Mitchell Creek Campground

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On Lake Chelan Tent Only Boat-in First-come, first-served Remote

Mitchell Creek Campground is a boat-in only campground on the north shore of Lake Chelan, making it the closest water-access campground to Manson and Chelan. There is no road access — you must arrive by motorboat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. The campground has seven campsites, a large floating dock, a stone picnic shelter, and two vault toilets; some sites have picnic tables and fire rings while others are more primitive. A federal dock permit is required from May 1 through October 31 ($10/day or $75/year) and must be purchased before you arrive. There is no potable water, so bring your own or plan to treat water from the creek or lake. This campground suits boaters looking for a lakeside overnight base that's still within easy reach of town, as well as those who want the boat-in experience without heading deep into the backcountry.

campsites & setup

Mitchell Creek is a tent-only, boat-in campground — there is no road access and no RV option of any kind. The 7 sites are a mix of lakeside and hillside positions, with some offering more privacy than others. Ground is mostly hard-packed dirt with sparse vegetation and light shade from scattered trees. Sites closest to the shore and dock are more open and exposed, while those up the hill offer a bit more seclusion and tree cover. Spacing between sites varies — the lower sites near the dock and picnic shelter are relatively close together, while the upper hillside sites feel more separated. The overall setting is lakeside and informal, with a relaxed first-come feel. Several sites have picnic tables and fire rings, though not all — amenities vary by site. The large stone picnic shelter near the water is available for general use by all campers. There is no food storage infrastructure at the campground.

things to know

Dock Permit Required

A federal dock permit is required from May 1 through October 31. Day permits cost $10; annual permits cost $75. Permits cannot be purchased at the campground — plan ahead.

Boat-In Only

There is no road access to this campground. You must arrive by motorboat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. Kayaks and paddleboards are not allowed to be stored on the dock.

No Drinking Water

There is no potable water at the campground. Mitchell Creek and Lake Chelan water must be treated before drinking. Bring your own supply or a reliable filtration method.

First Come, First Served

No reservations are accepted. The campground is popular on summer weekends and can fill up quickly given its proximity to Manson and Chelan. Arriving early is strongly recommended.

Amenities Vary by Site

Not all campsites have picnic tables and fire rings. The best sites near the dock and shoreline tend to go first. Come prepared for a more primitive setup if those sites are taken.

activities

Boating

While you can certainly kayak, paddleboard or canoe to this campground, the vast majority of visitors will access this campground via motorboat, and will enjoy exploring the upper reaches of the lake during the summer months. If you are looking to wakeboard or water ski, it's usually best to go in the morning or evening, when the boat traffic dies down and the water becomes smoother. And if you need gas, head across the lake to Kelly's Resort or Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park to fill up.

Swimming

With summer temperatures usually well into the 90's, swimming in the cooler waters of Lake Chelan is a refreshing activity in the summer. There is no real beach area at the campground, however there are plenty of spots to get into the water, and jumping off the dock is always an option.

Cliff Jumping

Just uplake from the campground is a popular cliff jumping spot. It's not advisable to try and walk there, however it is a very short boat ride or a somewhat long swim from the campground.

Paddleboarding

Bringing a blow up paddleboard is a great option to get out on the lake for some non motorized recreational activity during your stay at Mitchell Creek Campground. Note, you are not supposed to store paddle boards on the dock.

Lake Chelan
Mitchell Creek Campground