Camping in Leavenworth, Washington
A complete guide to camping in Leavenworth
Photo Credit: Bell C
Overview
Leavenworth sits at 1,165 feet in a narrow valley along the Wenatchee River on the dry eastern slope of the Cascades. The town rebuilt itself as a Bavarian-themed village in the 1960s, and the alpine architecture now draws year-round visitors to a setting that genuinely resembles the European Alps, with granite peaks rising above the valley on three sides. The Icicle Creek corridor south of town provides the primary camping access into the surrounding Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Icicle River RV Park sits along Icicle Creek closest to town with full-hookup sites. Alpine RV Park and Campground provides another in-town option. Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday offers the resort campground experience with pool and organized activities. Eightmile Campground up the Icicle Creek road is a Forest Service campground in pine forest along the creek, providing a more natural setting.
Lake Wenatchee State Park (25 minutes north) is the largest public campground in the area with sites on both the north and south shores of a glacial lake fed by the White River from Glacier Peak wilderness. Lake Wenatchee RV Resort nearby adds a private option. Soda Springs Campground along the Little Wenatchee River extends the camping corridor deeper into the forest. The Enchantments wilderness area above Leavenworth holds some of the most competitive backcountry permits in the country.
Weather & Best Seasons
Best months: June through September
Leavenworth's east-side Cascade location delivers drier, sunnier summers than the western side of the mountains. July highs reach the mid-80s in the valley with cool nights in the 50s. The Icicle Creek corridor runs cooler than town. Fall brings golden larch in the Enchantments and surrounding peaks through October. Winter transforms the town into a snow-covered Bavarian village with cross-country skiing and the famous Christmas lighting festival. Lake Wenatchee freezes. Spring snowmelt limits mountain access through May.
