Lake Chelan / Campgrounds
Mitchell Creek Campground
The most accessible boat-in campground on the lake, with seven sites and a large 17-boat dock just up-lake from the south shore.
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Overview
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.
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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Campground Photos
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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.
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Things to Know
A federal dock permit is required from May 1 through October 31 for private boaters using the dock.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Compare Nearby Campgrounds
Five closest campgrounds to Mitchell Creek Campground.
| Campground | Tent | Reservations |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Point Campground | Yes | First-Come |
| Safety Harbor Campground | Yes | First-Come |
| Corral Creek Campground | Yes | First-Come |
| Graham Harbor Campground | Yes | First-Come |
| Graham Harbor Creek Campground | Yes | First-Come |
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