Alta Lake State Park, a Washington State Park

ALTA LAKE STATE PARK

ALTA LAKE STATE PARK
1B Otto Road
Pateros, Washington 98846

(lat:48.0283 lon:-119.9377)

Phone: 509-923-2473
Reservations: 888-226-2473

Alta Lake State Park is a 181-acre camping park where the mountainous pine forests meet the desert. Alta Lake is about two miles long and a half mile wide. The park offers good trout fishing during summer months. Lake Chelan, with its many activities, is 30 minutes away.

Nature of the Area

The mountainous terrain that surrounds Alta Lake was formed by glaciation. The native rock is primarily igneous.

History of the Area

The Alta Lake area was given to State Parks by the city of Pateros and was established "Alta Lake State Park" in 1951. The lake was named "Alta" in 1900 by Mr. Heinz, a jeweler from Wilbur, who was mining in the area. Finding the lake without a name, he called it after his daughter, Alta Heinz

Passes

A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW

GeneralLand, acres174

Day-UseHiking Trail, miles2

Picnickingyes

Picnic Shelters, #2

BoatingBoat Rentalyes

Camping

The park has standard campsites, full-hookup sites, trailer dump, four restrooms, and showers. The park also has an ADA hookup campsite and an ADA standard campsite.

The park offers two group camps. RVs are allowed, but there are no RV hookups. Fees vary with size of the group.

Boating

There are two boat ramps with 60 feet of dock space. Waterskiing and personal-watercraft use on the lake is restricted to the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Okanogan County safety ordinance).

Fishing

Enjoy fishing in a serene lake environment, home to rainbow trout and largemouth bass. Boat rentals are available on-site.

Location

Alta Lake State Park is

Nearby Parks

Central Ferry State Wildlife Recreation Area

Indian Dan State Wildlife Recreation Area

Gallagher Flat State Wildlife Recreation Area

Chelan State Fish Hatchery

Bridgeport Bar State Wildlife Recreation Area

Chief Joseph State Park

Bridgeport State Park

Chelan Butte State Wildlife Area

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park

Lake Chelan State Park

Picnicking

The park provides one kitchen shelter without electricity, plus two sheltered and 18 unsheltered picnic tables. All day-use facilities are first-come, first-served.

Area Attractions

Sailboarding is also popular with park visitors.

Waterskiing can be dangerous on this small lake. There are waterskiing opportunities four miles away on the Columbia River.

There is an 18-hole golf course in the Alta Lake area.

Horseback riding is allowed at the park.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

June 25 Great Family Location by m_cherry

Our first time here, June 2017, great place to camp, has hot showers, a great swimming beach, a little town 2 miles away if you need anything, and fishing was great, mostly bass and trout. Also great start glazing at night.

July 29 Park Ranger Sharon...

...helped us out immensely - especially since it was our first time to the site and we had some campsite confusion. While both professional and kind, her assistance made our trip to Alta Lake excellent.

June 22 by jaedoe ( jay-dow )

cant wait to go here next week it has been my favorite place in washington for more than 15 years now

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Directions

Located four miles southwest of Pateros, Wash., on Highway 153. From Pateros:Drive two miles west on Hwy. 153. Turn left on Alta Lake Road. Continue two miles to the park.