We can’t believe it’s already April! The birds are singing, the hills are turning green, and the days are getting longer. We are loving it.
And now that you’re emerging from winter hibernation, it’s the perfect time to start planning your summer vacation to the Lake Chelan Valley. It’s never too early to get a jump on your getaway plans. We hope these tips make your planning a little easier:
Choose your dates
First things first. Break out your calendar and find dates that work for you.
Narrow down your options to a few different dates so you can research pricing and availability of rentals. Alternatively, check around for possible events or festivals that you’d like to attend in the valley and plan your trip accordingly.
Maybe you want to catch some Bach Fest performances or attend the Cruizin’ Chelan car show. A good place to start looking for such events are the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce or the Manson Chamber of Commerce websites.
If you’re looking to visit during peak times like the 4th of July or Memorial Day Weekend, we recommend booking as far in advance as possible to ensure you get the rental you want!
Find Your Perfect Rental
Now that you’ve got some ideas for the dates you’d like to visit, browse our vacation rentals and find the one that checks all your boxes.
Are you planning a romantic getaway for two? A girls’ weekend away? Getting the whole family together for a reunion? Are you looking for something close to town or do you want somewhere more secluded? Maybe having a hot tub is an absolute must.
Whatever you’re thinking, we’ve got you covered. Check out our rentals page here and filter your search to fit your needs. You can also check out our Current Specials page to see if there’s any sweet deals you can take advantage of!
Things to Do
So you have your dates and you’ve reserved your rental. Now how to fill all your glorious time at Lake Chelan?
It’s easy! Sometimes the best vacations are the ones where you have no plans at all. You’re free to sleep in, lay by the lake or the pool, read your book, or do whatever your heart desires. For those of you who crave some structure, though, here are some ideas for how to fill your days at the lake!
Lake Days
It’s not a trip to Lake Chelan if you’re not taking advantage of the refreshing, crystal clear waters. Plan a beach day!
Pack a lunch and some floaties and hit the beach for a day of dipping in and out of the water at your leisure.
Or rent a boat, stand up paddle boards, or jet skis. Spend a day on the water and try your hand at water-skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing. Your whole crew will have a blast!
And trust us when we say, you’ll all sleep soundly back at your rental.
Explore the Area
The lake is obviously a must. But there are plenty of ways to explore the beautiful valley that surrounds it.
Pack your hiking shoes and hit the trails! There’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for a light stroll, do a lap around the Riverwalk Loop in Chelan. Keep it going by connecting to the Reach 1 trail and see the Chelan Gorge.
If you’re looking for more of a challenge, head up the Elephant’s Head trail on the Chelan Butte. The hike is 4 miles roundtrip and starts with a steep incline. But power through and you’ll be rewarded with views of Lake Chelan and the Columbia River. You can park at the Reach 1 trailhead, then cross the road to head up.
On the north side of the lake, explore Echo Ridge for 25 miles of trails of varying difficulty. Catch glimpses of the valley way below and bask in the glorious sun!
Hit the Town
Whether you’re staying near Chelan or Manson, we recommend you spend a day exploring the town!
Spend your morning browsing the quaint shops that line the downtown streets and pick up a souvenir to take home with you. Grab a lunch from one of the fantastic local restaurants and visit a tasting room to get some local flavor in the form of wine, beer, or cider.
If you’re hitting the town in the evening, catch some live music and dance the night away! Find local events here.
We hope this points you in the right direction as you begin to think about planning your summer vacation to Lake Chelan! We hope it’s all you’ve been dreaming of and more. And we can’t wait to be a part of it.
