Leavenworth – the Town and Thousand Trails

While traveling the Pacific Northwest, we spent some time in the popular town of Leavenworth. This town is nestled in Washington’s Cascade Mountains and has an Alpine feel. It has been compared to Helen, GA, on the east coast, with it’s German-themed buildings and polka music, as well as hosting Oktoberfest festivals annually.

A short drive north brings you to the campground we stayed at and of the same name, Thousand Trails Leavenworth. There are two routes to drive up the mountain, and one has narrower roads and tighter turns, so be sure to do your research and use your RV Garmin to choose the one best for your rig. Check in is easy, at the gate booth you find as you enter, then you have a few directions to choose from to find your first come, first serve camping spot.

Since much of the campground is nestled in trees, some areas may be easier to access with a larger rig, and Starlink service may be spotty as many of the loops don’t have clear lines of site. What you get in exchange is the feel of private sites with picnic tables and fire pits, beautiful views, and lots of trails to explore. Wildlife is abundant in the area, with bear sightings, often drawn in by unlatched dumpsters and unattended trash or food at campsites, so be sure to do your due diligence in keeping things secured!

You’ll find all the amenities here such as bathrooms and showers, a pool, laundry, a clubhouse and many outdoor activities. Not all spots have full-hook ups, so plan your stay wisely, but the campground is open year round, which can make it a great spot for summer or winter activities!

The Chiwawa River is nearby, and you will drive along it heading to the campground, see it if you explore the town area, and you can find it for fishing or exploring one of the many hiking trails around the campground.

If activities are on your list, you will find many things to enjoy, including ziplining and a reindeer farm, where you can pet and feed the reindeer. It required a reservation and was only open certain days, so be sure to plan ahead. Be sure to check with the Chamber of Commerce or campground office since there are so many things to do in the area, besides these though!

We enjoyed the Bavarian town ourselves, exploring the Nutcracker Museum and trying many of tasty treats and meals available, and of course, the beer. On the weekend, there was a festival and live polka music, adding to the Alpine vibes.

While it is in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, check the weather in summer as it can get pretty hot! You’ll want to be prepared!

We hope that future travels take us back to this area since we have visited Helen several times, and hope to add more trips to our list here, too!

Be sure to check out the Travel Map on our home page for other campground and attraction reviews! You can also find FREE resources on the Printables page, or order your copy of Our Travel Planner to have all the resources conveniently at your fingertips!