Backpackers, here's the deal for the Chelan Lakeshore trail this year

Here's some news for early-season backpackers in Washington: the Chelan Lakeshore Trail is currently open for visitation, but camping is limited along its length because two major campgrounds remained closed to overnight stays. As always, hikers do not need a permit to camp along the trail, but you still need reservations to camp in Stehekin. You'll also want a reservation on the Lady of the Lake ferry, which will get you to the trailhead you choose. 

The Lady of the Lake ferry pulling away from the Prince Creek dock, which is the southern end of the Lakeshore Trail. Photo by trip reporter dlnallen.

Closures

• Moore Point (a common starting point for the Lakeshore trail about halfway up the trail) and Cascade Creek campgrounds are both CLOSED to overnight use. Day use is permitted, but the Forest Service recommends avoiding the area if there is rain predicted.
• Camping in Mill Creek is prohibited.
• Be aware of private land parcels along the trail and do not camp on private land.

Campground options

The Lakeshore trail was affected by the Pioneer fire last year, and hikers may encounter burned trees or snags. Check for overhead snags or hazard trees before selecting your campsite for the night. Get some tips for hiking in burn areas, and how to pick a good campsite.

• Uphill and southeast of Moore Point there is a primitive “Orchard Camp” with dispersed camping that is open to overnight camping. There will be pit toilets available there, but you need to bring your own toilet paper. There are no other amenities (picnic tables, established tent pads, etc), so expect a more rugged camping experience than you may have had in the past. 
  
  **NOTE: WTA crews scheduled to work in this area will use Orchard Camp during their hitches. Check WTA's volunteer schedule to see if your trip will overlap with a backcountry crew.**
• There are no alternate campgrounds near Cascade Creek.
• Flick Creek is open for camping, but can only accommodate 4-5 tents.
• The only other open campground along the trail is the Meadow Creek Shelter, but it is very small and will likely fill up fast with the other campgrounds being closed.
• The Moore Point campground is situated on an alluvial fan, and there is a potential risk of debris flows or flooding from burn scars up the drainage, not from fire damage within the campground itself.

Meadow Creek Camp is one of the sites on the Chelan Lakeshore Trail that is still open this year. Photo by trip reporter dlnallen.

Plan ahead and be ready for anything

Use these key mileages to plan your hike on the Lakeshore Trail this year. This might be the year to try that one-day fast pack, or a couple of bigger days to push yourself if you want to do the whole thing. Alternately, consider section hiking it by getting dropped off at Moore Point and doing a 7+ mile day hike straight into Stehekin.

• Prince Creek (southernmost end of Lakeshore trail) to Meadow Creek (first available camping): 7.6 miles
• Prince Creek to Moore Point: 11 miles
• Moore Point to Flick Creek: 3.4 miles
• Moore Point to Stehekin: 7.6 miles

The Lakeshore trail melts out earlier than many other trails in the area, and it is likely backpackers will encounter trail damage that has not yet been addressed. Hike with caution and consider carrying extra first aid materials; U.S. Forest Service staff are stretched thin, and the Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin is closed, but there are still National Park Service staff in the valley including rangers and maintenance staff.

The Stehekin Landing area and trails were affected by the 2024 Pioneer Fire. A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or are increased by the effects of the fire. The North Cascades National Park staff provided a Post Fire Safety link for hiker  awareness, and noted that the Stehekin area is prone to more severe flooding now that it has been part of a wildfire.

• Always check the forecast prior to your trip.
• Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, and pay particular attention to debris flow areas. This Post Fire Safety page has information on what to do in a flash flood and debris flow area.

Want to find another part of the state to backpack in? Check out our low-key backpacking recommendations, or try something on the Olympic Peninsula!

Permits and staying in the valley

With limited Forest Service staff and the Golden West Visitor Center closed, you'll need your camping permits for Stehekin before you get on the boat in Chelan. You can make a reservation for Harlequin, Purple Point, or the Lakefront campgrounds on recreation.gov and bring a printed copy of the reservation. 

Backcountry permits for the sites outside Stehekin (like High Bridge and Tumwater) can be reserved online on Recreation.gov and permits can be issued via email. Contact noca_wilderness@nps.gov for more information.

Until May, hand-written self issue permits for the backcountry sites are available in Marblemount or via email. However, this adds several hours to your travel to Chelan to get on the ferry, so this may be a good year to indulge and rent a hotel room at one of the several lodging options in the valley. Backpackers are a big contributor to Stehekin's recreation economy and the people in the valley would welcome your business!

WTA volunteers regularly work on the Chelan Lakeshore Trail, and will be back this year to help improve the trail after the Pioneer Fire last year. Photo by Pam MacRae.