Lake Chelan — Washington State
Boating on
Lake Chelan
Boat launches, fuel, and moorage along 50 miles of deep blue water in the North Cascades.
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Overview
Boating on Lake Chelan is one of the best ways to experience the lake's stunning scenery, deep blue waters, and endless recreation. Stretching 50 miles through the North Cascades, Lake Chelan is Washington's largest natural lake — offering crystal-clear water, secluded coves, and dramatic mountain views.
If you don't have your own boat, several rental companies in Chelan and Manson offer motorboats, pontoon boats, and jet skis. For those trailering in, there are public boat launches spread across the lake.
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Boat Launches
Chelan
Lake Chelan Public Boat Launch
Located on the Chelan River just above the dam, this launch is managed by the Chelan Public Utility District and is one of the few free boat launches on the lake. It has a single ramp and is open year round.
What to Know
- Free to launch — no fee required
- Single ramp; can get busy during peak summer weekends
- Open year round
- Located on the Chelan River just above the dam, not directly on the lake
Chelan
Lakeshore Marina Boat Launch
Located next to Don Morse Park in Chelan, the Lakeshore Marina boat launch is run by the City of Chelan. A single ramp with convenient access to downtown, fuel, and marina services nearby.
What to Know
- Launch fee required
- Single ramp — plan for a wait on busy summer days
- Convenient to downtown Chelan and Don Morse Park
South Shore
Lake Chelan State Park Boat Launch
Located within Lake Chelan State Park on the south shore, about 9 miles from downtown Chelan. A good option if you're camping at the park. Check the state park website for current launch status before heading out.
What to Know
- Discover Pass or day use fee required for park entry
- $7 launch fee (included with camping fee)
- Open year round, but check the state park website for current status
- Heavier traffic on summer weekends
South Shore (far end)
25 Mile Creek State Park Boat Launch
Located near the end of the road on the south shore, 25 Mile Creek State Park has two ramps making it the highest-capacity launch on the south side of the lake. The park also sells boat gas on the dock — the only fuel stop in this part of the lake.
What to Know
- Two ramps — more capacity than other south shore launches
- Open seasonally; check ahead before visiting
- Discover Pass or day use fee required, plus $7 launch fee (included with camping)
- Boat gas sold on the dock
Near Manson
Old Mill Park Boat Launch
Run by the Manson Parks and Recreation District, Old Mill Park is located about a mile downlake from downtown Manson. With three ramps it is the most capable launch near Manson, and sees heavy use during summer weekends.
What to Know
- Three launch ramps — the most capacity near Manson
- Daily launch fee required
- Annual pass available for $75
- Expect significant traffic on summer weekends
Manson
Manson Bay Park Boat Launch
Located in downtown Manson, the Manson Bay Park Boat Launch has a single ramp and is open in winter only. Summer boaters near Manson should use Old Mill Park instead.
What to Know
- Winter only — not available during summer
- Single ramp
- Use Old Mill Park for summer launches near Manson
Chelan
Lakeside Park Non-Motorized Boat Launch
Lakeside Park has a non-motorized boat launch intended for off-season use, after Labor Day through mid-May. It is most relevant for kayakers, paddleboarders, and small hand-launched craft rather than motorboats. Paid parking is available next to the launch, but the lot is sized for regular passenger vehicles and does not have room for boat trailers.
What to Know
- Non-motorized launch only
- Off-season use only: after Labor Day through mid-May
- Best for kayaks, paddleboards, and small hand-launched craft
- Paid parking is available next to the launch
- No boat trailer parking; regular-sized vehicles only
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Gas
South Shore
Watson's Harverene Resort Gas
Located next to Lake Chelan State Park and across the water from Manson, Watson's Harverene Resort operates a fuel shack open during the main summer season. One of the more reliable mid-lake fueling options on the south shore.
What to Know
- Open mid-to-late June through Labor Day
- Hours: 9AM–7PM, 7 days a week during peak season
- Early and late season hours may be shorter
South Shore
Kelly's Resort Gas
Located on the south shore, Kelly's Resort sells gas to both guests and visiting boaters. Hours can be limited so it's worth calling ahead before making the trip uplake.
What to Know
- Open to visiting boaters as well as resort guests
- Hours vary — call (509) 687-3220 before heading out
- Located farther up the south shore from town
South Shore
Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park Gas
Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park has a seasonal fuel dock located about halfway up Lake Chelan. For boaters heading uplake, this is the last fuel stop for roughly 25 miles until Stehekin.
What to Know
- Last fuel dock for about 25 miles until Stehekin
- Located about halfway up Lake Chelan
- Generally open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day
- Inside Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park
Stehekin
Stehekin Landing Gas
Gas is available at Stehekin Landing at the far upper end of Lake Chelan. Stehekin is only accessible by boat or the Lady of the Lake ferry — a significant run from the town of Chelan.
What to Know
- Located at the far end of the lake — a full day's run from Chelan
- Hours and availability vary
- Only accessible by boat or the Lady of the Lake ferry
- Plan your fuel carefully before heading uplake toward Stehekin
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Moorage
Chelan
Chelan Riverwalk Park
Short-term tie-up space is available at Chelan Riverwalk Park next to the Riverwalk Pavilion in downtown Chelan. Convenient for a quick stop but not intended for extended stays.
What to Know
- 3-hour maximum — short-term use only
- First-come, first-served, no reservations
- Walking distance to downtown Chelan shops and restaurants
Chelan
Lakeshore Marina
Lakeshore Marina next to Don Morse Park in Chelan offers 100 slips for daily rental, both with and without power. Reservations are required. One of the best-equipped marinas on the lake, with pump-out facilities and easy access to downtown Chelan.
What to Know
- 100 slips available with and without power
- Reservations required for daily rentals
- Walking distance to Don Morse Park and downtown Chelan
- Pump-out facilities available
Manson
Manson Bay Park Marina
Conveniently located in downtown Manson, Manson Bay Park Marina has a mix of free day-use slips and reservable overnight slips. A good option for anyone spending time in or near Manson.
What to Know
- 3 free day-use slips, first-come, first-served
- 32 reservable slips available
- Walking distance to downtown Manson
Chelan
Woodin Boat Dock
A small free dock with a couple of tie-offs, located next to Campbell's Resort near the Woodin Ave Bridge in Chelan. Suitable for a brief stop but very limited capacity.
What to Know
- Free to use
- Very limited tie-off capacity
- Good for a brief stop near the Woodin Ave Bridge
Chelan
Sunset Marina
A premium private marina with 168 individually owned slips, many of which are made available for rent by visiting boaters. Designed to accommodate a wide range of vessel sizes, with innovative year-round flotation even during periods of lower lake levels.
What to Know
- Private marina — slips are individually owned and made available for rent by owners
- Accommodates vessels from pontoons to cabin cruisers over 40 feet
- Slip sizes from 24 to over 40 feet
- Year-round flotation holds up even at lower lake levels
- Clubhouse access available
South Shore
Lake Chelan State Park Moorage
Lake Chelan State Park has 20 moorage spots that can be reserved through the Washington State Parks reservation platform. You must have an overnight camping reservation at the park to book moorage. The slips are split between six docks: one dock sits next to the boat launch and close to tent campsites on the West Loop, while the other five docks are near tent campsites on the Beach Loop.
What to Know
- 20 moorage spots available
- Reservable through the Washington State Parks reservation platform
- Overnight camping reservation required to book moorage
- One dock is next to the boat launch near West Loop tent sites
- Five docks are near the Beach Loop tent campsites
South Shore (far end)
25 Mile Creek State Park Moorage
Modern moorage at 25 Mile Creek State Park accommodates up to 20 boats up to 23 feet in length. The park also has two boat ramps. Moorage is for campers only — overnight camping on moored boats is not allowed.
What to Know
- Up to 20 boats, maximum length 23 feet
- Slips are generally reservable July through mid-September
- Two boat ramps available; launch generally usable mid-June through end of December
- Marina slips may be available prior to July depending on lake water level
- Moorage for registered campers only
- Overnight camping on moored boats is not allowed
Stehekin
Stehekin Landing Moorage
Docking at Stehekin Landing requires a federal dock permit from May 1 to October 31. Passes are $10 per day or $75 for the season and can be purchased ahead of time at the Chelan Ranger Station or from local vendors in Chelan, or upon arrival at the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin. Smaller docks are also available near Stehekin at Purple Point.
What to Know
- Federal dock permit required May 1–October 31 ($10/day or $75/season)
- Permits available at the Chelan Ranger Station, local Chelan vendors, or at North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin upon arrival
- Smaller docks also available at Purple Point, near Stehekin
- No personal watercraft (Jet Skis or similar) allowed anywhere in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
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Tips for Boating Lake Chelan
The lake is typically calmest in the morning and early evening. Plan your longest open-water runs for early in the day.
The lake is generally about a mile wide, reaching two miles at its widest. Conditions can vary significantly across the channel.
North of Manson, the lake narrows to about half a mile in a section known as the Narrows. Past the Narrows there is generally far less boat traffic.
The Straights is a 16-mile straight section uplake of the narrows well known for rough afternoon water. Give it extra respect on windy days.
Many boaters prefer wake surfing over wake boarding because the afternoon chop makes a rope difficult. The rougher water actually helps create a better surf wake.
Cell coverage is very limited to non-existent past 25 Mile Creek. Download offline maps and let someone know your float plan before heading uplake.
Water Temperature
Monthly average · °F
Twelve months of Lake Chelan
Lake Level
Lake Chelan rises and falls each year on a schedule managed by Chelan PUD, tied to snowmelt, irrigation, and hydroelectric operations. The key threshold for boat-in camping is 1096 ft — the elevation at which several upper-lake campground docks become accessible. Graham Harbor Creek, Moore Point, Flick Creek, and Weaver Point all have seasonal docks that open around 1096. Other campgrounds, including Prince Creek, Corral Creek, Graham Harbor, Domke Falls, Refrigerator Harbor, and Purple Point, have year-round dock access regardless of lake level. The 1096 mark also matters for private boat lifts along the shore.
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