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Lake Chelan Grouse Mountain Campground
Grouse Mountain Campground
No water access Tent Only Drive-in First-come, first-served Remote
Grouse Mountain Campground offers four free, first-come campsites on a forested ridge above Lake Chelan, reached via 6 miles of dirt road off Shady Pass — in reasonable enough shape that small rugged trailers may be able to make the drive. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit, and two pit toilets serve the campground. The sites sit under tree cover with no lake views from camp, though a short hike through the trees opens up views of Lake Chelan. The setting is quiet and wooded, with a low-key feel that makes it much less crowded than the nearby state park campgrounds. Several multi-use trails in the Twenty Five Mile Creek area are accessible within a few miles for hiking, mountain biking, and motorbikes. A good fit for campers who want a peaceful forested base with easy road access and no fees.
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campsites & setup
Grouse Mountain is primarily a tent campground, though the road is in good enough shape that small rugged trailers — think a lightweight pop-up or a small bumper-pull — may be able to make the trip. There are no hookups of any kind. Sites are tent-pad style on dirt ground with a mix of shaded and partially shaded spots under the surrounding pines, typical of a forested ridge environment. The four sites are reasonably spread apart within the campground loop, giving each site a decent amount of separation without feeling completely isolated. The setting is wooded and quiet, sitting on a ridge above Lake Chelan — there are no lake views from the campsites themselves due to the tree cover, but a short hike through the forest opens up views of the lake. The feel is peaceful and private for a campground this accessible. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Two pit toilets are located a short walk from the campsites and serve the entire campground.
photos
Campsite 1
Campsite 2
Campsite 3
Campsite 4
2 Pit Toilets
View
things to know
Dirt Road Access
The campground is 6 miles from the pavement on Shady Pass road. The road is generally in decent shape — small rugged trailers may be able to make it, but large RVs and trailers should not attempt the drive.
No Drinking Water
There is no potable water at the campground. Bring all the water you will need for your entire stay.
No Lake Views from Camp
The campsites sit on a forested ridge with no direct views of Lake Chelan due to tree cover. A short hike through the trees from the campground opens up views of the lake.
First Come, First Served
No reservations are accepted. With only 4 sites, it's possible the campground could already be in use — have a backup plan, particularly on summer weekends.
Cell Service
Cell service is limited to nonexistent in this area depending on your carrier.
activities
Hiking
Grouse Mountain Campground is located within the Twenty Five Mile Creek area, which has a number of interconnected hiking trails. The campground is roughly five miles away from the North Fork 25 Mile Creek trailhead (you pass it on the drive up to the campground) and seven miles away from Crescent Hill Trailhead, which provides access to Devil's Backbone Trail, North Fork 25 Mile Creek and Lake Creek Trail.
Mountain Biking
All the trails in the Twenty Five Mile Creek area are open to mountain bikes, with a mixture of intermediate and expert options, including the Devil's Backbone Trail and North Fork 25 Mile Creek trail. Of note, the Pyramid Mountain Peak Trail (#1441) is the highest mountain biking trail in the state of Washington.
Motorbikes
All the trails in the Twenty Five Mile Creek area are open to motorbikes, with Devil's Backbone and Pot Peak Trail offering challenging terrain and amazing views of Lake Chelan. For less exposed terrain, the forest service road network provides enjoyable riding.
Horseback Riding
The trails in the area are open to horses, and a few of the campsites at Grouse Mountain Campground have room for small trailers.
