Chelan County: Trails, Water, and History

At Lake Chelan State Park, you can hike, bike, play volleyball, swim, fish, and camp. Water activities offered there also include boating, waterskiing, and windsurfing. This means the park offers activities both on land and on the water.

Stehekin: Special Access and Trails by the Lake

Stehekin has no road connection and can be reached from outside on foot, by boat, or by plane. The community serves as a starting point for exploring the 61,949-acre Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching are possible in Stehekin year-round; boating is seasonal. In winter, skiing or snowshoeing are also options.

The Lake Chelan Boat Company offers round-trip service between Chelan and Stehekin, with scheduled stops at Fields Point and Lucerne. If you plan to use this service, check the schedule before your trip.

The trails around Lake Chelan vary in route and length. A 17-mile route runs along the north shore from Prince Creek to Stehekin and is accessible by boat. A scenic loop is about 4.4 miles long and offers views of the Stehekin Valley and Lake Chelan. Another trail follows the Stehekin River, provides access to several points of interest along the river, and is about 7 miles each way. When choosing a trail, consider its route as well as its length: a loop, a shoreline route with named endpoints, and a riverside trail each offer a different focus. Check conditions and access before setting out.

Hiking Landscapes and Winter Activities

Echo Ridge has more than 25 miles of trails ranging from easy to challenging, with views of Lake Chelan and the surrounding mountains. The Sage Hills trail system offers trails for all skill levels, spring blooms, and sweeping views of the Wenatchee Valley.

Mission Ridge is another winter highlight. The ski area has 36 designated runs and is set in a 2,000-acre basin on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. Together with the seasonal options in Stehekin, it gives a sense of the variety of winter activities in Chelan County.

Historic Sites and Regional Experiences

The Buckner Homestead Historic District is located at a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Stehekin River within the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Its riverside setting is part of the character of this historic district.

The grounds of Cashmere Pioneer Village include furnished, authentic local log cabins, a waterwheel, and several Great Northern Railway buildings. The site is also suitable for picnics. The Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village offers group tours led by museum staff; advance reservations are required for all group tours. If you plan to join a group tour, be sure to take this requirement into account early.

The North Central Washington Food & Farm Trail is a self-guided route through the eight communities of Chelan County. It connects u-pick orchards, cideries, farm stores, and farm-to-table restaurants. This gives the trail a different focus from hiking and winter activities: the emphasis here is on agricultural products and regional food culture.

The landscape at the confluence of the rivers is another specific point of reference: Wenatchee Confluence State Park lies on both sides of the Wenatchee River, where it flows into the Columbia River.

Discover more destinations: Leavenworth, Cashmere, Manson, Peshastin, Chelan, Wenatchee, Kitsap, Douglas County

For the broader travel overview: Washington.