Wildlife & Birding in The Lake Chelan Valley

This region follows the mighty Columbia River extending from Entiat toward 50+-mile long Lake Chelan and on past toward the small community of Pateros. Look for riparian zones between the Columbia River and the shrub steppe foothills and rocky cliffs. The landscape begins to change as the Wenatchee/Okanogan National Forest is visible around much of Lake Chelan. Take a ride with Lady of the Lake or Lake Chelan Helicopters to access the off-the-grid community of Stehekin situated at the base of the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Four designated Wildlife Areas are located in this region as well: the Swakane Wildlife Area, the Chelan Butte Wildlife Area, Beebe Springs Wildlife Area, and the Gallagher Flat State Wildlife Recreation Area

Wildlife Viewing

Shrew (Vagrant, Water, Marsh and Merriam's), American Pika, Nuttal's Cottontail, Jackrabbit (Black-Tailed and White-Tailed), Muskrat, Beaver, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Squirrel (Cascade Golden-Mantled Ground, Gray, Douglas, Northern Flying) Chipmunk (Yellow Pine and Least), Mice (North American Deer and Northwestern Deer, Western Harvest, Great Basin Pocket, Pacific Jumping), Bushy-Tailed Woodrat, Vole (Montane, Long-Tailed, Water, Southern Red-Backed, Western Heather and Sagebrush), Porcupine, Northern Pocket Gopher, Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Coyote, Red Fox, Black Bear, Raccoon, Long-Tailed Weasel, Mink, American Marten, Northern River Otter, American Badger, Striped Skunk, Deer (Mule and Black-Tailed), Rocky Mountain Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose