Winthrop / Campgrounds
Early Winters Campground
12 first-come sites in Mazama split across two loops on Highway 20 — north loop along Early Winters Creek, south loop handles RVs. Near the Mazama Store and Maple Pass trailheads.
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Overview
Early Winters Campground sits in Mazama, right off Highway 20, with 12 first-come sites split across two loops on either side of the road. The south loop handles the bulk of RV and trailer traffic and sits in an open pine forest. The north loop is smaller, quieter, and backs up against Early Winters Creek — a handful of sites perch on the bank above the rushing water, and the creek sound goes a long way toward masking the highway noise that affects most of the campground.
The location is one of the campground's biggest assets. The Mazama Store and Mazama Public House are just down the road, making this one of the most service-accessible sites in the area. For hikers, it is a near-perfect launchpad: Maple Pass Loop, Blue Lake, and Cutthroat Lake trailheads are all within 30 minutes on Highway 20. The Methow Community Trail passes right by the north loop, connecting Mazama to Winthrop. The tradeoff is honest — the sites are close to the road and most will see headlights and hear traffic, especially the south loop.
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
Hiking
Early Winters Campground is one of the best-positioned campgrounds in the area for Highway 20 hiking. Maple Pass Loop — consistently rated one of the best hikes in Washington — is under 30 minutes west. Blue Lake and Cutthroat Lake are in the same corridor. Washington Pass overlook is a short drive. The Methow Community Trail also passes right by the north loop, connecting Mazama to Winthrop along a non-motorized corridor.
Winthrop Hiking Guide →Methow Community Trail
The Methow Community Trail passes right by the north loop of the campground. The non-motorized trail runs from Mazama to Winthrop, making it easy to explore the valley on foot or by bike without getting back in the car.
Mazama
Mazama is right around the corner. The Mazama Store is a well-stocked general store for resupply, and the Mazama Pub serves food and drinks — both are rare conveniences for a campground this close to serious backcountry. It makes Early Winters a good choice for longer trips where a town stop mid-journey would be welcome.
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Things to Know
All 12 sites are first-come, first-served — no reservations. The campground fills quickly on summer and fall weekends given its proximity to Maple Pass and other popular trailheads.
Highway 20 runs between the two loops and is audible and visible from most sites. North loop sites on the creek bank benefit from the sound of Early Winters Creek, which masks much of the traffic noise.
The Mazama Store and Mazama Pub are nearby — making this one of the most convenient campgrounds in the area for grabbing food, fuel, or supplies without a long drive.
No hookups of any kind. The south loop has better site layouts for trailers and larger RVs. No dump station on-site.
Access is via Highway 20, which closes mid-November through mid-April. The campground itself is open April through November, but access ends when the highway closes.
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Compare Nearby Campgrounds
Five closest campgrounds to Early Winters Campground.
| Name | Reservations | RV-Friendly | Amenities | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klipchuck Campground | First-come | Yes | Toilets, Drinking water | Mid-distance |
| Lone Fir Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Remote |
| Ruffed Grouse Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Mid-distance |
| Nice Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Mid-distance |
| Honeymoon Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Remote |
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