For years, I’d been thinking about camping at Lake Wenatchee, but I always missed out on getting a campsite. This year, though, there were surprisingly exactly three sites available for, wait for it… the long weekend!
I can happily say we were “lucky” enough to grab one for our 4th of July Eastern Washington road trip.
Our Campsite at North Campground
Normally, I’d prefer a site closer to the water, but this time I’m actually glad ours was tucked away in a forested area. That realization only came after I visited Lake Wenatchee and discovered just how windy it gets near the lake. The forested setting ended up feeling cosy, quiet, and sheltered from the strong lake winds.
Our campsite was #108 at the North Campground. There are around 180 sites in the North Campground and roughly the same number in the South Campground. The South Campground is closer to the day-use area, while the North Campground has its own beach and seating area and feels much quieter overall.
We had only booked the campsite for one night, but after walking around the grounds, I feel like I got a pretty good sense of the place.
Note: One thing I noticed was that there were plenty of mosquitoes around the campsite, and they were big ones too, so definitely bring insect repellent. Plus, there had also been active bear sightings in the area, so carrying bear spray is recommended as well.
Site Amenities
The site itself was spacious enough for one or two tents. We had our two-person Coleman Sundome tent, and the site also came with a picnic table and fire pit. The parking area was generously sized as well and could easily accommodate two cars.
Our site didn’t have electricity, but that was perfectly alright. We had originally planned to bring our tabletop grill, but after learning about the fire ban, we decided to simplify things and just enjoy a relaxed evening at the campsite instead.
Camp Food
For dinner we brought food from home, since this was just 2 hours away from Seattle. Abhi made classic camping food, hot dogs for dinner, which we thoroughly enjoyed in the quiet of the forest. For breakfast, we packed cup noodles and instant coffee, so that we can simply use the electric kettle to prepare our meal. Sometimes simple campsite meals just hit differently.
Bathrooms and Facilities
The campground bathrooms were clean and had four showers, four toilet stalls, and two sinks with running water. There was also a potable water tap outside the building and two power outlets near the sinks. That’s where I heated water for my morning coffee and noodles before we packed up for the day.
Another pleasant surprise was the availability of Wi-Fi. While I appreciate an internet detox every now and then, so many things require connectivity these days that I find myself appreciating campsites that offer it. It was fun being able to call our families and show them the campsite and what we were up to.
The Lake
There’s also a trail that leads directly to the lake, and I highly recommend taking it. The lake is absolutely serene. We sat there for a while simply taking in the peace and quiet, a much-needed break from our hectic work schedules lately. The blue water and mountain views were exactly what we needed for the long weekend.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I loved this campground, especially considering the price, amenities, and how easy it is to reach from Seattle. It’s just a two-hour drive from downtown, and if you’re coming from the eastern or northern suburbs, you’ll probably get there even faster.
I’d happily give it a 5/5, and if you’re looking for more camping recommendations, be sure to check out my other Washington articles.
