Outdoor experiences in Chelan County vary widely: at Lake Chelan, activities on and around the water sit alongside trails through valleys and mountain landscapes. How you reach a destination and which trail length suits your plans can also lead to different discoveries.

Exploring Lake Chelan and Stehekin

At Lake Chelan State Park, you can hike, bike, play volleyball, swim, fish, and camp. Activities on the water include boating, water skiing, and windsurfing. The options range from exercise on land to activities on the lake.

Stehekin is reached differently: there is no road access; from outside the area, you can get there on foot, by boat, or by plane. The Lake Chelan Boat Company offers round-trip service between Chelan and Stehekin, with scheduled stops at Fields Point and Lucerne. Check the schedule before your trip. Stehekin serves as a starting point for exploring the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, which covers 61,949 acres.

The trails in the Stehekin area also vary in length and route. On the north shore of Lake Chelan, a 17-mile trail runs from Prince Creek to Stehekin; it is accessible by boat. One scenic loop is about 4.4 miles long and offers views of the Stehekin Valley and Lake Chelan. Another trail follows the Stehekin River, passes several points of interest along the river, and is about 7 miles each way. For comparison, note that 4.4 miles refers to a loop, while about 7 miles is the distance each way. Check access and conditions before setting out.

Trails and winter landscapes

Echo Ridge offers more than 25 miles of trails ranging from easy to challenging, as well as views of Lake Chelan and the surrounding mountains. The Sage Hills trail system has routes for all skill levels; in spring, wildflowers and expansive views of the Wenatchee Valley add to the experience. Both areas combine hiking with scenic views, but each has a different focus.

In Stehekin, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing are possible year-round; boating is seasonal. In winter, you can also ski or snowshoe there. Mission Ridge adds another winter option, with 36 designated runs. The ski area lies in a 2,000-acre basin on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. The seasonal availability of activities makes the timing of your trip an important factor.

Local history and regional discoveries

The Buckner Homestead Historic District is situated at a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Stehekin River within the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. In Cashmere, Pioneer Village features furnished, authentic local log cabins, a waterwheel, and several buildings from the Great Northern Railway. The grounds are suitable for picnics. The Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village offers group tours led by museum staff; advance reservations are required for all group tours.

The North Central Washington Food & Farm Trail offers another way to discover local places and products. This self-guided route passes through the eight communities of Chelan County and connects u-pick orchards, cideries, farm shops, and farm-to-table restaurants. In Wenatchee, Wenatchee Confluence State Park sits on both sides of the Wenatchee River at its confluence with the Columbia River. Alongside lakeside trails, regional routes and striking river landscapes offer other discoveries to explore.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Wenatchee, Chelan, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Manson, Peshastin, Adams County, Klickitat County.

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