Lake Wenatchee State Park

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Climb a mountain, ride a horse or try stand up paddling. Settle into your camp chair and soak your feet in an alpine lake. Kick back with a book, teach the kids to swim – or do it all – at Lake Wenatchee State Park.

Lake Wenatchee is a Northwest icon, a clear blue lake surrounded by mountains. Though its shallow lagoon is perfect for pint-sized swimmers, the 5-mile-long lake is 244 feet deep at its greatest depth and is a popular destination for boaters and windsurfers. Beginning kayakers and standup paddlers can rent boats and boards at the lake and navigate the calmer waters near the shore.

Take a guided trail ride on a gentle horse, or hike through a highland forest. Bring your bike for the miles of bike trails, or hike up Dirtyface Peak on adjacent Forest Service land, a 9-mile trail boasting 3,950 feet of elevation gain and stupendous views.

Camping is available year round at Lake Wenatchee. For current updates on camping opportunities, see updates listed in the Alert Center. In winter, experience the challenge of snow camping with heated restrooms and warming shelters. Whether you prefer powder or sunshine, Lake Wenatchee offers ample opportunity to try new things. Not only will you have a blast on vacation, you'll come back with some serious bragging rights. Select the video tab below to view the promotional video and see everything Lake Wenatchee has to offer.

Park features

Lake Wenatchee State Park is a 492-acre camping park with 12,623 feet of waterfront on glacier-fed Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River. Located 16 miles from the Bavarian theme town of Leavenworth, the park is a natural wildlife area, and visitors should be aware of the presence of bears and other natural dangers.

Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park

In winter, Lake Wenatchee is transformed. With the season's ample, powdery snows the lakeside trails, gentle hills and nearby Nason Ridge and Chiwawa Sno-Parks become a premier, non-motorized winter playground with Switzerland-like views.

Opportunities include more than 30 miles of groomed cross-country and skate ski trails, a groomed sled hill, 12 miles of marked snowshoe trails, and winter camping with heated restrooms and showers.

In the Lake Wenatchee South Park area you’ll find winter camping, the sledding hill and groomed ski trails. Snowshoe trails begin on the Lake Wenatchee shore and tie into routes across the Kahler Glen Golf and Ski resort all the way to the top of Nason Ridge. Ski and snowshoe trails range in skill level from beginner to advanced.

Set up your tent next to a fire ring on the shore of the lake where the views are stunning! Practice winter snow camping skills with the comfort and security of a clean, heated restroom and cleared roadways.

Bring your pup! Chiwawa Sno-Park offers the unique opportunity to ski or snowshoe with your dogs after 10 a.m.

Come enjoy the snow! But don’t forget the Special Groomed Sno-Park permit for your vehicle. Discover Passes are not valid during the Winter Recreation season.

Grooming Report

  1. Activities
  2. Boating
  3. Camping
  4. Maps
  5. Video

ada amenities/facilities

  • Campground
  • Picnic area
  • Restroom



Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities. 

Picnic & day-use facilities
The park offers two kitchen shelters without electricity, plus 54 unsheltered picnic tables. Picnic tables are available first come, first served.

One kitchen shelter is reservable and accommodates 20 to 50 people and includes six picnic tables and four cooking grills. Water, fire pits and restrooms are nearby.

The second kitchen shelter is available first come, first served. It accommodates eight to 12 people and includes one picnic table, a fireplace and two cooking grills.

 

Activities

Trails

  • 5 miles of horse trails
  • 7 miles of biking trails
  • 8 miles of hiking trails

Water activities & features

  • 16 feet of dock
  • Boating
  • Fishing (freshwater)
  • Kiteboarding
  • Personal watercraft use
  • Sailboarding
  • Swimming
  • Watercraft launch
  • Waterskiing
  • White-water kayaking
  • Windsurfing

Winter activities & features

  • Cross-country skiing
  • Sledding
  • Snowshoeing

Other activities & features

  • Amphitheater
  • Beach exploration
  • Bird Watching
  • Fire circles
  • Mountain biking
  • Volleyball field
  • Wildlife viewing

concessions

  • Icicle Outfitters - For a quiet adventure and some of the most beautiful scenery in the Cascade Mountains, take a horse ride with Icicle Outfitters located at Lake Wenatchee State Park. Tours range from a few hours to a full day.  For additional information and reservations, visit them online.
  • Lake Wenatchee Adventures offers kayak and SUP rentals daily from 10-6 from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.  They are located near the swim beach next to the concession stand and restrooms. Click here for their rentals and pricing.
  • Lake Wenatchee Park Store is a general store offering prepared foods, snacks, beverages, ice cream, espresso, camping supplies, firewood, ice, and other camping necessities.  The store is open daily from 10-6 from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. In addition, the store is open on many weekends throughout the fall, winter, and spring. Snow shoe rentals now available in winter. Click here to see their Instagram and their menu.

Interpretive opportunities
During summer months, both Junior Ranger programs and various evening programs are held. See park booth for information on schedules and updates. During winter months, the park features a 1.1-mile interpretive snowshoe trail.

Additional information

  • Mountain climbing and rock climbing available in surrounding area.
  • As the park is in bear country, coolers must be stowed.
  • The park has playground equipment.
  • The area receives an average of 150 inches of snow during the winter months and offers groomed sledding hill and more than 30 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, as well as 12 miles marked snowshoe trails, and winter camping. For current snow conditions and grooming reports visit online.
  • A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information, or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
    Printable park brochure (PDF).