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Kachess Campground is a pleasant 5-1/2 mile drive from Interstate 90, Exit 62. The 92 acre Forest Service facility is located on the northwest shore of Kachess Lake with Little Kachess Lake to the immediate north. Set in dense old-growth conifer forest and surrounded by high mountains, Kachess Campground is considered one of the most beautiful sites in the Cle Elum Ranger District.
Kachess Lake Campground offers 150 sites that accommodate both tent and RV camping, including one designated group site that can accommodate up to 50 guests. The group site and 106 single family sites are available for reservation, and the rest are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Sites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings with grills, vault toilets. Drinking water is available. There are no electric hookups. One motorized boat launch, one non-motorized boat launch, a swimming area and picnic areas are also available to visitors.
Towering peaks, high-country lakes and old-growth forests provide visitors with a variety of landscapes. Kachess Lake, adjacent to the campground, is a reservoir that stores and provides water for irrigation for south-central Washington. The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support an abundance of wildlife, including deer, porcupine, native fish and migratory birds.
Kachess is a prime location for fishing, swimming, boating, paddling and mountain biking in summer and early fall.
The campground is also a great base camp for day-hikers and overnight backpackers. Several access trails from the area give hikers the chance to create their own excursions, whether it be a day hike or an overnight trip.
Starting at the campground, the Kachess Lake Trail is a short loop next to the lake, enjoyable for hikers of all levels.
Anglers enjoy fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon from boat or shoreline. Box Canyon Creek is closed to all fishing from the mouth, 2-miles up to the falls. Check current WDFW fishing regulations for additional restrictions.
There are two boat launches and a picnic area. These water access points accommodate cartoppers and trailer boats and there is parking for vehicles & trailers. The south boat launch is paved; and the north boat launch is maintained gravel. On busy summer weekends, the boat launch and day use parking areas fill up fast.
From Seattle trave east on I-90 approximately 62 miles, or from Cle Elum travel west on I-90 approximately 20 miles. Take exit 62 and follow Kachess Lake Road for 5.5 miles to the campground, which is on the right.
Spacious and mostly private campgrounds, helpful rangers around, with beautiful views around the grounds and at the not so little kachess lake. There's parking you can pay for or free parking further from the boat launch and just a walk from the sandy beach. We came during a hot weekend and enjoyed the clear waters, we'll just need our floats for next time!
This campground may not boast the top-notch amenities of some national parks, but the lake views and access more than make up for it. If you can live without a shower and sparkling porcelain for a few days, you'll enjoy this serene campground well outside of the city. The sites themselves have sturdy picnic tables and iron grates for campfire cooking. Unfortunately during our visit there was a nearly state-wide fire ban in effect due to the recent heat wave (mid-July.)
The lake is wonderful for both the laid-back floater or the active power-boater. Some areas are protected by a 10mph low-wake zone. There are two boat ramps, one for motor craft and one for canoes/kayaks. On the access road to the campground is a beach access area which draws a lot of day-use boaters.
It's a 20-30 minute drive to the nearest grocery/convenience/gas station on the edge of Easton, depending on traffic.
Olympic Otter
Camp spots are big and well maintained. Big enough for at least 3 good sized tents. The lake is beautiful as well as the mountains surrounding it. Other than no electrical hookups the site is perfect. We will definitely camp here again. Also as a bonus two F-15s do low flyovers daily in the early afternoons. Spectacular sight and sounds.
Haven't been here since I was a kid. Nice clean campground. The sites are large and private. The scenery is spectacular. It's so quiet here you can hear a mouse whisper. There are sites for trailers, campers and tents. Plenty of sites but reserve if you can because it can fill up. The bathrooms are basic with no showers. There is fresh water available but no hookups for RVs. There is also no RV dump station unless you go back to Easton State Park which is about 13 miles away. Cell service may be spotty and there is no WiFi. We will be back for some more serene camping again.
Some of the best camping grounds I've had the pleasure of going to! Lots of room, you don't feel on top of each other. The river is beautiful and best of all, they have real bathrooms here with running water!
Little Kachess Lake is a great place to go for family outdoor camping with easy access to the water. They have a ton of campsites you can reserve ahead of time with bathrooms scattered all over the campgrounds. Getting into the area is easy off the highway too.
