Grouse Mountain Campground
No current closure orders affect this campground. Shady Pass Road (FSR 5900) provides access and was reported open as of late 2025. Due to its 4,500-foot elevation and mountain road access, seasonal accessibility depends on snow conditions. No fees or reservations required; all sites are first-come, first-served.
Red Flag Warning issued August 6 at 8:48PM PDT until August 8 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
A dry cold front will push toward and through the area Friday and Saturday, bringing breezy west to southwesterly winds. Winds will be strongest near the Cascades and Western Columbia Basin. Wind speeds on Friday and Saturday will be similar, though winds on Saturday becoming more widespread in the eastern Columbia Basin. Combined with low afternoon relative humidity values, poor to fair humidity recoveries at night, hot temperatures and dry fuels, this will bring the potential for critical fire weather conditions. * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706), Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Southwest to west 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 25 to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 20 percent in the valleys and 20 to 30 percent over the higher terrain. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires.
Air Quality Alert issued August 5 at 11:19AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Washington Department of Ecology Colville Confederated Tribes Environmental Protection Agency Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency An Air Quality Alert has been issued for Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman Counties until further notice due to current and expected smoke from regional fires. Particulate matter (PM2.5) may reach Very Unhealthy levels. When air quality is Very Unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Stay inside and filter indoor air to keep it cleaner. Go elsewhere for cleaner air, if needed.
About
Grouse Mountain Campground sits at 4,500 feet elevation in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, offering a remote and rustic camping experience for those seeking solitude in Washington's Cascades. The campground provides four tent-only sites, each equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, served by two vault toilets. This is a true backcountry-style drive-in campground with no fees, no potable water, and no trash service. Campers must bring adequate water supplies and pack out all garbage. Access is via Shady Pass Road (FSR 5900), reached by traveling south from Chelan on Highway 97A, then following Southshore Road for approximately 20 miles before turning onto the forest road for the final 10 miles. The campground serves as a convenient basecamp for exploring nearby trails including Devil's Backbone, Pot Peak, and Angle Peak. The area sees particularly heavy use during hunting season. Given its high elevation and mountain access road, the campground is typically accessible from late spring through fall, weather and snow conditions permitting.
Directions
From Chelan, travel south on Highway 97A for 3 miles. Turn right onto Southshore Road and continue approximately 20 miles to Shady Pass Road (FSR 5900). Turn left and drive 10 miles; the campground is on the right.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (509) 664-9200 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!