Leavenworth-Wenatchee-Lake Chelan

As you descend the from the crest of the Cascade range at Stevens Pass on your way toward Leavenworth, you will reach the junction of SR2 and Hwy 207 - Cole's Corner. Continuing on the main road will take you through the scenic Tumwater Canyon and its dramatic scenery, amazing fall colors and the raging waters of the Wenatchee River. Alternatively, you can take the Side Loop into the Plain Valley (see #6 and #7).

The Wenatchee River rushes through the Tumwater Canyon on its way to Leavenworth. The Tumwater Dam holds back the water creating Lake Jolanda, where the calm waters reflect the spectacular fall colors. Watch for Osprey in the summer, spawning salmon in the fall, and bald eagles and river otters all year.

Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery was the largest in the world when it was first built. It is currently the headquarters for the Leavenworth Fisheries Complex, and the property includes a museum with exhibits that identify fish and their habitats, as well as 5 miles of public trails following the river and wandering through forestlands. Great for spotting wildlife and birding. Nearby, a boat launch allows access to the Icicle River for fishing, paddle boarding and kayaks.

This Icicle Gorge Interpretive Trail has a gentle grade and scenic views of Icicle Creek, Icicle Gorge, and the surrounding forest that are ideal for families, trail runners, beginner hikers, bird enthusiasts, and those looking to take a nice long walk on a well-defined path. Many other popular trails for day-hikes and backpacking in this area -- check with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest for information about visiting the Enchantments! Northwest Forest Pass required.

The Bavarian Village of Leavenworth is home to amazing festivals including Oktoberfest and Village of Lights with a half million lights on display from Thanksgiving through February. Go to the Leavenworth Visitor Center for details about activities and great hiking trails. Wenatchee River Institute maintains an interpretive trail along the Wenatchee River, and the Greater Leavenworth Museum features exhibits showing the transformation of this logging town into the Bavarian Village, and Native American historical exhibits. Visit Enchantments Park for easy walking paths along the river, plus a bike pump park and skateboard park and playground. Located walking distance from downtown, and adjacent to the Wenatchee River, the interpretive trails offer glimpses into the history of the area, facts about the wildlife and vegetation. Looking for something more exciting? How about a ride on an Alpine Coaster at Leavenworth Adventure Park! Enjoy gorgeous views and a thrilling ride along the 3 helix coaster turns. For even more fun, try the mining sluice and climbing wall -- open year round.

The tiny town of Plain has a grocery store and hardware store stocked with supplies for any adventure. Summer hiking and mountain biking are popular. During winter the Plain Valley Ski Trails offer groomed Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Rental equipment is available. Basecamp at Mountain Springs Lodgeand find yourself surrounded by pristine natural beauty of the Plain Valley. Leavenworth Ziplines is on the same property and offers and exhilarating ride from ridge to ridge on 9 ziplines (closed in winter).

This high mountain lake and river system is flanked by two State Parks with shoreline trails. There is a 489-acre camping park with 12,623 feet of waterfront on glacier-fed Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River. The South Park has camping, swimming and horseback riding; and North Park, in a less developed, forested section, is a quarter-mile walk from the lake. The park is a natural wildlife area, and visitors should be aware of the presence of bears and other natural dangers. Discover Pass required.

Peshastin Pinnacles is a 34-acre day use park (open from March 16-October 31) in the Wenatchee River Valley near Cashmere. Rock climbers come here to tackle the sandstone slabs while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, hills and orchards. Spectators and hikers will enjoy a picturesque setting ideal for wildlife viewing or nature photography. Discover Pass required.

For over 100 years, the Liberty Orchards Candy Kitchen has been producing Aplet’s and Cotlets fruit and nut confections, and they offer a free tour of their old-world kitchen. (They have free samples!)

Cashmere's Riverside Park is a great community park that is a perfect place for visitors to explore, stretch their legs (all four if you are on a leash!) and let the kids play on the playground equipment, skate park and bike park.

It is a popular destination for rafters and hosts a number of soccer and baseball/softball events. In addition to the multi-use soccer and softball field, there is plenty of open space, children's play equipment, sand volleyball court, picnic area, parking, Riverside Trail access and ramp access to the Wenatchee River for rafters.

You can regularly see deer on the hillside across the river, osprey flying over the river in the summer, and a local pair of bald eagles often have a nest nearby.

It is home of the 9/11 Spirit of America Memorial, a memorial dedicated to all those that perished on September 11, 2001, providing remembrance and education on the fateful events of that tragic day.

The museum features over 13,000 square feet of Native American objects, pioneer artifacts, geological specimens, taxidermy, and ornithology. The cabins in the Pioneer Village are furnished with antiques from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The beautiful Pioneer Village consists of furnished authentic local cabins, a waterwheel, a series of Great Northern Railway buildings, and well kept grounds to picnic within. (Open March through October)

Ohme Gardens is a nationally acclaimed 9-acre alpine garden perched high on a rocky bluff above the Columbia River. Enjoy native stone pathways, spectacular views, pools, waterfalls, rustic shelters, and frequent weddings. Open April 15-Oct 15, daily.

At the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers, the Horan Natural Area is a birding hotspot in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird database and is a stop on the Great Washington State Birding Trail. The bird checklist for the Confluence State Park/Horan area contains 250 species.

You might also see mule deer, rabbits, coyotes, raccoons and several species of snakes.

Stop by the Wenatchee Visitor Center and tasting room for information about activities and great dining options in the Wenatchee Valley. Pybus Public Market has dining, artisan shops, art and the Farmers Market in season. The Apple Capital Loop Trail is an 11-mile paved path that takes you across the river to East Wenatchee, and loops back again traveling both sides of the Columbia River. The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center has exhibits including Clyde Pangborn’s famous trans-Pacific flight, the history of the apple industry, including a massive apple box label collection.

Find a whole new way to experience the Columbia River at the Rocky Reach Dam Discovery Center! Steer a steamship, take a virtual flight, crank a turbine – it’s FREE and fun for all ages. Enjoy four floors of stories, games, history and art – plus big views of the Columbia River. Their helpful guides will answer any questions, and short movies in the three theaters will round out the stories that unfold as you move through the Center’s exhibits. Closed Sunday and Monday. Be on the lookout for the local herd of bighorn sheep nearby!

Just past 29 miles is the trailhead for Silver Falls National Recreational Trail, which is located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This 1.7 mile loop trail offers a look from behind the waterfall! (Take the trail to the right at the junction, if all you want to do is get to the falls.) The Loop trail takes you all the way to the top of the falls (elevation gain 600 feet to a top elevation of 3050 feet).

Along the shores of the great Columbia River, Entiat City Park is the newest addition to Entiat's waterfront. Complete with RV and tent camping sites, walking paths, a boat launch and more, visitors from near and far love this amazing facility for its modern amenities, amazing scenery and access to the Columbia River. Built by the Chelan County Public Utilities District and opened in May of 2015, Entiat City Park is operated by the City of Entiat.

Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center shows visitors of all ages the historic impact and ecological role of wildland fire. The Trail of Fire and Forest is a nature walk for students and adults, is a self-guided .5 mile, 30-minute walk. It shows how wildfire has shaped the eastside forests and how people, past and present, respond to this wildfire environment. Three Fire Lookouts have been moved and installed here, and it is currently used for educational purposes.

A perfect place to experience Lake Chelan is at this 10 acre passive Lakeside Park, which offers beautiful open space, non-motorized boating activities, and protected swim areas.

Cruise beautiful Lake Chelan on one of the Lake Chelan Boat Company passenger vessels. Lake Chelan is one of the deepest gorges in North America. Featured articles in National Geographic, Sunset and New York Times say "Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, this is one of the best tours in the Northwest and not to be missed!" Three tour boats cruise to Stehekin and the North Cascades National Park area for day-trips, or choose to stay overnight and enjoy the never-ending beauty of the Stehekin Valley.

Lakeside Surf is a complete surf facility located next to Slidewaters Waterpark in Chelan, WA. High Trek Chelan is an adventure park with a ropes course plus zip lines, axe throwing, and gelly ball!

In the heart of the Historic Downtown Chelan, Ruby Theatre offers a year-around schedule of first run movies for the whole family. For the last 109 years the Ruby Theatre, a National Historic Landmark, has been Chelan’s favorite venue for movies and community events. From the early Chaplin and Buster Keaton “photoplays,” to Hollywood’s current “Barbie” and “Wonka,” the Ruby has shown tens of thousands of films to five generations of residents and visitors. Enjoy a peaceful stroll on the 1-mile Riverfront Park paved loop trail after the movie!

The Echo Ridge Trail System contains over 26 miles of trails intertwined with roads. It was originally designed for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing in the wintertime, but now hiking and mountain biking are popular activities Spring through Fall on Echo Ridge trails. There are wide, easy trails suitable for all ages with highly technical single track trails for the more adventurous.

Just east of downtown Manson, Old Mill Park, a 20-acre recreation facility, offers a large parking lot for vehicles and boat trailers and a marine pump-out station. Enjoy an afternoon picnic and scenic views on Lake Chelan at the day-use area.

In the heart of Manson, at Lake Chelan, the Manson Visitor Center can point you in the right direction for whatever activities interest you. Only minutes from the Echo Ridge trails, there is also a Scenic Loop Drive, and many parks along the lake, including Old Mill Park, and Manson Bay Park and Marina. Check out Lake Chelan Wine Valley’s extensive collection of wineries and tasting rooms, and plan to stroll the quaint downtown for great shopping and dining.

The Beebe Springs Natural Area is an interpretive site along a 1-mile stretch of Columbia River shoreline that includes riparian, wetland, upland shrubsteppe and cliff/talus habitats. It offers diverse opportunities for visitors, including an ADA interpretive trail, wildlife viewing along the Columbia River, and Frank's Pond, which provides fishing opportunities to anglers under 15 years of age.