Camping near White Pass, Washington covers a 4,500-foot mountain pass in the Cascade Range that connects the east and west sides of the state. The area includes both national forest and national park lands with dispersed and established campgrounds available from late May through September. Temperatures can drop into the 30s at night even during summer months due to the elevation.
What to Do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Ohanapecosh Campground, take the Silver Falls trail which is "about 3 miles" and features "mostly ferns with very little flowers." One camper noted that "once we reached the falls area, everyone sat for some snacks and a little rest."
Kayaking on glacial lakes: Walupt Lake Campground offers pristine waters for paddling. The "lake is crystal clear" and "calm and gorgeous. Easy to kayak," according to visitors who enjoy spending time on the water.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes in the area provide good fishing spots. One camper at Hause Creek mentioned "fishing seems like it must be decent given the number of people with poles and the number of flies we found."
Wildlife viewing: The forests around White Pass have abundant wildlife. Several campgrounds offer chances to spot local fauna, with one camper at Rimrock Lake noting they "had three very friendly chipmunks who visited our site often and were happy to sit on the old stump and join our camp."
What Campers Like
River access: Many La Wis Wis Campground sites border water. One camper described it as having "riverfront, sprawling" sites with "most of the sites along the river are the best, but fill up quickly near the weekend."
Old growth forests: Several campgrounds feature mature trees. At La Wis Wis, campers enjoy the "massive trees" and describe it as "an older campground with smaller roads and bigger campsites" that creates a more natural setting.
Swimming holes: Natural swimming spots can be found throughout the area. At La Wis Wis, campers recommend checking out "Blue Hole, a beautiful swimming hole with a very rocky beach." Another camper mentioned that "the water is very cold but there are lots of swimming holes and even a rope swing."
Privacy between sites: Bumping Lake Campground offers "lots of room and privacy" with "a ton of room and lots of trees between our campsite and the others." Many sites have "woodsy area behind the site where kids could play."
What You Should Know
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires traveling on unpaved roads. For Clear Lake Campgrounds, visitors should be prepared for "a collection of camp grounds in this surrounding area" with varying road quality.
Weather variations: Temperature swings can be significant. At Walupt Lake, campers reported it being "cold in the morning (Aug) but warms up quickly." Another camper at Bumping Lake advised to "dress accordingly" as it's "always windy and temps drop at night even after warm days."
Reservation strategies: For popular sites, plan ahead. One camper advised, "if you do not reserve ahead of time, be sure to come on a Thursday before the weekend crowd comes. We went early Thursday afternoon and had several to choose from."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally. Indian Creek Campground runs "May 20 to September 13" while others like Ohanapecosh operate from "Memorial weekend to Columbus Day."
Legend
