Best Tent Camping near Stehekin, WA
Tent camping options near Stehekin, Washington center primarily around Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, with several boat-in and hike-in tent campgrounds scattered along the shoreline. Purple Point Campground offers lakeside tent sites with amenities including running water, toilets, bear boxes, and dish washing stations, while more remote options like Flick Creek and Moore Point provide primitive tent camping accessible only by boat or on foot. These established campgrounds typically require permits through the National Park Service, with some sites being reservable while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Most tent campgrounds in the Stehekin area have picnic tables and fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply during dry seasons. Sites are generally set on compacted dirt or forest duff with minimal grading, and campers should be prepared for variable conditions. Several campgrounds like Purple Point feature bear boxes for food storage, essential in this wilderness setting. Access is primarily through boat transportation on Lake Chelan or by hiking in, as Stehekin lacks road connections to the outside world. A visitor commented that "if you hit Flick Creek and it's in use, you have a 3.6 mile track to Lakeview campsite in Stehekin."
Areas farther from the Stehekin landing offer deeper seclusion and wilderness experience for tent campers. Bridge Creek Campground, located about 3 miles from Stehekin, serves as a convenient overnight option for backpackers exploring the southern portion of North Cascades National Park. Primitive tent camping options vary in popularity throughout the season, with some sites becoming quite crowded during summer months. The wilderness setting provides opportunities for wildlife viewing, swimming in Lake Chelan, and hiking to nearby attractions like Domke Falls. According to one camper, "The camp spots had the normal picnic table and fire pit. I liked that the spots weren't super close to the next person. They were separated by trees which I liked."