Camping near Waterville, Washington offers diverse options along the Columbia River corridor, with sites available from early spring through late fall. The area sits at approximately 2,600 feet elevation in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, creating hot, dry summers and cool winters. Water levels in regional lakes and rivers fluctuate seasonally, affecting swimming conditions at many campgrounds.
What to do
Water sports on Lake Chelan: Access Lake Chelan State Park Campground for swimming, boating, and paddleboarding. "Amazing dock system and access to the lake, great day use area where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards," notes Marie L. The park also offers "a small store with hot food, milkshakes and some floaties" that many campers find convenient.
Hiking at Douglas Creek: Visit Douglas Creek for canyon hiking and bird watching. "Hiked the canyon for ~3miles. Lots of groundhogs and birds," reports Sabrina A. Another camper mentioned, "Beautiful pools and water falls. Swimming In the pools is nice after hiking!" The area requires careful preparation as there are "no services, scattered cell service so please keep this place the hidden gem that it is."
Biking trails near town: Ride the paved paths at Wenatchee Confluence State Park Campground where campers appreciate that "kids to ride bikes with plenty of paved pathways between the campground and day use area." Another visitor highlighted the "bike path is really nice" and connects to town amenities. The park includes "tennis courts, picnic tables, and a very nice play structure" for additional recreation options.
What campers like
Columbia River access: Entiat City Park receives strong reviews for its waterfront setting. "Beautiful landscaping and wonderful views. We will be back," writes one camper. The swimming area includes "a nice little dock to swim from" and a beach that "runs the length of the camping area." Recent renovations have enhanced the experience as "this park has been completely remodeled with new shower/bathrooms and more rv & tent spots."
Well-maintained grounds: Campers consistently praise the manicured spaces at many campgrounds. At Lincoln Rock State Park Campground, visitors enjoy "very clean, nice shop, lots of walking trails and plenty of fields for games and hanging out with the family." The grounds maintenance includes regular watering: "They water the grass in every site on a regular schedule during the week so you will have to move belongings."
Privacy between sites: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds. At Lake Chelan State Park, "there are quite a few spots where you have plenty of privacy from your neighbors." Some campers note this helps with noise reduction since "there can be loud teenagers around." Other parks offer more open layouts, with Lincoln Rock providing "large and taken care of" sites that are generously sized.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Lake Chelan State Park runs from March to November, while Lincoln Rock State Park is available March 1 to October 31. Daroga State Park operates April to October, with sprinkler systems running Monday-Friday that affect camping: "We had to almost pack everything up into the trailer each day and then pull it all back out if you did not want to get completely wet."
Wind conditions: Several campgrounds experience significant wind. At Daroga State Park Campground, "the wind can sure make for a tough set up of camp" though "sites do have a small wind break." Similarly, Lake Wenatchee State Park can be "very windy" according to visitors, which affects comfort at lakeside sites.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Beebe Bridge Park operates first-come, first-served and "it's constantly full in the summer for good reason." For Lake Chelan's waterfront sites, "if you can get a site on the beach here it's well worth the alarms you have to set on your phone to get them!" Some campers recommend "arrive on Tuesday morning when most weekend people have cleared out."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Beebe Bridge Park offers excellent facilities for children. "There's a boat launch, playground, beach area with swimming area roped off, and a big open field to play any games you like," notes one camper. The park is described as "immaculate" with "well maintained" grounds that provide safe play areas.
Swimming areas for different ages: Look for designated swimming zones for children. At Entiat City Park, the beach area "has a picnic table at each spot" and though "there is pretty much zero privacy," the swimming area is child-friendly with "a nice little dock to swim from, just be careful of oncoming boats, especially if it's your little ones playing out there!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Douglas Creek provides chances to see various animals but requires proper preparation. "We liked coming here because the hiking is incredible" with opportunities to spot groundhogs, birds, and other wildlife. Parents should note that "ticks are everywhere out there though, don't forget repellent!" when visiting with children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: At Wenatchee River County Park, RVers appreciate that "sites are spread out nicely, never feeling crowded" with full hookup options. "Full price for this site is $40, no additional taxes or fees. The 50% Passport America discount is weeknights only, April and October only, for up to 5 nights."
Pull-through sites: Lincoln Rock State Park offers convenience for larger rigs. "Full hookups, hot sun, lush green, and water to cool off!" states one RVer. The campground includes "two loops have hookups, one does not" and most sites are level with easy access, making it suitable for various RV sizes.
Water availability in off-season: For shoulder season camping, note that "there isn't any water hookups any longer for winter but there are many sights that have electric and dump hookups that are still operational" at Wenatchee Confluence State Park. This makes it possible to extend camping into cooler months when crowds are smaller.
