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This is the story of Campbell’s Resort — the history, people and the vision behind the name.

Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan has been Washington state’s favorite family getaway resort since 1901.

THE BEST LAKE CHELAN RESORT

A getaway for the Generations

The first generation: Judge C.C. Campbell

In 1898, C.C. Campbell — a former judge and lawman from Sioux City, Iowa — journeyed west seeking a new beginning. He hiked three days from the end of the Washington Central Railway in Wilbur to Lake Chelan, drawn by stories of untouched wilderness. When he arrived, he found a pristine lake surrounded by rugged beauty and knew he had found his home.

Later that year, he purchased a stretch of lakefront property for $400 — land the seller claimed was nothing but “a sand dune sold to a sucker.” But C.C. saw something else: potential.

By 1901, C.C. and his wife Caroline had opened a 16-room inn called Hotel Chelan, with a mission “to erect a hostelry of the type that would be a credit to the community.” From teamsters and prospectors to homesteaders and early tourists, guests were welcomed with trademark hospitality and Caroline’s now-legendary cooking.

The second generation: Arthur Campbell I

Arthur Campbell, the only son of C.C. and Caroline, was part of Chelan High School’s first graduating class in 1908. He later earned a law degree from the University of Washington in 1914, where he also competed in track, wrestling, and crew. After serving in World War I, Arthur returned to Chelan with his wife, Ann Monfort.

Dedicated and strong, Arthur planted an apple orchard — affectionately named No-See-Um Orchard — and dug out the hotel basement by hand with a shovel and wheelbarrow to expand the restaurant. He led the resort through the Roaring Twenties and into the challenges of the Great Depression. The family weathered tough times, thanks in part to the economic revival brought by nearby mining operations in the late 1930s.

The third generation: Arthur II & Dan Campbell

In the 1940s, Arthur II and Dan Campbell returned to Lake Chelan following military service in the Navy and Army. They joined the family business during the early days of Lake Chelan’s tourism boom and began expanding the property with rustic fishing cabins and long-term plans for the resort’s future.

They also left their mark on the town itself — serving on the Chelan Park Board and City Council, helping to establish the Lake Chelan Municipal Golf Course and Riverwalk Park, both of which remain community landmarks today.

The fourth generation: Arthur III & Clint Campbell

By the 1950s, the resort had expanded into motel-style lodging, with Lodge 1 opening in 1955, followed by Lodge 4 in 1963, and Lodge 2 in 1972. The property featured fishing cabins, a swim and dance pavilion, manicured grounds, and a full-service dining room.

In 1976, the family celebrated 75 years in business. Members of the fourth generation — Arthur III, Clint, Nancy, Sally, and Bonnie — had grown up in the resort environment, gaining firsthand experience in hospitality. Arthur III and Clint returned in the late 1970s to help lead the operation.

The 1980s brought further expansion. In 1983, the family purchased Cannon’s Resort (formerly Jobe’s Resort), which became Lodge 5. In 1987, the resort added conference facilities and officially became Campbell’s Resort & Conference Center.

The fifth generation: Eric & Tom Campbell

The 1990s marked a time of transformation. Lodge 3 was constructed in 1990, Lodge 1 was fully redeveloped in 1997, and the Stehekin Ballroom was added to accommodate growing demand for meeting and event space. In 2001, Campbell’s proudly celebrated 100 years of continuous operation.

Eric and Tom Campbell, sons of Arthur III, returned to Chelan in 2010 and 2012, respectively. They now serve as the sole owner-operators of Campbell’s Resort, leading day-to-day operations and overseeing a new era of timeless hospitality, genuine guest experiences, and ongoing reinvestment in the property.

Most recently, the resort partnered with Pacific Northwest-based Jensen Design to refresh all guest rooms with new paint, carpet, and furniture. Completed in 2024, the redesign embraces a clean, modern, and comfortable aesthetic—uncluttered and intentionally understated to help guests focus on what matters most: the sweeping views of glacially fed Lake Chelan just beyond their window.  

From a frontier hotel to a landmark destination, Campbell’s Resort reflects the perseverance and vision of five generations in the rugged Pacific Northwest. Today, the Campbell family’s enduring connection to this place—and to the people who visit—continues to guide the spirit of the resort, just as it has for more than a century. 

Campbell’s history

The history, people and the vision behind the name

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