snowfall, while summer days typically reach 75-85°F with cool evenings in the 50s.
What to do
River exploration: Follow the paths along the Yakima River from Whispering Pines RV Campground for wildlife viewing and peaceful walks. "Paths that go to the Yakima river or along side it was nice. Just on the other side of the freeway is the town of Cle Elum," notes Patrick J., who appreciated the accessibility to nearby amenities.
Winter recreation: Visit Silver Ridge Ranch during snowy months for unique accommodations and winter activities. "There is a large recent renovated cabin that fits up to 20 people you can stay as well," reports Evan M., highlighting the group-friendly options beyond standard camping.
Lake activities: Take advantage of swimming and boating at Lake Easton State Park Campground during summer months. "The park offers hiking trails, lots of day use picnic areas, and of course the lake!" explains Lorinda D., summarizing the recreational variety available in a single location.
Shopping and dining: Explore local breweries and bakeries in the nearby towns. Whispering Pines offers convenient access, as Patrick J. mentions: "Just on the other side of the freeway is the town of Cle Elum. Nice bakeries and breweries is what attracted us."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Wish Poosh Campground offers well-spaced camping areas. "The campground is well-spaced between each other allowing for privacy. Our campsite was number 7 and it can fit about 3-5 tents in it which is pretty big for a campsite," reports Kimmy G., highlighting the spaciousness not always found at established campgrounds.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. "Clean restrooms, everything well maintained," Patrick J. says about Whispering Pines, while Lake Easton receives similar praise for its organization and upkeep.
Natural settings: Sites along water features rate highly among visitors. "The sites are very clean, hosts take really care, a bit busy, but we still found space for our RV, had no problem with noise, despite the sound of the water it was silent," remarks Imke about Eightmile Campground, emphasizing how water features enhance the camping experience.
Family-friendly activities: Organized recreation options keep children entertained. "Kids loved it! Favorite KOA. Staff is very nice and for sure helpful. There was clean bathrooms and hot showers. Space was very nice and campground was very well kept with lots of activities for the kids to stay busy," writes Nicole R. about her stay at Leavenworth KOA.
What you should know
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience highway noise due to proximity to I-90. "We had site #11, and the road noise was just too too loud for me. Definitely try to get a spot away from the road," advises Laura M. about Lake Easton State Park.
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity requires proper food storage in some locations. At Eightmile Campground, campers frequently spot wildlife: "Velvet buck was eating next to our class c the next morning," reports Travis H., while others mention active bear populations requiring caution.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "We got here around 9pm and there were still 3-4 sites available," notes Travis H. about Eightmile Campground, but this isn't typical during peak season when advance planning is essential.
Weather variation: Despite summer heat, evenings cool significantly. Prepare for temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night, particularly at higher elevation locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campsites with developed play areas for children. "Small playground with a basketball court by the bathrooms. Lovely river walk trail follows the Yakima River. Activities for children such as the Jr. Ranger program," explains Trevor M. about Lake Easton State Park's family-friendly amenities.
Swimming options: Bumping Lake Campground offers excellent water recreation. "We love boating to the little islands around the lake!" shares Jess G., highlighting the additional exploration possibilities beyond standard swimming areas.
Spacious sites: Look for accommodations with room for children to play. "This campground was one of the nicest we have ever been to. The campground was very clean, the spots were spacious and tons of things for the kids to do," notes Nick C. about his family's experience at Whispering Pines.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds require extra vigilance with children. At Wish Poosh, Kimmy G. advises: "On our first night, a bear passed by one of our neighbor's site so make sure you clean up after yourselves and don't leave food out at night."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Check reviews for information about pull-through availability and levelness. "We had a pull through, gravel site. Utilities were well placed," explains Patrick J. about Whispering Pines RV Campground, noting the convenience for larger vehicles.
Hookup limitations: Many forest service campgrounds lack full hookups. "No power, hookups or dump station. Only real complaint is low water pressure at water stations," reports Norris K. about Eightmile Campground, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency.
Arrival timing: Late check-ins may have special procedures. "Arriving later than expected, when it is darker than can be believed, is bad enough. Then there is setting up in the dark: ARGH! But the camp host turned our anxieties around, as he came whipping cheerfully through the gate in his golf cart to let us in at 9:55," shares Loll T. about their last-minute arrival at Whispering Pines.
Dumping facilities: Plan ahead for sanitation needs as not all campgrounds offer dump stations. At Lake Easton, full hookup sites include sewer connections, while other campgrounds may require driving to designated dump stations in nearby towns.
