 | | Lake Wentachee State Park is a 489-acre camping park with 12,623 feet of waterfront on glacier-fed Lake Wentachee and the Wentachee River. The park is bisected by the Wentachee River, creating two distinct areas -- South Park, with areas for camping, swimming and horseback riding; and North Park, in a less developed, forested section, a quarter-mile walk from the lake. The park is a natural wildlife area, and visitors should be aware of the presence of bears and other natural dangers. Windsurfing is also popular. As the park is in bear country, coolers must be stowed. The area receives an average of 150 inches of snow during the winter months and offers groomed sledding hills and more than 25 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, as well as marked showshoe trails and winter camping. Privately operated concessions in the park are a Camp Store selling groceries, firewood and other supplies, guided horseback rides on park and adjacent U.S. Forest Service land and a food and beverage concession. Water sports in the park include boating, canoeing, fishing, swimming, water-skiing and windsurfing. Other activities include hiking and picnicking, in the wintertime, cross-country skiing and sledding. During their annual migration long ago, Native American tribes stopped at Lake Wentachee for a feast of clams and salmon before heading west to trade with coastal tribes. Nason Creek, called Umptanum Creek by Native Americans, is adjacent to the park. This was the location where Nason bragged that he and another Native American had killed two white men. This event was one of the noted causes of the Yakima Indian War. |
| |  | | | Facilities: Lake Wentachee State Park provides restrooms and campsites. Reservations: Reservations are accepted for Lake Wentachee State Park. Best Time To Visit: Lake Wentachee State Park is open during the summer from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Winter hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sno-Park permit required. The park is open year round for camping and day use. Fees: Campsite fees are charged. Accessibility: Handicap accessibility is provided. Rules: For day use, the park requires an annual permit. Check-in time is at 2:30 p.m. Check-out time is 1 p.m. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Directions: To reach Lake Wentachee State Park from Wentachee start out going northwest on S Columbia St toward E Orondo Ave. for 0.1 miles. Turn left onto Orondo Ave. for 0.1 miles. Turn right onto WA-285 N. Continue to follow WA-285 N. for 1.4 miles. Turn slight left onto WA-285 N. Continue to follow N Wentachee Ave. for 2.2 miles. Turn slight left onto US-2 W. Continue to follow US-2 W for 33.8 miles. Turn right onto WA-207 for 4.8 miles. Warning: There are .26 miles between your ending location and the end of your driving directions. Use maps to get from your ending location to the end of your route. End at Lake Wentachee State Park. | | |
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| | | | Address | | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission | | 7150 Cleanwater Lane | | P.O. Box 42650 | | Olympia, Washington 98504 |
| | | Phone | | General: (360) 902-8844 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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