Established Camping
Cle Elum River Campground
Cle Elum River Campground, near Ronald, Washington, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some outdoor fun. With its scenic surroundings and access to hiking trails, it’s a popular choice for campers who appreciate a good adventure.
This campground is known for its clean facilities and friendly atmosphere. Visitors have highlighted the nearby hiking opportunities, especially the Lake Ingalls trail, which offers stunning views and vibrant fall foliage. As one camper noted, “The hikes nearby are fantastic in the fall because the foliage is vibrant and changing.”
You can expect a laid-back vibe here, with amenities like drinking water and fire rings for cozy evenings under the stars. While there’s no picnic table at each site, the spaciousness allows for a comfortable setup. Some campers mentioned that the campground can get a bit noisy due to its proximity to the road, but many found it easy to overlook given the beautiful surroundings.
For those who enjoy winter sports, the area is also great for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing during the colder months. With a little store nearby for snacks and drinks, you’ll have everything you need for a fun-filled stay. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer retreat, Cle Elum River Campground offers a solid base for exploring the great outdoors.
Description
National Forest
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Overview
Cle Elum River Group Campground is located within the Cle Elum River Campground situated just off its namesake river in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Set in a mixed-conifer forest at an elevation of 2,300 feet and surrounded by high mountains, this campground offers a large site suitable for large family and group camping excursions.
Recreation
In addition to being a prime location for hiking, fishing, swimming and birding in summer and early fall, the Cle Elum River area offers excellent skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter months. The campground is closed during the winter months. The adjacent French Cabin Creek Sno-Park accomodates skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers. Anglers will find the waters teeming with rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon in the river as well as the nearby reservoir.
Natural Features
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offers stunning scenic views, with high, glaciated alpine peaks, valleys of old growth forest and rugged shrub-steppe country making up the diverse landscape. Elevations range from below 1,000 feet to more than 9,000 feet. Precipitation varies greatly throughout the area, ranging from approximately 140 inches along the Cascade Crest to only 10 inches along the eastern edge. Visitors can expect many days of warm, sunny weather in the summer, and winters with clear skies and plenty of snow. The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support an abundance of wildlife, including deer, porcupine, native fish and migratory birds.
Contact Info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (661) 702-1420 for general information.
Nearby Attractions
Speelyi Beach is a great place to spend the day. Featuring a wide sandy beach surrounded by conifer forest on Cle Elum Lake, visitors will have plenty of space to wade, swim and splash around. Those searching for deeper water will enjoy a kayak outing along the shore at sunset. The spectacular Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is accessible near the campground. It is one of the world's premier National Scenic Trails and showcases some of North America's most fantastic scenery as it winds its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington.
Charges & Cancellations
Group Sites Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
Fee Info
Location
Cle Elum River Campground is located in Washington
Directions
From Cle Elum, Washington, take State Highway 903 north for 15 miles. Turn left at the campground sign. At the T in the road turn right into the group site.
Address
23931 Salmon La Sac Road
Ronald, WA 98940
Coordinates
47.351055 N
121.104394 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires