01•15•2024
Only a three-hour drive from Seattle, Chelan is a small town with big opportunities for a getaway. Known for its 300+ days of annual sunshine, Chelan can be a great escape if you need a break from the rain in Seattle or just want an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors on the lake!
Chelan is located in central Washington, and although it’s a year-round destination, summer is one of the most popular times to visit. In the summer, visitors enjoy a variety of watersports in the pristine, glacier fed waters of Lake Chelan. You can choose from an array of activities including swimming, waterskiing, parasailing, jet skiing, fishing, kayaking, and more. The town of Chelan has small shops to explore, and there is a summer farmers market on Thursdays May through October. Visitors can also enjoy a range of hiking opportunities in the area from easy hikes such as the Riverwalk Loop Trail in downtown Chelan to the more challenging Chelan Butte Trail with views overlooking the lake and town. There are several nearby golf courses as well. Other popular area activities include:
Winterfest – Every January, Chelan puts on a winter celebration with tons of fun wintertime activities. I have been hoping to try this since we moved here! You can choose from activities and crafts for kids, a snow slide, live ice sculpture carving, a polar bear plunge, an ice bar with adult beverages, a cocoa crawl, and fireworks!
Slidewaters – This waterpark is located on a hillside overlooking Lake Chelan. It offers a variety of waterslides, a lazy river, and an adjacent surf facility called Lakeside Surf. They also have an on-site grill with food options if you want to stay for the day.
Wine Tasting – Chelan and the nearby town of Mason are known as a wine destination with over 30 wineries offering plenty of wine tasting opportunities on the shores of Lake Chelan. There are also places to enjoy hard cider made from apples grown in the area.
Stehekin – Stehekin is a tiny, remote town at the north end of Lake Chelan, on the opposite end from Chelan. Stehekin is only accessible by boat, plane, or on foot and is not accessible by outside road. You can take the Lady of the Lake boat from Chelan to Stehekin for either a day trip or an overnight trip. See my separate post to learn more about this great adventure!
Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area – Less than 10 miles from Chelan you’ll find the Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area offering 25 miles of trails for cross-country skiers and snowshoers.
We always stay at Campbell’s Resort when we visit Chelan. I’m sure there are other great options, but we love Campbell’s for its great location right on the shores of Lake Chelan. With its own private beach, proximity to dining options, family-friendly room options, and two heated pools, it’s the perfect place for our family. Plus, every room at Campbell’s has a balcony or patio, a mini or full-size fridge, microwave, and wi-fi.
Lake Chelan Artisan Bakery – We visit this bakery for breakfast every time we visit Chelan. It has wonderful pastries such as ham and cheese croissants, cinnamon rolls, and cherry turnovers.
Ice Cream Parlor at the Landing – No summer trip to the lake would be complete without ice cream! All of our visits to Chelan involve a stop at the ice cream parlor for a scoop of ice cream!
Local Myth Pizza – This pizzeria offers online ordering and is perfect to pick up and eat by the lake! They do also have small indoor and outdoor seating areas.
Campbell’s Pub & Veranda – This restaurant is located at Campbell’s Resort. We haven’t actually tried this place yet, but it is always crowded, so it must be good!
Blueberry Hills Farm & Restaurant – Located in Manson, this restaurant is known for its from-scratch cooking and views of Lake Chelan. With breakfast all day, a variety of burgers, and delicious desserts, you can’t go wrong!
If you love the lake life and you’re looking for some sunshine, the small town of Chelan has a lot to offer! Whether you visit in the summer to enjoy watersports or hiking, or you visit in the winter to enjoy snowshoeing and Winterfest, you can’t go wrong!
