Camping Near Leavenworth, Washington: review of Leavenworth KOA
If you’re in Washington and craving a quiet mountain escape, Leavenworth is one of the best places to go. This Bavarian-style town sits along the Wenatchee River and offers year-round charm! Expect glowing golden larches in fall, snow-dusted mountain peaks in winter, hillsides bursting with wildflowers in spring, and rafting trips down the Wenatchee River in summer!
We recently spent two nights camping in our truck camper at the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday , and it was the perfect basecamp for exploring the area. In this blog post, we’ll share with you our honest review of the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday campground. We’ll also share some of our favorite activities in the area!
Whether you’re planning a spontaneous weekend away or mapping out your next big road trip, KOA makes it easy to camp close to the places you love. With more than 500 campgrounds across North America, KOA connects travelers with nature, comfort, and reliable hospitality. Whether you’re craving a cozy cabin, RV sites with full hookups and extra perks, or comfortable tent sites, they have something for every camping style! I love how easy KOA makes it to unplug and make memories. Whether you’re planning a hiking trip, a festive Oktoberfest weekend, or just a peaceful getaway, KOA campgrounds are the perfect base camp for enjoying the outdoors.
This post was created in partnership with KOA. However, as always, all opinions, experiences, and thoughts are our own.
Camping near Leavenworth: honest review of the Leavenworth KOA
In this blog post you’ll find our honest review of the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday campground. We stayed at this campground in October 2025 in our truck camper. We loved using this KOA as our basecamp for exploring some of the best fall hikes in Washington. In my opinion, if you have an RV, a travel trailer, a camper, or are just looking to tent camp, this KOA is a fantastic basecamp to explore Leavenworth and its surroundings.
I think fall is one of the best seasons for camping because of the cooler temps, golden leaves, and fewer crowds. Whether you’re visiting Leavenworth or one of the many other locations near KOA, this is the perfect time of year to book a KOA to relax and recharge in the outdoors.
Where is Leavenworth, Washington?
Leavenworth is located in north-central Washington, about 2 hours east of Seattle and 3 hours west of Spokane, Washington. This adorable mountain town is tucked away at the base of the stunning Cascade mountain range. Leavenworth is a picturesque Bavarian-style village known for its charming alpine architecture, festive atmosphere, and year-round outdoor recreation. When you’re in town, you’ll see the mountains rise up dramatically just a short distance away. For a majority of the year, these mountains are capped with snow.
Camping near Leavenworth: our review of the Leavenworth KOA
The Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday campground is, in my opinion, one of the best places for camping near Leavenworth. This campground is located along the Wenatchee River amidst a dense forest of Ponderosa pines.
My favorite part of the Leavenworth KOA is the proximity to the area’s best attractions! The Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday campground is a 10-15 minute walk, or 5 minute drive, to downtown Leavenworth. Additionally, the Wenatchee River is steps away from camp, and some of Washington’s most stunning hikes are within a short distance.
We stayed at the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday campground in Fall 2025, just as the famous golden larches were starting to glow. We used this campground as our basecamp for hiking some of the area’s beautiful fall trails, and for enjoying the Oktoberfest activities in downtown Leavenworth. However, the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday campground is open year-round.
What to expect at the Leavenworth KOA
One of the things we appreciate about KOA is that every location delivers a welcoming, community-centered experience, whether you’re camping solo, with family, or with pets.
One of the main reasons we love KOA campgrounds are the thoughtful amenities and amazing hospitality, both of which we experienced at the Leavenworth location. We felt like we had access to everything we needed while still feeling fully immersed in the camping experience. Even though we were visiting in the quieter fall season, the campground still felt lively and welcoming. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and the grounds were very clean and well-maintained.The campground is open year-round, so you can visit for fall colors or come back in winter for a snowy escape.
Campsite types at the the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday
Across more than 500 locations in North America, KOA offers a variety of ways to stay, from tent sites to RV hookups and cozy cabins. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or new to the outdoors, KOA makes it easy to settle in and connect with nature!
Like most KOA locations, the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday campground has a variety of campsite types perfect for every traveler. These include:
- Tent sites: The Leavenworth KOA can accommodate tent campers, with sites that have a space for your tent, a picnic bench, and a fire ring.
- RV sites: They can also accommodate RVs up to 65 feet long and 50 Max Amps. The RV sites range from back-in to pull through, and offer water, electric, and sewer hookups.
- Cabin sites: This KOA also offers a variety of cabins. The KOA Deluxe Cabins sleep up to 8 people with provided linens, and a full kitchen, bath, and shower. For a more rustic stay, they also offer Camping Cabins, which sleep up to 6 people. The Camping Cabins do not have a bathroom or kitchen, and guests must provide their own linens.
Amenity overview for the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday
At the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday, the general store is open daily. It is well-stocked with camping essentials, snacks, and souvenirs. There are clean bathrooms with free hot showers, laundry facilities, and reliable WiFi (perfect for streaming a movie at night). The general store offers some essential groceries. We ended up walking one block away to the local grocery store to restock on some produce and dinner items. We really loved how close the local grocery store was!
Each morning, we got coffee and tea from the on-site Koffee Kabin. They serve espresso drinks, and hand-scooped ice cream. We also enjoyed walks down to the Wenatchee River along the KOA’s private “River Walk.” The campground sits along a 700+ foot shoreline of the Wenatchee River – a beautiful setting!
Regardless of what location you stay at, KOA’s amenities make it easy to enjoy nature without sacrificing convenience.
Family amenities at the Leavenworth KOA
For families, there’s a playground, a seasonal swimming pool, and a hot tub. Depending on the season, the campground also hosts fun activities like outdoor movie nights, gem mining, and tie-dye station. When we visited, the gem and gold mining station was open and we saw several families enjoying watching their kids pan for gems. The bags of gems are available for sale in the general store, and kids (and adults!) can try their hand at panning for these treasures in the on-site panning station.
Many KOA campgrounds, including Leavenworth’s, feature activities and events designed to help families create lasting memories together.
Pet amenities at the Leavenworth KOA
Many of KOA’s locations are pet friendly and feature KampK9® dog parks and thoughtful amenities for pet owners.
We love dogs, and I appreciated seeing that the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday is pet friendly! We don’t have any pets, so we cannot speak to this amenity from personal experience, but we loved watching (and petting, with permission!) some of our camp neighbor’s dogs. Please note that pets must be on a 6-foot leash at all times, unless they are enjoying the two KampK9® dog parks for off-leash play.
Evenings at the Leavenworth KOA
Something I love about staying at a KOA is that they make it easy to slow down and reconnect. Evenings at the Leavenworth KOA were one of our favorite parts of our trip. After returning to camp after a day exploring, our site was large enough to cook dinner outside, and settle in by the fire. We picked up s’mores supplies (graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars) from the KOA general store!
Because the RV sites all have electric hookups, this KOA site doesn’t allow generators due to the noise they create. The campground also strictly enforces quiet hours. We visited during the very busy Oktoberfest and nearly every site was full! But with KOA’s ordinances, we were impressed that we had very peaceful and quiet nights!
Wildfire safety when camping in Leavenworth
It’s important to note that during certain times of year, Washington has a high wildfire risk, and campers are required to follow all campfire restrictions. When we visited in fall, traditional wood campfires were prohibited due to the risk of a stray ember sparking a fire. We brought our own propane-fueled campfire, which was just as cozy, and much safer for wildfire risk. Most of our camp neighbors also used their own propane-fueled camp fires. Propane campfires are not supplied by KOA, so campers must bring their own.
Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday review
Across the KOAs I’ve visited, I’ve noticed the same thing: a sense of community, friendly service, and spaces that bring people closer to nature. The Leavenworth KOA location is no exception. Overall, we felt that the Leavenworth KOA was an excellent value, and a great option for camping near Leavenworth. The campground was clean and quiet, the amenities were thoughtful, and I appreciated the fabulous location near downtown and hikes. More than anything, the friendly customer service really stood out to me. Everyone was SO nice and welcoming!
Thinking of booking a stay here? See below for our top recommendations for what to do in Leavenworth, including downtown activities and the best hikes in Leavenworth!
What to do in Leavenworth, Washington
What to do in downtown Leavenworth
One of the best parts of staying at the Leavenworth KOA is its location! The Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday is just a short walk into downtown Leavenworth. If you’re not up for walking, there is a local public transit that takes visitors free of charge to downtown Leavenworth. The bus stop is one block from the KOA campground; be sure to take the “Local Leavenworth” bus, which operates 7 days a week. Alternatively, downtown is just a 5 minute drive.
When we visited in fall we loved exploring downtown Leavenworth, which was decked out in full fall decor. Leavenworth is known for its Bavarian architecture, and it truly feels like stepping into a European alpine town. We browsed local boutiques, and grabbed lunch at München Haus, where we enjoyed their famous bratwurst. If you’re visiting in October, don’t miss Oktoberfest, which takes place over three weekends and features live music, dancing, and German libations. Leavenworth has a lively year-round events calendar, which I recommend checking out to help plan your visit!
The best hikes near Leavenworth
Leavenworth is surrounded by some of Washington’s most iconic trails, and the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday campground is centrally located to most of them! Depending on the trail you pick, you can find yourself hiking to a stunning alpine lake, along the banks of a cascading river, or through fields of wildflowers and through forests of golden larches!
Below are a few of the best fall hikes near Leavenworth.
The best hikes in Leavenworth: our top 4 trails
Below are our top recommendations for the best hikes near Leavenworth, Washington!
- Colchuck Lake: This challenging 8.7-mile trail winds through a dense pine forest and ends at a stunning turquoise lake surrounded by jagged peaks and golden larches. It’s arguably one of the most famous hikes in Washington! The view of the mountains from Colchuck Lake are stunning! This hike is best done in mid-summer through early-October.
- Icicle Gorge Trail: This is a 4.2-mile loop that’s perfect for a mellow hike. The trail follows Icicle Creek and features wooden bridges, forested paths, and stunning vistas of the river. This hike is best done in mid-summer through early-October.
- Waterfront Park & Blackbird Island: Located in downtown Leavenworth, this easy 2-mile loop is ideal for a quick stroll. The trail hugs the Wenatchee River and offers beautiful views of the river. This is a great year-round hike, but the fall colors are stunning!
- Sauer’s Mountain Trail: Sauer’s Mountain trail would be my top pick for adventurous hikers who don’t want to drive super far! This stunning hike is 5 miles and nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The effort is worth it, though. You’ll get STUNNING views of the town, surrounding orchards and vineyards, and of the mountains. This trail is great in fall, spring, and summer.
Final thoughts on camping near Leavenworth / Leavenworth KOA
Whether you’re road-tripping through Washington or planning a seasonal getaway, KOA makes camping easy, comfortable, and accessible in iconic destinations all across North America. I love that their many locations throughout North America make it easy to plan a last minute getaway near home, or an epic adventure farther away!This fall we stayed at the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday, and I think this is one of the best options for camping near Leavenworth. I loved that the KOA was close to town, surrounded by nature, and packed with amenities that make camping near Leavenworth easy and enjoyable. We’re already dreaming about coming back in winter, when the cabins are dusted with snow and downtown Leavenworth lights up for the holidays, or in summer when we can pack our inflatable river rafts and float down the lazy Wenatchee River!
