Colonial Creek South Campground
48.6870, -121.0940 · Park boundary: National Park Service
Colonial Creek South Campground is a remote, yet busy campground nestled in old growth forest on the south side of State Route 20 near mile marker 130.Ten walk-in, tent-only sites are available first-come, first-served in the winter (sites 64-73). Sites may be difficult to access in winter. Reservations required late May to September. Recreational opportunities include a fully accessible fishing pier and boat launch on Diablo Lake, as well as hiking opportunities on Thunder Creek and Thunder Knob trails.
- Every day
- All Day
Most of the campground is open seasonally with reservations, usually late May to mid-September. Colonial Campground South campsites 64-73 are open during winter months with no water, services, or fees. Vault toilets available. Snow may be on the ground during winter months and sites may be difficult to access.
- Winter Colonial Creek South Campground · Sep 15, 2026 – May 20, 2027 · Closed
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Reservations can be made up to 6 months or 7 days in advance at www.recreation.gov or by phone at (877) 444-6777. Check out time is 12:00 pm on the day of departure.
Fee is per site per night; fees are paid through pay.gov at tinyurl.com/NOCACamping. Campsite occupancy limits include a maximum of 2 vehicles, 8 people, and 3 tents. Check out time is 12 pm on day of departure. Campsites are first-come, first-served once reservations end the first week of September until October when potable water and trash services are provided.
Ten sites #64 - #73 (walk-in, tent-only) remain open during winter season from October to late May with no water, services, or fees. Vault toilets are available. Please carry out all trash. Snow may be on ground during winter months.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Reservations are required during the peak season for all campgrounds from late May through early September of each year. Campsite reservations are released in two different booking windows of 6 months in advance or 7 days in advance. Campsites can be reserved online or over the phone. To reserve campsites over the phone, call recreation.gov at (877) 444-6777. For changes to reservations contact the park at 360-854-7301.
- Amphitheater
- Yes - seasonal
- Drinking water
- Yes - seasonal
- Dump station
- Yes - seasonal
- Food storage lockers
- Yes - year round
- Host on site
- Yes - seasonal
- Toilets
- Flush Toilets - seasonal · Vault Toilets - year round
- Trash & recycling
- Yes - seasonal
- Camp store
- No
- Cell reception
- No
- Firewood for sale
- No
- Ice for sale
- No
- Internet
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Showers
- None
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
- RVs
- Allowed · up to 36 ft
- Trailers
- Allowed · up to 36 ft
- Access roads
- Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
- Classification
- Developed Campground
There are three wheelchair accessible sites available in Colonial Creek North and South Campgrounds.
There are three ADA accessible sites available in Colonial Creek North and South Campgrounds.
Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firewood is available outside the park.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Located off of SR 20 at mile post 130. Twenty miles (40 km) east of Marblemount, 63 miles (101 km) west of Winthrop.
The best weather for visiting the North Cascades generally occurs between mid-June and late September. Summer daytime temperatures average in the 70s F. Snow is off most trails by mid-July. Autumn and Spring are popular for color and wildlife. Storms are common: always be prepared for a few days of rain and wind. The east side of the Cascade Mountains (Lake Chelan National Recreation Area) is drier and warmer in the summer than the west side. Summer temperatures at Stehekin reach the 90s F.
Campsites are considered occupied only when fee has been paid. Payment must be paid within 24 hours of leaving the campsite or reaching cell service. Sites may not be reserved for others. Maximum of two vehicles, eight people and three tents per site. Vehicles and tents must not be placed on or impact vegetation. Check-in time is 2 pm on day of arrival. Checkout time is 12 pm on day of departure. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. Generator hours are from 8 am to 8 pm. 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. 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. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or confined at all times. Fires are only permitted in designated fire grates and must be attended at all times. Firewood collecting is prohibited; please purchase firewood from a local vendor.
Colonial Creek Campground is located in old growth forest at the base of the impressively glaciated mountain and on the shore of Diablo Lake. Most sites are in thick forest, but some sites have views of the lake. The roads are paved. Campsites generally have a picnic table, bear box, and one or two flat tent pads.
Drive to Colonial Creek South Campground
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