Leavenworth / Campgrounds
Bridge Creek Campground
Small Forest Service campground 9 miles from Leavenworth with 6 first-come sites above Icicle Creek as well as group site. Best base for the Colchuck Lake Trail — fills extremely fast.
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Overview
Bridge Creek Campground sits above Icicle Creek about 9 miles west of Leavenworth on Icicle Creek Road, positioned at the start of the spur road that climbs to the Stuart Lake Trailhead. That location puts it within easy reach of the Colchuck Lake Trail — one of the most popular hikes in Washington — and the full Stuart Lake corridor. All 6 single sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation option. Bridge Creek is one of the hardest campgrounds to get in Icicle Canyon — every site was taken on a Friday morning in early June. Wednesday evening or Thursday morning is the realistic target window in summer, and even that is not guaranteed. Have a backup campground in mind before you make the drive.
The campground sits in a forested setting with moderate shade. Sites are above the creek, which means the sound of moving water is constant from camp. The terrain is typical of Icicle Canyon — a mix of conifers, dappled light, and the cold, clear creek below. A vault toilet and potable water supply are on-site. The campground also has a group site, available by reservation through Recreation.gov — one of the few reservable options in this section of Icicle Creek Road.
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
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Campground Photos
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Activities
Colchuck Lake Trail
The Colchuck Lake Trail begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead, about 1.6 miles up FR 7601 from the campground. The trail climbs 2,200 feet over roughly 4 miles one-way to Colchuck Lake, one of the most strikingly beautiful alpine lakes in the Enchantments. The turquoise water, granite slabs, and views of Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak make it one of the most photographed destinations in Washington. Expect heavy crowds on summer weekends.
Leavenworth Hiking Guide →Stuart Lake Trail
The same trailhead provides access to the Stuart Lake Trail, which heads west toward the Enchantments and Lake Stuart — a 9-mile one-way route with over 2,000 feet of gain. The trail passes through old-growth forest and opens into subalpine terrain near the lake. Stuart Lake offers a slightly less crowded alternative to Colchuck for those willing to cover more miles.
Icicle Creek
Icicle Creek runs directly below the campground. The cold, clear water is good for fishing — the creek holds native rainbow trout and is open to fly fishing. Wading and swimming are popular on hot summer days, though the water stays cold year-round given its snowmelt origin.
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Things to Know
Bridge Creek is one of the hardest campgrounds to get in Icicle Canyon. Every site was taken on a Friday morning in early June — well before peak summer. Wednesday evening or Thursday morning is the realistic target, and even that is not guaranteed. Identify a backup campground (Eightmile or Johnny Creek are reasonable alternatives further down Icicle Creek Road) before making the drive.
The group site is reservable through Recreation.gov and is separate from the 6 single sites. If you are planning a group outing, booking well in advance is essential — this site goes fast.
No electric, water, or sewer hookups are available. The sites are set on a slope above Icicle Creek and are better suited to tents than to large trailers or RVs.
Potable water is available on-site — confirm availability for current conditions before you go.
The Stuart Lake Trailhead parking lot at the top of FR 7601 fills by 7–8 AM on summer weekends. Staying at Bridge Creek puts you close, but plan to be on the road early. Day hikers often arrive as early as 6 AM.
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Compare Nearby Campgrounds
Five closest campgrounds to Bridge Creek Campground.
| Name | Type | Hookups | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eightmile Campground | USFS | No | Mixed |
| Icicle Group Campground | USFS | No | Reservable |
| Johnny Creek Campground | USFS | No | First-come |
| Ida Creek Campground | Concessionaire | No | First-come |
| Icicle River RV Resort | RV Resort | Full | Reservable |
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