Chelan

The Lake Chelan AVA is Washington State’s 11th American Viticultural Area. The AVA boasts 24,040 total acres located 7 miles along the lake's eastern end and the surrounding lands that are at or below 2,000 feet in elevation. Wineries and tasting rooms surround Lake Chelan among the 300+ acres of vineyards that are planted providing exceptional wine-tasting experiences year-round. 

Throughout the year special Wine Tasting events happen throughout the valley -- Check with Lake Chelan Wine Valley for details

Explore the historic downtown—friendly, family-owned boutiques and lodging, resort facilities, wine-tasting rooms, galleries, restaurants, small-town charm. Stop by Lake Chelan Chamber and Visitor Center to pick up travel guides and learn about the local's favorite hikes and dining options. 

Lake Chelan is world-famous for fishing which is exceptional year-round. The cool depths yield landlocked lingcod or burbot, lake trout, kokanee (which are landlocked sockeye salmon), as well as landlocked chinook salmon. Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and smallmouth bass are abundant in the warmer, clear waters near shore. 

During the summer, plan to spend time at Slidewaters - float around the Lazy River, race your friends on the Downhill Racer or one of the numerous body or tube slides. And if you surf, Lakeside Surf has perfect deep-water wave that guarantees a wave of up to 6 feet and over 54 feet wide. 

For more information about recreating in the National Forest: Chelan Ranger Station

After spending a day enjoying the fun and sun, relax in Chelan's Historic Ruby Theater. For 109 years this landmark has been an entertainment hub, and you can watch first run movies, no matter the season!

Nature's Window Wildlife and Natural History Museum is a newly opened attraction, that will amaze you when you walk through and see the art, sculpture, and taxidermy all displayed in natural scenery. An amazing amount of work went into this place, to give visitors a chance to see full size animal display that they may never see in real life. The collection includes regional favorites like bighorn sheep, moose, bears and deer, as well as polar bear, pronghorn, warthog, jaguar and more! Open seasonally, spring through fall.

Setup Basecamp with these Chelan partners: Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan, Darnell's Lake Resort, or Midtowner Motel 

Manson

Take a short 7-mile drive on Highway 150 along majestic Lake Chelan to the town of Manson, and stop by the Manson Chamber and Visitor Center for more information about the area, and take your picture on their giant yellow chair! Walk to over 18 wineries and tasting rooms here plus the town’s waterfront park at Manson Bay has picnic facilities, a swim area, and boat moorage. 

If you love flowers, stop by Antheia of Chelan, just outside Manson. Take a u-cut bouquet back to your lodgings! Of course, this is seasonal, opening in spring, and closing after pumpkin season in the fall.

For more scenic views, meander along Manson’s Scenic Loop and explore four small neighboring fishing lakes: Roses Lake, Wapato Lake, Dry Lake, and Lake Antilon.  Wapato Lake and Lake Antilon have camping facilities. You’ll want to spend some quality time in the cute community’s downtown core— complete with wineries, breweries, lodging, boutique shopping, and family-friendly dining. Nearby Old Mill Park is a great place to take the dogs for a swim!

Basecamp at Mountain View Lodge and start exploring!

For more information: Manson Chamber and Visitor Center

Stehekin

Looking to really get off the beaten path? Then a trip to Stehekin is a must. There are no roads to this tiny, uplake, mountain village. It is accessible only by boat, helicopter, or hiking. The Lady of the Lake passenger ferry leaves Chelan with regularly scheduled service to Stehekin and back. While in Stehekin, ride horses, kayak, bicycle, or fish. Visit the historic Buckner Orchard to see the tools and techniques early settlers used to make a living in this valley over a century ago. Cool off at Rainbow Falls, a picturesque, 312-foot waterfall. The Stehekin Valley is the southern gateway to North Cascades National Park. Hundreds of miles of trails carry hikers into four adjoining wilderness areas.

For more information: Stehekin Golden West Visitor Center