Lake Chelan
The lake stretches impossibly far into the mountains, a ribbon of blue extending 55 miles from the sun-baked town of Chelan to the roadless village of Stehekin at its northwestern tip. Lake Chelan is the third-deepest lake in the United States, its waters plunging 1,486 feet into a trench carved by glaciers over millions of years. The name comes from the Salish word for 'deep water' - an apt description for a fjord-like valley that holds more mystery than most lakes ten times its size. Only a few miles of lakeshore are accessible by road; the rest requires a boat, a ferry, or the willingness to hike.
The Deep Water
Glaciers carved Lake Chelan during the ice ages, the same forces that sculpted the North Cascades into some of the most rugged terrain in the lower 48 states. The valley's fjord-like topography results from repeated glacial erosion over thousands of years, with the last major glaciation retreating about 20,000 years ago. The lake that filled the valley plunges deeper than most of Puget Sound.
The town of Chelan sits at the southern tip, on one of the few sections of lakeshore flat enough for development. It's an agricultural center and resort community, sun-drenched in summer when visitors flock to the beaches. Orchards cover the surrounding hillsides, irrigated by water from the same snowmelt that feeds the lake. The dry climate of eastern Washington provides over 300 days of sunshine annually - a stark contrast to the rainforests on the lake's upper end.
The Ferry to Stehekin
The passenger ferries depart from Chelan and travel uplake to Stehekin, a journey of about four hours each way. There is no road to Stehekin - the village at the lake's northwestern tip has been isolated since its founding, accessible only by boat, seaplane, or trail. The ferry ride itself is an experience, the lake narrowing as mountains rise on either side, civilization falling away with each mile.
Stehekin sits within the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, administered by North Cascades National Park. The village offers a few lodges, a small store, and access to trails that climb into wilderness that feels genuinely remote. Hikers can connect to the Pacific Crest Trail or explore the Stehekin Valley. For those seeking escape from roads and cell coverage, the upper lake delivers in ways that few places in Washington can match.
Water and Wine
The lower lake and town of Chelan have developed into a summer playground for eastern Washington. The warm, sunny climate draws families to beaches and boat ramps, water-skiers and jet-skiers cutting wakes across the blue surface. The resort atmosphere includes waterfront restaurants, mini-golf, and the commercial bustle that accompanies any popular vacation destination.
The surrounding hillsides have increasingly turned to wine grapes, taking advantage of the same sunny climate that makes the lake so appealing. The Lake Chelan AVA was established in 2009, and wineries now offer tastings with views across the water. The combination of water recreation and wine touring has made Chelan a destination for a different kind of visitor than those seeking wilderness at the lake's upper end - though both experiences exist within the same dramatic landscape.
The North Cascade Loop
Chelan sits on the North Cascade Loop, a scenic driving route that circles through some of Washington's most dramatic mountain country. From here, travelers can continue to Winthrop, the frontier-themed town on the approach to North Cascades National Park, or south to Wenatchee, the self-proclaimed Apple Capital of the World. The loop connects the dry eastern valleys to the rain-drenched western slopes, crossing terrain that changes with every mile.
But the lake itself remains the draw. Whether arriving for a weekend of beach lounging and wine tasting, or boarding the ferry for the long ride to Stehekin and the wilderness beyond, visitors find themselves at the edge of something deeper than the mountains alone can explain. The Salish people named it well - this is deep water in every sense, carved by ice, filled by snowmelt, holding secrets in its depths.
From the Air
Located at 47.84N, 120.02W in the North Central Cascades. Lake Chelan is unmistakable from altitude - a narrow, 55-mile-long lake extending northwest into the mountains. The town of Chelan is visible at the southern tip where US-97 passes nearby. The lake narrows dramatically as it extends into the mountains; only the lower few miles have road access. Stehekin is visible as a small clearing at the northwestern tip where the lake meets the wilderness. The terrain transitions from the dry eastern Washington hills near Chelan to rugged North Cascades peaks at the upper lake. Chelan Municipal Airport (S10) serves general aviation.