Winthrop / Campgrounds
Buck Lake Campground
Quiet forested campground near stocked Buck Lake, about 10 miles north of Winthrop. No water or garbage service; boat launch nearby on FR 5130-140.
All Campgrounds →beExploring / Winthrop
Overview
Buck Lake Campground sits at 3,300 feet in a quiet forested setting north of Winthrop, reached via a windy dirt road off the valley floor. It is a small campground with sites tucked under the trees — noticeably more secluded than the busier highway campgrounds near Mazama. Buck Lake is close, but largely hidden from the campground by the surrounding forest. There is no potable water on-site and no garbage service; pack in everything you need and pack out what you bring.
The main draw is the fishing. Buck Lake is stocked with rainbow trout, and a small boat launch off Forest Service Road 5130-140 near the campground provides easy water access for anglers. Shore fishing around the boat launch is also popular. Some sites have larger parking spaces that can accommodate trailers, though the access road is a windy dirt road not well suited to larger rigs. All sites are first-come, first-served with limited cell service — download the Recreation.gov app before you leave town.
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 / Winthrop
Activities
Fishing Buck Lake
Buck Lake is stocked with rainbow trout, making it one of the more reliable fishing spots in the Winthrop area. A small boat launch off Forest Service Road 5130-140 near the campground provides water access for small boats and kayaks, and shore fishing around the launch is popular. The lake is calm and quiet — well suited for an early morning session before the rest of camp wakes up.
Winthrop Overview →Boat Launch & Shore Fishing
The small boat launch off Forest Service Road 5130-140 is the main access point to Buck Lake. It accommodates small trailered boats, kayaks, and canoes. Shore fishing around the launch is productive and accessible without a boat — rainbow trout are stocked regularly. Check current WDFW regulations for this water before you fish.
Winthrop Day Trips
Winthrop is about 10 miles south — close enough for a resupply run, dinner in town, or a morning coffee before heading back to camp. The Methow Valley's trail system for hiking and mountain biking is also accessible from trailheads in and around town.
beExploring / Winthrop
Things to Know
No potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for your stay.
No garbage service. Pack out everything you bring in.
Limited cell service in the area. Download the Recreation.gov app and have your payment info ready before leaving Winthrop.
The campground is accessed via a windy dirt road. Some sites have larger parking spaces that fit trailers, but larger rigs will find the road difficult.
Buck Lake is just beyond the campground but largely hidden by trees — there are no open lake views from the sites. Fishing and boat access is via the nearby boat launch off Forest Service Road 5130-140.
beExploring / Winthrop
Compare Nearby Campgrounds
Five closest campgrounds to Buck Lake Campground.
| Name | Reservations | RV-Friendly | Amenities | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Mid-distance |
| Nice Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Mid-distance |
| Falls Creek Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Mid-distance |
| Chewuch Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Mid-distance |
| Ruffed Grouse Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Mid-distance |
beExploring / Winthrop
