14 Fun Things to Do in Lake Chelan, WA in 2026

I’ve been visiting Lake Chelan for about 25 years, since I was a kid coming here on family camping trips. As an adult, I’ve been back for just about every kind of trip you can take here. I camped at Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park with a group of friends starting in 2017, and it became an annual tradition. Now those same friends have kids of their own, and we bring the whole family.

I came back for a bachelorette weekend in August 2024 with wine tasting and downtown nights out, plus a media trip combined with Leavenworth around 2020, where I got to talk to winery owners about the area. Each trip is different, which is why I keep coming back. It’s the perfect road trip from Seattle.

Lake Chelan is one of the most popular places to visit in Washington when the weather gets warm, and it’s one of the best Seattle weekend trip ideas. You can wine taste, get out on the water, soak up the sun, and slow down. There are plenty of things to do in Lake Chelan, no matter how you like to travel.

One of the more unique aspects of the lake is its length: 55 miles, to be exact. Truly exploring the entire lake takes time and can’t be done in a day. That’s why I recommend at least three to four days for your Lake Chelan trip.

Here are 15 of the best things to do in Lake Chelan, all activities I’ve personally done over the years, plus where to stay for your visit.

Where to Stay in Lake Chelan

Here are some of my recommendations for where to stay. This is one of the more popular places in the state for summer vacations, so book early!

15 Best Things to Do in Lake Chelan

There are plenty of Lake Chelan activities to do, whether you love wine tasting or getting out on the lake.

1. Go Wine Tasting

There are over 35 wineries in the Lake Chelan AVA, so it’s no surprise that wine tasting is one of the most popular things to do in Lake Chelan. Many people consider this region on par with California’s Sonoma Valley wineries.

I’ve been wine tasting in Chelan on multiple trips over the years, including a bachelorette weekend in August 2024 where we worked our way through a long list. Here are the wineries I’d recommend.

• Tsillan Cellars & Sorrento’s Ristorante is one of the most beautiful wineries in the area thanks to the Tuscany-inspired building. I try to come here for lunch or dinner on every trip because it’s such a relaxing setting.
• Benson Vineyards Estate Winery has a stunning view of the lake from on top of a hill. It’s always one of my favorite stops in Chelan, Washington.
• Succession Wines is a smaller, more intimate winery that we hit on the bachelorette trip. Great pours and a relaxed vibe.
• Vin du Lac Winery is right outside downtown Chelan, and I highly recommend their white flight if you’re not sure what to order. It was a standout from our bachelorette tasting.

After you’re done wine tasting in Chelan, sit outside to enjoy lunch and a bottle of wine for a relaxing afternoon. You can also find the full winery list here if you want to plan your own route.

2. Take a Tour of the Lake

The Lady of the Lake boat tour is one of my favorite things to do in Lake Chelan because it shows you a side of the lake most people never see. Most visitors only experience the downtown area at the bottom of the lake, but the lake stretches 55 miles north, and the only way to see the rest is by boat (or float plane).

The boat was originally built in 1900 to transport passengers from the south side of the lake to the north. You can now take multiple tours to reach parts that are otherwise hard to get to, including hike-in trailheads and remote campsites. It’s a relaxing way to spend a day on the water without having to do any of the driving yourself.

If you want to go all the way to the top of the lake, this is also how most people get to Stehekin (more on that later in this guide).

3. Head to a Waterpark

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Slidewaters has been rated one of the top 15 waterparks in the United States year after year, and it’s one of my kids’ favorite things to do in Lake Chelan. There’s nothing like spending a day at this waterpark when it’s hot outside.

The lazy river is great for younger kids who aren’t ready for the bigger slides yet. My kids loved floating around it on a hot afternoon, and it’s an easy way to cool down without committing to the more intense rides. There are also waterslides for older kids and adults, plus an area for the youngest kids to play.

If you’re visiting in the peak of summer when temperatures are in the 80s or 90s, I highly recommend renting a cabana for the day. It gives you shade, a place to leave your stuff, and a home base to come back to between rides. Worth it when it’s hot.

Slidewaters opens at 10 am every day and closes at 7 pm. They’re open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Here are more fun summer activities in Seattle to check out.

4. Stop by the Lake Chelan Museum

On most trips to Chelan, I’m chasing the sun, but it does rain here sometimes (especially in the shoulder season), and the museum is my go-to backup when the lake isn’t cooperating. I stopped in during my Moon Washington research trip to round out the book’s history section, and it ended up being a longer visit than I’d planned.

The museum sits in the old 1907 Miners & Merchants Bank building on Woodin Avenue, right in downtown Chelan. Two floors, 11,000 square feet, and a collection that’s deeper than the unassuming exterior suggests. Exhibits cover the Native tribes who lived in the valley long before settlers arrived, pioneer homestead life, the apple and wine industries, and the wildfire history that’s shaped the region. There’s also a section of older everyday items (roller washing machines, early typewriters, a hotel switchboard) that my kids would’ve been fascinated by if I’d had them with me.

Admission is by donation, and the staff are locals who know their stuff. It’s open Thursday through Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm, so plan accordingly. An hour is plenty for most people.

Insider tip: If you’re in town on a rainy afternoon or just need a break from the lake glare, pair the museum with lunch at Lake Chelan Artisan Bakery, a few blocks away. Both are within walking distance of the main downtown stretch.

5. Catch a Movie at the Ruby Theatre

The Ruby has been showing movies on Woodin Avenue since 1914, which makes it the oldest continuously operating cinema in Washington state and one of the more unexpected things to do in Lake Chelan on a rainy day. I haven’t caught a film here yet, but I walk past it every time I’m in downtown Chelan, and it’s on my short list for our next rainy evening in town with my family.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the original horseshoe-shaped balcony, tin ceiling, and cast plaster proscenium arch are still intact from when it opened as a “Photo Play House” over a century ago. Tickets are around $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and teens, and $8 for kids 12 and under, which is wildly affordable for a first-run movie in 2026. Monday nights are a dollar off.

Showtimes are usually one or two screenings per evening on a single screen, so check rubytheatre.com before you go. It’s a fun stop if you’ve got kids, if the weather turns, or if you just want to experience what going to the movies looked like before multiplexes.

Insider tip: Showtimes are limited (often a single 7 pm screening), so plan your day around the Ruby rather than trying to squeeze it in after a late dinner. Concessions are old-school and reasonably priced, so you don’t need to eat beforehand if you don’t want to.

6. Go Golfing

Lake Chelan has eight golf courses within a short drive of town, which makes it a real destination for golfers. On a 2018 trip with friends, the guys went golfing for the afternoon while I went wine tasting with the girls, and we all met up for dinner at Campbell’s Pub & Veranda. That kind of split-day works well in Chelan, especially with a group.

The two closest public options are Lake Chelan Golf Course, a municipal 18-hole course established in 1964 with lake and Cascade views, and Bear Mountain Ranch Golf Course, a championship 18-hole course that opened in 2005 and was once ranked among the top six new courses in the country by PGA Professionals. Bear Mountain is the higher-end option and the one most visitors mention for the elevation changes and lake views from nearly every hole. The municipal course is more affordable and easier to walk on for a casual round.

If you’re up for a short drive, Gamble Sands is about 45 minutes north and gets cited as one of the best public courses in the country.

Insider tip: Campbell’s Pub & Veranda is a solid post-golf or post-wine-tasting dinner spot right on the lake at Campbell’s Resort. Make a reservation in the summer.

For another trip nearby, check out what to do in Leavenworth or things to do in Wenatchee.

7. Camp at Twenty-Five Creek State Park

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park is the campsite I keep coming back to on Lake Chelan, and it’s where a group of us started camping together in 2017. Back then, it was just adults and tents; now we all bring our kids, and the trip’s only gotten better. The park sits 16 miles up South Lakeshore Road on the south shore, about a 25-minute drive from downtown Chelan.

I always reserve a site in the back of the campground right along the creek. The white noise from the water is perfect for sleeping at night, and during the day, the kids float down it on tubes (or jump in to cool off, depending on the water level). The campground sites are on the smaller side and close together, so the creek-side ones are worth requesting when you reserve.

What keeps me coming back to this spot is the combination: there’s a gated entry with an on-site general store (open Memorial Day through Labor Day, sells firewood, ice, beverages, basic supplies and local wine), the lake beach is right there with a marina and boat launch, and you can be in downtown Chelan or at the wineries in under 30 minutes if you want a night out. It’s the easiest base camp for a family trip that mixes outdoor and town time.

Reservations open well in advance on the Washington State Parks website, and summer weekends book out fast, so plan ahead. A Discover Pass is required for day use but not for overnight camping.

Insider tip: The general store closes after Labor Day, even if the park is still open, so stock up on firewood and ice on the way in if you’re going late season. Cell service at the campground is essentially nonexistent, which is part of the charm, but worth knowing if anyone needs to work remotely.

8. Shop at a Farmers Market

Lake Chelan sits in the middle of some of Washington’s best fruit-growing country, and grabbing local produce is one of my favorite things to do in Lake Chelan in summer. I always stop for cherries and peaches when they’re in season, and the quality is so much better than anything I’d get at home in the Seattle area.

Sunshine Farm Market is my go-to roadside stop on the way into or out of town. It’s on Highway 97A and is open daily from April through October, with hours varying by season. They sell certified organic produce, fresh eggs, baked goods, jams and jellies, and run a cider mill on-site that presses fresh apple cider in the fall. The indoor market is easy to pop in and out of, which I appreciate when I’ve got the kids in the car.

The Chelan Evening Farmers Market at Riverwalk Park runs every Thursday from 2 to 6 pm, May through October, and it’s a great way to spend a summer evening downtown. It’s been running for over 15 years and pulls in 25 to 55 local vendors each week, all handgrown or handmade. You’ll find seasonal fruit (cherries, peaches, apples, tomatoes), flowers, baked goods, food trucks, and live music.

There’s also a Saturday Farmers Market on E. Johnson Avenue from 8 am to 1 pm if Thursday doesn’t fit your schedule.

Insider tip: Cherry season in Chelan typically runs late June through July, peaches hit peak in August, and apples come on in September and October. If you’re planning a trip around fruit, time it accordingly. The Thursday evening market also pairs perfectly with dinner downtown afterward.

9. Walk the Chelan Riverwalk Park

Walking the Chelan Riverwalk is one of my favorite quiet things to do in Lake Chelan, especially in the morning before the town wakes up. On a girls trip two years ago, two of us made it our morning routine: stop at Vogue Coffee for an iced coffee, then walk a couple miles along the riverfront. It’s peaceful in a way that’s hard to find later in the day when Chelan gets busy.

Riverwalk Park is a 12-acre day-use park right in downtown Chelan that wraps around the Chelan River where it meets the lake. The main loop is about one mile of paved path that connects the two pedestrian bridges spanning the river, and it’s flat, stroller-friendly, and shaded in spots. There are picnic tables, grass playfields, and benches along the way if you want to slow down. The trail also has planet-themed signs (a scaled solar system walk) and a sculpture telling a Chelan Tribe story, both fun to spot if you’ve got kids.

If you want a longer walk, the Reach 1 Trail picks up from the Riverwalk Loop and adds another 1.1 miles of gravel path along the Chelan River toward the dam, with interpretive signs about the local geology, hydropower, and the Chelan Valley’s Indigenous history.

Insider tip: The park hosts the Chelan Evening Farmers Market on Thursdays and the Music in the Park summer concert series on the first and third Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. If you’re in town on one of those evenings, time your walk to roll right into it.

10. Take a Day Trip to Stehekin

Stehekin is one of the most unique places in Washington state, and it’s one of the most unforgettable things to do in Lake Chelan if you’ve got the time. It’s a remote town at the very top of Lake Chelan that you can only reach by boat, floatplane, or hiking, with no cell service and a permanent population of around 75 people. I spent a few days there in summer 2023 with my two boys, and the pace of life is so different from anywhere else in the state.

You can do it as a day trip on the Lady of the Lake or stay overnight at North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin or Stehekin Valley Ranch. The boat company runs several vessels with different layover options ranging from 90 minutes up to 6 hours, so book the Lady Liberty round trip if you want a real day on the ground (it’s the fastest boat and gives you 6 hours in Stehekin). I’d recommend two nights if you can swing it, because the whole point of going is to slow down. You’ll want to put this on our Washington bucket list.

The thing everyone goes for is Stehekin Pastry Company, where the cinnamon rolls are the size of a small dinner plate and worth the boat ride alone. Beyond the bakery, the highlights are Rainbow Falls, the McKellar Cabin Trail (a quarter-mile loop near the ferry landing, great with kids), renting a bike from Discovery Bikes, and the Golden West Visitor Center for park info and a kids’ corner. The Stehekin shuttle runs on a posted schedule and is how most people get around once they’re up there.

For the full breakdown, I wrote a whole guide on the best things to do in Stehekin, including how to get there, where to stay, and what to know about visiting with kids.

Insider tip: If you’re doing a day trip, skip the same-boat round trip (only 90 minutes on the ground) and book the Lady Liberty for a 6-hour layover instead. Same total day, way more time in Stehekin.

11. Rent a Boat for the Day

Renting a boat is hands down one of the most fun things to do in Lake Chelan in summer, and I’ve done it twice. Once on a media trip and once for a bachelorette party, both times on pontoon boats with a group. There’s nothing better than spending a hot Chelan summer day on the water, cruising to a quieter part of the lake, anchoring somewhere with a view, and jumping in to cool off. The water is cold enough to be refreshing and clear enough to see straight to the bottom in the shallows.

Lake Chelan is 50.5 miles long, so a boat opens up parts of the lake that most visitors never see from shore. Pontoon boats are the easiest option if you’re going with a group, since they’re stable, easy to drive, and have plenty of space for coolers, snacks, and people who just want to lie out in the sun. If you’re after something faster, ski boats and jet skis are widely available too.

The two main rental companies are Shoreline Watercraft (the largest fleet on the lake, with five locations) and Lake Shores Watercraft & Boat Rentals on West Woodin Avenue. Both rent pontoons, ski boats, and jet skis by the hour, half-day, or full-day, and they fill up fast in July and August, so book ahead.

Insider tip: Book a morning rental if you can. The lake is glassy and calm in the morning before the wind picks up, which makes for an easier ride and better swimming. Bring more sunscreen than you think you need; the reflection off the water is brutal.

12. Eat at the Local Restaurants

Lake Chelan’s restaurant scene has gotten so much better over the years, and these are the four spots I keep coming back to on every trip. None of them is fancy; all of them are good.

Lake Chelan Artisan Bakery is my breakfast and lunch go-to. Everything’s made from scratch with local and organic ingredients when they can swing it, and they serve Blue Star coffee (roasted in Twisp). The pastry case is dangerous (cinnamon rolls, fruit Danishes, croissants), and the sandwiches on house-made sourdough are the move for lunch before a beach day. It’s a quick walk from downtown, and they’re open Sunday through Friday (closed Tuesdays, but seasonally adjusted).

Lakeview Drive-In is the classic Chelan summer move: burgers, fries, and shakes at a walk-up window right next to Don Morse Park. We always grab takeout here when the kids don’t want to sit through a restaurant meal, and we want to eat at the park or back at our hotel.

Tin Lilly on East Woodin Avenue is downtown Chelan’s family-friendly happy hour spot, and the back patio is where you want to sit in summer. The menu is American with a few twists (the Hot Mess Burger and the homemade fries are what I’d order), and they often have live music on the back patio on summer weekends. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Local Myth Pizza is exactly what it sounds like: hand-rolled artisan pizzas, calzones, salads, and a tap list of ten local beers and over thirty local wines. It’s our pick when we want a proper dinner with a group, and they do take-and-bake if you’d rather eat back at the cabin or campsite. Open Tuesday through Sunday year-round.

Insider tip: Summer weekends in Chelan get packed, and most of these spots don’t take reservations. Call ahead or eat early (5 pm) if you’re with a group, or plan a takeout night and eat lakeside or at Riverwalk Park.

13. Visit a Brewery

Lake Chelan is best known for wine, but the beer scene has earned its place too, and these are the two breweries I make time for on every trip. Visiting both is one of my favorite low-key things to do in Lake Chelan when I want a break from wine tasting.

Stormy Mountain Brewing is right on Woodin Avenue in downtown Chelan, two blocks from the lake. The beer is brewed on site, and the menu is full of BBQ (house-smoked brisket, pulled pork, street tacos, and a buffalo mac and cheese that people drive in for). It’s family-friendly, has a happy hour from 11:30 to 4 pm, and runs weekly pub trivia, which is a fun thing to do if you’re in town on a weeknight. The Haulin Oats Red is what I’d order if you like a malty beer.

Lake Chelan Brewery is in downtown Manson on Wapato Way, about a 15-minute drive from Chelan along the north shore. They brew with Lake Chelan’s glacier-fed water, which is a fun detail, and their flagship is the Manson Beach Blonde (bottled now, so you can take a six-pack home). The menu has a green chili burrito and beer-battered fish and chips that are both solid, and it’s a family-friendly brewpub that welcomes all ages. The drive over to Manson is worth it on its own, since you’ll pass several wineries and apple orchards along the way.

Insider tip: Pair a Manson day around the lake with stops at the Lake Chelan Brewery for lunch and a winery or two on the way back to Chelan. Manson is quieter and slower-paced than Chelan, which makes for a nice contrast if you’ve been spending all your time on the busier south shore.

14. Spend a Beach Day at Don Morse Memorial Park

If you’re not staying at a lakefront hotel and need somewhere to spread out for the day, Don Morse Memorial Park is one of the best free things to do in Lake Chelan and the easiest beach access in downtown. We’ve spent a few summer afternoons here over the years, usually packing a cooler and grabbing takeout from Lakeview Drive-In next door.

The park is 40 acres with 2,000 feet of waterfront, which means it never feels as packed as the beach areas at the smaller hotels. There’s a designated swim area cordoned off with buoys (good for kids, since the water gets deep fast outside the buoys), a separate small protected swim area with concrete walls, and plenty of grass and shade trees if you want to set up a picnic away from the sand.

What makes this park work for families is the variety of activities once the kids tire of swimming. There’s a playground for ages 6 to 12, a mini golf course, a go-kart track (Rally Alley), sand volleyball, pickleball, basketball, a skate park, and paddleboard rentals through Shoreline Watercraft. There’s also a snack bar on site if you didn’t pack food.

Parking is paid in the two main lots, but free street parking is available on the side streets nearby (worth knowing if the lots fill up, which they do in July and August). No dogs are allowed in the park from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, so plan accordingly if you’re traveling with one. For the rest of the year, dogs are welcome on leashes.

Insider tip: Grab takeout from Lakeview Drive-In (literally next door) for a classic Chelan beach lunch instead of paying snack bar prices. Bring water shoes if your kids have sensitive feet, since the beach has sand, rocks, and driftwood.

Tips for Visiting Lake Chelan

Here are some tips for your trip.

What is the best time to visit Lake Chelan?

Summer (June through early September) is the most popular time to visit Lake Chelan, with temperatures between 65 and 85°F and ideal conditions for swimming, boating, and Slidewaters. Fall is my favorite time for wine tasting in Lake Chelan because the crowds thin out, and you’ll catch the harvest season. If you want winter activities, plan for late December through February when the town hosts seasonal events.

How many days do you need in Lake Chelan?

Plan at least three to four days in Lake Chelan to do it justice. The lake is 55 miles long, and there are plenty of activities to fit in, including wine tasting, lake tours, hiking, and downtown exploration. If you want to visit Stehekin at the north end of the lake, add another full day for the Lady of the Lake ferry round trip.

What is Lake Chelan known for?

Lake Chelan is known for being the third-deepest lake in the United States, with over 35 wineries in the Lake Chelan AVA wine region. It’s also one of the top summer vacation destinations in Washington and gets more tourism than any other county in the state during peak season. Stehekin, a remote town only accessible by boat, float plane, or hiking, sits at the north end of the lake.

Can you do a day trip to Lake Chelan from Seattle?

A day trip to Lake Chelan from Seattle is possible but tough. The drive is about three and a half hours each way, which means you’d have only a few hours on the ground. I recommend turning it into a weekend trip from Seattle instead, so you can wine taste, get out on the lake, and actually enjoy the area without rushing.

What are the best things to do in Lake Chelan with kids?

The best things to do in Lake Chelan with kids include Slidewaters waterpark, Don Morse Memorial Park beach, the Lake Chelan Museum, and renting a boat for the day. Lake Chelan State Park and Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park are both great for family camping. The Ruby Theatre is also kid-friendly with affordable movie prices.

Lake Chelan is a Washington destination I keep coming back to year after year, and after 25+ years of visiting, I’m still finding new things to do here. If this is your first trip, I’d start with a day on the water (rent a pontoon or take the Lady of the Lake), an afternoon of wine tasting, and a beach day at Don Morse or your hotel. Build in a day trip to Stehekin if you have the time, since it’s unlike anywhere else in the state.

The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to book everything early. Hotels, campsites at Twenty-Five Mile Creek, boat rentals, and dinner reservations at the popular spots all fill up fast in July and August, sometimes months in advance. Shoulder season (May, June, September) is my secret weapon for avoiding crowds while still getting great weather.

Let me know in the comments which activities are at the top of your list, or if there’s a Chelan spot I should add to my own list for next time.