The best star host camping in Lake Wenatchee

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Just over a two-hour drive from Seattle, Lake Wenatchee State Park offers nearly 500 acres of beautiful forest scenery and direct access to a pristine alpine lake. There are tons of things to do in the park no matter the season. Summertime activities include kayaking, volleyball, fishing, and exploring miles of biking and hiking trails, while wintertime is popular for sledding and cross-country skiing. Camping here is split between the North Park and South Park, both of which have fire rings, flush toilets, picnic tables, and ADA amenities.

98% (3.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Wenatchee

2. Sagebrush Hollow

100%
(39)
3 sites · Lodging · Chelan, WA
This is for the adventurous Hipcamper that appreciates the bumpy dirt road. Your Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla won't get you here. Cell service is limited. It is not recommended to arrive after sunset But it is so worth it. Come relax and enjoy the views of the Columbia River and the North Cascades. Plenty of sunshine with epic sunsets, our property is where you come to unwind and soak in the sun when the west side of the Cascades is socked in with clouds and rain. If you want to explore the area, it's about a 10-minute car ride to the Columbia River and 20 minutes to Chelan and all that is offered there. Our favorite activities when we visit are to listen to the birds chirp and take in the surroundings. There are several lava rock piles that speak to the long and volcanic geological history of the area. We also really enjoy walking the dirt road on the ridge. It provides some of the most incredible views in the area. The dirt road section over the ridge can be a little rough and dusty and it's recommended that guests have a medium clearance vehicle, such as a Subaru Outback. However, a guest once drove their Honda Civic down to the site, so it really depends on your comfort level. If in doubt, just ask! We have a security camera on site we use for wildlife sightings and to check the weather. If the idea of having the camera bothers you, feel free to place a blanket or some other type of cover during your stay. We can also turn the camera to only face the entrance. Just let us know. Please respect the surroundings and others' property. There are several other vacation cabins in the area and everyone enjoys their peace and quiet. We provide a privy for guests to use, but be prepared to pack out waste in case it doesn't meet your standards. We try to keep it clean and stocked with TP, but we can only get out to the land every few weeks. If you're looking for peace and tranquility, Sagebrush Hollow is the place for you.
Pets
Toilets
Potable water
from 
$113
 / night

4. Waterfall Camp. Index

97%
(141)
1 site · Tent, RV · Gold Bar, WA
Welcome to Waterfall Camp where you'll enjoy a breathtaking and unique view of the "sunset Waterfall" located on the South Fork Skykomish River in Index WA , in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, off of Highway 2. find more pictures on Instagram @waterfall_camp This land used to be the property of the local market owner. From there you have a pristine and unique view of the sunset falls, where The Dept of Fish and Game built a fish ladder. You might spot some wildlife including eagles, deers and salmon during the Fall. Don't forget your camera, binoculars and camping chairs to take in the awesome views. Local places to hike include Wallace Falls, Sunset Falls, Lake Serene, Bridal Veil Falls trail ( literally 5 minutes away from us), or maybe you like rock climbing, white water rafting, kayaking or fishing. All are available if you drive to Index; located just minutes away. Located at the very end of a private community area (you will need the code) , this place offers a very peaceful setting, including the rushing and relaxing sound of the waterfall and the occasional whistle of a train. Approximately 55 miles east of Seattle and 25 miles west of Steven's Pass. We welcome, tents and camper vans, small to medium groups of campers.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$140
 / night

5. The Plain Valley

99%
(80)
24 sites · Tents, RVs · Leavenworth, WA
Welcome to The Plain Valley, an idyllic 8-acre property nestled between the charming town of Plain, WA, and the tranquil Wenatchee River. Our serene setting, with its open field and small stand of pine trees, provides a peaceful camping experience. Please note that our campsite is dry, meaning you'll need to bring your own restroom facilities and water supply. However, a water hose is available on-site for refilling purposes and the brewery has a half bathroom you can access with a door code. Additionally, for those moments when you're feeling parched, we have a microbrewery conveniently located on the premises. Escape to The Plain Valley for a quiet retreat surrounded by nature's beauty. Enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, floating the river, or our local zip lines. Also walk over to visit our local food truck at #atasteofplain. Tell Chef Nick your a hipcamper and enjoy 10% off your meal. Leavenworth is a bavarian themed town located about 20 minutes away and is a favorite vacation destination.
Pets
Toilets
Potable water
from 
$50
 / night

Just over a two-hour drive from Seattle, Lake Wenatchee State Park offers nearly 500 acres of beautiful forest scenery and direct access to a pristine alpine lake. There are tons of things to do in the park no matter the season. Summertime activities include kayaking, volleyball, fishing, and exploring miles of biking and hiking trails, while wintertime is popular for sledding and cross-country skiing. Camping here is split between the North Park and South Park, both of which have fire rings, flush toilets, picnic tables, and ADA amenities.

98% (3.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Wenatchee

2. Sagebrush Hollow

100%
(39)
3 sites · Lodging · Chelan, WA
This is for the adventurous Hipcamper that appreciates the bumpy dirt road. Your Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla won't get you here. Cell service is limited. It is not recommended to arrive after sunset But it is so worth it. Come relax and enjoy the views of the Columbia River and the North Cascades. Plenty of sunshine with epic sunsets, our property is where you come to unwind and soak in the sun when the west side of the Cascades is socked in with clouds and rain. If you want to explore the area, it's about a 10-minute car ride to the Columbia River and 20 minutes to Chelan and all that is offered there. Our favorite activities when we visit are to listen to the birds chirp and take in the surroundings. There are several lava rock piles that speak to the long and volcanic geological history of the area. We also really enjoy walking the dirt road on the ridge. It provides some of the most incredible views in the area. The dirt road section over the ridge can be a little rough and dusty and it's recommended that guests have a medium clearance vehicle, such as a Subaru Outback. However, a guest once drove their Honda Civic down to the site, so it really depends on your comfort level. If in doubt, just ask! We have a security camera on site we use for wildlife sightings and to check the weather. If the idea of having the camera bothers you, feel free to place a blanket or some other type of cover during your stay. We can also turn the camera to only face the entrance. Just let us know. Please respect the surroundings and others' property. There are several other vacation cabins in the area and everyone enjoys their peace and quiet. We provide a privy for guests to use, but be prepared to pack out waste in case it doesn't meet your standards. We try to keep it clean and stocked with TP, but we can only get out to the land every few weeks. If you're looking for peace and tranquility, Sagebrush Hollow is the place for you.
Pets
Toilets
Potable water
from 
$113
 / night

4. Waterfall Camp. Index

97%
(141)
1 site · Tent, RV · Gold Bar, WA
Welcome to Waterfall Camp where you'll enjoy a breathtaking and unique view of the "sunset Waterfall" located on the South Fork Skykomish River in Index WA , in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, off of Highway 2. find more pictures on Instagram @waterfall_camp This land used to be the property of the local market owner. From there you have a pristine and unique view of the sunset falls, where The Dept of Fish and Game built a fish ladder. You might spot some wildlife including eagles, deers and salmon during the Fall. Don't forget your camera, binoculars and camping chairs to take in the awesome views. Local places to hike include Wallace Falls, Sunset Falls, Lake Serene, Bridal Veil Falls trail ( literally 5 minutes away from us), or maybe you like rock climbing, white water rafting, kayaking or fishing. All are available if you drive to Index; located just minutes away. Located at the very end of a private community area (you will need the code) , this place offers a very peaceful setting, including the rushing and relaxing sound of the waterfall and the occasional whistle of a train. Approximately 55 miles east of Seattle and 25 miles west of Steven's Pass. We welcome, tents and camper vans, small to medium groups of campers.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$140
 / night

5. The Plain Valley

99%
(80)
24 sites · Tents, RVs · Leavenworth, WA
Welcome to The Plain Valley, an idyllic 8-acre property nestled between the charming town of Plain, WA, and the tranquil Wenatchee River. Our serene setting, with its open field and small stand of pine trees, provides a peaceful camping experience. Please note that our campsite is dry, meaning you'll need to bring your own restroom facilities and water supply. However, a water hose is available on-site for refilling purposes and the brewery has a half bathroom you can access with a door code. Additionally, for those moments when you're feeling parched, we have a microbrewery conveniently located on the premises. Escape to The Plain Valley for a quiet retreat surrounded by nature's beauty. Enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, floating the river, or our local zip lines. Also walk over to visit our local food truck at #atasteofplain. Tell Chef Nick your a hipcamper and enjoy 10% off your meal. Leavenworth is a bavarian themed town located about 20 minutes away and is a favorite vacation destination.
Pets
Toilets
Potable water
from 
$50
 / night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best star host camping in Lake Wenatchee guide

Notable campgrounds

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve campsites and one of the two picnic areas over the phone or by using the Washington State Parks online reservation system. Reservations can be made up to nine months in advance. New sites go live at 7am Pacific Time.
  2. If you can't find a campsite for your entire stay, you can split your stay across two campsites without having to pay double reservation fees. However, this can only be done over the phone.
  3. Campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis from mid-October until late March. Winter camping takes place in the south day-use area and Sno-Park permits are required.

When to go

If you like warm temperatures and aren't fond of rain, the best time to visit is in July or August, when weather is at its finest. However, plenty of people come for winter camping, when the park and its surroundings are covered with white snow, ideal for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. December is a great time to come to experience the holiday festivities in the nearby faux-Bavarian tourist town of Leavenworth.

Know before you go

  • Lake Wenatchee Park Store sells basic prepared foods, espresso drinks, firewood, ice, and other supplies from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend.
  • Outside of high season, the nearest place to pick up supplies is Leavenworth, where there are banks, a supermarket, gas stations, and lots of German-inspired restaurants.
  • While there are heated restrooms and a hot shower for wintertime use, hookups are not available during the November through March offseason.
  • Burn bans are common during the summer wildfire season. During such periods, campfires and some types of cooking devices are prohibited.
  • You will not need a Discover Pass (annual access permit) if you are camping in the park.

Top cities in and near Lake Wenatchee