Leader Lake, Highway 20, Washington

Leader Lake, Highway 20, Washington

Leader Lake is managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.  It is a low elevation lake just outside the town of Okanogan.  So it is heavily used by locals in spring for fishing.  As the weather warms, the use goes down and camping spots are easy to find.  It is currently (May 2011) a free campground, but this will change in July.  Check with the Department of Natural Resources for fees after July 2011.

Many people make the drive across the north Cascades along Highway 20.  Here are the other blog postings on Highway 20:

Lower Methow River, Highway 97

Chewuch River, Winthrop

30-Mile Memorial, Winthrop

Highway 20, Mazama

Pearrygin State Park, Winthrop

So there it is.  Lots to do in this area of Okanogan County.  Want cool weather head for Mazama.  Want warm temperatures Leader Lake is perfect for you.  The campsites below are on the north side of the lake and are waterfront campsites suitable for larger rigs.  Other campsites are suitable for smaller campers.  There are two boat launches on the lake.

There is no water, just campground spurs plus tables and toilets.  It is a nice quiet spot outside of fishing season and is just less than a mile from Highway 20.  It is also close to Okanogan with grocery stores and other services, yet you will feel miles removed from town.  Much nicer than the Wal-Mart parking lot in Omak!

This is a view of the south side camping area taken from the north side camping area.

Leader Lake has good fishing and I remember a great fishing trip complete with watermelon and chicken on the portable barbeque.  Sitting in the lawn chairs eating dinner.  Only problem was all those pesky trout that insisted on interrupting dinner.  They grow fast in Leader Lake looking like little footballs rather than slim and trim trout.

There is much public land in the area.  Get an Okanogan National Forest map.  It shows the Forest Service as well as BLM and state land.  The map covers the entire county so it is a great resource.  There is a Forest Service office in Okanogan.

Heading north of Leader Lake there is plenty of public land to boondock.  Enjoy exploring Okanogan County.

All materials and photos copyrighted 2010-2011©