Harlequin Campground

Overview

Campgrounds in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area are walk-in sites located in the Stehekin Valley. Harlequin Camp is located along the Stehekin River, 4.5 miles up the Stehekin Valley Road from Stehekin Landing and approximately 6.5 miles from High Bridge. 

Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane. There is some shared parking at the campground for a limited number of vehicles but all sites are considered walk-in.

Recreation

Visitors can access several trails from the campground area, such as the Stehekin River Trail, Company Creek Trail, and Rainbow Loop. Many of these trails also lead to other backcountry trails and the opportunity for longer wilderness backpacks. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry.  

Other trails along the Stehekin Valley Road can be reached by foot, bike, or shuttle bus. Visitors can boat, fish, and swim (although the water is a chilly 45 degrees) in Lake Chelan or the Stehekin River. Bears do inhabit the area, so care should be taken when hiking, picnicking, or camping.

Facilities

Harlequin has pit toilets and garbage containers, though all trash must be eventually barged downlake and visitors are encouraged to pack out everything they pack in. The campground has no running water; plan on boiling or filtering water from the Stehekin River or bringing what you need. Each campsite offers a picnic table and fires are allowed in designated fire pits. Most sites are large, with space to arrange multiple tents (no specific tent pads).

There are no roads or car access into Stehekin. Accessible by foot, boat or plane only. Visitors may take a passenger ferry or their own boat, which may be parked at the public docks in Stehekin with the purchase of a federal dock permit. (4.5 miles from Harlequin).

At the Stehekin Landing area, the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin has a small store with very limited groceries and a restaurant. Public showers and laundry facilities are located near the Landing, but not in the campground.  

Contact Info

Nearby Attractions

Stehekin is a gateway into the east side of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Many short to multi-day backpacking trips begin in the Stehekin area. Other attractions in the area are the historic Buckner Orchard, where visitors can pick apples in the fall, and Rainbow Falls, a 312-foot waterfall near the Stehekin Valley Road. 

There are no roads that connect Stehekin to the rest of Washington. Access is via foot, boat, or plane. Head north on Stehekin Valley Road from the Landing approximately 4.5 miles and turn left at the large Harlequin Bridge. The campground is the first left after crossing the river.