Lake Chelan
The Lodge Lake Chelan
Right on the lake, the easiest choice if the whole point of the trip is the water.
A 50-mile alpine lake and Washington wine country
Lake Chelan stretches more than 50 miles into the Cascades, deep enough that its far end, Stehekin, has no road access at all and can only be reached by boat, floatplane, or trail. The near end, around the town of Chelan, is a summer lake town with beaches, houseboats, and a growing list of wineries on the surrounding hillsides.
It draws a different crowd than the coast or the mountains, more lake days and wine tasting than hiking boots, though the North Cascades are visible from the water on a clear day.
Right on the lake, the easiest choice if the whole point of the trip is the water.
A budget-friendly base in nearby Wenatchee, a short drive from the lake and Chelan's wineries.
Straightforward suites in Wenatchee, a practical base for exploring the whole Lake Chelan valley.
No. The road ends partway up the lake. The upper end, including the village of Stehekin, is reachable only by boat, floatplane, or a long trail, which is part of what makes it feel remote.
Yes. The area has become a real wine region, with tasting rooms scattered along the lake's hillsides, and it pairs naturally with a few lake days.