Gorge Lake Campground
Gorge Lake Campground requires reservations during the peak season, from late May through early September of each year. Important changes to booking windows: To better serve visitors, Gorge Lake Campground will release campsites in two staggered block releases. These block releases will be 6 months in advance and 7 days in advance. Campsites #1 and #2 are available for reservations 7 days in advance. Campsites #3 - #8 are available for reservations 6 months in advance. Any sites not reserved during the peak season are available same-day as first-come, first-served for 1 night only and can only be claimed in person at the campground.
More like this: reservable in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 8 |
Site guide
8 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / – | Yes | Standard | |
| 2 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / – | Yes | Standard | |
| 3 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / – | Yes | Standard | |
| 4 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / – | Yes | Standard | |
| 5 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / – | Yes | Standard | |
| 6 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / – | Yes | Standard | |
| 7 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / – | Yes | Standard | |
| 8 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / – | Yes | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 8 is listed accessible |
Primitive camp with no water or services. Bring water and pack out all trash. Vault toilets. Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firewood is available outside the park. Each campsite includes a picnic table, fire ring, and some sites have tent pads.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Located just outside the community of Diablo, north of SR 20 at mile post 126. 20 miles (32 km) east of Marblemount, 67 miles (108 km) west of Winthrop.
| Nearest town | Sedro-Woolley, Washington |
| Coordinates | 48.7157° N, 121.1515° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- This boat launch is not recommended for large powerboats.
Fire nearby
- WildfireSisi
29 mi from the campground · 4,743 acres · 34% contained
- WildfireLittle Giant
50 mi from the campground · 172,912 acres · 95% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Goat's Beard Mountain Supplies ↗ | 35.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Cottonwood RV Sales and Service ↗ | 48.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Gorge Lake Campground - North Cascades National Park, WA
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Stephen Mather Wilderness.
- inStephen Mather Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 638,173 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Diablo Hydroelectric Power PlantHistoric district · Newhalem · 0.9 mi
- Sourdough Mountain LookoutBuilding · Diablo · 2.7 mi
- Skagit River and Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric ProjectsHistoric district · Newhalem · 2.9 mi
Natural features
Gorge Lake Campground is a minimally forested campground with surrounding views of the Gorge Lake. At an elevation of 900’ this campground experiences bouts of powerful winds from the Fraser Valley Outflow.
Recreation
The campground has an accessible boat launch and small dock. Ideal for canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and small power boats. Practice boating safety while on the water. Fishing is allowed in Gorge Lake with a Washington State Fishing license. The nearest location to purchase a license is in the town of Marblemount, WA. Follow Washington State Fishing Regulations when recreating. Hiking and other recreation opportunities can be found across the park. Black bears are active in this campground and the surrounding trails. Be aware of your surroundings while hiking, picnicking, and camping. Use the provided bear boxes in your campsite to store coolers, cookware, and other odorants when not in use. If you encounter a bear around the campground or on a trail, inform campground staff or go to the North Cascades Visitor Center and fill out a bear report.
Nearby
Traveling west on State Route 20: The North Cascades Visitor Center is 7.5 miles (12 km) west on State Route 20 from Gorge Lake Campground, operating seasonally, typically from May to September. Campers can find the passport stamps, exhibits, park film, park store, and much more. Traveling east on State Route 20: Diablo Lake Overlook is 6.5 miles (10 km) east on State Route 20. There is ample day use parking and vault toilets. Ross Lake Overlook is 10 miles (16 km) east on State Route 20, this is a less developed vista point. There are two pull off areas with interpretive way sides and with views of the Ross Dam and the Ross Lake.
Guidebooks for North Cascades National Park and Washington
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Gorge Lake Campground?
Sites at Gorge Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Gorge Lake Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Gorge Lake Campground have?
8 sites, including 8 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Gorge Lake Campground?
Gorge Lake Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Gorge Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Gorge Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Gorge Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-26, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Gorge Lake Campground?
Site 8 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Gorge Lake Campground?
The campground has an accessible boat launch and small dock. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Gorge Lake Campground?
Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Traveling west on State Route 20: The North Cascades Visitor Center is 7.5 miles (12 km) west on State Route 20 from Gorge Lake Campground, operating seasonally, typically from May to September.
Source: Getting there
What if Gorge Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Colonial Creek North Campground (2.9 mi), Colonial Creek South Campground (3.1 mi, partly first-come), and Newhalem Creek Campground (5.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Gorge Lake Campground in?
Gorge Lake Campground is a North Cascades National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: North Cascades National Park