Alta Lake State Park is a land of fire and water. Tucked into the hills between Winthrop and Lake Chelan, Alta Lake has long been a hub for anglers, water sports enthusiasts and families that love to camp. When the Carlton Complex fire swept through the region in 2014, it damaged parts of the park and left a landscape of twisted black trees and scarred earth. But the Alta Lake story is one of recovery, replanting and restoration. Trees and shrubs have begun to grow back, and campers again pitch their tents and bring their RVs to the campsites above the lake. Boaters take off for far corners, many with fishing poles. Children's laughter can be heard on the shore. Summer at Alta Lake is a tradition for many families. As the park evolves, it continues to offer a social lakeside experience, and now it provides something new: a chance to witness the power of nature and its amazing resilience.
PARK FEATURES
Alta Lake State Park is a 174-acre camping park where mountainous pine forests meet the desert. The lake is about 2 miles long and a half-mile wide and offers good trout fishing, conditional water skiing, and windsurfing during summer months. Lake Chelan, with its many activities, is 30 minutes away.
ADA AMENITIES/FACILITIES
Campground
Restroom
PICNIC AND DAY-USE FACILITIES
The park provides one kitchen shelter without electricity, two sheltered picnic tables, and 18 unsheltered picnic tables. All day-use facilities are first come, first served.
ACTIVITIES
TRAILS
2 miles of hiking trails
WATER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Boating
60-foot dock
Fishing (freshwater)
Paddleboarding
Personal watercraft use
Swimming
Waterskiing
Windsurfing
OTHER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Bird watching
Golfing
Wildlife viewing
BOATING FEATURES
Located in Okanogan County, Alta Lake has two watercraft launches with 60 feet of dock space. Waterskiing and personal watercraft use on the lake is restricted to the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Okanogan County Safety Ordinance).
Launching a boat at a state park requires one of the following:
An annual launch permit (Natural Investment Permit); or
An annual Discover Pass and a daily launch permit; or
A one-day Discover Pass and a daily launch permit.
CAMPSITE INFORMATION
The park has 93 standard campsites, 32 full-hookup sites, trailer dump, four restrooms (one ADA), and 12 showers. The park also has one ADA hookup campsite and one ADA standard campsite reservable by qualified individuals. Maximum site length is 38 feet (limited availability). Camping is only available April 1 - Oct. 31 and reservations only April 15 - Sept. 15.
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time is 1 p.m.