Lakeview (Stehekin)

Summary

Lakeview Campground is located in the Stehekin Valley at the head of Lake Chelan and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane. It offers a variety of trails, opportunities for swimming and fishing in the lake, and nearby attractions such as the historic Buckner Orchard and Rainbow Falls. It offers amenities such as drinking water, flush toilets, picnic tables, and garbage removal.

Overview

Campgrounds in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area are walk-in sites located in the Stehekin Valley at the head of Lake Chelan. Lakeview Campground is a five minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing.

Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane. 

There is a group shared space in Lakeview Camp reserved for backpackers heading out or coming back from a wilderness trip or PCT hikers with a valid PCTA permit. These sites need not be reserved separately; backpackers may camp for ONE NIGHT ONLY with a valid backpacking permit.

Recreation

Visitors can access several trails from near the campground, such as the Imus Trail, the Purple Creek Trail, and the Lakeshore Trail. Other trails further up the valley can be reached by foot, bike, or shuttle bus. Many of the trails from Stehekin provide the opportunity for longer wilderness backpacks. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry.  

Visitors can boat, fish, and swim (although the water is a chilly 45 degrees) in Lake Chelan. Bears do inhabit the area, so care should be taken when hiking, picnicking, or camping.

Facilities

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 or plane only. Visitors may take a passenger ferry or their own boat, which may be moored at the public docks in Stehekin with the purchase of a federal dock permit. Each campsite offers a picnic table but no fires are allowed. Lakeview offers drinking water, flush toilets, and garbage removal, but all waste must be eventually barged downlake and visitors are encouraged to pack out everything they pack in. 

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.