Gorge Lake Campground

North Cascades National Park

Gorge Lake Campground is a small, primitive campground with 8 sites. The campground is set on a steep bank overlooking Gorge Lake. The sites are small and do not accommodate large RVs or trailers. There is an accessible boat ramp at the lower end of the campground.  

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. 

Notifications and Alerts

• Gorge Lake Campground remains closed until further notice due to debris flow and flooding hazards following the 2023 Sourdough Fire. 

Need to Know

• This campground is located within a hydroelectric project. A warning system is in place to notify campers of high water. See entrance area for specific information upon arrival.

• Wildlife frequents the area. All food must be stored in animal-resistant food lockers or hard-sided vehicles until use.

• No potable water. Water is available at Colonial Creek and Newhalem Creek Campgrounds, east and west along State Route 20 .

• Firewood, ice, gas, and other services are not available in the park complex. The nearest services are in the town of Marblemount, WA

• Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more. 

• Campground reservations are accepted during the specified season dates. Campgrounds may be open before or after the reservation season on a walk-up basis. For more information on camping in the North Cascades visit, www.nps.gov/noca.

• Campsite occupancy is limited to eight people, three tents, and two vehicles per site.

• No Show Policy: If you do not arrive at a campground or cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date, your reservation will be cancelled. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. On-site personnel may not be able to assist with reservations or cancellations. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to use it to makes space available for others.

• Refund Policy 

  Customers may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Customers may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended.

  Fees: Applicable fees, such as reservation fees, service/cancellation fees, lottery application fees, and change fees, are non-refundable.

  Debit or Credit Card Purchases: Refunds for debit or credit card payments made after October 1, 2018 will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. In the event that a customer has cancelled this card, they will need to contact their card company to have the funds released. We cannot issue refunds to any card other than the one used to pay. If a customer paid with a debit or credit card prior to October 1, 2018 their refund will be issued in the form of a Treasury check.

  Check or Cash Purchases: Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. You may update the address at the time you request the refund. It may take up to 6-8 weeks for the Treasury check to arrive. Please make sure your address is up to date in your customer profile.

  Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within your Recreation.gov customer profile.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.  

Recreation

The campground has an accessible boat launch and small dock. This boat launch is not recommended for large powerboats. 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. 

Contact Information

GORGE LAKE CAMPGROUND C/O NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE COMPLEX 810 STATE ROUTE 20 SEDRO-WOOLLEY WASHINGTON 98284

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 360-854-7200

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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.

Available Campsites

• Site 6, Loop Gorge Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 8, Loop Gorge Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 2, Loop Gorge Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 7, Loop Gorge Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 4, Loop Gorge Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 1, Loop Gorge Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 3, Loop Gorge Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 5, Loop Gorge Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric

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