Gorge Lake Campground
The Quick Take
Gorge Lake is the kind of campground that rewards those who pack smart and expect little hand-holding. With fewer than ten sites perched on the bank of its namesake lake, right where Stetattle Creek comes tumbling down, this is one of the most intimate spots you'll find in the North Cascades -- and one of the most primitive. There's no potable water, no flush toilets, and no camp store within earshot. What you do get is a lakefront setting that larger campgrounds like Newhalem or Colonial Creek can't match for sheer quiet. The year-round access is a genuine draw for shoulder-season explorers, though winter campers should know they're essentially on their own. Choose Gorge Lake if you want a small, no-frills base camp with water access and don't mind hauling in every drop you'll drink.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 8 sites are reservable.
Book at North Cascades LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
Accessible restrooms available. There are no wheelchair accessible campsites. Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Rules to Know
- Fires:Fires are only permitted in designated fire grates and must be attended at all times.
- Generators:Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am.
- Bear Safety:Do not feed or tease wildlife - keep your food and other appealing items in your vehicle or bear box at all times except when eating or using them.
- Checkout:Checkout time is 12 pm on day of departure.
- Occupancy:Maximum of two vehicles, eight people and three tents per site.
- Stay Limit:Camping is limited to no more than 14 days from July 1 to September 1 and no more than 30 days in a calendar year.
Pro Tips
Summer reservations open six months out, and with only a handful of sites, these fill fast -- set a calendar reminder and book the moment your dates become available. During winter, it flips to first-come, first-served, so arriving midweek gives you the best odds.
The boat launch on Gorge Lake is steps away, making this the best campground in the park for paddlers who want to get on the water without a portage. Bring a canoe or kayak and you'll have the turquoise glacial lake practically to yourself on weekday mornings.
Pack in all your water -- at least a gallon per person per day -- and bring a reliable water filter as backup since the creek is right there but the lake water is glacially silty. Food lockers are provided, so you won't need to hang a bear bag, but firewood collecting is banned, so buy bundles in Marblemount before you make the drive.
Photos
NPS/S. BrennanGetting There
Directions
Located just outside the town of Diablo, north of SR 20 at mile post 126. Twenty miles (32 km) east of Marblemount, 67 miles (108 km) west of Winthrop.
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