Gorge Lake Campground - North Cascades National Park

Gorge Lake Campground is located in the North Cascades National Park Complex in Washington State, right off State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway).

Gorge Lake Campground - North Cascades National Park

Gorge Lake Campground is a primitive campground with eight campsites with incredible views of Gorge Lake and the North Cascades Highway. Usually, I do not like staying at a campground near a busy roadway simply because of the road noise, but the sound of Stetattle Creek drowns out all of the road noise and feels miles away from anyone.

Campers will love the easy access to many of the park's highlights. Nearby recreation opportunities and attractions include the North Cascades Visitor Center, including a park film and interpretative displays, surrounding trails like Thunder Creek Trail, Cascade Pass, and Thunder Knob Trail, which is a 3.6-mile trail with epic views and crosses several forest types in the area!

The campground has an accessible boat launch with a small dock but is not recommended for large powerboats. Instead, bring canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and small power boats and enjoy George Lake! Fishing is allowed in Gorge Lake, just make sure to have a current Washington State Fishing License. If you need a fishing license, you can get one in the town of Marblemount, Wa.

There are also several interpretive way sides along the North Cascades Highway including Diablo Lake Overlook and views of the Ross Dam.

Nearby Colonial Creek Campground is located on the shores of Diablo Lake. If you have the chance, go canoeing or kayaking! Its water is a bit, okay, way too cold for me to go swimming, but the glacial runoff makes for an unforgettable trip as you paddle on this turquoise lake! The Ross Lake Overlook is also a must as both lakes are absolutely breathtaking and will be, without a doubt, a place you will show photos of to all of your friends.

Colonial Creek also has a trailer dump, boat launch, fishing pier, fish cleaning station, amphitheater, and parking for two hiking trails: Thunder Creek Trail and Thunder Woods Nature Trail.

• Make sure to check the National Park Service Website for any alerts of wildfires, fire restrictions, road closures, and if any campfire bans are in effect before making reservations and before you visit North Cascades National Park. This park has a high-elevation mountain pass, snowy winter conditions in the winter and the potential for extreme wildfires in the summer.

 

North Cascades National Park Entrance Fee

North Cascades does not require an entrance fee and is a fee-free park. Camping fees still apply.

If you are planning a National Park vacation including all of Washington's National Parks, perhaps you may wish to purchase an annual National Park Pass called the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass which also covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Gorge Lake Campground Map

 

Gorge Lake Campground Camping Fees

Campsite Cost:

Nightly Rate/Fee - $20/night

Gorge Lake Group Sites -  Gorge Lake Campground does not have Group Sites available

Gorge Lake Campground Reservations

Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes

Phone Number? 1-877-444-6777

Online? www.recreation.gov

How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Reserve sites 3-180 days in advance

 

Campground Information

Season: Gorge Lake Campground is open year-round. Reservations are accepted for the summer season from late May to mid-September. The campground becomes first come, first serve primitive camp in the winter and does not have and water or trash service.

Number of Sites: 8 sites

Location in the park: Located just outside the town of Diablo, north of SR 20 at mile post 126. 20 miles (32 km) east of Marblemount, 67 miles (108 km) west of Winthrop.

Latitude/Longitude:

Campground Elevation: 900 feet

Accessible Sites: Campsite 8 is designated as an accessible site.

Gorge Lake Campground Amenities

Bathroom Available: There are no flush restrooms available at Gorge Lake Campground, only Vault toilets are available.

Hot Showers: No

Laundry: No

Is there WIFI available? No

Is there Cellular Phone Service Available? No

Campground Host on site: No

Firewood: You will need to bring your own firewood to the campground. The nearest store is in Newhalem.

Is there a food storage locker/Bear Box in the campsite/area? 

Be aware of your surroundings as there is Black Bears and they are active in the North Cascades. Make sure to store all of your coolers, cookware, and place any other odorants inside the provided bear boxes/food locker provided on-site when not in use.

Also, inform park/campground staff if you encounter a bear and fill out a bear report.

Dump Station: No, Dump Stations are available at Newhalem Campground and Colonial Creek Campground.

Payphone: No

Amenities at each campsite:

Is there a Fire pit/fire ring available at each site? Yes

Is there a Picnic Table available at each site? Yes

Potable Water? No, You will need to bring your own water

 

RV Camping at Gorge Lake Campground

This campground is set on a steep bank that overlooks George Lake. Campsites are small and don't accommodate large RVs or trailers.

RV Length: Most sites have a maximum length of 25 feet. Site 7 has a maximum length of 76 feet

Generators:  8 am to 8 pm

Hook-Ups: There are no hook-ups within the campground

How to get to Campground

Located just outside the town of Diablo, north of SR 20 at milepost 126. 20 miles (32 km) east of Marblemount, 67 miles (108 km) west of Winthrop.

Campground Regulations

The maximum number of people in a campsite: 8 people, 3 tents and 2 vehicles limit per campsite.

The number of cars per campsite: 2

Checkout time: 12 pm

Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am

Pets Allowed:

Pets must be on a maximum 6-foot leash in the campground.

Pick up waste after your pet and put it in a receptacle.

Do not leave pets unattended.

Pets are not allowed on trails in North Cascades National Park.

Pets are allowed on trails Pets are allowed on trails in Ross Lake National Recreation Area and the PCT.

Gorge Lake Group Camps

Lower Group sites maximum 50 people, 25 vehicles per site.
Upper Group maximum 30 people, 10 vehicles per site.

Group campsite Check-out time is noon.

Don't forget to Pack

Insect Repellent

Camp Chairs

Camping Water Jug

Camping Games

Lodging Options

Lodging options outside the park from both the West and East sides of the park

From the West end of the park in Concrete, WA.

Mt. Baker Hotel—This is a 2.5-star, 8-room hotel with Air Conditioning, free parking, and free Wi-Fi. There is no elevator, some rooms are upstairs, and no pets are allowed.

 

On the east side of the Park

Park Ranger John Pro Tip:

Mist visitors traveling from the east end up spending some time in both Winthrop and Twisp. Both towns are a destination in themselves and most people wish they had allotted more time to explore these small western towns! It is here where you will find the town general store, gift store, restaurants, bakeries, and gift shops for everything.

Some of the highlights include the Old Schoolhouse Brewery in Winthrop and Blue Star Coffee Roasters in Twisp!

Sun Mountain Lodge is a popular hotel in the Winthrop area. It has a 4.5/5 star rating and breathtaking views of the North Cascades and the Methow Valley. The hotel includes free parking, free internet, a pool and fitness center, bicycle rentals, and more!

For a fun adventure, check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando.

Additional information on North Cascades National Park

Complete Guide to North Cascades National Park - Your complete guide to planning your trip to North Cascades.

Where to go car camping in North Cascades National Park—This is your complete camping guide for North Cascades National Park, including reservation information and more!

Gorge Lake Campground - This is your complete campground guide, including photos of the campground, site amenities, reservation information, and more!

Colonial Creek Campground - This is your complete campground guide, including photos of the campground, site amenities, reservation information, and more!

Newhalem Creek Campground - This is your complete campground guide for Newhalem Campground, including photos of the campground, site amenities, reservation information, and more!

National Park Sites near North Cascades National Park

San Juan Island National Historic Site

Minidoka National Historic Site (Washington and Idaho) 

Olympic National Park

Mount Rainier National Park

Make sure to check out all of Washington's National Parks, Oregon National Parks, and Idaho National Parks.