Complete information for Squilchuck

Park overview:

Squilchuck State Park is a 288-acre park covered with forests of fir and ponderosa pine. The park sits below Mission Ridge at an elevation of 3,200 feet. A group camp is available by reservations for groups of 20 or more. The Squilchuck Lodge and group camp also may be reserved for day-use events for groups between May and October. The lodge is very popular for weddings, reunions and other group activities.

Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: Day-use area closes after Labor Day. The group camp, lodge and trails close Oct. 1.

Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks

Current alerts:

Agency information:

Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.

Group Accommodations:

The park has one group camp that accommodates up to 100 guests (minimum of 20 guests). There are men’s and women’s restrooms, with one shower in each restroom. There are no RV hookups, and campsites are designed to accommodate tents and cars or smaller RVs. Fees vary with size of the group. Reservations are required.

The Squilchuck Lodge is available for day-use events including weddings, reunions and other group gatherings. The lodge is surrounded by grass and accommodates up to 75 guests. It has a kitchen with a range and oven, two refrigerators and a microwave. Tables and chairs are available for indoor seating and picnic tables for outdoor seating.

To reserve the group camp or the lodge, please call Wenatchee Confluence State Park (509) 664-6373.

2013 camping fees:

Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).

May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.

Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites

Maximum eight people per campsite.

Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.

Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.

More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.

Driving Directions

Located nine miles southwest of Wenatchee, Wash., up Squilchuck Canyon toward Mission Ridge in Chelan County.


From Hwy. 2 east or west:
Travel south on Wenatchee Ave. through Wenatchee, and follow signs up Squilchuck Rd. about eight miles to park.

From Hwy. 28:
Cross bridge over Columbia River, staying in left lane. At first stoplight, turn left, and follow signs to park.

Park Maps

Squilchuck downloadable pdf map #1


List of all downloadable Washington State Park maps.

Park Features

This forested park sits at an elevation of 3,200 feet. The group camp and Squilchuck Lodge (day use) are available by reservation. Seasonal highlights include spring wildflowers, abundant wildlife viewing, brilliant fall colors and winter sledding and snowshoeing. There is a trail system of approximately four miles that may be enjoyed by park visitors of all ages in all seasons. For more information, call Wenatchee Confluence State Park at (509) 664-6373.

History

In the Native American language, “Squilchuck” means “muddy water.” Local tribes once traveled through the area gathering food and hunting. Later, beginning in the early 1900s, the land the park now sits on was owned by the Weeks family, where they lived and farmed for decades. The land became a state park in 1952 and John “Bud” Weeks became the first Squilchuck park ranger. Bud Weeks continued to live and work at the park with his family until his retirement in 1978.

In the early days as a state park, prior to the construction of Mission Ridge Ski Area, Squilchuck was a popular destination for downhill skiing and had several rope tows. The Squilchuck Lodge, still in use today, was the centerpiece of activity in those days.

Interpretive opportunities

Popular spring and fall nature hikes are led by state park rangers in cooperation with the Wenatchee Parks Department.

Services/Supplies

	Available in the area
	• Auto repair • Airport • Boat rental • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Marine supplies • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • White gas • Wood • Swimming

There are local wineries and wine tasting events nearby the park. Most services are available within a few miles of the park.

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 4 mi. Hiking Trails • 10 mi. Bike Trails		• Bird Watching • 1 Fire Circle • Mountain Biking • Wildlife Viewing
Park trails are open to day visitors who walk or bicycle into the park. However, when the campground or lodge is reserved, day visitors are not permitted in the campground or lodge area. Please respect the privacy of groups that have reserved the park. Mountain biking is not allowed in the lodge or camp areas for safety reasons.

Events

Full list of events at Washington State Parks

Winter Recreation

• Cross-country Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Snow Play

Picnic and Day-use Facilities

The Squilchuck Lodge is available for day-use events including weddings, reunions and other group gatherings. The lodge is surrounded by grass and accommodates up to 75 guests. It has a kitchen with a range and oven, two refrigerators and a microwave. Tables and chairs are available for indoor seating and picnic tables for outdoor seating. To reserve, call Wenatchee Confluence State Park (509) 664-6373.

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
• Badgers • Bears • Bobcats • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels • Weasels	• Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Eagles • Grouse • Hawks • Hummingbirds • Jays • Owls • Quail • Turkeys • Woodpeckers • Wrens

Environmental Features

Physical Features		Plant Life
The park features steeply forested hillsides with meadows and rock outcrops. Visitors can see territorial views to the north of the Columbia River Watershed.		• Douglas Fir • Ponderosa Pine • Spruce • Maple • Poplar • Daisy • Foxglove • Lupines • Orchids • Paintbrush • Rose • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Thistle

Park photo gallery