Schaefer Creek

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping costs Single Site: $22 per night; additional vehicle $11 per night. Schaefer Creek is a National Forest campground near Leavenworth, Washington.

Closed First-come, first-served

National Forest · Leavenworth, Washington

A campsite with a picnic table and fire ring at Schaefer Creek Campground

The fee area information board at the campground

1 / 4

A campsite with a picnic table and fire ring at Schaefer Creek Campground. Photo: USDA Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)

Managed by: National Forest
Max RV length: 30 ft

Schaefer Creek sits inside Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Chiwawa River: The campground sits on the Chiwawa River, 21 miles from Lake Wenatchee, with river access from the campground. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by: National Forest
Reservations: None, first-come
Fee: Single Site: $22 per night; additional vehicle $11 per night

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Max RV length: 30 ft

✓ Toilets
✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Stay limit: 14 consecutive days in one location; 28 days per calendar year on the forest

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation: 2,500 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T: No coverage mapped
T-Mobile: No coverage mapped
Verizon: No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.4 mi away

Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

47.9744, -120.8017 in Chelan. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Current conditions

Closed Agency notice, as of 2026-09-29: Closed under the Little Giant Fire closure order (06-17-07-2026-40), in effect Sept. 3 to Oct. 31, 2026 unless rescinded sooner.

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Schaefer Creek?

No. Schaefer Creek is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.

How much does it cost to camp at Schaefer Creek?

Camping at Schaefer Creek costs Single Site: $22 per night; additional vehicle $11 per night.

Is there drinking water at Schaefer Creek?

No. Schaefer Creek has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.

When is Schaefer Creek open?

As of 2026-09-29: Closed under the Little Giant Fire closure order (06-17-07-2026-40), in effect Sept. 3 to Oct. 31, 2026 unless rescinded sooner.

How long can you stay at Schaefer Creek?

The stay limit at Schaefer Creek is 14 consecutive days in one location; 28 days per calendar year on the forest.

Is there cell service at Schaefer Creek?

Not at the campground on the FCC map, but Verizon shows 4G LTE about 0.4 mi away. The FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at Schaefer Creek itself, and nothing from AT&T or T-Mobile within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it.

Who manages Schaefer Creek?

Schaefer Creek is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Schaefer Creek

fishypedia.com · 11 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Fish Lake, whose mapped center point is 11 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Fish Lake fishing on fishypedia.com.

Hot springs nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

The nearest hot spring to Schaefer Creek, in a straight line: Scenic Hot Springs (hot spring, 25 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

First-come Rock Creek Leavenworth · National Forest First-come Riverbend Leavenworth · National Forest

First-come Atkinson Flat Leavenworth · National Forest First-come Finner Creek Leavenworth · National Forest

More campgrounds: camping near Leavenworth and campgrounds in Chelan.

Sources

apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-28
broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27
fs.usda.gov (elevationFt, maxRvLengthFt, fee, closure, notableFeature, photos), accessed 2026-09-29
epqs.nationalmap.gov (elevationFt), accessed 2026-09-29
fs.usda.gov (closure), accessed 2026-09-29
fs.usda.gov (stayLimit), accessed 2026-09-29

Photo credits

Photo 1: USDA Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
Photo 2: USDA Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
Photo 3: USDA Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
Photo 4: USDA Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)

First-come, first-served Single Site: $22 per night; additional vehicle $11 per night

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