A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service group campground

Salmon Cove Group Site

Forest Service group campground in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Yakima County, Washington. 3,291 feet. 21.8 miles from South Cle Elum.

Managed by
Forest Service Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Elevation
3,291 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
1 1 group standard area non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Yakima County

Overview

Salmon Cove Group Campground is located on the pebble-strewn bank of the American River in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, providing a nice setting for groups and larger gatherings. Visitors enjoy fishing, rafting and hiking in the surrounding area.

Recreation

Salmon Cove Group Campground offers outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to hike, fish, ski, raft and enjoy a multitude of recreational activities throughout the year.

The American River flows next to the campground, offering a scenic backdrop for swimmers, rafters and kayakers braving its cold, refreshing waters. Anglers drop lines for rainbow and brown trout in many deep pools lining the shore.

Nearby American Ridge Trail is open to hiking, backpacking and horseback riding. The trail extends 26 miles from Bumping River to the notable Pacific Crest Trail, meandering through towering forests, stretches of meadows and past alpine lakes, offering scenic ridge line views along the way.

Facilities

Salmon Cove Group Campground contains one large site that can accommodate up to 60 people and 15 vehicles. The site is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings and one vault toilet. No hookups or drinking water are available. Visitors can get water at nearby Hell's Crossing Campground.

Natural Features

The Okanogan-Wenatchee is comprised of high, glaciated alpine peaks towering along the Cascade Crest, where lush valleys of old-growth forest define its western boundary. At its eastern edge, rugged shrub-steppe country comprises a more arid region. Elevations range from below 1,000 feet to over 9,000 feet. Precipitation varies greatly throughout the area, ranging from approximately 140 inches along the Cascade Crest to only 10 inches along the eastern edge. Visitors can expect many days of warm, sunny weather in the summer, and plenty of snow in the winter. The area supports wildlife such as deer, porcupine, native fish and migratory birds.

Nearby Attractions

Boulder Cave National Recreation Trail is one of the most popular places in the Naches District. Visitors can walk the accessible trail along the river or explore Boulder Cave. Interpretive signs along the trail explain the geology, plants, animals and fire history of the area. Visitors may want to take some time to visit nearby Mount Rainier National Park. This beautiful park offers fantastic glimpses of glaciers, subalpine ecology and volcanic landscapes. Visitors also enjoy traversing the Chinook Scenic Byway, considered one of Washington's premier driving excursions. Spectacular views of Mount Rainier, old-growth forests, alpine peaks, jagged ridges and river canyons dominate this 92-mile journey.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • fishing
  • hiking
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Salmon Cove Group Site

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated March 11, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.