Chambers Lake Campground — Hotel in Tieton

I made my first trip to Chambers Lake after hearing it was considered by the state to be an overpopulated fishing lake. My first success was making it up the washboard gravel road to the campsite in my Honda Civic. When I arrived (2 pm on a Wednesday afternoon) there was only one other tent set up. I was happy with the privacy and picked a spot with immediate access to the lake.

As soon as I stepped from my car, I could hear a very distinct overall buzz in the air. As I began to set up camp, it happened. I was swarmed by biting insects, from mosquitoes to biting flies. I realize this is a direct contrast from the “Mike O” review of 4 days ago, but I did have a much different experience and thought I should share. I could not swat them away fast enough. I applied OFF all over, including rubbing it through my hair as the bugs were persistent. This helped and allowed me about 40 minutes of quiet before reapplying. As the temperature cooled in the evening, the bugs stopped. The attack began again by 10 am and I decided to leave.

I did manage to fish and oddly enough the bugs were not as bad by the water. I only got one bite dragging a fly behind a bobber and caught a nice brown trout. The fish were jumping everywhere though.

Other than one vault toilet this is primitive camping with no potable water, picnic tables, or garbage service…take it with you.

The funny part of the trip is that there was a sign by the vault toilet asking campers to go to a website to give their opinion about asking for this campground to be a pay campground in the future. I would never pay for this experience unless the fees included bug mitigation, picnic tables, garbage service, and some sort of water.

My planned three day trip turned into an overnighter simply because of the aggressive and persistent biting insects like I’ve never...

Great Camping spot! Don't get this place confused with other Glamp grounds in Washington. This is real camping. No potable water sources, no wifi, no electrical hookups, 1 vault toilet in the center of the sites.

This is not a camp ground that is accessable in the winter due to snow.

When you first arrive: First congrats on making it up the washboard access road and on finding the place!

Camp sites are not really marked. There are spots that look like a vehicle should park there and flatish spot is near it for a tent.

Pick your campsite carefully. If you pick one closer to the water you will have other people wandering through your site to get to the lake. If you pick one near the bathroom you will have people scurrying through your site to use the luxurious vault toilet.

There were swarms of mosquitoes when we arrived. We were prepared with 100% Deet spray. Don't bother with essential oils, natural bug spray, the hack you found on YouTube, or your aunt's home made big repellent. Do yourself a favor and get 100% Deet.

Once there and set up:

Fishing! Get down to the lake if you can navigate through the various trails. There are plenty of trout to be caught in this lake. Spinners and worms have slayed many trout here. The water is very clear.

Hiking! There are many hiking trails around the campground. There are also many horse trails. I have seen many folks camping with horses...

I first came late july of 2024. The mosquito's are insanely thick here. Similar to my experience camping in Alaska. I showed up at 7pm on Friday night and it was completely full. Had to set up on the side of the road. Most people staging to go on the PCT. I had first posted there weren’t many bugs at the campsite but I am changing my review. “D Hickey” said it best. There is a distinct buzzing in the air.. I dealt with horseflies, mosquitos, gnats, and anything that could be annoying honestly.

Update: I came back June 21, 25 and there was only one other camper. Crazy enough I woke up around 3am to use the bathroom and it’s snowing.. in June. And even still I had mesquito’s and horse flies everywhere. If you come here to fish good luck. I’ve thrown everything I have and have caught one brown trout out of 10 or so hours of fishing this lake with a kayak. I only keep coming back because of the privacy. It is one of the quietest places in Washington...