Stehekin Guidebook
Boating
Information for those coming to Stehekin in their own boat.
One of the biggest questions you'll want to figure out is where to put your boat in. If you're looking to make the run up to Stehekin as quickly as possible you'll want 25 Mile Creek (https://parks.state.wa.us/293/Twenty-Five-Mile-Creek) which is the furthest place up to put in. There is a pretty good map of all of the ramp options here: https://www.lakechelan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/boat_launch_camp_sites_map2019.png .
Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park
20530 South Lakeshore RoadOne of the biggest questions you'll want to figure out is where to put your boat in. If you're looking to make the run up to Stehekin as quickly as possible you'll want 25 Mile Creek (https://parks.state.wa.us/293/Twenty-Five-Mile-Creek) which is the furthest place up to put in. There is a pretty good map of all of the ramp options here: https://www.lakechelan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/boat_launch_camp_sites_map2019.png .
Lake Chelan is the highway most people use to get to Stehekin. If you're arriving by boat you should do a bit of research on the lake before coming. The lake is very deep with very steep rocky shores in most place, so most of the moorage on the way up will be at public docks. You'll want to have a permit as required for docking. The water level does rise and fall as they let water out of the dam, so you do want to be aware of rocks at the shoreline when water levels are down. You can find a chart here (http://www.gpsnauticalcharts.com/main/us_wa_01530367-lake-chelan-nautical-chart.html) although generally if you stay even a little bit off shore you won't see much shoaling. While the lake is generally fairly calm the large straight section from north of Manson up to Lucerne (called the the narrows) has a huge fetch and the wind and waves can build up, so just check the weather and talk to some locals to make sure it's looking good the day you travel. The wind usually picks up out of the north more later in the day, so early morning is often best for coming up.
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Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan is the highway most people use to get to Stehekin. If you're arriving by boat you should do a bit of research on the lake before coming. The lake is very deep with very steep rocky shores in most place, so most of the moorage on the way up will be at public docks. You'll want to have a permit as required for docking. The water level does rise and fall as they let water out of the dam, so you do want to be aware of rocks at the shoreline when water levels are down. You can find a chart here (http://www.gpsnauticalcharts.com/main/us_wa_01530367-lake-chelan-nautical-chart.html) although generally if you stay even a little bit off shore you won't see much shoaling. While the lake is generally fairly calm the large straight section from north of Manson up to Lucerne (called the the narrows) has a huge fetch and the wind and waves can build up, so just check the weather and talk to some locals to make sure it's looking good the day you travel. The wind usually picks up out of the north more later in the day, so early morning is often best for coming up.
Stehekin Landing is the dock in Stehekin, and you can find more info here: https://parks.state.wa.us/721/Stehekin-Landing. You'll need a permit, but there is generally plenty of space on the guest dock. There is a pumpout and a fuel dock.
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Stehekin
Stehekin Landing is the dock in Stehekin, and you can find more info here: https://parks.state.wa.us/721/Stehekin-Landing. You'll need a permit, but there is generally plenty of space on the guest dock. There is a pumpout and a fuel dock.
Food
Places to eat in the Stehekin Valley
The Stehekin Valley Ranch is a great place to go for dinner, with a different menu each night. Open seasonally.
Stehekin Valley Ranch
Stehekin Valley RoadThe Stehekin Valley Ranch is a great place to go for dinner, with a different menu each night. Open seasonally.
The bakery is about a mile down the road from the cabin, and is a great place to go get breakfast or lunch. They're open every day in the high season and select days in the off season. The cinnamon rolls are a must!
Stehekin Pastry Company
200' SW Of BakeryThe bakery is about a mile down the road from the cabin, and is a great place to go get breakfast or lunch. They're open every day in the high season and select days in the off season. The cinnamon rolls are a must!
Karl's garden is a great place to go get fresh fruit and veggies in season, as well as local goat cheese and honey. It's cash only!
The Garden
955 Stehekin Valley RdKarl's garden is a great place to go get fresh fruit and veggies in season, as well as local goat cheese and honey. It's cash only!
The North Cascades Lodge has a dining room and a small sundries shop for essential food needs. The dining room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the high season, and lunch on days the boat runs in the low season. This is the only place to buy alcoholic drinks in the Valley, and it's great to sit on the deck with a beer or glass of wine.
North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin
1 Stehekin Valley RdThe North Cascades Lodge has a dining room and a small sundries shop for essential food needs. The dining room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the high season, and lunch on days the boat runs in the low season. This is the only place to buy alcoholic drinks in the Valley, and it's great to sit on the deck with a beer or glass of wine.
Hiking
Hikes is one of the best ways to wile away time and soak in the Stehekin Valley
The Agnes Gorge Trail is a great hike with moderate elevation change and a wonderful finish at Agnes Gorge. It's a great spot for a picnic on a sunny day.
Agnes Gorge Trail
Agnes Gorge TrailThe Agnes Gorge Trail is a great hike with moderate elevation change and a wonderful finish at Agnes Gorge. It's a great spot for a picnic on a sunny day.
A wonderful hike up over the top of Rainbow Falls. This one has a fair bit of elevation gain, but gives wonderful views of the Stehekin Valley.
Rainbow Loop Trail
Rainbow Loop TrailA wonderful hike up over the top of Rainbow Falls. This one has a fair bit of elevation gain, but gives wonderful views of the Stehekin Valley.
A favorite short, flat hike from the cabin is Buckner Orchard. The historical farm buildings are fascinating, and it's fun to go pick apples in season. You can walk out to the river and there are stellar views that way, or take the trails from the orchard up to Rainbow Falls.
Buckner Orchard
A favorite short, flat hike from the cabin is Buckner Orchard. The historical farm buildings are fascinating, and it's fun to go pick apples in season. You can walk out to the river and there are stellar views that way, or take the trails from the orchard up to Rainbow Falls.
Getting to Stehekin
Getting to Stehekin can be half the fun! These are some of the most popular ways to get here.
Most people arrive at Stehekin on the Lady of the Lake. The ride is wonderful, giving you a chance to unwind and soak in the incredible mountain views. You'll want to contact them for tickets in advance.
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Lady Of The Lake
1418 W Woodin AveMost people arrive at Stehekin on the Lady of the Lake. The ride is wonderful, giving you a chance to unwind and soak in the incredible mountain views. You'll want to contact them for tickets in advance.
Shane and the crew at NW Seaplanes are a great way to come over the mountains from Seattle to Stehekin. The historic Beaver seaplanes are amazing, or they have more modern Otters. A typical charter flight will take under an hour each way.
Northwest Seaplanes
860 W Perimeter RdShane and the crew at NW Seaplanes are a great way to come over the mountains from Seattle to Stehekin. The historic Beaver seaplanes are amazing, or they have more modern Otters. A typical charter flight will take under an hour each way.
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There are now two ferries to Stehekin!
The Lady of the Lake and the Stehekin Ferry now both serve Stehekin. The Stehekin Ferry is a new smaller boat with comfortable airline seating. They leave from Stehekin in the morning and return in the afternoon, so it can really open up scheduling options for your trip.