Lake Chelan is a popular Washington State vacation destination due to its sunny weather and natural beauty. The 50 mile lake is surrounded by vineyards and orchards and offers activities and festivals year-round.
About
If you grew up in Washington, you know that Lake Chelan has been a favorite vacation destination for years, due to its sunny, warm summers and a variety of water and other outdoor recreation opportunities. 55-mile long Lake Chelan is one of the deepest lakes in North America and is located in the North Cascades region of Washington. The area includes the small towns of Chelan and Manson and of tiny Stehekin on the north end of the lake.
Native Americans inhabited the area for thousands of years and called the lake “Tsillane” which means “deep water. Nowadays, the area is known for its productive fruit orchards as well as a growing wine industry.
Weather and Getting There
Chelan has over 300 average days of sunshine per year and has well defined seasons with hot summers and cold winters. Average high temperatures in summer are in the mid 80’s and winters are in the mid 30’s. Early fall in Chelan still feels like summer with high temperatures in the 70’s and even the 80’s.
To get to Lake Chelan from Seattle, take I-90 east over Snoqualmie Pass and then head north on Hwy 97 to Hwy 2 East and then north on 97Alt. Chelan is located about 3 hours from Seattle and 2.5 hours from Spokane.
Dining
- BBQ at Lake Chelan Winery – Enjoy casual outdoor dining right in the vineyard across the street from Lake Chelan. Families are welcome!
- Marcela’s Mexican Restaurant – Tasty Mexican food and locally owned, right in downtown Chelan.
- Sorrento’s at Tsillan Cellars – Beautiful Italian restaurant just outside downtown Chelan with views of the lake and vineyard. Great for special occasions or date night.
Festivals & Events
- Lake Chelan Winterfest (January) – Ice sculptures, fireworks, live music, ice bar
- Wine and Jazz Festival (May) – Live music at over 10 wineries and venues over 4 days
Outdoors
Lake Chelan is a mecca for outdoor activities in all seasons. In summer, enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, beaches, hiking, and golfing. In winter, Lake Chelan is still an inviting destination. Popular winter activities include cross country and downhill skiing and snowboarding at Echo Valley and nearby Mission Ridge.
Things to Do
- Wine Tasting – Lake Chelan offers over 30 wineries and tasting rooms along its sunny shores.
- Slidewaters Water Park – Family-friendly water park located on the shores of Lake Chelan, open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Historic Ruby Theater – Located in downtown Chelan, the Ruby Theater was established in 1914. This historic theater offers first run movies and seats about 200.
- Lake Chelan Golf Course
- High Trek Chelan Ziplines – Adventure park with ziplines and ax throwing. Located 1 mile from downtown Chelan.
- Shoreline Watercraft Boat, Jet Ski, and Paddleboard Rentals
- Lake Chelan Boat Company – Scenic 55-mile boat ride from Chelan to Stehekin, WA
- Don Morse Park
