Camas Meadows

Blog for Camas Meadows Lodge™. Located on Camas Meadows Natural Area Preserve outside of Leavenworth, Washington. http://www.camasmeadowslodge.com All materials and photos copyrighted 2006-2017©

Monday, May 19, 2008

Camas Contentment

The blue skies and snowcapped peaks are a special part of Camas.


So are the bull elk displaying their velvet antler in the spring. While walking the loop trail this week I spied this bull at the east end of the meadow.

But what makes Camas really special is "Camas Contentment". The meadow is just over 100 miles from the Puget Sound area, but it is light-years away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a different world.

Here is what a recent guest wrote about the first visit to Camas Meadows.

"We knew we were in for a treat when we decided to come to Camas Meadows, but we had no idea just how much it would move us. My son has never enjoyed nature like this before; and I’m not sure that I’ve ever appreciated the majesty of the mountains or the songs of the birds, the windsong of the trees and the company of my family without the distractions of everyday city life." "My family and I are in love with this place, and we are already planning when we might come back. Hopefully soon! Something makes this place so perfect. I haven’t felt so much peace in my heart and believe me it was sorely needed."

" Wilderness heals. This special place has wonderfully done just that for me and my family. The time slows down to a calm pace, as the rapid beat of our everyday lives became gradually undone. After time spent here, one feels at peace. I know we all experienced that relaxing feeling, it seems so fragile that I want to protect it. Camas Meadows Lodge most certainly has gained another set of enthusiastic friends. We will from now forward hold it very dear. Our family wishes to thank Vladimir and Susan for providing and lovingly taking such great care of this spot. May all of you that come to enjoy it in the weeks and months ahead and take the same wonderful feelings and hope that we gained from our short but sweet stay."

Camas Meadows is the real thing. Experience the magic in this meadow.

We are booked for Memorial Day weekend, but there are plenty of openings in June!



Monday, May 05, 2008

May Wildflowers Season is Here!

The wildflower season is starting at Camas Meadows. Soon the entire meadow will be a sea of wildflowers. These Glacier Lily's blooming in the meadow are the advance guard for the next 130 species of wildflowers that will follow.

May brings sunny days followed by cool nights at the meadow. It is our favorite time at Camas. If you can only make one trip to Camas, May is the month to be here. The wildflowers are blooming; the elk are in the meadow. Days are warm and nights are still cool enough that an evening fire is a cozy way to end the day.

Soon the entire meadow will be covered with wildflowers. It looks like the peak of the wildflower season will be mid-May to early June. At peak bloom, Camas Meadows becomes a sea of wildflowers. There are probably well over fifty wildflowers blooming at the same time.


The elk herd has returned to the meadow. Our neighbor counted 24 elk in the herd this morning. This is before the cows drop their young. It looks like the elk herd is starting to increase once again. Everything in nature cycles, but we always appreciate an increase in the elk population. At it's peak in the early '90's the herd numbered 225.

Today, as we glanced at the meadow we spied two Sandhill Cranes. The cranes have been visitors to Camas for four or five years now. They hunt the frogs and other amphibian's that are found in the meadow during spring runoff. Once the meadow dries out for the summer, they fly off to raise their young. We're not sure where they go, but we do appreciate their stopping at Camas Meadows on their spring flight.

We are currently booked the weekend of May 16th, June 24th and 25th, 4th of July weekend, and the week of July 28th. Memorial Day and the weekends in June are still open for wildflower season.

Don't miss the best season at Camas Meadows Natural Area Preserve.