# Leavenworth

> Leavenworth was founded in 1893 and was at first a railroad and logging town. When the Great Northern Railway moved its rail yards to Wenatchee in 1925, the…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/leavenworth/

A mountain town in the Cascades styled as a Bavarian village, with timbered facades, a pedestrian main street and the Wenatchee River nearby. Visit on a weekday if you can, since weekends and festivals are very busy.

Leavenworth was founded in 1893 and was at first a railroad and logging town. When the Great Northern Railway moved its rail yards to Wenatchee in 1925, the economy declined. In the 1960s the center began to be remade as a Bavarian village: the Edelweiss Hotel opened on July 1, 1965, as the first building in the new style.

The town sits at about 1,168 feet (356 m) in the Cascades. Today it lives from tourism: according to Wikipedia, about 3.4 million visitors came in 2024. It is especially busy in the fall and during the Christmas lighting in December, when the daytime population is said to rise to as many as 33,000. If possible, visit on a weekday, and allow a few hours for a stroll through the center.

- **Nearest town:** Leavenworth, WA
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 47.5962, -120.6615

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Why Leavenworth Became a Bavarian Village – Leavenworth.org](https://leavenworth.org/guides/why-leavenworth-is-a-bavarian-village/)
- [Leavenworth, Washington – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leavenworth,_Washington)

## Nearby

- [Lake Lenore Caves](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-lake-lenore-caves/) – 55 mi
- [Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-ginkgo-forest/) – 55 mi
- [Snoqualmie Falls](https://camping-spirit.com/places/snoqualmie-falls/) – 55 mi
- [Dry Falls](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-dry-falls/) – 60 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Leavenworth?

Leavenworth is in Leavenworth, WA, at GPS 47.5962, -120.6615. It is about 34 mi from Chelan.

### Can you camp near Leavenworth?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Alpine View RV Park, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 46 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Leavenworth?

Places worth a stop nearby: Lake Lenore Caves (55 mi), Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park (55 mi), Snoqualmie Falls (55 mi) and Dry Falls (60 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Leavenworth?

The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)