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Lake Chelan

Nothing beats a day on Lake Chelan in the summer, cruising around the lake and enjoying various water sports like wakeboarding, wakesurfing and tubing. There are a couple of businesses in Manson which rent boats for the half day or day, as well as boat launches at Old Mill Park and Manson Bay Park (off-season only). The waters past Manson are usually less busy than down by Chelan, and Watson's Harverene resort across the lake has a gasoline pump for boats, so Manson is the perfect place to launch your boat!

Hiking around Manson offers a wide range of trails with sweeping views, forested ridgelines, and access to the lake's dramatic shoreline. One of the most popular hikes in Manson is Fourth of July Mountain, known for its rewarding uplake views of Lake Chelan stretching deep into the North Cascades. Just outside town, Echo Ridge features an extensive trail network with routes for hiking and biking, providing options for a variety of skill levels and scenic overlooks. Beyond Manson, hikers can explore additional trails throughout the region, including several at the Chelan Gorge, the well-known Chelan Butte with its expansive views, and the shorter Elephant Head Trail. For those seeking more challenging terrain, the Twenty Five Mile Creek area offers steeper, more rugged hikes such as the newer Box Canyon Trail, one of the few trails in the area that provides direct access to the lake.

While the lake can be on the colder side, once the temperatures rise in the summer swimming is a very popular water activity. Your best bet for finding a suitable spot to swim is one of the many parks situated on the water, which all have swimming spots :

• Lakeside Park - large swimming area with a couple of docks, grass and shade
• Don Morse Park- large beach area with swimming
• Manson Bay Park - Protected swimming with easy access via concrete stairs
• Willow Park - Small beach and swimming area

Additionally, both Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park and Lake Chelan State Park have swimming areas, however a Discover or day pass is required to access state parks. There are a couple of nearby swimming areas on the Columbia River, including Chelan Falls Park. Click on the link below to view al the swimming spots around Lake Chelan

Wine tasting around Manson, WA offers an intimate look at the vineyards and winemaking that define the Lake Chelan AVA. As part of this federally recognized American Viticultural Area, Manson is home to a number of wineries that grow their own estate grapes on the surrounding hillsides, benefiting from the lake’s moderating effect and the region’s warm, sunny climate. Visitors will find wineries spread throughout the Manson area, many with vineyard views and on-site production, as well as a convenient cluster of tasting rooms in downtown Manson that make it easy to sample a variety of local wines in one outing. From small, family-run operations to larger estate wineries, Manson offers a focused wine tasting experience rooted in the unique terroir of Lake Chelan. Click the link below to view all the wineries around Lake Chelan.

The third deepest lake in the United States offers a ton of water-based activities with local parks and resorts on the water offering beaches to cool off in the lake during the hot summer. Parks are also a great place to launch a paddleboard or kayak, and of course boating is a popular activity, which boat rentals and boat launches spread around the lake. And there's also the waterpark, which is a favorite for kids of all ages and open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

There are a plethora of things to do in Lake Chelan throughout the year. Waterparks, swimming, boating, and paddleboarding are popular summertime activities. Don't forget about go-karting, parasailing, skydiving and minigolf as well! Mountain biking and hiking is available in the spring, summer and fall, and winter brings snow and opportunities to sled, ski, snowmobile and tube, while wine tasting is a popular activity no matter the time of year. Visit our complete list of things to do in Lake Chelan to find the perfect activity!

Start the new year off right in the middle of January with a celebration of all things winter, including ice sculptures, live music, polar plume in Lake Chelan, ice bar and fireworks. The event is spread out over two weekends, with a focus on the downtown areas of Chelan and Manson on each respective weekend. A number of businesses also participate,where you will find ice sculptures and discounts for Winterfest button holders.

Throughout the entire month of February, enjoy special pairings of Red Wine and Chocolate at one of the many participating wineries in Lake Chelan. You will also find amazing wine dinners, live music, art shows and more during the Red Wine and Chocolate event in Lake Chelan.

In the month of March, wineries pair their best wines with incredible tasting menus developed by local restaurants and chefs. On Saturdays in March, a Taste Chelan ticket will give you access to wine and food pairings at four locations around Lake Chelan. Tickets must be purchased in advance, at which point you will select your desired locations.

At over 100 years old, the Manson Apple Blossom Festival has a rich tradition in Chelan Valley. A parade held in May, including a float for current selection of Manson Apple Blossom royalty, numerous marching bands, fire trucks and more is the star attraction. Centered around the parade are a number of other events that change year by year, including a pancake breakfast, 2k and 5k run and street festival.

Cruizin Chelan typically happens on the first weekend in June and offers the opportunity to walk through the streets of Chelan and view an amazing collection of vintage cars. Participants kick off the event with a party at Millers Auto Museum.

Celebrate Fourth of July with two days of fireworks. On July 3rd in the city of Chelan, fireworks are shot from a barge anchored in the bay near Don Morse Park. On July 4th in Manson, fireworks are discharged from a barge anchored in Manson Bay. Both events take place around 10pm.

Watch hydroplanes, a special type of boat that glides above the water, race each other in Manson Bay each September. Races can be viewed from the Manson Bay Park for free, and a ticket will get you access into the pit area, allowing you to get up close and personal with the racing crews.

There are a number of activities at the various wineries in the Lake Chelan AVA during the wine harvest, which kicks off the end of September and proceeds until Thanksgiving. Check your favorite winery to find a harvest dinner, live music or wine stomping event!

The Old Bridge in Historic Downtown Chelan shuts down for a day in October and provides the perfect fall venue to sample beer and cider from throughout Washington State for this 21+ event.

Manson is home to a number of Halloween and fall themed events during October, with downtown Manson closing down its main street for a Saturday to feature wine barrel rides, face painting, a dog dress up custom competition and more. Throughout the month, you will find other activities in the area including hay rides, pumpkin patches and more.