Campgrounds near Wenatchee offer diverse experiences across varied terrain, from riverside settings to mountain backdrops. The region sits at elevations ranging from 600-2,000 feet with summer temperatures frequently reaching 85-95°F between June and August. Most campgrounds in the area maintain spacious sites with concrete pads averaging 40-60 feet in length, accommodating various camping styles.
What to do
Water activities on the Columbia River: Daroga State Park Campground provides direct shoreline access where visitors can swim, paddleboard, or launch boats. "There is a boat launch, and a mini-mart across the street. What makes this place great is the actual camp sites. They are huge," notes a Cinco D. at Lincoln Rock State Park Campground.
Bike the Apple Capital Loop Trail: This paved pathway connects to multiple campgrounds and offers scenic river views. "The bike path is really nice. Campground was so quiet. At night there was a bit of road noise, but mostly drowned out by the sound of crickets," reports Sue G. about Wenatchee Confluence State Park.
Visit Leavenworth's Bavarian village: Located just 20-30 minutes from most Wenatchee campgrounds, this themed town offers shopping and cultural experiences. "Make sure and see and hear the alpenhorn played daily at noon in downtown Leavenworth," suggests Dean from Icicle River RV Resort.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Many campgrounds feature sites directly alongside water. "Beautiful setting. Full hookups, right on the Wenatchee River with easy access and a few sand beaches. Great place for paddle boarding or just floating in the cool water," writes Mike B. about Wenatchee River County Park.
Spacious, level sites: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-designed sites with adequate spacing. "Big, grassy spots with level concrete pads. Excellent water pressure. Great location on the river. Lots of places to walk the dogs," notes Stacey C. at Wenatchee River County Park.
Swimming areas: Designated swimming zones provide safe water access. "The campground is just outside Wenatchee so you are close to many amenities and only a half hour or so from the lovely Bavarian town of Leavenworth nestled in the Cascade Mountains," shares Ilene P. about Lincoln Rock State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter availability. "We did a snow camp there and LOVED it! A little pricey in the snow because of the ski trails but so much fun," reports Nicole B. about winter camping at Wenatchee River County Park.
Sprinkler schedules: Many campgrounds maintain regular watering schedules that can impact tent placement. "They water the grass in every site on a regular schedule during the week so you will have to move belongings. We had to almost pack everything up into the trailer each day," warns Travis B. at Daroga State Park Campground.
Walk-in sites: Some campgrounds feature tent sites located away from parking areas. "The walk in sites are over 1/4 mile away from the parking lot. It can be a fight to grab one of the wheelbarrows to haul your stuff too and from the site," cautions Anne C. about Daroga State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Several campgrounds offer facilities beyond standard camping. "Lots of water activities too! This place is one of our favorites! Very clean, nice shop, lots of walking trails and plenty of fields for games and hanging out with the family," says Brandon K. about Lincoln Rock State Park.
Kid-friendly bike paths: Many campgrounds feature paved paths suitable for children's biking. "Great place for kids to ride bikes with plenty of paved pathways between the campground and day use area," recommends Corinna B. about Wenatchee Confluence State Park Campground.
Family events: Some campgrounds organize regular activities for children. "There are events all weekend, a shuttle into Leavenworth, movie nights and a cheap pancake breakfast. This is about as close to not-camping as camping gets but our kids love it," shares Amanda B. about Leavenworth-Pine Village KOA.
Tips from RVers
Late check-in procedures: For those arriving after office hours, some parks offer convenient systems. "Instructions at the [closed] entry booth directed us to pick any empty site without orange cones at their entry point," explains Roy S. at Lincoln Rock State Park.
Narrow RV pads: Some campgrounds have challenging site configurations. "From an RVer's perspective the site pads are very narrow which makes them difficult to pull through or back into. I watched several campers attempt to park and none were able to do so without driving on the grass a bit," warns Family H. about Daroga State Park.
Wind considerations: River valley locations can experience significant wind. "Only draw back is the wind. It can sure make for a tough set up of camp. Sites do have a small wind break," advises Zane G. about camping at Daroga State Park.
