Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park: Lake Chelan’s Premier Marina and Mountain Base Camp

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park serves as Lake Chelan’s gateway to the North Cascades, offering a modern marina and forested camping experience along the lake’s pristine western shore. This 235-acre park combines excellent boating access with rugged creek-side camping, creating the perfect base camp for exploring both Lake Chelan’s upper reaches and the spectacular hiking opportunities of the surrounding North Cascade wilderness.

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park Fast Facts

Park Overview

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park nestles in spectacular scenery on the forested north shore of Lake Chelan, 18 miles northwest of the city of Chelan. Originally developed as a private resort, the park came into state ownership in 1972 and transitioned to full state operation in 1988. The park’s strategic location provides excellent access to Lake Chelan’s upper reaches while serving as an ideal launching point for North Cascades adventures including day hikes to Pot Peak, Stormy Mountain, and Devil’s Backbone.

The park features rugged, old-style tent campsites scattered along the shaded rocky shores of Twenty-five Mile Creek, with RV sites positioned upland from the creek. A protected wading area offers family-friendly lake access, while the modern marina provides moorage and fuel services for boats exploring Lake Chelan’s remote northern waters, including access to the passenger ferry service to Stehekin.

Activities & Recreation

Facilities & Amenities

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park offers comprehensive facilities centered around its modern marina operations. The 25-Mile Creek Park Store operates daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 9 AM to 7 PM, providing food, snacks, beverages, ice, firewood, camping and fishing gear, plus beer and locally produced wine. The adjacent fuel dock serves as the last gas station until Stehekin, making it essential for boats heading to Lake Chelan’s remote upper waters.

Park amenities include modern restrooms with hot showers, unsheltered picnic tables available first-come first-served, recycling facilities, and trailer dump stations. The marina features two boat ramps generally usable from mid-June through December, with 20 moorage slips for boats up to 23 feet long, typically reservable from July through mid-September depending on water levels.

Camping & Accommodations

The park provides 67 campsites total, including 46 standard sites and 21 hookup sites with maximum utility length of 30 feet. Thirteen RV sites offer full utility service with water, electrical and sewer connections, while eight provide water and electricity only. A small group camp accommodates up to 50 guests in a grassy area separate from the main campground, with fees varying according to group size.

Additionally, Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park offers a unique 2,400-square-foot vacation house built in 2009, located one mile outside the park with stunning Lake Chelan views and mountain vistas in all directions. The fully furnished house accommodates seven guests with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and includes free marina slip usage. Reservations can be made up to nine months in advance, with smoking and pets prohibited.

Planning Your Visit

A Discover Pass is required for day visits, with annual passes available for $45 and daily passes for $10. Marina operations are highly dependent on Lake Chelan water levels, with moorage slips potentially available for rent prior to July based on conditions. Visitors should check the Chelan County Public Utility District website for current lake level information affecting marina accessibility.

The boat launch operates generally from mid-June through December, while marina slips are typically reservable from July through mid-September. Annual moorage permits can be purchased at State Parks headquarters, regional offices, online, or at the park when staff is available. The park is located 18 miles from the city of Chelan, which offers additional amenities, entertainment, and the passenger ferry service to Stehekin.

Nearby Destinations

Twenty-Five Mile Creek sits on the quieter north shore of Lake Chelan. If you’re exploring the area, check out Lake Chelan State Park for more waterfront camping, or catch the Lady of the Lake ferry to Stehekin for a true backcountry adventure.”

What to Bring & Know

• Current lake level information from Chelan County PUD before planning marina activities
• Mountain biking and hiking gear for North Cascades trail access including Pot Peak and Stormy Mountain
• Boat fuel needs, as this is the last fuel stop before Stehekin
• Advance reservations for peak summer camping and marina slip rental
• Swimming gear for the protected wading area, though no lifeguards are provided.

Final Word

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park combines the best of Lake Chelan’s boating opportunities with North Cascades wilderness access, making it the perfect base camp for adventurers seeking both water recreation and mountain exploration.