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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.
This place is absolutely amazing.
Sometimes the water is so low that you can walk down to the bottem of the lake and stand next to the largest stumps, it's mindblowing(normally in the fall I believe)
In the summer it's all the way up to the shores, beautiful and majestic.
Swimming sure!
Camping? Yah! There's a wonderful campground right on the water.
Winter is fun too but the public roads up to the lake are very treacherous.
There's also a private community that looks beautiful, if you're looking for a beautiful home on the water in a beautiful evergreen rainforest I'd suggest looking in to that.
Camping and paddle boarding are the best activities here. Network is spotty but that’s the whole idea- a gateway. There’s a place to buy firewood if you need some. Come stocked n geared up as finding a store near by is a chore.
Been camping here for years now, even up to 5/6 times per summer. I and my wife get to know the camp hosts as well, which are there to see to your needs and most do it very well.
This spot has tons to offer and my list would take too much time and im not sure I want to stir on the influx of crowds that may misuse or overpopulate this tranquility.
An absolute gem. Surrounded by snow covered mountains. Pristine water and a summer and winter playground. Snowmobile/ snowshoeing /hiking /bird watching summer boating/ sunbathing. A very picturesque and magical place.
