This remote area offers lakeside camping, boating, swimming and golf. Head a little further to the tiny town of Plain, home to locals hangout, Plain Hardware. During winter, enjoy Plain Valley Ski Trails. Rental equipment is available. During warmer months, check in with Wild at Heart Horse Rides, which offers guided rides and Leavenworth Ziplines, with two options for tours!
Heading east on Highway 2, you will wind your way through the sheer canyon walls of Tumwater Canyon with its rocky gorges and breathtaking whitewater. Traveling around 20 miles, you will come to Coles Corner. Turn east on Highway 207 and you will be rewarded with the clear mountain-fed waters of Lake Wenatchee at Lake Wenatchee State Park. This stunning lake’s allure is mesmerizing with mirrored reflections of the surrounding forested mountains and light play of the sun. Spend an afternoon playing in the water. There is plenty of opportunity to boat, paddleboard, and swim. During the summer, Sockeye salmon return much to the delight of anglers.
If family adventure is your speed, take a picnic lunch on a perfect hike to Hidden Lake--only 1.2 miles round trip, so both the beginner and advanced will easily accomplish this hike through a peaceful slice of nature, with pines and old-growth cedar. On your way to the lake, a little peek-a-boo view of Dirtyface Peak emerges! To get to the trail, turn onto Cedar Brae Road at Lake Wenatchee State Park and follow the road along the south side of Lake Wenatchee.
If winter is your favorite time to travel, 150 inches of annual snowfall and 30 miles of winter trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing around Lake Wenatchee and the Plain Valley Ski Trails will keep you coming back for more.
In spring, summer and fall, Lake Wenatchee State Park is quintessential camping at its best. Any time of the year cozy cabins, spacious vacation homes and B&B’s are superb accommodations for couples, families or groups. Traveling a tad further down the road you will come to Fish Lake, one of the best places to fish in Washington. This 500-acre lake is stocked each season with trout and perch. Just about anyone can boast a successful day fishing on Fish Lake and the little ones can even throw their line in from the dock at the Cove at Fish Lake.
Continue around the bend on Hwy 207 and you will find the charming town of Plain -- friendly, nature-loving, inviting and robust in play! Plain’s history is rich in logging and farming, industries that supported the pioneers who settled in this beautiful valley in the early 1800’s. As Plain’s logging industry grew, a rail line (later followed by the Great Northern Railway) was built to transport logs and the Wenatchee River was used to float logs downriver to Leavenworth. Today, this year-round recreation destination boasts hiking and floating the river in the warmer months and a bevy of snow sports in the winter. Visit Plain Hardware for local hiking and birding maps and all the ski and snowshoe equipment you will need in winter. Plus, their espresso drinks are pretty dang good! Plain Valley Nordic Trails offer over 24km of groomed skate and classic cross-country trails. These trails are beautifully maintained and accessible for all levels of skiers. The four season resort of Mountain Springs Lodge should be on the agenda too. Their zip line rides are a guaranteed adrenaline rush. Nine guided rides (the longest being ¼ mile) over the Beaver Creek Valley will make you face your fears, have fun, and seek thrills or all three things at once! The Lodge also offers guided sleigh and snowmobiling in winter, including dinner by a roaring fireplace in their gorgeous log lodge. They are also a beautiful place to get married. No matter the season, Plain really is just plain lovely and worth a visit! Head back to Bavarian Leavenworth after your day by continuing on SR209/Chumstick Highway for a 20-minute drive.
.jpg)
