Three of the unique regions on the Cascade Loop are in Chelan County: Leavenworth and the Cascade Foothills, Wenatchee and the Columbia River Valley, and the Lake Chelan Valley. Each region features unique geography, culture and charm. Book a flight to Seattle-Tacoma International in Seattle, then connect to Pangborn in Wenatchee --- and let your adventure begin!
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The top of Stevens Pass is the start of your Chelan County adventure! During the fall you can enjoy the Stevens Pass Ski Area trails on mountain bikes (rentals available).
Then, as you ascend from the 4,061 foot summit, the highway winds through forests and follows the Wenatchee River and tributaries to Coles Corner, the junction to Lake Wenatchee and Plain, or continue on SR 2 into the colorful Tumwater Canyon!
Autumn colors are amazing in the Tumwater Canyon. Many pullouts offer opportunities for photos. Stop at the dam to watch spawning salmon, and be on the lookout for bald eagles looking for an easy meal, and a river otter family living in the canyon. World-class rock climbing location.
Learn about the longest railroad tunnel in the US -- the Cascade Tunnel, once powered by the Tumwater Dam.
[Update -- the pullout for the Tumwater Dam is currently closed as they are renovating the dam itself. You can park a bit west and check out Jolanda Lake and the amazing colors there]
Pedestrian-friendly downtown Leavenworth is inviting, with its German themed architecture - enjoy shopping, and dining with many choices for an authentic meal at a variety of great restaurants.
Two amazing events take place in Leavenworth every fall:
Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival - Leavenworth's oldest Festival, celebrates the turning colors of the fall leaves, the last full weekend in September
Leavenworth Oktoberfest - The first three weekends of October bring entertainment and fun including Beer Gardens and Kinderplatz! Live music, dance groups, brats, German sandwiches, kraut, pretzels, and more!
Take a side trip to this beautiful valley and make an equine friend at Wild at Heart Horse Rides. The Fall Color Horseback Rides are spectacular! For more adventure, Leavenworth Ziplines will zip you through the forest on a 5- or 9-line tour with incredible views. There are also many hiking trails in this area -- be sure to stop by Plain Hardware for your morning coffee and supplies for the day!
Home of world-famous Aplets & Cotlets confections, take a tour of the Liberty Orchards facility, and snag free samples! The weekend after Labor Day is the Chelan County Fair.
Every September 11th, at 11am attend a moving ceremony at the 9/11 Spirit of America Memorial. Guest speakers include survivors of the tragedy in 2001.
The month of October is ScareCrazy in Cashmere – shop owners compete with each other for the most creative scarecrows. Vote for your favorite!
Catch a connecting flight from SeaTac to Pangborn Memorial Airport, and begin your adventure! Named for pilot Clyde Pangborn (with co-pilot Hugh Herndon) who were the first to successfully complete a non-stop flight eastbound across the Pacific Ocean. Their plane, the Miss Veedol landed on her belly in a field at Fancher Field near East Wenatchee. Read more about the local boy who made National news in 1931.
Wenatchee is a thriving riverfront community, with hiking trails in the foothills, and 11-mile paved Apple Capital Loop Trail that takes you along both sides of the Columbia River. Stop by Pybus Public Market for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a glass of wine or beer. Find amazing boutique shops, a fresh produce stand year round, and home of the Farmers Market. Oh -- and for a great evening treat, you must stop into Ice for gelato, crepes and amazing espresso drinks!! A short walk down the Loop Trail gets you to WineGirl Wines and Riverhouse Cigar Bar. If you are visiting mid-week, stop by Pak-it-Rite for locally made gifts that can be shipped home or to friends.
Plan to golf a round at the valley’s favorite par 69 public course, Three Lakes Golf Course in Malaga, just outside of town.
Looking for an oasis in the desert? Ohme Gardens features manicured stone paths with gardens of colorful flowers and foliage, ponds and waterfalls, and a fun “Find the Gnome” game for the kids!
As you head north on Highway 97-A, toward Rocky Reach Dam Discovery Center – be on the lookout for bighorn sheep who like to climb the outcroppings along this stretch. If you visit during September plan to attend the Salmon Festival at Rocky Reach Dam, a three-day natural resource education event to celebrate the return of the salmon to the Wenatchee River.
This quiet riverside community has an amazing campground at the confluence of the Entiat River and the Columbia River. Follow the Entiat River Road into the forest lands and find more campgrounds (including primitive camping in Fire Lookouts), and great hiking trails. At Silver Falls you can get a view from behind the waterfall!
Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center is a great place to stretch your legs. Get up close to actual fire watchtowers and to learn how wildfires affect the landscape. This is also the location of the Entiat Information Center.
Lake Chelan has been a mecca for generations of visitors for over a hundred years. The 50-mile long glacier-fed lake is cool and refreshing during the hot autumn afternoons, with several beaches and campgrounds on the South Shore and Manson areas. Visitors in the late 1800’s flocked to the area that had become renowned for its calming, healing quality.
The Lake Chelan AVA produces award-winning wines and over a dozen tasting rooms and wineries around the lake, like WineGirl Wines in Manson. The first day of fall kicks off Wine Harvest events around the valley. For a complete list of tasting locations and event information, see Lake Chelan Wine Valley.
Historic Downtown Chelan oozes charm with its boutique shops, hundred-year-old Ruby Theater (still showing today’s top movies) and inviting atmosphere that is unmatched in a year-round resort community.
Campbell’s Pub and Veranda, built in the 1880’s, is still run by members of the Campbell family, and the Speakeasy is a favorite hangout after spending the day soaking up the sunshine.
Riverwalk Park, a one-mile paved loop path along the Chelan River is a perfect place to stretch your legs. The adjacent Riverwalk Park is home of the Thursday Evening Farmer’s Market, and the Pavilion, featuring live music at the water’s edge.
In addition to Lake Chelan Wine Valley's Wine Harvest activities, you will encounter creepy shopkeepers and wicked wine tasting rooms during Haunted Manson all through October. Drive around the Manson Scenic Loop and find hidden GeoQuest treasures, or just hang out at a park and enjoy the quiet and the views!
Starting just after Thanksgiving, Manson turns into the Village of Lights and visitors can experience the magic of Small Town Holidays!
For an off-the-grid experience, plan a trip to Stehekin at the head of 50-mile long Lake Chelan. The relaxing tour takes you into the heart of the wilderness where cell service doesn’t live! The Lake Chelan Boat Company has been running passenger ferry service for over 60 years and currently has a fleet of vessels offering a variety of combination trips there and back.
At the Stehekin Landing, hop on the shuttle and see where pioneers in this region established fruit orchards – the Buckner Orchard and Homestead are managed by the Parks Service and is still producing apples to this day.
The shuttle will also take you to Rainbow Falls, with a 392-foot drop in two tiers. For more information and reservations for the passenger ferry, shuttle, or overnight accommodations, as well as great hiking trails for day trips see https://stehekin.com/.
No matter how long you visit, you must trek the 2 miles from the Landing to Stehekin Pastry Company for scratch-made pastries, pies, breads, breakfast and lunch options, and espresso and ice cream!
Bald eagle in Tumwater Canyon with autumn colors
Bouldering in the Icicle Valley
Big horn ram in Swakane Canyon
Port of Seattle -- SeaTac International Airport
Pybus Public Market, Wenatchee
Wild Turkey in a tree, Entiat River Road
Silver Falls, Entiat River Road
Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center, Entiat
Tumwater Dam on the Wenatchee River
9/11 Spirit of America Memorial, Cashmere
Hiking the Foothills overlooking Wenatchee and the Columbia River
Wine Grapes waiting for Harvest, Lake Chelan Valley
Lakeside Park, Lake Chelan
Stehekin Valley Trail and Doubtful Creek
Lake Chelan Sunset
Leavenworth Ziplines, near Plain
Ohme Gardens overlooking the Wenatchee Valley
Thanks to our partners for funding support: Port of Seattle/SeaTac International Airport and Visit Chelan County.
