Lake Chelan Sights

The shores of Lake Chelan have been a vacation getaway for Seattleites for generations. In spring and summer, you can find cloudless days with temperatures in the 80's and 90's. The public beach and dock is full of swimmers cooling off. At the water park, you won't even get cold waiting between rides. The town of Chelan is touristy with lots of activities including restaurants, bars, hotels and shops while at the other end of the lake is Stekehin, a quiet little town with no road access and few amenities. The only real activity in Stekehin is hiking & backpacking. To get there, most take the 'Lady of the Lake' ferry service up the 55 mile lake, a very scenic and enjoyable ride. Other than these two spots, there is some other lakeshore access at the south end of the lake near Chelan. Most are some basic campgrounds or small hotels. Lake Chelan is the deepest gorge in North America, surrounded by 9,000 foot peaks, the third deepest lake in the U.S., fed by 27 glaciers and 57 creeks.

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Washington Sights

Take a ride up the lake on the only shuttle service. The Lady of the Lake is both a ferry service as well as a tour boat. About half way up the lake is a stop for Lucerne, a small community with some hiking and tourist stuff. Further up is the first access to the lakeshore trail, a hiking start point for a trail that runs the lakeshore in the upper reaches. At the very top is Stekehin, a small town and basecamp for many outdoor adventures deep into the North Cascades National Park. The valley continues up another 25 miles with a free National Park shuttle bus taking riders to various locations along the way.

The Lake Chelan Dam lies at the base of the lake in the city of Chelan. The small dam is not open to the public, however there are good views from the new Reach 1 Trail, a 3-mile plus round trip walk that runs from below the dam down to the Chelan River shore.

Year round private park with a beach, skate park, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, go-carts, playground, picnic shelters and an 18-hole natural grass putting course.

A 10 acre city park has a nice swimming area, grassy lawn, boat launch, volleyball and basketball courts, play equipment, boat mooring, picnic tables and restrooms.

Built and maintained by the Chelan County PUD, Riverwalk Park has an amphitheater, a one-mile paved walking trail around the Chelan River, covered picnic area, boat launch and short-term moorage.

This is the town water park with a dozen or so slides and two inner-tube runs. It is a good place to cool off and enjoy a water park without freezing between the rides (like Wildwaves in western Washington). Open Memorial Day thru Labor Day.

Popular car-camping is at Lake Chelan State Park and Twenty-five Mile Creek Campground. For boaters, there are 15 boat-in campgrounds around the lake available on a first-come, first-serve basis. They have vault toilets, picnic tables and boat docks.

Located at 204 E. Woodin Ave. The museum features American Indian artifacts, displays on the area's mining, logging, tourism and fruit industries and an extensive collection of photographs from the early 1900's.

For the best view around, a popular drive-up viewpoint is available on the mountain above the town. The summit is also a popular launch point for hang-gliders. The road can be rough in places so many do walk the road when they hit a point they do not want to drive further.

Chelan Butte

Sunset from Chelan Butte

Chelan Butte and the town below from Deer Butte

Lake Chelan from Deer Butte

Lake Chelan from Twenty-five Mile Creek area

Lake Chelan from the town of Chelan

Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan from the Best Western in Lakeside

Lake Chelan State Park

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park

Located just a short distance from town, this park offers all kinds of activities.

About half-way up the lake, this park is a great way to launch a boat for great lake views.

Stekekin

Lake Chelan State Park swimming area

On the Lady of the Lake

Homes on the east side