Purple Point Campground, Washington

The tent-only campground of Purple Point on the shores of Lake Chelan in Washington’s North Cascades is an ideal place to spend a night or two. The campground sits just upslope of the lake’s shore, giving you access to spots to swim, or just to take in the outstanding mountain scenery. And fresh breezes off the lake cool down otherwise hot summer days.

The campground is located in Stehekin, a small community at the remote northern end of Lake Chelan. The community isn’t accessible by road, so everyone who ventures here must take a boat, plane or hiking trial. It’s one of the most removed and unique places one can visit in North America today.

The campground’s tent sites are scattered on a hillside and set amid mature trees, so it’s easy to feel as though you have a decent amount of privacy despite camping in a tent. Bathrooms are centrally located and are kept clean. There are coin-operated showers a short distance away.

It’s an easy stroll into the “downtown” area of Stehekin, with its convenience store and restaurant, as well as ferry dock and shuttle to the area’s other attractions, like the bakery and nearby hiking trails. Purple Point’s six campsites are popular, and luckily there are several others to consider should you find this one to be full.