Cle Elum River Group Site

About

Cle Elum River Group Site provides a large reservable group camping area within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, located at the head of Lake Cle Elum along its namesake river. Set in a mixed-conifer forest at 2,300 feet elevation and surrounded by high mountains, this site is ideal for family reunions, scout troops, or other large group gatherings, accommodating up to 100 people and 25 vehicles. The group site features vault toilets, potable drinking water available from a hand pump, and picnic facilities. Campers should pre-fill RV water tanks before arrival as connecting RV hoses to the water systems is not permitted. The area offers excellent recreational opportunities including hiking, fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and kokanee salmon, swimming, and birding. The nearby Cle Elum Lake and reservoir provide additional water-based recreation. Reservations are required and can be made through Recreation.gov. Check-in is at 2:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM. The site accommodates vehicles up to 40 feet in length via a back-in gravel driveway. The adjacent French Cabin Creek Sno-Park offers winter recreation access when the campground is closed for the season.

Directions

From Cle Elum, Washington, take State Highway 903 north for 15 miles. Turn left at the campground sign. At the T in the road, turn right into the group site.