Map of Lake Chelan Recreation area

Lake Chelan  National Recreation Area  In north-central Washington, near Stehekin.    

Lake Chelan rests in a trough carved by glaciers in the Cascades  Range. The recreation area is part of North Cascades National Park.  With a depth of 1,500 feet, it's one of the nation s deepest lakes.  Although the lake's average width is less than 2 mi, it extends almost  55 mi into the Cascade Mountains. At its deepest point, Lake Chelan  drops to 400 feet below sea level. The Stehekin River drainage area and  the upper 4 mi of the lake are protected by the recreation area. The  area was established on October 2, 1968.     

WHAT TO SEE & DO    

Boating (rentals), bicycling (rentals), cross-country skiing,  fishing, hiking, horseback riding and pack trips (rentals), hunting,  mountain climbing, picnicking, river rafting, snowshoeing (rentals).  Facilities: Golden West Visitor Center (Stehekin Landing), wayside  exhibits, self-guided interpretive trails. Book and map sales areas,  post office. Programs & Events: Junior Explorer Activity  (June-Sept.), naturalist talks (June-Sept., daily at 1:30); evening  programs (July-Aug., nightly at 8), Buck-ner Orchard Ride & Hike  (June-Sept., Fri. at 11), Voices of the Mountain Series (occasionally),  Earth Week (mid-Apr). Tips & Hints: Be prepared for rapid weather  changes. The North Cascades Complex is primarily a wilderness park with  few frontcountry activities. Hang all food out of the reach of bears in  backcountry. Beware of hazardous stream crossings. Check conditions  before starting trips. Crossing snow-fields may require special  equipment. Busiest July and Aug., least crowded Dec. and Jan.     

FOOD, LODGING & SUPPLIES    

Camping: 5 campgrounds in the park: Bullion (2 walk-in sites;  free; pit toilets), Harlequinn (6 walk-in sites; free; pit toilets),  High Bridge (2 walk-in sites; free; pit toilets), Purple Point (7  walk-in sites; free; flush toilets), Tumwater (2 walk-in sites; free;  pit toilets). Camping permits are required for all sites and can be  obtained at Lake Chelan or Stehekin. Backcountry and boat-in sites  available along Stehekin Valley Road and along Lake Chelan (permit  required, see below). See also North Cascades National Park and Ross  Lake National Recreation Area.  Hotels: In the park: North Cascades  Stehekin Lodge (tel. 509/ 682-4494; 28 rooms; $90-$ 165; hike in or boat  in only). In Stehekin: Stehekin Valley Ranch (Stehekin Valley Rd., tel.  509/682-4677 or 800/ 536-0745; 5 cabins; $75-$85; closed Oct.-May),  Silver Bay Inn & Cabins (Silver Bay Rd., tel. 509/682-2212; 4 units;  $145-$295). X Restaurants: None in park. In Stehekin: Stehekin Valley  Ranch (Stehekin Valley Rd., tel. 509/682-4677 or 800/536-0745; $ll-$20;  closed Oct.- mid-June). & Groceries & Gear: None in park. In  Chelan: Safeway (106 W. Rte. 150, tel. 509/682-2615), Lake Chelan Sports  Inc. (932 E. Woodin Ave., tel. 509/682-2629).     

FEES, HOURS & REGULATIONS    

Free. Shuttle bus fee: $6 per zone each way on bus in the  Stehekin Valley. Reservations recommended (tel. 360/856-5700 Ext. 340,  then Ext. 14). The bus operates May 15-Oct. 15. No dogs on shuttle.  Backcountry permit (free) required for all backcountry camping (tel.  360/873-4590 Ext. 39). Permits issued in person only. Permits required  for Stehekin Valley road campsites. Use of federal docks on lake  requires Forest Service dock permit ($5 per day or $40 annual).  Washington state fishing and hunting licenses required. Hunting  permitted in recreation area only. Leashed pets only Recreation area  open daily. Heavy winter snows restrict travel and close roads. Golden  West Visitor Center open Mar. 15-May 15, daily 12:30-2; May 16-Sept. 30,  daily 8:30-5; Oct. 1-15, daily 10:30-2.     

HOW TO GET THERE    

The main access to Stehekin is by boat (tel. 509/682-2224) or  floatplane (tel. 509/682-5555) from the town of Chelan on U.S. 97. Area  can be reached by hiking trail in summer. Closest airport:  Seattle-Tacoma (177 mi).     

CONTACTS    

North Cascades National Park Service Complex (810 Rte. 20,  Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284, tel. 360/856-5700, fax 360/856-1934). Lake  Chelan Tourist Information (102 E. Johnson St., Lake Chelan, WA 98816,  tel. 800/424-3526).