Go if
Summer weekenders who can arrive Thursday or Friday morning, download the Recreation.gov app before leaving cell range, and want a quieter base camp than the busier lowland spots closer to the Cascades.
Price
$15/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
$15/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Early Winters
48.1314, -103.2376
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Summer weekenders who can arrive Thursday or Friday morning, download the Recreation.gov app before leaving cell range, and want a quieter base camp than the busier lowland spots closer to the Cascades.
No cell service here is a real problem if you forget to download the Recreation.gov app ahead of time, and there's no reserving ahead, so holiday weekends are a gamble you might lose after a long drive.
Official information for Early Winters from the federal Recreation.gov facility record. View official page →
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
<p>From Winthrop, drive West on Highway 20 for 15 miles to Early Winters Campground. There are campsites on both the south side of the Highway 20 and on the north side of the Highway 20.</p>
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Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access and pleasant mountain weather — expect warm, dry days in the 70s–80s°F (20–30°C) with cool nights in the 40s–50s°F (4–12°C). Trails and roads are typically snow-free so hiking, day trips into the North Cascades, fishing, and simple car-camping are all at their peak. Sites are first-come/first-served and can fill on weekends, so arrive early to secure a choice spot; crowds are moderate compared with lower-elevation hotspots but increase on summer holidays. Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January, February
Overview: 'Best season: summer' with warm, dry days and reliable access during summer months.
This campground is first-come, first-served; visitors must physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. On-site payment may be available by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app and the Scan and Pay feature; visitors are advised to download the app prior to arrival.
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