Stehekin Campground
The Stehekin Campground in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area are walk-in sites located in the Stehekin Valley at the head of Lake Chelan. The Lakeview and Purple Point Camps are a five-to-seven minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing. Harlequin Camp is located 4.5 miles up the Stehekin Valley Road.
Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane.
There is also shared space in Lakeview Camp reserved for backpackers heading out or coming back from a wilderness trip. These sites need not be reserved separately; backpackers may camp for one night with a valid backpacking permit.
At the Stehekin Landing area, the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin has a small store with very limited groceries and a restaurant. Public showers and laundry facilities are located near the Landing, though not in the campground.
There are no roads or car access into Stehekin. Accessible by foot, boat (ferry and private) or plane only. Visitors may take a passenger ferry or their own boat, which may be parked at the public docks in Stehekin. Each campsite offers a picnic table. Fires are allowed in the Purple Point and Harlequin campgrounds in designated fire pits. Lakeview and Purple Point offers drinking water, flush toilets, and garbage removal. Harlequin has pit toilets and no running water and it situated right on the Stehekin River.
Need to Know
The Stehekin Campground is three separate facilities. Purple Point and Lakeview sites are a five to ten minute walk from the main ferry landing. Harlequin sites are 4.5 miles from the landing, and a ten minute walk to the Stehekin Airstrip.
There is no cell phone reception. Bring a calling card to operate the public phone located near the landing. Calling cards are also available for purchase at the store located at the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin
Wildlife frequents the area. All food must be stored in animal-resistant food lockers or hard-sided vehicles until use.
There are no shower facilities available at the campground. Laundry and shower facilities are located at the landing.
There are limited grocery items available, bring what you need. With limited trash services, consider Pack It In/Pack It Out.
There are no ATM services available in the valley.
Nearby Attractions
Stehekin is a gateway into the east side of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Many short to multi-day backpacking trips begin in the Stehekin area. Other attractions in the area are the historic Buckner Orchard, where visitors can pick apples in the fall, and Rainbow Falls, a 312-foot waterfall near the Stehekin Valley Road. Kayaking, canoeing, boating, fishing, horseback riding and other activities are available in the area. The Golden West Visitor Center offers interpretive exhibits and ranger program during peak season.
Recreation
Visitors can access several trails from the campground areas, such the Imus Trail, the Purple Creek Trail, and the Lakeshore Trail (in the Landing area) and the Stehekin River Trail, Company Creek Trail, and Rainbow Creek Trail (in the Harlequin area). Many of these trails also lead to other backcountry trails and the opportunity for longer wilderness backpacks. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry.
Campgrounds are located along the Stehekin Valley Road which leads to other trails via foot, bike, or shuttle bus. Visitors can boat, fish, and swim (although the water is a chilly 45 degrees) in Lake Chelan or the Stehekin River. Bears do inhabit the area, so care should be taken when hiking, picnicking, or camping.
Contact Information
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 509-699-2080 x 14
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
There are no roads that connect Stehekin to the rest of Washington. Access is via foot, boat, or plane.
Available Campsites
- Site Lakeview Site 5, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Lakeview Site 2, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Harlequin 4, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Harlequin 2, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Purple Point 2, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Lakeview Site 9, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Lakeview Site 3, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Harlequin Group 1, Loop Stehekin, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site Harlequin 5, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Harlequin 6, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Harlequin 3, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Harlequin 1, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Purple Point 5, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Harlequin 7, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Lakeview Site 6, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Lakeview Site 4, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Lakeview Site 1, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Purple Point 3, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Purple Point 6, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Purple Point 4, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Lakeview Site 8, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Purple Point 1, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Lakeview Site 7, Loop Stehekin, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
