Anglers and paddlers find themselves at the confluence of the Cooper and Cle Elum rivers at Salmon La Sac, where both waterways frame the campground on two sides. This US Forest Service campground operates from mid-May through September within Wenatchee National Forest, accommodating everything from tents to RVs up to 127 feet on paved roads and driveways.
The campground spans 69 sites with notable variety in character. Sites closest to the rivers fill quickly, offering direct water access and the constant sound of water flowing over granite boulders. Christopher N. notes the campground has "a lot of large private sites and also sites along the river." Interior sites provide more forest cover and privacy among old-growth trees, while others offer more open configurations with additional sun exposure.
Fishing draws many visitors to both rivers within walking distance of campsites. The area serves as a put-in point for whitewater kayakers, and nearby Cle Elum Lake provides additional boating opportunities, though water levels drop significantly by late summer. Multiple hiking trailheads branch out from the area, and the historic mining town of Roslyn sits 11 miles south for resupply and dining.
Hand-cranked water pumps provide potable well water throughout the campground, though the spigots don't accommodate standard hoses for RV filling. Vault toilets are distributed across the facility and generally well-maintained. Ashley M. advises that "summer weekends are packed and if you don't have a reservation and want to stay for the weekend you'll need to arrive Wednesday morning." The elevation brings cooler nighttime temperatures even during summer months.
Camp hosts sell firewood on-site, and the campground allows both pets and alcohol. First-come, first-served sites are available alongside reservable spots, making this a solid base camp for exploring the upper Cle Elum River drainage.
Description
Overview
Salmon La Sac Campground is bordered by the Cle Elum and Cooper Rivers in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This campground is a popular gathering place for individuals and families wanting to enjoy the mountains and a multitude of recreational activities at an elevation of 2,300 feet.
Recreation
In addition to being a prime location for hiking, fishing, swimming, horseback riding and mountain biking in summer and early fall, the area offers excellent cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months. Snowmobiles are not allowed in the campground. Salmon la Sac is closed to camping October through April. Nearby Salmon la Sac Sno-Park offiers access to groomed ski trails through the campground December through March. Salmon la Sac Campground is also popular among anglers, with rainbow and cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon available in abundance. Hikers will enjoy traversing rugged terrain from the Waptus River Trail, located within walking distance of the campground. Forested and lined with an underbrush of blueberries, hikers reach Hour Creek after strolling 3 miles. Take your lunch next to this clear mountain stream and return to camp or continue another 6 miles along the Waptus River to stunning views of Waptus Lake and craggy peaks of Summit Chief Mountain.
Facilities
Salmon la Sac Campground offers drinking water, trash collection and vault toilets. There are 67 sites for both tent and RV camping, 40 of these are reservable.Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills.
Natural Features
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 over 9,000 feet. Visitors to the area 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
The spectacular Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is accessible near the campground. The PCT is one of the world's premier National Scenic Trails, showcasing some of North America's most fantastic scenery as it winds its way its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service 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
Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSalmon La Sac is located in Washington near Roslyn
Directions
From Seattle, take I-90 east for nearly 80 miles. Take exit 80 toward Salmon La Sac and turn left on Bullfrog Road. Continue to the 2nd traffic circle and take the second exit onto WA-903 north. Continue onto Salmon La Sac road. The campground is on the left, just past Cayuse Campground. From Cle Elum, travel north on Highway 903 / Salmon la Sac Road for 19 miles. Stay left on Salmon La Sac road to the campground. The campground is on the left, just past Cayuse Campground.
Address
30160 Salmon La Sac Rd
Ronald, WA 98940
Coordinates
47.403564 N
121.098554 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 50 min from Yakima, WA
- 2 hrs 2 min from Wenatchee, WA
- 2 hrs 3 min from Seattle, WA
- 2 hrs 43 min from Bremerton, WA
