Lake Chelan is a long, narrow lake in north-central Washington’s Chelan County, stretching approximately 50.5 miles from the resort town of Chelan at its southern end to the roadless community of Stehekin at its northern tip. Carved by glaciers and overdeepened far below sea level, Lake Chelan reaches a maximum depth of 1,486 feet — the third deepest lake in the United States, behind only Crater Lake and Lake Tahoe. The southern end of the lake sits in the rain shadow of the Cascades, with the town of Chelan averaging only about 11 inches of rain per year and more than 300 sunny days, making summer conditions reliably warm and dry. The combination of clear water, wine country, and backcountry access makes it a popular Pacific Northwest destination from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
1. Visit a Winery
The Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area (AVA) — a subzone of the larger Columbia Valley AVA — is concentrated along the southern 12 miles of the lake and is home to approximately 30 wineries and tasting rooms. The semi-arid climate and glacially enriched soils produce notable whites alongside reds. Tsillan Cellars, styled after an Italian villa on the north shore near Chelan, has a tasting room and restaurant (Sorrento’s Ristorante) with views over the water. Benson Vineyards Estate Winery sits on a hillside with panoramic lake views and offers picnic-friendly grounds after tastings. Most tasting rooms are open through the summer season; hours vary by property.
2. Ride the Lady of the Lake Ferry
Commercial passenger boat service on Lake Chelan dates to 1889, with the original Lady of the Lake vessel launched in 1900. Today the Lake Chelan Boat Company operates the Lady of the Lake II and the faster Lady Express from the dock at 1418 W Woodin Avenue in Chelan. The scheduled route runs to Stehekin at the far end of the lake, with optional stops at Fields Point and Lucerne along the way. The full trip to Stehekin on the slower vessel is an all-day affair — departing around 8:30 a.m. and returning by early evening — while the Lady Express makes the trip in roughly 2.5 hours each way. National Geographic has listed the voyage among notable trips in the Pacific Northwest. The boat service operates year-round, with reduced frequency in the off-season.
3. Spend the Day at Slidewaters Water Park
Slidewaters is a water park located on a hillside above the town of Chelan, with views over the lake. The park features multiple water slides of varying intensity, a lazy river, and a children’s area. It typically operates during summer months; check the park’s website for current hours and seasonal opening and closing dates before visiting.
4. Explore the Lake Chelan Museum
The Lake Chelan Museum in downtown Chelan covers the history of the valley from its Native American origins — the Entiat and other Plateau peoples inhabited the area for thousands of years — through the Euro-American settlement period of the late 1800s and into the twentieth century. Displays include artifacts, photographs, and interpretive exhibits on the lake’s agricultural history, the development of the town, and the region’s natural geography. The museum makes for a useful orientation stop, particularly if rain moves in during an otherwise outdoor-focused trip.
5. Catch a Movie at the Ruby Theatre
The Ruby Theatre at 135 E Woodin Avenue in downtown Chelan opened on July 1, 1914, making it the oldest continuously operating movie theater in Washington state. It was built by brothers Herbert and Morrison Kingman and has been in near-continuous operation since, save for a brief closure in the 1970s. The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. It retains its original horseshoe-shaped balcony and vintage character, and shows first-run films on a single screen. The Ruby also hosts concerts, workshops, and community events. Admission is modest by current standards.
6. Try Tandem Skydiving with a Winery Component
Skydive Chelan, based near the lake, offers tandem skydiving jumps that can be paired with a winery visit as part of a combined experience. Participants are transported between the jump site and a participating winery, making it an unusual combination of adrenaline activity and wine tasting in the same outing. As with any skydiving operation, advance booking is required and weather conditions affect scheduling.
7. Golf at Lake Chelan Golf Course
Lake Chelan Golf Course is an 18-hole public course located a short drive from downtown Chelan, with mountain and valley views. Golf is available from approximately Memorial Day weekend through early October, with greens fees varying by season. The course is part of Mount Shasta Resort, which also offers lodging in the area.
8. Rent an E-Bike or Join a Bike Tour
Several outfitters in Chelan offer bicycle rentals, including electric bikes, for exploring the valley roads and lakeside terrain. Guided tour options include winery-to-winery rides and sunset routes with views over the lake. The relatively flat terrain around the south end of the lake is well-suited to cycling, with more challenging grades if riders head north along the shoreline.
9. Camp at Twenty-Five Mile Creek or Lake Chelan State Park
Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park is located about 25 miles north of Chelan along the southwest shore — accessible by car on South Lakeshore Road — and offers campsites in a quieter setting away from town. The park has a boat ramp and a small concession store. Lake Chelan State Park, closer to town on the same road, provides easier access to the water and town amenities, along with a boat ramp and beach area. Both parks fill quickly in summer; reservations well in advance are strongly advised. Washington State Parks reservations can be made through the Washington State Parks Reserve America system.
10. Shop the Farmers Market and Fruit Stands
The Chelan Valley is prime apple, cherry, pear, and soft fruit country, and roadside farm stands line the routes into town from mid-summer through fall harvest. Sunshine Farm Market and the Chelan Evening Farmers Market both operate in and near downtown during the summer season. Many stands also carry homemade jams and locally produced goods. Visitors heading back toward Seattle or east toward Wenatchee often stock up on produce before departing.
11. Take a Helicopter Tour
Several operators offer helicopter tours over Lake Chelan and the surrounding North Cascades terrain. A standard tour covers the full length of the lake from above — providing perspective that is simply unavailable from the road, since roads only reach roughly halfway up the lake’s length. Half-day tours that combine a helicopter flight with a winery visit are also available. Pricing is at the higher end relative to other Chelan activities; advance booking is recommended.
12. Walk Chelan Riverwalk Park
Chelan Riverwalk Park runs along the Chelan River near its confluence with the Columbia River on the southeast edge of town. The paved path is approximately one mile and is popular with walkers, joggers, and families. The water is calm and shallow in sections, making it suitable for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding during summer. The Riverwalk Pavilion hosts outdoor concerts and community events throughout the season.
13. Fish the Lake and Nearby Rivers
Lake Chelan supports fishing year-round for lake trout, chinook salmon, rainbow trout, and other species. A Washington State fishing license is required; check WDFW regulations for current species limits and seasonal rules before heading out. Guided fishing trips can be arranged through local outfitters in Chelan. The rivers flowing into and out of the lake — including the Stehekin River at the lake’s north end — also offer fishing opportunities in season.
14. Day-Trip to Stehekin
Stehekin is a small community of roughly 75 to 90 year-round residents at the northwest end of Lake Chelan, accessible only by boat, floatplane, or a long backcountry hike over the Cascades — no roads connect it to the outside highway system. The Lake Chelan Boat Company ferry stops here on its regular route. Stehekin sits within the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, which is administered by the National Park Service as part of the North Cascades National Park Complex; the Stehekin Valley Road leads up the valley to trailheads connecting into North Cascades National Park and the Stephen Mather Wilderness. Notable attractions include Rainbow Falls (a 312-foot waterfall on Rainbow Creek, accessible by road or trail from the landing), the Buckner Homestead Historic District, and the Stehekin Pastry Company, which draws long lines during peak season. A typical day trip using the Lady Express allows approximately 4.5 to 6 hours in Stehekin before the return departure; the slower Lady of the Lake II offers longer layovers.
15. Rent a Boat for the Day
Several marinas in and around Chelan rent powerboats, pontoon boats, and personal watercraft by the half or full day. The southern end of the lake is warmest and most accessible for day boating; the upper lake grows progressively more remote, with no fuel or services beyond the town of Chelan until Stehekin. Swimming from boats is popular throughout summer when water temperatures in the shallower Wapato Basin warm to swimmable levels.
16. Eat at Local Chelan Restaurants
Chelan has a concentrated restaurant scene along and near Woodin Avenue downtown. Lake Chelan Artisan Bakery is a popular morning stop, known for fresh-baked bagels, croissants, and scones alongside espresso drinks. Lakeview Drive-In has operated since 1957, serving burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes with outdoor seating that looks out over the lake — a Chelan institution. Tin Lilly is a bar on the main strip with a shaded back patio that draws a happy-hour crowd. Local Myth Pizza offers pizza, calzones, and local beer on tap with a small patio, and is a reliable option after an active day on the water or trails.
For more on Washington State outdoor destinations, see the site’s guides to Taughannock Falls, Pacific Northwest river fishing, Winthrop WA, and Pacific Northwest family resorts.
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