Lake Chelan Boat-In Camping

Lake Chelan
Boat-In Camping

Boat-In Camping on Lake Chelan

The upper stretches of Lake Chelan are home to over a dozen boat-in campgrounds tucked into the forested shoreline, accessible only by water. Managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the National Park Service, these sites offer a level of solitude and scenery that's hard to match anywhere in Washington. Most are first-come, first-served, free to use, and open year-round — though the remote setting means you'll need to come prepared.
Placeholder in dev for ad

boat-in campgrounds

Corral Creek Campground

 
Located 9 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore, Corral Creek Campground has a floating dock with 6 boat capacity, 4 tent sites, 2 picnic tables, 2 fire rings and 1 toilet available and is open year round.

Deer Point Campground

 
Deer Point Campground is one of the closest boat-in campgrounds on Lake Chelan, situated 3.5 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the north shore. It features a floating dock with capacity for eight boats, and five tent sites complete with picnic tables and fire rings. The campground also has two pit toilets available.

Domke Falls Campground

 
Domke Falls Campground is 18 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore and is accessible year-round. It features a floating dock with a six boat capacity, and four tent sites with picnic tables, as well as three fire rings and one toilet. There is a short trail to view Domke Falls; however, this campground does not provide access to the nearby hiking trails of Domke Lake nor Domke Mountain Lookout.

Flick Creek Campground

 
The Flick Creek Campground is located 25.8 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the north shore along the Lakeshore Trail. It features a floating dock with 4 boat capacity. The campground has 2 tent sites with a communal fire ring, picnic table, toilet and food storage locker.

Graham Harbor Campground

 
The Graham Harbor Campground is 12.5 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore, and features a floating dock with a ten boat capacity. There are five tent sites, seven tables, six fire rings, two toilets and a communal shelter available at the campground. A ¼ mile trail connects to the Graham Harbor Creek Campground.

Graham Harbor Creek Campground

 
The Graham Harbor Creek Campground is 12.6 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore, and features a fixed dock with a four boat capacity. The campground has four tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, and one vault toilet. A ¼ mile trail connects to the Graham Harbor Campground.

Lucerne Campground

 
The Lucerne Campground is located 21 miles up-lake from 25-Mile Creek State Park on the south shore in the small community of Lucerne. It features a dock with 11 boat capacity. Potable water is available at the campground and it has 3 tent-only sites. A trail connects this campground with the Refrigerator Harbor Campground.

Manly Wham Campground

 
The Manly Wham Campground is located 27.2 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore. There is a floating dock with 2 boat capacity, and the campground has a single tent site with a picnic table, fire ring and toilet.
Mitchell Creek Campground

Mitchell Creek Campground

 
Mitchell Creek Campground is just up-lake of Antilon Lake Campground and Emerson Acres, and is only accessible via boat. It's a very popular campground during the summer months, as it's the most downlake boat-in campground. There is a good sized dock with 17 boat capacity, along with seven campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, and two vault toilets.

Moore Point Campground

 
Currently closed due to flooding danger from the Pioneer Fire. The Moore Point Campground is 24 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the north shore and 5.5 miles down-lake of Stehekin. It features a fixed dock with 3 boat capacity that is only accessible when waters are raised. The campground has four tent sites with fire pits and picnic tables, a picnic shelter and two vault toilets. The campground is a short distance away from the Lakeshore Trail and has nearby level space for additional dispersed camping.

Prince Creek Campground

 
Located 15.4 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park, Prince Creek Campground has a floating dock with three boat capacity. The campground offers six tent sites, five fire rings, five tables, and three toilets. Prince Creek is the southern end of the Lakeshore Hiking Trail, a 17 mile trail that connects to Stehekin, as well as the Prince Creek Wilderness Trail which ascends into the Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness. The campground is serviced by the ferries as needed and is a popular spot to start and end hikes.

Purple Point Campground

 
Located just north of Stehekin Landing (less than 10 minute walk) and 28.3 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek on the north shore, Purple Point Campground has a large floating dock with 15 boat capacity, 6 tent sites with picnic tables, potable water and a flush toilet. Given its proximity to Stehekin, this is a very popular campground, and reservations can be made in advance. Unlike most other campsites around Lake Chelan, there is a fee to camp here.

Refrigerator Harbor Campground

 
Located 21 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park on the south shore near Lucerne, Refrigerator Harbor Campground has a floating dock with 4 boat capacity and is accessible year round. The campground has four tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, a communal shelter and two pit toilets.

Safety Harbor Campground

 
Safety Harbor Campground is closed for the foreseeable future due to the Uno Peak fire in 2017 and the risk of flash floods. The campground has a floating dock with 6 boat capacity, four tent sites, two fire pits and picnic tables and a vault toilet.

Weaver Point Campground

 
Located 29 miles up-lake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek, the Weaver Point Campground is located across the lake from Stehekin Landing on the south shore. The campground has 2 floating docks with 16 boat capacity. Note, due to lowering of lake levels in the off-season, the docks are removed each fall and are re-installed early each summer once lake levels reach 1,096 feet. The campground has 16 tent sites with picnic tables, potable water, a communal food storage locker and 2 flush and 6 pit toilets. The campground provides access to the 3.5 mile Stehekin River Trail and Devore Creek Trail.

logistics

Boat-in camping on Lake Chelan requires a bit more planning than a standard campground stay, especially since access is only by water and services are limited once you’re out on the lake.

Dock Permits

A federal dock permit is required to use docks along Lake Chelan between May 1 and October 31. Permits cost $10 per day or $75 for the season and must be purchased ahead of time. Be sure to have this arranged before heading out, as you may not be able to access or use docks without one.

Seasonal Lake Levels

Lake levels drop significantly between late fall and spring (typically December through May), which can impact access to some boat-in campgrounds. Sites without floating docks may be difficult or impossible to reach by boat during this time, so it’s important to check conditions if you’re planning an early or off-season trip.

First-Come, First-Served Camping

With the exception of Purple Point Campground, all other boat-in campgrounds on Lake Chelan are first-come, first-served, meaning sites cannot be reserved in advance. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case your first choice is full—especially for smaller campgrounds with limited sites. Arriving earlier in the day can improve your chances of finding an open spot. Consider identifying 1–2 alternative campgrounds along your route before heading out.

Getting There

Boat-in campgrounds can only be accessed by private boat or ferries. The boat rental companies typically prohibit boating in the upper half of the lake. If planning on using one of the ferries, call to confirm ability to be dropped-off and picked up the campground you are interested in. If using your own boat, make sure it is properly equipped and that you're comfortable navigating the lake, especially in changing conditions.

Fuel & Range

Fuel is available on the lake, but there is no fuel past Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park until you reach the end of the lake at Stehekin. Plan your route ahead of time and make sure you have enough fuel to reach your campsite and return safely.

Launching Your Boat

There are several boat launches around Lake Chelan, with larger, more developed launches located closer to town. Arrive early during peak summer weekends, as parking and launch areas can fill up quickly. Given the distance to some of the campgrounds, it often makes sense to launch your boat farther uplake from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park.

Campsite Setup

While Boat-in sites have vault toilets, they typically have minimal (picnic tables / fire rings) or no other amenities. You should plan to be fully self-sufficient while camping at a boat-in campground.

Water & Supplies

Bring all necessary drinking water, food, and camping gear, as there are no stores or services at any of the boat-in campsites. If you plan on using the lake for drinking water, bring a water filter.

tips

These tips will help make your boat-in camping experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Plan for Wind & Weather

Afternoon winds are common on Lake Chelan and can create rough water conditions. Plan travel earlier in the day when the lake is typically calmer.

Know Your Route

Cell service can be limited, especially farther uplake. Download maps ahead of time or bring a GPS device to help navigate.

Pack Efficiently

Space on a boat is limited, so pack strategically. Use waterproof containers or dry bags to protect important gear like sleeping bags from splashes and waves.

Follow Leave No Trace Principles

Pack out all trash and minimize your impact. Many boat-in sites are in more pristine and less maintained areas.

Go Midweek for More Seclusion

Boat-in campsites can fill up during summer weekends. Visiting midweek increases your chances of finding quieter, more open sites.