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Lake Chelan

There are a plethora of things to do in Lake Chelan throughout the year. Waterparks, swimming, boating, and paddleboarding are popular summertime activities. Don't forget about go-karting, parasailing, skydiving and minigolf as well! Mountain biking and hiking is available in the spring, summer and fall, and winter brings snow and opportunities to sled, ski, snowmobile and tube, while wine tasting is a popular activity no matter the time of year. Visit our complete list of things to do in Lake Chelan to find the perfect activity!

The third deepest lake in the United States offers a ton of water-based activities with local parks and resorts on the water offering beaches to cool off in the lake during the hot summer. Parks are also a great place to launch a paddleboard or kayak, and of course boating is a popular activity, which boat rentals and boat launches spread around the lake. And there's also the waterpark, which is a favorite for kids of all ages and open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The Lake Chelan area has a variety of hikes for all ages and abilities, from easy strolls along the water to strenuous hikes through recent forest fires. The Chelan Riverwalk, Reach One and Little Bear trails are great for families, with little elevation gain and low mileage. If you are looking for views of the lake, check out Fourth of July Mountain hike uplake of Manson and Elephant Head near Chelan. Farther uplake on the South Shore lies the Twentyfive Mile Valley, with a number of hikes including the strenous Pot Peak as well as the remote Stormy Mountain, a great hike in the fall when the larches turn gold. And don't forget about Echo Ridge, conveniently located between Chelan and Manson with over 35 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. For those looking for overnight backpacking trips, check out our Lake Chelan Campsites page for boat-in and hike-in campgrounds on the upper section of the lake.

While Wine grapes have been grown in the Chelan Valley for over a hundred year, commercial production began in the late 1990's. Lake Chelan became Washington State's latest American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2009 and now boasts over 40 wineries, with a mix of tasting rooms in Chelan and Manson, and estate vineyards with incredible views of Lake Chelan. A number of wineries also feature restaurants, and there are a number of wine focus events throughout the year.

During the winter months, Snowshoeing provides a great way to be active in the Lake Chelan area. Echo Ridge is an excellent option, with the Zoom and Snowshoe trailheads providing access to a number of snowshoe trails, many of which have views of the lake. Day access passes at Echo Ridge are $15 per person and can be purchased at the self service fee areas located at the trailheads with cash or check (kids 17 and under are free). Chelan Butte is another great option, either from the Chelan Butte trailhead which follows the summer trail, or follow the Chelan Butte Road, which is only plowed part of the way up. The Lake Antilon Sno-Park is also an option, where you can follow forest service roads, or try Fourth of July Mountain for an epic view of the Lake.

The Lake Chelan Valley can get quite cold during the winter months, and can be blanketed with snow during the heart of the winter. What better way to enjoy the cold weather and snow than sledding? While there are many hills in the area for sledding, the Lake Chelan Municipal Golf Course provides a convenient option, with a designated sledding hill right next to the club house. Drive on up, and you will see signs directing you towards the sledding hill.

Lake Chelan isn't known as a backcountry skiing destination, but during the heart of winter there is usually enough snow to get out for a backcountry excursion in the mountains surrounding the lake. Chelan Butte offers stunning views and easy access, while both Antilon Lake Sno-Park and Twenty Five Mile Creek Sno-Park have a few ski tours as well.