Lucerne Campground

Open — Open for day use only. Overnight camping is prohibited. Lake Chelan Federal Dock Site Permit required May 1 through October 31.

About

Lucerne Campground occupies a scenic location on the south shore of Lake Chelan, approximately 40 miles uplake from the town of Chelan. This remote, boat-access only site sits adjacent to a Forest Service Guard Station and serves as a day use area rather than an overnight camping destination. The facility provides a fixed dock and protected boat basin with capacity for eleven vessels, making it a popular stopping point for boaters exploring the upper reaches of Lake Chelan. The site is accessible only by boat, either via personal watercraft launched from locations like Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park (25 miles downlake) or Chelan, or via commercial ferry services such as the Lady of the Lake and Stehekin Ferry, which make scheduled stops at Lucerne. A quarter-mile trail connects the campground to Refrigerator Harbor and continues to the road leading to Holden Village, providing hiking opportunities for day visitors. While the site was historically used for overnight camping, it currently operates as a day use facility only, with overnight camping prohibited. Visitors will find vault toilets on-site, but no potable water is available. A Federal Dock Site Permit is required from May 1 through October 31 for all boats using the dock. The remote location and boat-only access create a peaceful atmosphere for day trips, with opportunities for swimming, hiking, and exploring the surrounding Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Directions

Boat-access only. From Chelan, boat approximately 40 miles uplake to Lucerne Landing on the south shore. Alternatively, from Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park (17 miles from Chelan via Highway 97 Alternate and Southshore Road), boat uplake approximately 25 miles. Commercial ferry service available via Lady of the Lake and Stehekin Ferry with stops at Lucerne.

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