Salmon La Sac

Show on map 509-852-1100 jveulman@goexplorus.com

30160 Salmon La Sac Rd
Ronald, WA 98940

Three Queens Fire Area Closure Reduced on the Cle Elum Ranger District

1/2

This closure prohibits entry or use of roads, recreation sites, campgrounds and trails on national forest system lands within a defined area within the Cle Elum Ranger Districts to ensure the safety of the public and firefighting resources during the Three Queens. View the attached updated closure order and map for location details. A portion of the closure has been lifted, it provides more access to the north end of Cle Elum Lake, and areas around the north end of Kachess Lake, and Keechelus Ridge areas to the east of I-90.

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Cle Elum, WA

Three Queens Fire Closure

Closure Order: 06-17-03-2026-45

Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This Order is effective October 1, 2026 and will remain in effect through October 31, 2026, unless rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITIONS:

Entering into or being upon National Forest System lands, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.53(e)].
Being on a National Forest System Trail, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.55(a)].
Being on a National Forest System Road as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.54(e)].
Use of vehicle off of National Forest System Roads as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.56].

CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION:

Area closure only applies to USFS lands, roads, and trails within.

The area, trail, and road closures are defined as follows:

The closure area begins in the northeast corner of Section 15 in T. 22 N. R. 12 E. It then follows the section line south to the southeast corner of Section 15, it then turns east on the north section line of Section 23 and 24 to where it intersects the Box Canyon Creek Road 4930 in T. 22 N R. 12 E, Section 24. It follows and includes FSR 4930 south to its junction with FSR 4948, Gale Creek Road in T. 22 N , R 13 E Sec. 32. It then turns east across the north edges of Sections 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 31 to where it intersects with French Cabin Creek Road FSR 4308 in T. 22 N. R. 14 E, Sec. 31. It follows FSR 4308 to the west edge of the Cle Elum River in T. 22 N. R 14 E. Sec.32. FSR 4308 is open. It follows the Cle Elum River north to where it intersects the Cooper River Road, FSR 4600 in T. 22 N. R. 14 E. Sec. 21 FSR 4600 is closed. It then follows and includes FSR 4600 north to where the road intersects the east section line of Section 17 in T. 22 N. R 14 E. It follows the east section line of Sections 17 and 8 to where it meets FSR 4316-111 in T. 22 N. R 14 E, Sec 8. It then follows FSR 4316-111 to the Salmon la Sac Trailhead and the
start of the Waptus River Trail #1310 in T. 22 N. R 14 E. Section 8. It follows the Waptus River Trail to its junction with the Trail Creek Trail in T. 23 N. R 12 E. Section 13. Waptus River Trail is open to the Trail Creek Trail junction. It follows the east edge of Sections 13, 12, 1 north to thenorth east corner of Section 1 in T. 23 N. R 12 E. It then turns west on the north edge of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, in T. 23 N. R 12 E, and continues on the north edge of Section 1 to its intersection with the Forest Boundary in T. 23 N. R 12 E. It then follows the Forest Boundary south to Section 23 in T. 23 N, R 11 E. It follows the section line south to its intersection with the Alaska Lake Trail 1314.1 in T. 23 N. R 11 E. Section 24. It then follows and includes the Alaska Lake trail to its intersection with the Wilderness Boundary in T. 23 N. R 11 E. Section 1. It follows the Wilderness Boundary south to the mid-point of the west edge of Section 12 in T. 23 N. R 11 E. It then heads east to the northeast corner of Section 15 in T. 22 N. R. 12 E Section 15 where it intersects the start point of the closure.

TRAILS CLOSED:

Little Kachess Trail 1312
Rachel Lake Trail 1313
Mineral Creek Trail 1331
Lake Lillian Trail 1332
Gold Creek Valley Trail 1314
Pete Lake Trail 1323
Thorp Creek Trail 1316
Knox Creek Trail 1315.1
Little Joe Lake Trail 1330.1
Kachess Ridge Trail 1315 -North of the Knox Creek Trail
Red Mountain Trail 1330
Alaska Lake Trail 1314.1
Cooper River Trail 1327
Pacific Crest Trail #2000 – Ridge Lake to Spinola Creek Trail #1365
Escondido Lake Trail 1320
Tired Creek Trail 1317
Waptus Pass Trail 1329
Lemah Meadows 1323.2
Waptus Burn Trail 1329.3
Polallie Ridge Trail 1309
Spade Lake Trail 1337
Dutch Miller Gap Trail 1362
Spectacle Lake 1306

ROADS CLOSED:

4309
4312
4600
4613
4616
4616-114
4617
4930

DEVELOPED SITES CLOSED:

Owhi Campground
Owhi Boat Launch
Mineral Creek Trailhead
Rachel Lake Trailhead
Pete Lake Trailhead

See Exhibit A for closure map.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS‑7700‑48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. (16 USC § 551; 18 USC §§ 3551, 3571, and 3581.)

Executed in Wenatchee, Washington this 5th day of October, 2026.

Overview

Salmon La Sac Campground is bordered by the Cle Elum and Cooper Rivers in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This campground is a popular gathering place for individuals and families wanting to enjoy the mountains and a multitude of recreational activities at an elevation of 2,300 feet.

Recreation

In addition to being a prime location for hiking, fishing, swimming, horseback riding and mountain biking in summer and early fall, the area offers excellent cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months. Snowmobiles are not allowed in the campground.

Salmon la Sac is closed to camping October through April. Nearby Salmon la Sac Sno-Park offiers access to groomed ski trails through the campground December through March.

Salmon la Sac Campground is also popular among anglers, with rainbow and cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon available in abundance.

Hikers will enjoy traversing rugged terrain from the Waptus River Trail, located within walking distance of the campground. Forested and lined with an underbrush of blueberries, hikers reach Hour Creek after strolling 3 miles. Take your lunch next to this clear mountain stream and return to camp or continue another 6 miles along the Waptus River to stunning views of Waptus Lake and craggy peaks of Summit Chief Mountain.

Facilities

Salmon la Sac Campground offers drinking water, trash collection and vault toilets. There are 67 sites for both tent and RV camping, 40 of these are reservable.

Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills.

Natural Features

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offers stunning scenic views, 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 over 9,000 feet. Visitors to the area can expect many days of warm, sunny weather in the summer, and winters with clear skies and plenty of snow. The surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams and diverse forests support an abundance of wildlife, including deer, porcupine, native fish and migratory birds.

Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (661) 702-1420 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

The spectacular Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is accessible near the campground. The PCT is one of the world's premier National Scenic Trails, showcasing some of North America's most fantastic scenery as it winds its way its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations

Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.

A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite.

Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

No-Shows

A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.

No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.

Refunds

Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended.

Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.

For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.

In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

Camp site features

Across 67 camp sites:

Picnic table: all 67 sites
Pets allowed: all 67 sites
ADA accessible: 11 of 67 sites
Longest RV: 127 ft
Largest party: 12 people
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Fees

Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00

Directions

From Seattle, take I-90 east for nearly 80 miles. Take exit 80 toward Salmon La Sac and turn left on Bullfrog Road. Continue to the 2nd traffic circle and take the second exit onto WA-903 north. Continue onto Salmon La Sac road. The campground is on the left, just past Cayuse Campground. From Cle Elum, travel north on Highway 903 / Salmon la Sac Road for 19 miles. Stay left on Salmon La Sac road to the campground. The campground is on the left, just past Cayuse Campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

197 reviews

5 stars

108

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Hilary D

Loop:Sacs

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

This campsite is the best one I've used. Space for your chairs on the river bank. Deer in the morning, drinking water. Perfect amount of shade and sun. I love #39.

Steve L

Loop:Sacs

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Loved the place, been a lifelong camper and never before had a problem with bears. FYI.....THEY DO EXIST!!!!

Brien M

Loop:Sacs

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

This is a great area and a great campsite. The spaces are huge and widely spaced out. Tons of space to play and plenty of access points into the river. Nearby hikes are gorgeous, great place for bike rides. This is a top-notch place to go camping. The downside comes from the big sites. A lot of sites you will notice have 4,5,6 tents in them and 4 or 5 cars. This makes the place pretty crowded. Also, a lot of people have brought trailers and they run the generators from morning to night. Personally, I don't go camping to wake up to what sounds like lawn mowers. People are not courteous about their generator usage, often running long extension cords to get the generator away from their car- but closer to their neighbors! There is a lot of dispersed camping in the area if you would like more privacy, but those are often along the road which can be a little busy during the day.

Carl M

Loop:Sacs

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Love Salmon La Sac; esp the spots by the Cooper river.

Corey K

Loop:Sacs

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Well taken care of

Patricia N

Loop:Sacs

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Beautiful campsite. Spacious, campers respectful. Facilities well-maintained. Staff helpful and courteous. Could use some maps on kiosks, including identifying water sites. Can’t wait to come back.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve