Takhlakh Lake Campground

Mosquitos and sandflies are out of control. I did prepare after reading the reviews but nothing worked against them. Be warned. It will ruin your experience. You won’t be able to do anything at your campsite.

Site 24 barely fit my 10x12 tent. Unless you plan on spending entire time by the water(about 10 min walk to get to the day use area), I don’t recommend camping here.

It was one of the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to in Washington but at the same time, it was the worst camping experience I’ve ever had.

Mosquitos and sandflies are out of control. I did prepare after reading the reviews but nothing worked against them. Be warned. It will ruin your experience. You won’t be able to do anything at your campsite.

Site 24 barely fit my 10x12 tent. Unless you plan on spending entire time by the water(about 10 min walk to get to the day use area), I don’t recommend camping here.

It was one of the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to in Washington but at the same time, it was the worst camping experience I’ve ever had.

Our first night was wonderful with friendly people, including families, at the sites around us. But, our new neighbors on the second day (3 families staying at 34, 35, 36 with 10 children) were so awful in the first hour of their arrival that we had to leave early. Within 15 minutes of arrival, the children were unattended in tubes at the lake shore just below our campsite, screaming at the top of their lungs, without life vests, and holding each other under water while their parents were hanging out in a group at site 35. They continued this for 2 hours, without parental intervention. During the first hour, ear plugs didn’t help us, I threw up from the noise, and our dog started to cry (the first time he’s done this since being adopted 8 years ago). Then this continued during the hour it took for us to pack up and leave. Please note that I have no problem with typical kids and the noises they make. This was bad parenting at it’s very worst though. They disturbed 5 other campsites next to us and some of those campers were able to go inside their vehicles and turn on generators, which helped them with the noise. This lake is beautiful and we enjoyed paddling, walking around the lake, and one relaxing night. Our trip was ruined by this large, screaming group. I wish we could review other campers instead of the entire campground. I’d give that family zero stars, suggest counseling, and recommend that they read the basics of Leave No Trace. The campground was wonderful though with clean vault toilets, and mostly kind people. We’ll be back, but with a generator and enclosed space next time.

Our first night was wonderful with friendly people, including families, at the sites around us. But, our new neighbors on the second day (3 families staying at 34, 35, 36 with 10 children) were so awful in the first hour of their arrival that we had to leave early. Within 15 minutes of arrival, the children were unattended in tubes at the lake shore just below our campsite, screaming at the top of their lungs, without life vests, and holding each other under water while their parents were hanging out in a group at site 35. They continued this for 2 hours, without parental intervention. During the first hour, ear plugs didn’t help us, I threw up from the noise, and our dog started to cry (the first time he’s done this since being adopted 8 years ago). Then this continued during the hour it took for us to pack up and leave. Please note that I have no problem with typical kids and the noises they make. This was bad parenting at it’s very worst though. They disturbed 5 other campsites next to us and some of those campers were able to go inside their vehicles and turn on generators, which helped them with the noise. This lake is beautiful and we enjoyed paddling, walking around the lake, and one relaxing night. Our trip was ruined by this large, screaming group. I wish we could review other campers instead of the entire campground. I’d give that family zero stars, suggest counseling, and recommend that they read the basics of Leave No Trace. The campground was wonderful though with clean vault toilets, and mostly kind people. We’ll be back, but with a generator and enclosed space next time.

Lovely, gorgeous place. Our family had a peaceful camping experience here. By the time we left, we were having a contest to see who got the most bug bites… But that seems par for the course on a campground next to a lake. We really had a great time.

Lovely, gorgeous place. Our family had a peaceful camping experience here. By the time we left, we were having a contest to see who got the most bug bites… But that seems par for the course on a campground next to a lake. We really had a great time.

The campground was excellent (minus the bugs!). Every camp was an easy trail walk straight to the lake and there was some excellent hiking around the lake and out to the old lava flows from Mt. Adams. SO beautiful!

The campground was excellent (minus the bugs!). Every camp was an easy trail walk straight to the lake and there was some excellent hiking around the lake and out to the old lava flows from Mt. Adams. SO beautiful!

We had a wonderful stay at the lake but were surprised by the relentless amount of flies this late in the season (mid August). I would definitely pack a screen house if heading up that direction.

We had a wonderful stay at the lake but were surprised by the relentless amount of flies this late in the season (mid August). I would definitely pack a screen house if heading up that direction.