Is Lake Chelan a good place to sail? You bet. At 55 miles long the lake is really a series of areas, each with it's own distinct conditions. The lower lake, near town almost always has a drainage breeze but also has the most boat traffic. The area near the State Park and Wapato Point is not very good with either no wind or erratic canyon winds out of First Creek. The run from the Yacht Club to 25 Mile Creek is the best with stable winds averaging about 12 knots down lake. From 25 Mile Creek to Stehekin you find yourself in beautiful fjord-like country with steep tree covered hillsides and waterfalls. Forest Service boat in campgrounds are wonderful places to spend a weekend or a week. A trip up to Holden Village offers an experience you will not duplicate anywhere in the world and Stehekin at the Head of the lake is an entry to the Glacier Peak Wilderness and a National Park.
Be Prepared! Lake Chelan, especially in the upper reaches can experience high winds and rapidly changing conditions. Be ready to reef your sails and to duck in to one of the few protected docks. Cell phone coverage ends at 25 mile creek so carry a marine VHF. Fuel can only be obtained at Stehekin once you are past 25 mile creek as well so check your supply before departure.
Launch Ramps - Starting at the foot of the lake and heading up (West)
Chelan River PUD Ramp - Good ramp with a good depth angle and good parking. It is useless for sailboats due to the bridges between the ramp and the lake.
Don Morse Park - The City Park. A Decent launch ramp but the angle is somewhat shallow for deep keel boats. Parking is crap and they charge for your vehicle and the trailer, that is if you can find a parking spot. Best is if you can shuttle your car and trailer to the High School Parking lot for free parking. Moorage here is o.k. if the weather isn't bad, otherwise the breakwater doesn't break water.
Lakeside Park - Only open from Mid September to Mid May. It's only good for small boats and only if the wind isn't blasting down lake into the launch.
Mill Bay - Three good ramps. Watch the trees (why do the morons who design parks put trees in launch areas?) Lots of parking. Be careful of the rocks just down lake of the ramp during low water.
Manson Bay - Only open in the fall through spring. This is the best angled launch on the lake. The approach and staging area is somewhat hard to negotiate but the deep water and steeper angle make this a good sailboat launch.
First Creek State Park - Good angle launch, lousy set up area and parking, you will have to disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle for parking and the ramp is very narrow with sharp drop off on either side.
25 mile creek State Park - This ramp is only good during high water (late June to mid Sept) It offers great access to up lake destinations but the marina is only good for 24' or less boats and fairly shallow drafts. Fuel is available here too.
Best up lake destinations and public docks- Remember to get your USFS dock pass for USFS, State Park and National Park dock use - Click on the photos for larger images.
Public Dock at the "Old Bridge" - At the foot of the lake, this is as far as you can go with the mast up. Be wary of the current flowing toward the bridge, it can be strong in the spring. Room for about six boats, good access to downtown shops and restaurants. No overnight docking, direct exposure to down lake winds.
Don Morse Park - The City Marina offers multiple transient moorage sites and short term docking. Pump out and water available. The site is dry during low water. Operated by the City of Chelan. 682-8023
Mill Bay - Launching docks, short term docking located just down lake from the ramp. Restroom and picnic area. No overnight docking. About 8 miles up lake from Chelan on the North Shore. Operated by Manson Parks and Rec.
Manson Bay - Overnight and seasonal dock spaces. Well protected and great access to downtown Manson. 10 miles up lake on the North Shore. Water, power. Operated by Manson Parks and Rec. 687-9635
First Creek State Park - Drive or boat to. Room for at least 10 boats, safe on the downlake side of the dock in a down lake wind. Tons of tent and RV camp sites. About 10 miles from Chelan. South Shore. State Parks
Mitchell Creek - Boat in only. Year around depth, shelter with a fireplace and campsites, can be busy in mid summer, watch for Rattlesnakes. 17 boat capacity, 6 tent sites. Shelter with fireplace. 16 miles from Chelan. North Shore USFS
Mitchell Creek
Fields Point - Temporary docking only. Pump out station that is a pain in the butt to get to if there is any wind. 16 miles from Chelan. South shore. USFS
25 Mile Creek State Park - Drive or boat. Multiple dock spaces but limited transient berths. Lots of tent or RV camp sites, fuel, small store and a pump out station. Fresh water, showers, restrooms. Approach from the water only at full pool. 23 miles from Chelan on the South Shore. State Parks
Deer Point - Boat only. 8 boat spaces, 4 tent spaces. Good protection during down lake winds. 23 miles from Chelan on the North Shore. USFS
Safety Harbor - Boat only. Space for six boats, 4 tent spaces, nice stream and well protected in most wind conditions and very deep. About 26 miles up lake on the South Shore. USFS
Big Creek - Was wiped out by flooding and is no longer available.
Corral Creek - Boat in. Space for about six boats and 2 tent sites. At last visit the dock was in poor repair. Sunbathing and swimming off of the big sloping rock there is very nice. Protected in a down lake wind only. About 29 miles up lake on the South Shore. USFS
Graham Harbor - Deep and well protected in a down lake blow. The outhouse stinks but is due for replacement. Secure your boat well in case the wind turns up lake. USFS
Graham Harbor
Domke Falls - Beautiful, only room for a couple of boats although USFS rates it for six. Second most photographed waterfall on the Lake. About 38 miles up lake. USFS
Domke Falls
Prince Creek - Small dock that will fit only a couple of boats, lots of room to romp around on shore and a nice stream. About 37 miles up lake on the North Shore. USFS
Refrigerator Harbor and Lucerne - We have crammed a dozen sailboats in here before. It can get some rock and roll in a down lake blow but offer access to a hike into Domke Lake (3 miles) or the ten mile bus ride to Holden. Take a bike with you for the ride down from Holden. Fresh water is available here and the Guard Station Volunteers are the best people on earth! The boat basin and the Lucerne Guard Station next door can hold up to 11 shallow draft boats and there are numerous tent sites available. 41 miles up lake on the South Shore. USFS
Refrigerator Harbor
Moore Point - Moore is a great place to explore, see if you can locate where the old Hotel used to be. The dock is small and shallow so it's not accessable to deeper draft boats. About 44 miles up lake on the North Shore. USFS
Flick Creek - Cute looking spot, I haven't been in to recon it but there appears to be room for several boats at the dock and there is rarely anyone there. About 44 miles up on the North Shore. USFS
Manley Wham - This is another tiny spot that is easy to miss but worth the stop. Small dock. About 44 miles up on the South Shore. USFS
Weaver Point (Stehekin) - Good Dock and lots of campsites. This is where we spend a few days on the LCSA cruise (flush toilets!) Fresh water. This is the very head of Lake Chelan at 55 miles from Chelan. Hiking trails and the Stehekin River are added amenities. NPS
Weaver Point
Stehekin Landing and Purple Point - Both offer lots of dock space. The landing has fuel and water. From here access bike rentals, bus rides to Courtney Ranch or Rainbow Falls, Great food at the Landing Restaurant and some supplies at the store. Auto traffic seems out of place here so it's not our first pick for extended stays. Catch the bus tour to Rainbow Falls or rent a bike to tour the valley. The concession agreement for the landing is up in the air so check with the USFS or National Parks about fuel etc before heading up in 2009. NPS
Local Boating Supplies and Services
Reed's Marine - Boats and marine supplies, boat storage, engine and fiberglass repair, boat lifts, amphibious vehicle with crane. 509-687-1302.
TNT Crane Service - Todd Sweeney, crane truck capable of setting masts, at last check rate was $130 hr with a one hour minimum. 679-7270.
The Dock Company - Docks, Boat Lifts, a small selection of marine supplies, Walker Bay Dinghy's. 682-3625
Lake Chelan Boat & RV Storage - Indoor and outdoor seasonal storage. Chelan Falls Hwy 682-2301
Kelly's Hardware - Good selection of line, stainless steel hardware, life jackets and boating toys. Woodin Ave.
Jerry's Auto Supply - Some marine hardware and toys, wax etc. Woodin Ave. 682-2559
Napa - Some marine hardware, waxes etc. 682-4561
Marine Service Center - Seattle - Laser Dealer plus larger yachts. Ask for Ray Hines 206-323-2405
West Marine - Everything marine click heading to go to their website
The Lake Chelan Sailing Regatta 1960s or 70s era, how many c-lark 14 sailboats are in the photo on above?
Lake Chelan and the city of Chelan on the left - looking west.., and a satellite photo of the entire lake on the right - Chelan is located at the bottom right corner... The bend of the river you see in the sat-photo is the part of the Columbia River.
