Scenic landscape of the northern end of Lake Chelan on a sunny day - Washington state, USA

Spring is just around the corner, and soon we’ll be looking for ways to get out of town and blow off some steam. Getting away from the daily routine for a day or two would do us some good, especially those of us who are somewhat stir-crazy! Restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have kept many of us hunkered down indoors over the past several months, going on a year now (I know, it’s hard to believe). As part of a continued series highlighting the many magical locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, we thought we’d take a look at the beautiful Lake Chelan. The perfect place to escape and reconnect with nature.

The Trip

Some 175 miles north of the Tri-Cities, Lake Chelan is nearly four hours away by car, so it’s best to plan at least an overnight trip. Even better, allotting two full days to enjoy the splendor of the National Recreation Area will ensure enough time for everyone in your party to find something to love. The perfect getaway for family, friends, or even a solo trip, Chelan is an extremely popular destination for locals the Pacific Northwest. That’s for good reason too, as the area offers boating, kayaking, hiking, biking, and water sports such as waterskiing and windsurfing.

Gone Fishin’

Fishing has long since been entrenched with the history of Lake Chelan. Before the United States were established, the native people who inhabited our region used the lake as a valuable resource. The name “Chelan” is derived from a Salish word meaning “deep water.” The Salish people relied heavily on the fish in Chela and were expert fishermen who formed a deep and meaningful relationship with the body of water. It was the life blood of the region, and many of the same fish native to the lake can be caught today.

Details

The lake itself is approximately 50 miles long and notably narrow, around 1.5 miles in width on average. It is by far the largest natural lake in the Washington State by volume, length, and depth. It snakes NW/SE through a pine-dotted valley between the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest to the south and North Cascades National Park to the north. The town of Chelan is situated on the southeastern shore of the lake and is the most populous settlement in the area. This is most likely where you will stay on your trip to the pristine lake, though several nearby towns also offer excellent accommodations. One such town, Winthrop, we’ll be taking a look at separately in its own dedicated article.

Final Thoughts

Whether a fishing trip is calling your name, you’re looking for an excuse to take the boat out of town, or you just need to get away with family and friends for a weekend, Lake Chelan has a lot to offer to Washingtonians. The lake is one of the many hidden gems of the Pacific Northwest, and is a wonder that everyone in the region should experience if at least just once.

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