Lake Chelan / Campgrounds
Grouse Mountain Campground
Free four-site ridge campground reached by dirt forest service road, with spectacular panoramic views of Lake Chelan from every tent site.
beExploring / Lake Chelan
Overview
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.
Fit Snapshot
A quick read on who this campground suits — and where it falls short — so you can decide in under a minute.
At a glance
Key factsFit indicators
Out of 10beExploring / Lake Chelan
Campground Photos
beExploring / Lake Chelan
Things to Know
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.
There is no potable water at the campground. Bring all the water you will need for your entire stay.
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.
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 is limited to nonexistent in this area depending on your carrier.
beExploring / Lake Chelan
Compare Nearby Campgrounds
Showing the five closest drive-in campgrounds to Grouse Mountain Campground.
| Campground | Tent | RV | Reservations | Lake Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowberry Bowl Campground | Yes | No | First-Come | No |
| Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park | Yes | Yes | Reservable | Yes |
| Junior Point Campground | Yes | No | First-Come | No |
| Handy Springs Campground | Yes | No | First-Come | No |
| Lake Chelan State Park | Yes | Yes | Reservable | Yes |
beExploring / Lake Chelan
