Stehekin

Canoeing in Stehekin
 

The name "Stehekin" is based on a Salishan word meaning "the way through" or "turning around place" in Lushootseed (Coast Salish) and "mountain tops" in nxa'amxcin (Interior Salish).

The Stehekin valley has long served as a passageway for travelers, linking Washington’s interior wilderness to the rugged Cascade Mountains. Today Stehekin offers vistors an escape from the hustle of the modern day world. Nestled at the headwaters of Lake Chelan, the third deepest lake in the United States, the Stehekin community lives life a little slower.

There are no roads into Stehekin. Connected to the outside world only by foot, boat or plane, the voyage to Stehekin is part of the experience and once you’ve arrived, a variety of historical, cultural, and outdoor activities will connect you with the majestic surroundings. Stehekin serves as a hub to explore the 61,949-acre Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and a gateway to the rest of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex, Stephen Mather Wilderness, and adjacent National Forest Wilderness Areas.

Things to Know Before you Come

  • The Stehekin area is prone to flooding, which increases in a post-fire environment. Know before you go – visit the Post Fire Safety page for information on what to do in a flash flood and debris flow area.
  • Make lodging reservations before arriving in Stehekin. The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin, the Stehekin campgrounds, backcountry camps, and most private lodgings require advance reservations, especially from May to September. Campground reservations can be made online here.
  • There is no cell phone reception. Public wifi may be available near the Stehekin Landing.
  • There are limited grocery and food services available in the summer and none in the off-season. With limited trash services, consider pack it in, pack it out.
  • There are no ATM services available in the valley. Many businesses accept credit cards, but some do not.
  • Information and interpretive materials are available on bulletin boards located throughout the area, and on outdoor panels along trails throughout the valley. Concession staff will also provide general information to visitors.

The park is open year-round with recreation opportunities—hiking, fishing, boating (fall and spring), skiing or snowshoeing (winter), and wildlife viewing (year-round). There are limited services in this area.

 
 
Wooden footbridge along a overgrown trail.
Hiking

Explore the many trails from Stehekin, from easy, moderate to strenuous, there is an adventure waiting.

A wooden picnic table sits in a campsite with trees and lake in the background.
Camping in Stehekin

Stehekin offers camping in a range of settings, from lakeside sites to quiet roadside camps to backpacking sites.

Ferry boat approaches a wooden dock.
Getting to Stehekin

Travel to Stehekin by foot, boat or plane. No roads connect Stehekin to the rest of Washington.

Table and chairs on the patio deck with the restaurant and lodge facilities in the background.
Accommodations

The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin provides services to visitors. Private accommodations are available in the community.

A hiker with a backpack stands near a long, red bus.
Getting Around

Get around Stehekin by foot, bike or shuttle to different areas in the Stehekin valley.

Clouds hang low over the lake, trees and mountainscape.
Weather

Be sure to check the weather before your visit.

A rustic truck sits in an orchard with trees surrounding with mountains rising above.
Buckner Orchard

Enjoy the historic orchard and structures on a visit to the orchard.

Sweeping views of a lake surrounded by mountains.
Cultural History of Lake Chelan

People and places of Lake Chelan.

Last updated: May 16, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Phone:

360 854-7200

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