Sawmill Flat Campground

Sawmill Flat Campground is located along the Naches River in the Northern Cascade Range of Washington, an ideal setting for both individual and family camping excursions. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offers a multitude of recreational activities. In addition to being a prime location for hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and mountain biking in summer and early fall, the area provides excellent skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Hikers and backpackers are especially fortunate to have access to a variety of spectacular trails near the campground and in the surrounding areas, and designated Wilderness provides thousands of pristine acres of incredible landscapes to enjoy in solitude or with a small group. Frost Mountain Lookout Trail is a favorite for many in the area, and river enthusiasts may enjoy a whitewater paddle on the nearby American River. Sawmill Flat offers standard, tent-only and walk-up sites. Vault toilets and drinking water are available; there are no electrical hook-ups. Because of its wide geographic range, the Okanogan-Wenatchee is a stunning and unique national forest. High, glaciated alpine peaks tower along the Cascade Crest, lush valleys of old growth forest define its western boundary, and at its eastern edge, rugged shrub-steppe country comprises a more arid region. Elevations range from below 1,000 feet to over 9,000 feet. The Naches River, adjacent to the campground, is a tributary of the Yakima River; in its upper reaches the river flows through rugged terrain and areas of pristine wilderness, and before joining the Yakima it makes its way through valleys and is a significant irrigation source for areas northwest of Yakima. Used by Native Americans and settlers throughout history, the river has served as a natural corridor between the east and west sides of the Cascades through the Naches Pass. Boulder Cave National Recreation Trail is one of the most popular places in the district. Visitors enjoy the accessible trail along the river or hiking to Boulder Cave, with interpretive signs explaining the geology, plants, animals and fire history of the area. In the fall thousands of people come to experience whitewater rafting on both the Tieton and American Rivers, and hikers may want to traverse at least a portion of the spectacular Pacific Crest Trail, which winds its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington.