Alta Lake State Park

Alta Lake must have been really beautiful before recent fires gobbled up many of the stately ponderosas surrounding the lake. Craggy rock formations line the far side of this medium-size lake near the town of Pateros.

It's got three distinct loops, each of which is VERY different from one another. If you want more shade, privacy and space, go for loop 1. Litle kiddos who want to swim and scream? Loop 2. Like to shade-lessly bake by yourself on a 90 degree July day? Loop 3 is for you!

Dings for the ridiculously complicated check-in and rate system that is typical of the Washington State Park system. It took us an hour to select and pay for a site on a day when half were still available. Also dings for site consistency. It's really a crap shoot if you reserve online.

I'd advise other campers to wait to pick out a site until you get here. Reserving ahead of time may get you an oddly cramped or fry-pan hot site, or one that's just plain disappointing.

Restrooms are large and have one shower each. There's a day use area with swimming beach. The lake is large enough that a float plane was able to practice take-offs and landings.

There's a snack concession by the lake, gravel pads and fire rings. But hold the flames, a burning ban is almost sure to be in effect.

Close enough to the action at Chelan for those who want a quieter camping experience...it's only a half hour away.

Very Good reception- 3 bars Verizon LTE.

Awesome camp ground. Heavily patrolled and safe. All restrooms and showers are extremely clean. Camp sites are generally flat and nicely groomed (pine needles and cones cleaned up) and tent pads raked and smooth. Love the area.

The sites are clean and good looking. For tent sites, parking and tent areas are separated by big rocks, both filled in with gravel that is raked flat by staff between camper visits.

There is little cover in many of the sites, but some are lucky enough to have some Pondarosa pines; ours had 2 that gave us a modicum of shade during the day.

Sites down by the water look very nice and have a lot more tree cover. We have an adventure trailer (13') which would not work there, though. Above them are RV spots. If I were to visit again, I'd choose the same site I had. It had a view of the lake, and was not very near other sites like some campgrounds can be.

Bathrooms are about the same as most state parks. They are older, but kept very clean.

The beach park is nice. A wide and lush lawn hosts picnics, and down the stairs to the sandy beach has access to the lake.

The hike up the mountain to the north is a nice one with amazing views. Find the trailhead at the group camp, just down the road a bit to the SW. It is about a mile long up (and then back) with ~751 foot elevation gain, with lots of switchbacks and varied terrain. The view from up top is well worth it.

Sites are not well separated. Views of burnout trees and a row of nearby McMansions are not appealing. Seems like a weekend family party place. Will not return as we prefer wilderness and solitude