Newhalem Creek Campground
The Quick Take
Newhalem Creek is the gateway campground to North Cascades, and it earns that role honestly. Tucked into old-growth forest along the Skagit River, it manages a neat trick: you're a short walk from the visitor center, a general store, and the tiny company town of Newhalem, yet your campsite feels buried in serious wilderness. The trade-off is real -- no showers, no hookups, no flush toilets -- but the price is right and the location is unbeatable for exploring the Ross Lake and Diablo Lake corridor. With over a hundred sites spread through heavy tree cover, privacy is surprisingly good even when the campground fills. This is the pick for anyone who wants a comfortable base camp without driving an hour of gravel road to reach a trailhead.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 107 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
2 ADA-accessible campsites. Accessible restrooms available. There are 2 wheelchair accessible campsites available near restrooms. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
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:Individual sites: 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
Sites along the outer loops (60s and 90s) back up against old-growth forest and tend to be more spacious and private. The inner loop sites are fine but closer together -- worth being picky during reservation if you value elbow room.
The Sterling Munro Trail starts right at the visitor center, a five-minute walk from camp. It's a short boardwalk to a jaw-dropping overlook of the Picket Range -- perfect for that first evening when you arrive too late to hit a real trail.
Firewood collecting is banned here, and there's no camp store selling bundles. Buy firewood in Marblemount on your way in -- the last reliable stop is about fourteen miles west. Miss it and you're eating cold dinners.
Photos
NPS/Michael FrickeGetting There
Directions
Located south of SR 20 at mile post 120. Fourteen miles (23 km) east of Marblemount, 73 miles (117 km) west of Winthrop just west of the town of Newhalem.
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