Lake Chelan / Campgrounds
Junior Point Campground
Free five-site tent campground at 6,600 feet elevation — one of the highest drive-in campsites in Washington, with ridge views and nearby trails.
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Overview
Junior Point Campground sits at 6,600 feet on a dramatic ridge above Lake Chelan, reached after 12 miles of driving on Shady Pass — a rough dirt forest service road that often remains snow-blocked until late June. The campground is free and first-come, first-served, with five primitive tent-only sites spread along the ridgeline; no RVs or trailers can make the drive. As of a 2024 visit, only two of the five sites had picnic tables and fire rings — the others have makeshift fire areas — so come prepared for a rougher setup. The standout feature is the old fire lookout at the end of the road: the foundation perches on a cliff edge with jaw-dropping views of Lake Chelan far below. Several interconnected trails along Devil's Backbone are accessible nearby, open to hikers, mountain bikers, and motorbikes. This is a destination for self-sufficient campers who are after solitude, elevation, and scenery rather than comfort or convenience.
Fit Snapshot
A quick read on who this campground suits — and where it falls short — so you can decide in under a minute.
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Activities
Hiking
Junior Point Campground is located within the Twenty Five Mile Creek area, which has a number of interconnected hiking trails.The campground is a mile away from the Crescent Hill Trailhead, which provides access to Devil's Backbone Trail, North Fork 25 Mile Creek and Lake Creek Trail and is located four miles from the Pyramid Hill Trail.
Lake Chelan Hikes →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
While the long drive on the bumpy forest service road to the Campground will likely prevent bringing a horse trailer up to the campground, the campground could be accessed from a roughly 9 mile journey up the North Fork 25 Mile Creek and Devil's Backbone trail and a couple of miles on a forest service road.
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Things to Know
The road to Junior Point is often blocked by snow until late June. Check current road conditions before making the drive.
Reaching the campground requires 12 miles of driving on Shady Pass, a rough dirt forest service road. A high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended — this is not a road for RVs or trailers.
There is no potable water at the campground. Bring all the water you will need for your entire stay.
The Forest Service lists 5 sites, but as of a 2024 visit only 2 had picnic tables and fire rings. The others have makeshift fire areas. Come prepared for a more primitive setup.
Cell service is limited to nonexistent in this area depending on your carrier.
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Compare Nearby Campgrounds
Five closest campgrounds to Junior Point Campground.
| Campground | Tent | RV | Reservations | Lake Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handy Springs Campground | Yes | No | First-Come | No |
| Grouse Mountain Campground | Yes | No | First-Come | No |
| Snowberry Bowl Campground | Yes | No | First-Come | No |
| Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park | Yes | Yes | Reservable | Yes |
| Lake Chelan State Park | Yes | Yes | Reservable | Yes |
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