Camping

Right in town, the City of Chelan Lakeshore RV Park (509/682-5031, $22 full hookups) has both tent sites and RV spaces, along with showers, public swimming, and picnic areas. Rates are lower in the off-season.

Lake Chelan State Park (509/687-3710 or 888/226-7688, www.parks.wa.gov [1], $17 tents, $23 full hookups, $7 extra reservation fee) is 12 miles up-lake from Chelan [2] along the south shore and offers swimming, tent sites, and RV sites. The park is open daily April–October, and on weekends and holidays the rest of the year. This is the largest and most popular park in the area, with a swimming beach, boat ramp, docks, and summertime campfire programs.

The pleasant, wooded Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park (509/687-3610 or 888/226-7688, www.parks.wa.gov [1], open May–Sept., $17 tents, $23 full hookups, $7 extra reservation fee) park is 22 miles west of Chelan at the end of S. Lakeshore Drive, and 10 miles beyond Lake Chelan State Park. It’s a favorite place for boaters who use the launch ramp here and purchase supplies at the marina store. It’s also a good overnight spot for those about to catch the morning Lady of the Lake boat ride from Fields Point.

The Forest Service’s primitive and free Ramona Creek Campground is just three miles uphill from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park, although it is often closed due to flood danger. Four miles uphill via dirt road beyond Ramona Campground is Grouse Mountain Campground, another primitive site on a mountain top, with no water but great views.

Tiny Daroga State Park (509/664-6381, www.parks.wa.gov [1], open late Mar.–late Oct., $14 primitive sites, $23 full hookups) is 22 miles southeast of Chelan [2] on the east bank of the Columbia River and just off Highway 97. Be ready for towering high-voltage power lines right next to the campground. More camping is available at Wapato Lake Campground (509/687-6037, $17 tent, $17 with electricity) near Manson.

The shore of Lake Chelan [3] is dotted with 14 boat-in campgrounds, accessible by private boat or from the Lady of the Lake II. Check with the Forest Service office (428 W. Woodin, 509/682-2576, 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri. year-round, plus 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun. late June–early Sept.) for specifics. Several other campgrounds are on the road system, including Antilon Lake Campground, north of Manson.

Beebe Bridge Park (509/663-8121, mid-Apr.–Oct., $20) sits along the Columbia River across from the town of Chelan Falls. It has tent and RV sites for along with showers, a swimming area, and play fields.