Winthrop / Campgrounds
Klipchuck Campground
46 first-come sites on Early Winters Creek, 19 miles west of Winthrop — close to Maple Pass, Blue Lake, and Driveway Butte trailheads.
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Overview
Klipchuck Campground sits at 2,900 feet in a dense forest of fir and pine, tucked along Early Winters Creek about a quarter mile off Highway 20. The access road crosses the creek on a bridge before opening into the campground, and the surrounding trees ensure nearly every one of the 46 sites gets meaningful shade. The campground feels removed from the highway almost immediately — quiet, forested, and without any nearby services.
The big draw for hikers is proximity to Highway 20 trailheads: Maple Pass Loop, Blue Lake, and Cutthroat Lake are all within 30 minutes. The Driveway Butte Trailhead sits right at the campground entrance for an on-site option, climbing 8.6 miles up the slopes of Delancey Ridge. The Early Winters Trail #522 also departs from site 7 within the campground — a 3.8-mile historic route that once formed part of a trade corridor used by Indigenous peoples for centuries between the Methow and Skagit rivers.
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
Hiking
The Driveway Butte Trailhead is right at the campground entrance, with an 8.6-mile trail climbing the slopes of Delancey Ridge for views over the Methow Valley. For bigger objectives, Maple Pass Loop, Blue Lake, and Cutthroat Lake trailheads are all within 30 minutes on Highway 20 — putting Klipchuck in one of the best positions of any campground in the area for North Cascades hiking.
Winthrop Hiking Guide →Early Winters Trail #522
The Early Winters Trail departs from site 7 within the campground, marked by a sign set back from the road. The 3.8-mile trail traces the eastern remnant of a route documented on government maps in the 1920s — and used by Indigenous peoples as a trade corridor between the Methow and Skagit rivers for centuries before that. The first mile passes through old-growth forest with silvercrown and scattered paintbrush in the understory, then crosses a bridge over Indian Creek before the brush thickens. The second mile traverses a steep hillside with views of Early Winters Creek 150 feet below and across the valley into Varden Creek, then threads through several avalanche chutes from Delancey Ridge. The third mile opens to an up-valley view of the Needles on Delancey Ridge before crossing a rockslide on a clean, well-maintained trail.
Creekside Loop Trail
A short 0.5-mile trail from the campground leads down to Early Winters Creek — a quick morning walk through the forest to the sound of running water. The creek is closed to fishing, but it makes a pleasant destination for a stretch.
North Cascades Day Trips
Klipchuck's location west of Mazama puts you within easy reach of the most dramatic scenery on Highway 20. Washington Pass overlook, Rainy Pass, and the trailheads for Maple Pass Loop (7 miles, one of Washington's best) and Blue Lake (4.4 miles, a turquoise glacial lake) are all under 30 minutes from camp.
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Things to Know
All 46 sites are first-come, first-served — no reservations. Arrive by Friday morning for a summer weekend site. The campground also fills during fall larch season.
No services nearby. Stock up on food, fuel, and supplies before leaving Winthrop or Mazama — there are no stores or gas stations close to the campground.
Early Winters Creek is closed to fishing. The Creekside Loop Trail leads down to the creek, but it is for wildlife — fishing is not permitted.
No hookups of any kind. Some sites accommodate trailers, but the access road and site pads limit larger rigs. No dump station.
Access is via Highway 20, which closes mid-November through mid-April. Confirm it is open before planning a late-season or early-season trip.
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Compare Nearby Campgrounds
Five closest campgrounds to Klipchuck Campground.
| Name | Reservations | RV-Friendly | Amenities | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Winters Campground | First-come | Yes | Toilets, Drinking water | — |
| Lone Fir Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Remote |
| Meadows Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Remote |
| Harts Pass Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Remote |
| Ruffed Grouse Campground | First-come | No | Toilets | Mid-distance |
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