The best waterside camping near Wenatchee

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Central Washington’s compact city of Wenatchee claims to be the "Apple Capital of the World," and for good reason. The surrounding valley is full of apple orchards, with fruit stands hawking all sorts of apple varieties in late summer. Wenatchee also provides easy access to the nearby community of Cashmere, where Liberty Orchards has produced Turkish delight-style Aplets and Cotlets for over a century. And while apples are big business, Wenatchee offers plenty more, with ample opportunities for outdoor fun throughout the year. You can even camp right in town, at Wenatchee Confluence State Park.

87% (1.1K) 90 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Wenatchee

The Lakes

1. The Lakes

96%
(313)
35mi from Wenatchee · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
We purchased this 60+ acre property in 2004 as an apple orchard. We still maintain 12 acres of the orchard and replaced the rest with grape vines several years ago. This peaceful location with surrounding mountains, lakes and nature will make you want to call it home. Whether you are planning on spending your time relaxing, wine tasting, hiking, fishing, hunting or a little bit of everything this camp site is just minutes from it all. Please arrive by or before 9pm to guarantee check in.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

2. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

90%
(104)
National forest 74mi from Wenatchee · 3357 sites
The largest national forest in the Pacific Northwest is a vast and varied haven for recreation.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lake Wenatchee State Park

3. Lake Wenatchee State Park

93%
(28)
State park 32mi from Wenatchee · 199 sites
Lake Wenatchee State Park is a wonder in all four seasons; the kind of place you want to make lasting memories with friends or fly solo with ambient jams in your headphones while you discover the beauty of Mother Nature. Across 489 acres you have a choice of both South and North Park; South offering campsites with sick views of glacier-fed Lake Wenatchee, horseback riding, and swimming. North offering a more chilled out vibe, less development, and lots of lush forest to explore. No need to choose sides though! The park’s automated pay system makes it easy to stay for a few days. And you’ll want to with robust activities including 8 miles of hiking and biking trails, windsurfing or water skiing in addition fishing, kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, and even golf. A visit in the winter is just as spellbinding with 25 miles of cross-country skiing, interpretive snowshoeing trails, ice climbing, snowmobiling, and dog sleddin’. Perhaps best of all, they offer groomed sled riding trails. With over 150 inches of snowfall every winter, you can barrell your bottom down those groomed hills until your heart’s content. Go back to where you started, and do it all again.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

Central Washington’s compact city of Wenatchee claims to be the "Apple Capital of the World," and for good reason. The surrounding valley is full of apple orchards, with fruit stands hawking all sorts of apple varieties in late summer. Wenatchee also provides easy access to the nearby community of Cashmere, where Liberty Orchards has produced Turkish delight-style Aplets and Cotlets for over a century. And while apples are big business, Wenatchee offers plenty more, with ample opportunities for outdoor fun throughout the year. You can even camp right in town, at Wenatchee Confluence State Park.

87% (1.1K) 90 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Wenatchee

The Lakes

1. The Lakes

96%
(313)
35mi from Wenatchee · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
We purchased this 60+ acre property in 2004 as an apple orchard. We still maintain 12 acres of the orchard and replaced the rest with grape vines several years ago. This peaceful location with surrounding mountains, lakes and nature will make you want to call it home. Whether you are planning on spending your time relaxing, wine tasting, hiking, fishing, hunting or a little bit of everything this camp site is just minutes from it all. Please arrive by or before 9pm to guarantee check in.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

2. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

90%
(104)
National forest 74mi from Wenatchee · 3357 sites
The largest national forest in the Pacific Northwest is a vast and varied haven for recreation.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lake Wenatchee State Park

3. Lake Wenatchee State Park

93%
(28)
State park 32mi from Wenatchee · 199 sites
Lake Wenatchee State Park is a wonder in all four seasons; the kind of place you want to make lasting memories with friends or fly solo with ambient jams in your headphones while you discover the beauty of Mother Nature. Across 489 acres you have a choice of both South and North Park; South offering campsites with sick views of glacier-fed Lake Wenatchee, horseback riding, and swimming. North offering a more chilled out vibe, less development, and lots of lush forest to explore. No need to choose sides though! The park’s automated pay system makes it easy to stay for a few days. And you’ll want to with robust activities including 8 miles of hiking and biking trails, windsurfing or water skiing in addition fishing, kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, and even golf. A visit in the winter is just as spellbinding with 25 miles of cross-country skiing, interpretive snowshoeing trails, ice climbing, snowmobiling, and dog sleddin’. Perhaps best of all, they offer groomed sled riding trails. With over 150 inches of snowfall every winter, you can barrell your bottom down those groomed hills until your heart’s content. Go back to where you started, and do it all again.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Wenatchee camping guide

Where to go

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Just east of Wenatchee, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offers alpine lakes, dense forests, and plenty of campgrounds and backcountry camping options. The forest extends all the way up to Canada, and borders the expansive North Cascades National Park to the northeast.

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Running alongside the western side of the Cascade Mountains, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is the most visited national forest in the country. It boasts an extensive network of rivers and offers ample opportunities for winter sports. Almost half of the forest is designated wilderness area, and is inaccessible by motorized vehicle, but there are plenty of developed campsites for those who aren't up for backpacking.

Southeast Washington Wine Country

You’ll find some of Washington's most celebrated wine-growing areas just south of town, and the Wenatchee itself is right in the heart of the Columbia Valley AVA. The highest concentration of wineries and vineyards are found in and around Walla WallaYakima, and the Tri-Cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland.

When to go

Wenatchee is at its most pleasant in July and August, when the weather is warm and generally dry. This is the best (and busiest) time for camping in the region, though the weather is generally favorable well into September. Winter is also worth considering if you're fond of outdoor snow sports, and December, in particular, draws visitors looking to take advantage of the festive cheer at the nearby Bavarian-inspired town of Leavenworth.

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