Boat-In Camping

Canoes at Colonial Creek loaded for camping on Diablo Lake.

NPS/NOCA/David Snyder

 

Seclusion, scenery, and still water. Twenty-five boat-in camps dot the backcountry shorelines of North Cascades National Park Complex. On Lake Chelan, explore the shoreline of a water pathway used by human travelers for thousands of years. In the Skagit Valley along State Route 20, visit the hidden coves, islands, and bays of Diablo and and Ross Lakes, both reservoirs created by the dams on the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. Whether you spend a night or a week, boat-in camping within the park complex is a unique experience.

The tables below list the camping options for each lake. Also visit the backcountry permits and Wilderness Trip Planner page, or call a ranger station to help you plan your visit.

 

Lake Chelan Boat-In Camps

These sites are accessed from the Stehekin region. Lake Chelan can experience strong winds and cold water - be prepared. A federal dock permit or a backcountry permit is required at these camps.

 

Camp	Number of Sites	Elevation	Comments
Weaver Point	22	1100	Treated water. Across from the Stehekin Landing by boat. Limited moorage. Access to Stehekin River Trail. Lake Chelan Dock permit required May 1 - October 31.
Manly Wham	1	1100	Lakeshore camp near Bridal Veil Falls. Lake Chelan Dock permit required May 1 - October 31.
Flick Creek	1	1100	Camp also has access to the Lakeshore Trail. Lake Chelan Dock permit required May 1 - October 31.
Purple Point	6	1100	Short walk to campsites. Treated water and flush toilets. Backcountry permits required year round.

 

Canoers head out on Ross Lake for an overnight camping trip.

Image courtesy of North Cascades Institute.

Ross Lake Boat-In Camps

Refer to Boating on Ross Lake for information on access, special regulations and tips for the backcountry. Ross Lake can be very windy - be prepared. All boat-in camps on Ross Lake require a backcountry permit for camping.

 

Camp	Miles (km) From Ross Dam	Miles (km) From Hozomeen	Number of Sites	Group Sites	Trail Access	Boat Dock
Green Point	0.8 (1.3)	21.2 (33.9)	5	X	X	X
Cougar Island	2.4 (3.9)	19.6 (31.4)	2			X
Roland Point	3.5 (5.6)	18.5 (29.6)	1
McMillan	4 (6.4)	18 (28.8)	3	X		X
Spencer's	4.3 (6.9)	17.7 (28.3)	2			X
Big Beaver	4.6 (7.4)	17.4 (27.8)	7	X	X	X
May Creek	5 (8)	17 (27.2)	1		X	X
Rainbow Point	6 (9.6)	16 (25.6)	3		X	X
Devil's Junction	9 (14.4)	13 (20.8)	1		X	X
Ten Mile Island	10 (16)	12 (19.2)	3
Dry Creek	10.4 (16.7)	11.6 (18.6)	4
Ponderosa	11 (17.6)	11 (17.6)	2	X
Lodgepole	11.4 (18.4)	10.6 (17)	3	X	X
Lightning Creek Stock Camp	11.8 (18.9)	10.2 (16.3)	2	X	X
Lightning Creek Boat Camp	12 (19.3)	10 (16)	5	X	X	X
Cat Island	13 (20.8)	9 (14.4)	4	X		X
Little Beaver	15 (24)	7 (11.2)	5	X	X	X
Boundry Bay	16.5 (26.5)	5.5 (8.8)	3	X		X
Silver Creek	20 (32)	2 (3.2)	2	X		X
Hozomeen	22 (35)	-------	Drive in campground

 

Diablo Lake Boat-in Camps

The three boat-in sites on Diablo Lake are some of the most accessible boat-in camping, with a boat launch located at Colonial Creek Campground on State Route 20 providing easy access. The waters of Diablo Lake are especially cold, given the glacial meltwater that spills into the lake. Waters can also be very windy - be prepared. All boat-in camping on Diablo Lake requires a backcountry permit.

Map of Diablo Lake

 

Camp	Miles (km) From Colonial Creek Campground	Number of Sites	Boat Dock
Buster Brown	2.8 (4.7)	3	X
Hidden Cove	2.6 (4.3)	1	X
Thunder Point	2.0 (3.3)	3	X

 

Glacial melt water, stunning mountain views, and easy access make Diablo Lake a beautiful boating destination.

Image courtesy of North Cascades Institute.