Lake Chelan is a boaters paradise. The blue, pristine waters of this 55-mile long lake open a variety of options for the recreational boater and water sports aficionado, whether they are using the lake to play, fish or to travel into the spectacular and primitive North Cascades.

The boating and water sports playground is, for the most part, confined to the lower basin, called the Wapato Basin. It's in this lower basin that water skiing, tubing, kneeboards, personal water craft and just plain recreational boating takes place. The lower basin extends to about 25-Mile Creek which is also the farthest uplake point that passenger cars can drive.

The upper basin, called the Lucerne Basin, is where this pristine body of water plunges to depths of 1,500 feet... 400 feet below sea level. Except for the occasional recreational boater, the upper basin is where the lake becomes a highway... a highway to the 15 overnight Forest Service and National Park Service boat-in campgrounds scattered along the shoreline all the way to the small community of Stehekin at the head of the lake.

Public Boat Launches

Chelan Riverwalk Park
Located on the south side of the lake near the Chelan Dam.
Year-round free launching facility.

Lake Shore Marina
Operated by the Chelan Parks - fee to launch.
Overnight moorage, pump-out station and fuel.

Old Mill Park
Located just east of Manson, this facility offers a large parking lot for boat trailers and a pump-out station.
Launch and park for a fee.

Lake Chelan State Park
A very popular campground that also offers a year-round launch facility.
A daily permit is available for watercraft launching, vehicle parking and trailer dumping at the park for $5.

Manson Bay
Used only during low water periods which occur during the winter months and early spring.
Overnight moorage - $5

25-Mile Creek State Park
A very popular campground and the most popular launch site for boaters accessing the upper reaches of Lake Chelan.
Fuel
A daily permit is available for watercraft launching, vehicle parking and trailer dumping at the park for $5.

Boat Trips

Lake Chelan Boat Company
www.ladyofthelake.com
(509) 682-4584.
For those without a boat who want to see the upper reaches of Lake Chelan, the Lake Chelan Boat Company offers year-round ferry service to the head of the lake on three different vessels.

Lake Chelan Tour Boat
www.thetourboat.com
(509) 682-8287.
"It's your boat, where do you want to go?" is the motto of this tour operation. Call for details.

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