Looking for the best options for tent camping near Waterville? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Waterville, Washington's most popular destinations.
Antilon Lake camping area is a dispersed camping area great for large groups and accessible to small RV's. Antilon Lake is open to fishing, and non-motorized or electric-motor boats. Not recommended for swimming. During the summer this camping area can be hot, dry and one of the first areas to close to campfires. Spring and Fall are much more pleasant.
Located on the south shore of Lake Wenatchee. This campground also offers 16 walk-in sites located on the lakeshore.
This boat-in campground offers a picnic shelter and a dock with a 17 boat capacity. There are seven campsites (7 tables, and fire rings) available and two toilets.
This remote campground offers two tent-only sites, picnic tables, fire rings and one toilet. Trailers not advised.
This forested drive to campground is nicely tucked in the 25 Mile Creek Drainage away from the busy town of Chelan but close to the Lake and recreational activities. There are seven single tent sites and two small group / RV sites, all of which have fire rings and tables. A group shelter containing four picnic tables may be accessed via barrier-free trails from both double campsites, but the group shelter is available to all campers on a first come basis.
Located along Goose Creek, near the Chiwawa River, this site offers access to motorcycle trails.
$18 - $28 / night
Parking along FS Road 7601 is now allowed, but only on right side of road (going up). For vehicles parking on road or in parking area -- a NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or the Overnight Visitor Parking Pass that comes with Enchantments overnight permit must be on display on your vehicle’s dashboard. Day Passes can be purchased at trailhead, and pass must be displayed on dashboard of vehicle, even if parking on the road.
$10 - $25 / night
Due to Uno Peak Fire this campground is closed. Potential for catastrophic flash floods are high. This boat-in campground offers a floating dock with a six boat capacity. There are four tent sites, two fire rings, two tables, and one vault toilet. This site has year round access and is a good shelter from both up and down lake winds.
Guide
What else can I say than we truly loved Chelan! We fell in love with this campsite last summer and already have our reservation confirmed for this summer!
This RV and tent campground is huge and we got a spot right on the lake, which was unforgettable! We made fires by the lake and had a very private tent site. The restrooms were quiet and clean, and there is so much to do in the nearby surrounding area! Highly highly recommend!
Ranger
We went here during the summertime and the cabins were just awesome they have a little AC unit in there which made it great to relax and after we had gotten home from hiking around in the rocks. You could also camp in a tent however with the quality of the cabins the price was well worth it especially during the summer time when it was sweltering hot highly recommended
Guide
Has tent camping and bathhouse
Legend
We’ve camped here a number of times and love it. 4 kids and a dog. We’ve tent camped, stayed in the cabins and our class C RV. We’ve been in a variety of spots around the campground. Our favorite were tent camping over the river and being close to the playground & dog park on the RV. The store is the best I’ve come across at a campsite. Great kid craft activities, nice playground, yummy pancake breakfast, great access for swimming in the river. We walk to town. It’s awesome.
Ranger
A friend told me to check out Leavenworth. It was cute, but every bit the touristy type of thing I’m not a fan of. The real jewel of the area are these Wenatchee National Forest campgrounds. This one is right on the river. I think I paid $22. for a walk-in tent site (but we camped in the parking lot in our rooftop tent). The best walk in tent site is right on the river. Very relaxing. Beautifully wooded sites. Beware of bear activity.
Scout
Walk in spots for tent camping you have to walk a half mile to camp from your car. Rv spots are nice but close to other ppl.
Guide
Nice spots but size limits trailer length unless you get pick of spots. Van or tent camping everywhere! Tables, rings, outhouses. Great hiking trail up Mad River trail and great bike riding up Tyee road
Scout
Amazing geology of Volcanic and Glacial flooding surrounds this very large and fun campground.
Lots of tent sites with plenty of RV sites too.
ScoutPro: Great campground for convenience. Walkable to main town strip. Hot showers. Toilet paper stocked
Cons: Hours of pool/hot tub are narrow. Cost is a little high for a tent site.
Ranger
Nice quiet campground with grassy sites. One loop contains hookup and non hookup sites and waterfront tent sites. Playground, day use and swimming area. The swimming area is overrun with geese and their mess.
Scout
nice park, close spots, very friendly host, swimming pool, fhu, fire pits, creek on back side of park. was very busy with a large group and kids riding bikes like crazy! plenty of tent sites too. $45/nite
Ranger
Granted we are here off season but the swimming pool, hot tub and clubhouse are immaculate. If you’re tent camping, no worry - bathrooms have showers and are extremely clean. Sites have full hookups 30/50 amp and heated coils to prevent any water freeze. Extremely impress, already one of my favorite off season spots.
Traveler
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. I could see how the lake could be busy in peak months but it wasn’t while we were here.
Traveler
On the Columbia/Wenatchee rivers in Wenatchee. We tent camped. All sites have sand tent pads. You cannot set tents on grass. Shower tokens are purchased 2 for $1.00 and each token allows a 3 minute shower. There is firewood available for $5.00 a bundle. Cell service was awesome/no free WiFi. Only 5 minutes to a ton of restaurants and Walmart/target. We would stay again and reccomened to others. Leavenworth WA is 20 miles away also.
TravelerCabins with A.C. in the shade, works well for groups, but very close to each other, and for the cost, go stay at a nice hotel.
Tent camping in the field is horrible. 1 foot between our tent and neighbors. 103 degrees and not a single tree for shade.
Two of our three nights had issues with thieves taking bikes and coolers in the middle of the night.
THe river was the best place to hang for the day.
Guide
Great park, close to amenities! Fun kayaking and watersports with plenty of sun. Its a State park with full hookups and all the opportunities and drawbacks that come with such a place. It's well cared for though and the park staff doesn't let campers get out of control, so great for young families.
If you are tent camping pick a place with plenty of shade and BE AWARE of the grounds keepers watering schedule!!!
Traveler
Wonderful place to camp during autumn. Beautiful colors. Arrived for the last weekend before gates were closed (Closed noon Monday 10/11) A lot of no show reservations, recommend coming Saturday morning and taking the pick of the crop. Very close to amazing hikes and Leavenworth. Camp hosts were helpful, bathrooms were clean and comfortable. Fires were permitted, cold at night this time of year but many sites were still tent camping.
Guide
We stayed in a tiny house at this campsite, and had a great time exploring the local area. The campground also offers plenty of RV and tent sites. There are quite a few amenities as well including a pool and WiFi.
About 30 minutes from Leavenworth, this campground is a great launchpad for some unforgettable adventures. We look forward to coming back to explore even more!
Scout
This is one of the most amazing campgrounds I’ve ever visited. It doesn’t look like much but it boasts waterfront tent camping and the showers and bathrooms are always clean and stocked. Sites are relatively small but big enough for two tents, their picnic table, fire pit, and some camping chairs. With two docks for fishing and floating as well as the adjascent boat launch, you’ll be able to play with all your water toys on Wapato Lake! I would highly recommend staying here if you want to visit the Chelan area without camping in downtown proper.
Scout
Stayed here while in the area to do a trail run. The campground is super well maintained, with plenty of parking at every spot. If you are tent camping, they have ~16' gravel pads for a tent at each site.
You will likely be surrounded by moderately high-end RVs. We definitely felt like the hillbillies of the park rolling up in Leif the Adventure Van.
Not a lot of food choices close by, with a pizza place and the clubhouse up the road being your only choices unless you want to drive into Quincy.
GuideRolled in late at night on an audible after campground at Lake Wenatchee didn't work out. Great tent sites, with decent spacing between them. This place is big, but didn't feel too crowded - at least during off-season. Super clean facilities, warm bathrooms, good provisions at their on-site store. Beautiful river walk, good proximity to town.
T-mobile 5G: pulling down 80-100mbps consistently, video calls were a breeze. ATT LTE: similar.
GuideWe tent camped at the campground here a few times. The swimming area is a short walk away. There’s also a second swimming area and a playground within the park that is a quick drive. There is an on-site store and snack shack. We love this place. The kids have a blast. There are clean bathrooms with showers.
Downfalls:: It can get pretty windy and the raccoons and mosquitoes can be pretty pesky. Also one year we went at the end of August during wild fire season so it was a little smokey.
Traveler
Not reaaally a campsite per se, but there are a few spots that can be used for camping. Probably wouldn’t want to tent camp here, not a lot of flat cleared ground, but we found a small clearing that was perfect for a night. No amenities, so bring your own camp stove, tables, chairs, etc. It was very beautiful and private but it’s right off the high way so you can hear traffic all night. Ideal if you’re just looking for somewhere to crash before you get back on the road.
TravelerAlta Lake is a nice, clean park with decent tent sites. We had a site in Loop 2 on the right (on the lake side). It was away from the main area, parking lots, boat launch or store, so pretty quiet. Our site was sweet, it had a trail down to a small open sandy stretch of beach that was basically our own private beach. Took the cooler and a pop up tent and enjoyed the beach all day. We went in August and it was hot, the lake was super refreshing! (photo from WA State Parks & Rec commission)
GuideWe stayed at Lake Chelan State Patk and had a wonderful experience. We rode our bicycles, but admittedly not a lot of options away from the road. However, we did a lot of kayaking early and later in the day and had a wonderful time. The water was calm like glass and so clear. We stayed in a tent site which was perfect for our campervan. Although we were next to the boat trailer parking lot, really didn't notice the traffic. Friendly staff and clean restrooms.
TravelerI love this state park, the landscape of glacial-carved coulees and sagebrush covered shrubsteppe is gorgeous and unique. The park is truly a geological wonder. As campgrounds go, this one is very windy! Keep that in mind if you are tent camping, as you could easily lose your tent!
If camping here I cannot suggest campsite 88 in campground D unless you are in an RV. It's just a very basic, gravel site with little shade, right by the road entering the campground, and not private at all. It is right across from a nice beach though so could be a good spot for an RV. Campsite 118 looked much better and I plan on choosing that site instead next time.
I do not suggest the Sun Lakes Resort campsite that is not managed by Washington State Parks unless you like being packed in like sardines. Camping at the state park managed campsite is far better.
Ranger
Stopped to check out Goose Creek Campground which was pretty much empty when we got there, but had loads of trash left behind by previous campers. The waterfront sites were awesome and you had your pick between tent sites right at the creek's edge or some more spacious sites that could accommodate RVs and trailers up higher overlooking the water. IMO the creekside sites are the better ones if you can score them since passing cars would kick up the fine dust in the dirt lot RV/trailer sites.
Tent camping near Waterville, Washington, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed campgrounds in the area, you'll find the perfect spot to set up your tent and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Waterville, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Waterville, WA is Antilon Lake Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Waterville, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 73 tent camping locations near Waterville, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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