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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

Young buck near Stehekin

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Key Birding Areas

Lake Chelan State Park. 127-acre park along lake with rocky shore and forested foothills

Common Loons, Buffleheads, Horned and Pied-billed Grebes, Buffleheads, White-Headed Woodpeckers, Varied Thrushes, White and Red-Breasted Nuthatches, Spotted Towhees, Brown Creepers, Song Sparrows, Chestnut-backed and Mountain Chickadees, Great Horned Owls


Chelan Riverwalk Park. City park

Eastern Kingbirds, American Goldfinches, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Cliff Swallows, Barn, Tree and Violet-Green Swallows, Townsend's Solitaires, Common Loons, Belted Kingfishers, Pied-Billed, Horned and Western Grebes

Birding Guide
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Wildlife Guide
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Field Guides
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Lake Chelan Valley Lodging, Dining, Activities & Info
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