Cottonwood Campground - Entiat Ranger District

Overview Cottonwood Campground is located 38 miles up Entiat River Road from Highway 97A on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Entiat Ranger District in central Washington's Entiat Valley, on the banks of the Entiat River at an elevation of 3,100 feet. There are 25 first come, first served campsites along the Entiat River. Vault toilets and garbage service are on site. Maximum trailer length of 25' is recommended. The road can be rough in spots and access difficult depending on the time of year and road conditions.

Recreation Guests at Cottonwood Campground will find that the surrounding area offers opportunities to hike, fish, mountain bike and enjoy a long list of outdoor recreational activities throughout the year. Anglers will enjoy casting a line into the Entiat River above Entiat Falls. The campground is located four miles above the falls. Carving through a wide, U-shaped valley, the river is dominated by relatively shallow riffles interspersed with pools, plunge pools and glides where the trout fishing is quite good. Populations of rainbow trout, Cutthroat trout, and Eastern brook trout are found in this tributary. Selective gear rules apply to fishing in the Entiat River. See Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for fishing rules and regulations.

Facilities There are 25 basic campsites that are first come, first served along the Entiat River. Vault toilets, garbage service, and water are available on site. Maximum trailer length 25 feet. 

Natural Features The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offers stunning scenic vistas, with high, glaciated alpine peaks, valleys of old growth forest and rugged shrub-steppe country making up the diverse landscape. Elevations range from below 1,000 feet to more than 9,000 feet. The surrounding forest provides excellent habitat for a wide range of wildlife. Visitors can expect many days of warm, sunny weather in the summer, and winters with clear skies and plenty of snow. Nestled in a young lodge pole pine and spruce forest, the area surrounding the campground is home to abundant wildlife, including mule deer, cougars, native fish, black bears, pine marten, moose, bald and golden eagles and a variety of woodpeckers and owls.

Nearby Attractions The Silver Falls National Recreation Trail is a 1.8 mile hike beneath towering cedar and pines, along Silver Creek to the base of Silver Falls. Along the way, hikers are treated to views of the 141-foot cascade, as well as the Entiat valley below, and the mountains above. Beautiful stone staircases and bridges along the trail offer many stopping points to take the perfect photograph.

At Entiat River Road mile marker 27.8 is Box Canyon. This geological formation is about 65 million years in the making and the chasm spans a run of about 500 feet and ranges from 75-150 ft. deep. Fish Tail Falls can be observed from the view point running over, under and through a pile of large boulders, cascading another 15 feet. At times you can see salmon in this pool.

At mile marker 32.2 on Entiat River Road is Entiat Falls. This broad 25 foot cascading natural waterfall makes quite a rejuvenating impression. Bring a picnic lunch or just stretch your legs and enjoy. Take precaution as river rocks can be very slick.

Cooper's Store and Cafe in Ardenvoir is approximately 28 miles down valley and is the nearest source of gasoline, groceries, miscellaneous camping supplies and telephone services.

From Wenatchee take State Route 97A north 17 miles along the west bank of the Columbia River. Turn left on to Entiat River Road (Chelan County Route 19). Continue on Entiat River Road (which becomes Forest Road 51) past the end of the pavement to mile post 38 where you will see Cottonwood Campground on the left. From Chelan travel south on US-97A (west side of Columbia River) for 19.3 miles to Entiat. Turn right on to Entiat River Road (Chelan County Road 19). Continue on Entiat River Road (which becomes Forest Road 51) past the end of the pavement to mile post 38 where you will see Cottonwood Campground on the left.