Camping in Stehekin

Stehekin offers camping in a range of settings, from lakeside sites to quiet roadside camps to backpacking sites. During the peak season (late May to early September), reservations are required for camping at Lakeview, Purple Point, and Harlequin campgrounds and must be made in advance at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. From mid September to late May, campgrounds are open as first-come, first-serve with limited services.

All backcountry and wilderness camping, including at High Bridge, requires a backcountry permit which during the peak season should be obtained in advance before arriving in Stehekin. From October to May, use the self-permiting station located outside the Golden West Visitor Center. Lakeside sites do not require a reservation or permit, but private boaters will need to obtain a Federal Dock permit if using one of the docks during the peak season.

 

Area	Camp	# of Sites	Miles from Landing	Elevation (ft)	Group?	Access: (R)oad, (B)oat, (F)oot	Comments
Lower Valley	Lakeview	9	0.3	1170		R,F	Located behind Golden West Visitor Center. Treated water and flush toilets during summer. No campfires allowed. Stock corral available. Access to Lakeshore and Purple Creek Trails. Reservations required late May to early September from www.recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777.
Lower Valley	Purple Point	6	0.3	1100		R, B, F	Dock permit required if accessed by boat. Near boat landing. Treated water and flush toilet during summer. Reservations required late May to early September from www.recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777.
Lower	Harlequin	7	4.4	1200	Y	R, F	Nearest camp to Rainbow Falls and Stehekin River Trail. Water should be boiled or filtered from the river. Reservations required July to early September from www.recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777.
Lower	Rainbow Bridge	2	4.5	2200		F	2 miles up Rainbow Loop Trail near bridge. Backcountry permit required.
High Bridge	High Bridge	2	11	1650		F	Across the bridge from the High Bridge shuttle stop. On the Pacific Crest Trail. Access to Agnes Gorge Trail. Backcountry permit required.
High Bridge	Tumwater	2	12	1750		F	Near a thunderous river gorge. Backcountry permit required.
Mid-Valley	Shady	1	14.7	1920		F	Access from the Pacific Crest Trail. Backcountry permit required.
Mid	Bridge Creek	6	16	2100	Y	F	Stock corral available. Located on the Pacific Crest Trail. Backcountry permit required.
Upper Valley	Park Creek	2	18.5	2250		F	Located at start of Park Creek Trail. Backcountry permit required.
Upper	Cottonwood	4	23	2750	Y	F	On the upper Stehekin River along the trail to Cascade Pass. Backcountry permit required.
boat-in Lakeside	Weaver Point	16	n/a	1100		B, F	Dock permit required. No potable water. Across from the Stehekin Landing by boat. Limited moorage. Access to Stehekin River Trail. Not accessible by boat when lake levels are below 1,096 feet, generally between December and June.
boat-in Lakeside	Manly Wham	1	n/a	1100		B	Dock permit required. Lakeshore camp near Bridal Veil Falls. Not accessible when lake levels are below 1,096 feet, generally between December and June.
boat-in Lakeside	Flick Creek	1	3.5	1100		B, F	Dock permit required. Camp located along Lakeshore Trail. Not accessible by boat when lake levels are low, generally between December and May.