Trip Planner:   USA  /  Washington State  /  North Cascades National Park  /  Lake Chelan National Recreation Area

Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, North Cascades National Park

4.2
#8 of 10 in Nature in North Cascades National Park
#National Park, #Nature / Park
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area is a U.S. National Recreation Area (NRA) located about 35mi south of the Canada–US border in Chelan County, Washington. It encompasses an area of 61958acre including the northern end of Lake Chelan and the surrounding area of the Stehekin Valley and the Stehekin River. The area is managed by the U.S. National Park Service as part of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.Lake Chelan NRA is adjacent to the North Cascades National Park South Unit. There are no roads that lead into Lake Chelan NRA. The recreation area and Stehekin, a small town located within the park with fewer than 100 permanent residents, are accessible only by floatplane or passenger ferry from the south end of Lake Chelan near the town of Chelan, Washington. The area can also be accessed by hiking trails through the Cascade Range during the summer months. During the summer, an off-road bus service operated by the NPS carries weary hikers to the town from the Pacific Crest Trail.
Use our North Cascades National Park attractions planner to add Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and other attractions to your North Cascades National Park vacation plans.
Source
Improve this listing »
Create an itinerary including Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
map
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area Reviews
Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.0
19 reviews
Google
4.9
TripAdvisor
  • By Margot E On January 11, 2017
    Drove through this beautiful area while doing the North Cascades Scenic loop drive. Just stunning. Beautiful properties along the lake and nearby farming areas.  more »
  • By Gnayak P On May 16, 2016
    The lake looks very beautiful in summer. Water activities are relatively cheaper compared to some other places like Lake Tahoe, Hawaii etc. Good place for folks in the Seattle region to go for a weeke...  more »
  • By Raintree_Thailand On September 26, 2015
    Wonderful scenes along the lake. Much different from the wet western side of the Cascades. Great for boating, hiking, picnics!  more »
View more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Angie Douglas On May 15, 2018
    Amazing area! So pretty and relaxing. Be careful outside of the summer season as most things are closed. You cannot drive here nor will you have any internet or cell reception. A great escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Rent some bikes and go see Rainbow falls. Take a hike and enjoy the views. Relax on the lakeshore and watch the sunset.
  • By Mark Stevens On July 6, 2017
    This is truly a wonderful and beautiful spot in the Northern Cascades National Park complex! One takes a passenger ferry up to the lodge area or any of the other stops and can enjoy mountainous beauty. I definitely recommend getting a reservation for the lodge as early as possible as a summertime definitely fills out. There's plenty to do with hiking as well as taking a bus ride to any of the points further into the recreation area or national Park. You can even rent a bike for the day or afternoon!
  • By Tracy Smith On August 16, 2017
    We spent 5 days at a cabin rental and every day was absolutely wonderful. Hiking is abundant, we caught beautiful rainbow trout from the bank every time we went, which was pretty much every evening. No lack of things to do and see.
  • By kyle corn On June 12, 2017
    Washington is full of great recreation areas and this might be my favorite. Complete with an inland fresh water fjord, Lake Chelan has access many of Washington's great wilderness climates.
  • By Gordon Collier On May 31, 2017
    Beautiful lake, wineries and tasting. Good restaurants tons of things to do.
View more on Google »
Places to stay near Lake Chelan National Recreation Area

Plan your trip to North Cascades National Park

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Best things to do in North Cascades National Park

Popular
N Cascades Hwy
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Washington Pass
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 3​h
Ross Dam
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Side Trips
©
Mt Baker Ski Area
Glacier
Visit for: 4​h
©
Big Four Ice Caves
Granite Falls
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Skyline Divide
Glacier
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Trails
©
Cascade Pass
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 4​h
©
Maple Pass Loop
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Colonial Creek Campground
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Nature
©
Ladder Creek Falls
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Ross Lake National Recreation Area
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 8​h
Pyramid Lake
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Hidden Gems
©
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
Rainy Lake
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Cutthroat Lake
North Cascades National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Plans to Lake Chelan National Recreation Area by other users

29 days in Washington State BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES May, outdoors, historic sites, museums, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: May, outdoors, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 3 days in North Cascades National Park BY A USER FROM MALAYSIA October, hidden gems PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 3 days in Winthrop BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, shopping, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 4 days in Winthrop BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 2 days in North Cascades National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, outdoors, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, outdoors, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 29 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, historic sites, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 51 days in Washington State & Washington DC BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA September, culture, historic sites, shopping, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, culture, historic sites, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 3 days in Winthrop BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 4 days in North Cascades National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 4 days in Winthrop BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, wildlife, slow & easy, hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 9 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, kids, outdoors, beaches, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October, kids, outdoors, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 36 days in Washington State BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, shopping, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: September, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium
View more plans