Mcalester Lake campground
Mcalester Lake
Reservations are accepted for the campsites at McAlester Lake camping area, ensuring campers can secure their spot in advance. It is recommended to make reservations, especially during peak seasons, to guarantee availability.
The best time of year to visit McAlester Lake camping area is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant, and the lake activities are at their prime. However, it is important to note that the area may be crowded during this time, so early reservations are advised.
While enjoying the camping area, campers should be aware of potential wildlife encounters, such as bears and cougars, which are common in this region. It is crucial to practice proper food storage techniques and be cautious while hiking in the area. Additionally, campers should adhere to any fire restrictions and guidelines provided by the campground to prevent wildfires.
What's on-site at Mcalester Lake
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Mcalester Lake, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcalester Lake Stock Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Mcalester Lake Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Hidden Meadows | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Hidden Meadows Stock Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Bowan Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Mcalester Lake -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stehekin River At Stehekin | 2,640 cfs | → |
| Methow River Above Goat Creek Near Mazama | 1,720 cfs | → |
| Salix Creek At S Cascade Gl Near Marblemount | 0 cfs | → |
| Chewuch River At Winthrop | 963 cfs | → |
| Methow River At Winthrop | 2,910 cfs | → |
| Twisp River Near Twisp | 739 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Mcalester Lake -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stehekin 4nw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Rainy Pass | 17.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Rainy Pass | 17.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Swamp Creek | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Swamp Creek | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Park Creek Ridge | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- North Cascades National Park
- Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
- Wilderness Stephen Mather
- Wilderness Pasayten
- Pearrygin Lake State Park
- Wilderness Lake Chelan-Sawtooth
Paddle runs
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Bridge Creek
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Mcalester Creek
- Boundary Of The North Cascades National Park To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Boulder Creek
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Mcalester Lake as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Mcalester Lake
Can I make reservations at Mcalester Lake?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Mcalester Lake?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Mcalester Lake.