Pets allowed
Allowed
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Situated on the eastern slopes of the Northern Cascades, Lake Wenatchee State Park is an ideal weekend getaway for families or groups of friends. Like many valleys in this part of the Cascade Mountains, the basin that is now Lake Wenatchee was carved out by a massive glacier during the last ice age, around 15,000 years ago. Today, this 2,480-acre lake is fed by surrounding glaciers and snowmelt by way of several tributaries, including Little Wenatchee River and White River.

The park is bisected by the outflowing Wenatchee River, creating north and south sections with their own campgrounds and shore access. The south campground and day use area has more extensive amenities, including playgrounds, horseback riding, a boat ramp, horseshoes, and even a general store. The north campground is slightly less developed, though it does have its own small playground, access to more hiking trails and plenty of beach to play on.

During the warmer months, wade or paddle over to Emerald Island from the beach, take a guided horseback tour through the woods, hike the 8 miles of trails in the park, or play volleyball on the beach. In the colder months, try your hand at winter camping and take advantage of the north loop and south loop snowshoe and cross-country skiing trails.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Washington Discovery Pass

Pros

Hiking trails. Mountain views.

Cons

Big crowds.

Features

ADA accessible
Campgrounds + Campsites
Showers
Amphitheater
Flushing toilets
Boat ramp(s)
Mountain biking
Potable water
Picnic tables
Covered picnic areas
Volleyball
Horseshoes
Fishing
Horseback riding
Playground

Site type

Full hookups

Location

Nearby Adventures

Eastern North Cascades + Lake Chelan, Washington
Eastern North Cascades + Lake Chelan, Washington
Eastern North Cascades + Lake Chelan, Washington

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Eastern North Cascades + Lake Chelan, Washington
Eastern North Cascades + Lake Chelan, Washington
Eastern North Cascades + Lake Chelan, Washington

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