Alta Lake State Park

Star4.25
8 reviews
Alta Lake State Park

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

Showers

Opens Washington State Parks site

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Alta Lake State Park
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.25

Satisfactory

Based on 8 reviews

27 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanshowerslakestaff

Some mention

noisecrowded

"Reviews are mostly positive: visitors praise the beautiful, family-friendly lake, boating/fishing access, clean restrooms and helpful park staff. Common negatives are weekend crowding, close/tight sites, insects/wasps, occasional smells in the water, and noisy neighbors."

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Best Time to Camp at Alta Lake State Park

Summer brings delightfully warm lake temperatures that make Alta Lake a swimmer's paradise. Be prepared for the park's signature afternoon winds, which sweep through with reliable consistency—tent campers especially will want to stake down securely and position their setup thoughtfully to stay comfortable throughout the day.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

    About Alta Lake State Park

    Nestled along the shores of its namesake lake, Alta Lake State Park beckons families with warm, swimmable waters and a welcoming sandy beach. Mountain vistas frame this lakeside retreat where well-kept lawns meet the water's edge, though campers should note that sites sit fairly close together and afternoon breezes are a regular companion.
    Campground offers waterside tent sites and organized loops including a group site; a mix of typical state-park car/tent sites is present.
    Weather and SeasonsSummer brings delightfully warm lake temperatures that make Alta Lake a swimmer's paradise. Be prepared for the park's signature afternoon winds, which sweep through with reliable consistency—tent campers especially will want to stake down securely and position their setup thoughtfully to stay comfortable throughout the day.
    Natural Features and SceneryAlta Lake takes center stage here, its inviting waters perfect for swimming and boating from the convenient launch. Beyond the shoreline, the park's day-use lawns provide plenty of space to spread out and soak in views that stretch across the Columbia River Valley to distant orchards and surrounding peaks. For those eager to explore, a challenging trail climbs steeply from the campground to reveal panoramic vistas of the lake cradled by mountains below. When you're ready to venture beyond the park, the nearby Alta Lake Golf Course and local wineries offer pleasant diversions.
    Geological RegionAlong the Columbia River in north-central Washington with lake, valley and mountain setting
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsitesnull campsites

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
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    Reserving a campsite

    Stay Limit
    • First-come sites available for one night only
    • no same-day reservations for reserved sites noted
    Tents
    Tents are allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are not allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are allowed

    Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (washington.goingtocamp.com)

    Accomodation available

    GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

    Amenities available

    Showers
    Picnic tables
    Flush toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    Alta Lake is focused on lake recreation (swimming, boating, fishing) with a short steep park trail for vistas; concessions offer kayak rentals and there's a boat launch for water access.
    Hiking
    Short, steep ~1-mile round-trip trail within the park with rocky, exposed sections and rewarding views of the lake, mountains, and valley.
    Fishing
    Fishing on Alta Lake is frequently mentioned as very good/fantastic.
    Swimming
    Designated swimming beach with warm water; popular and can be crowded on summer weekends.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are allowed
    • Quiet hours reported as strictly enforced by park staff and visitors.

    Hazards

    General hazardsThe short park trail is steep, rocky and exposed with little shade. Strong afternoon winds can create hazards for tents and unsecured gear; visitors recommend anchoring tents. Wasps/hornets have been reported by campers.

    Weather at Alta Lake State Park

    39
    °F
    Dec 14
    Sunday
    Foggy
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 88%
    Wind: 5.9 mph
    Foggy

    Weather History
    Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

    Detailed 7-Day Forecast
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    Reveal forecast

    Good to know

    Common complaintsCrowded on summer weekends and the swimming area can be very busy; campsites are close together with limited shade and privacy; wasps/hornets and occasional sulfur smell in the water reported; concessions described as overpriced; some noise from neighboring campers; occasional supply issues (toilet paper).

    Campground Map

    Alta Lake State Park

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    4.3
    8 reviews
    Satisfactory
    Satisfactory
    Alta Lake State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviews are mostly positive: visitors praise the beautiful, family-friendly lake, boating/fishing access, clean restrooms and helpful park staff. Common negatives are weekend crowding, close/tight sites, insects/wasps, occasional smells in the water, and noisy neighbors.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 8 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Beautiful lake for swimming, boating and fishing; boat launch and kayak rentals; reviewers repeatedly praise very clean, hot showers and friendly rangers/staff; family-friendly atmosphere.
    Based on 8 reviews

    Common Concerns

    Sites crowded and close together with little privacy or shade (due to past fire). Noise from barking dogs or peak weekend crowds. Not dog-friendly (beach ban, disturbances). Steep trail challenging...
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    Based on 8 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Book in advance for weekends and consider outer/rim sites for more privacy; anchor tents due to strong afternoon winds; bring your own toilet paper; expect coin-operated showers (quarters) and...
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    Based on 8 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "Quiet, Serene peaceful, beautiful lake."; "Very clean showers and great hot water."; "Crowded on weekends."; "Such a fun summer vacay... the wasps/hornets are absolutely relentless…concessions are...
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    Based on 8 reviews

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    Last updated December 14, 2025
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