Lake Chelan offers a variety of fun and exciting outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy. Throughout this 50.5-mile lake, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Lake Chelan and its surrounding areas of Stehekin, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and the North Cascades National Park.
If you’re heading to Lake Chelan with the family, here are 6 fun things to do:
- Go on a scenic hike
Hiking is one of the best ways to expose your children to nature and bond with the family. In Lake Chelan, there are plenty of kid-friendly hiking trails that circle around the magnificent, glacier-fed lake and offer spectacular mountain views.
In the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, you’ll see several hiking trails such as the Echo Ridge Trail System and the Lakeshore Trail. The 26-mile Echo Ridge Trail System offers easygoing trails while the 17-mile Lakeshore Trail is perfect for families looking for a more challenging hike.
- Make a splash at the Slidewaters Water Park and Water Slides
Located on the top of a hill, this family-friendly water park in Lake Chelan has a variety of attractions for kids of all ages. Toddlers will enjoy splashing around in the Aqua Zoo, which contains beginner slides, mini animal slides, a mushroom waterfall, and a water teeter-totter. Older kids will definitely have a blast going down exciting tube slides like the Thunder Rapids and the Purple Haze.
- Take a boat ride at Lady of the Lake
This popular Chelan boat company will bring you and your family on a scenic trip around the Lake Chelan wilderness. With these boat tours, you can easily visit the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, Holden Village, and Stehekin.
- Ride the Red Bus
Take your family on a tour around the Stehekin Valley using the Red Bus. These red buses can take you to different areas such as the Stehekin Pastry Company, the Stehekin Valley Ranch, and High Bridge. You can also join the 50-minute Red Bus Tour to Rainbow Falls, a 312-foot waterfall in the North Cascades National Park.
- Check out historical places and landmarks
Not far from Lake Chelan, you’ll also find various historical sites like the Historic Ruby Theatre in Chelan and the Historic Old Stehekin Schoolhouse in Stehekin. Known as Washington’s oldest theater, the Historic Ruby Theatre has been operating since 1914 and continuously shows newly-released films. Your family will also enjoy a visit to the Historic Old Stehekin Schoolhouse, a one-room school that is registered as a historic landmark.
- Visit a park
Lake Chelan is also surrounded by wonderful parks like Riverwalk Park, the Don Morse Memorial Park, and Lake Chelan State Park that revel in picturesque lakeside views. These parks also offer a variety of outdoor activities such as swimming, boating, picnicking, and camping.
Living near Lake Chelan provides you and the whole family with unique outdoor recreational opportunities. Learn more about the communities of Chelan, Winthrop, and Mason that live near this amazing outdoor area.
Looking to buy or sell a home in Chelan, Manson, Orondo, Brewster, Pateros, Twisp, or Winthrop, or other nearby communities? Get in touch with Coldwell Banker Lake Chelan Properties at 509-682-7777, or send an email to info(at)cbchelan(dotted)com.
Read more: 101 Reasons To Live in Lake Chelan