Five Kid-Friendly Fall Activities at Lake Chelan

Outdoor Fun and Challenge Build Memories & Character

Fall is a great time to get outdoors with kids in Chelan. The air is cooler; the sun more forgiving. You can boat one day, hike the next, and bike the third. Some of these outings are pure fun. Others require a bit of sweat. But they all deliver great memories. Here are five favorites I do with my daughter.

Hike to Elephant’s Head on the Chelan Butte

Here is a local’s favorite. Park at the Reach One Trailhead, cross the street, and head up the double track.

From town, the Butte looks a bit like a big elephant. Your destination is the east end of the Butte, affectionately named “Elephant’s Head”.

The hike is a strenuous, but very doable, four-mile round trip route. I started taking my daughter when she was six. Yes, she did complain, but I've since learned to bring one of her friends and better snacks. The trail moderates after the first mile and gives way to a stunning traverse with views of the lake and town.

Check out the AllTrails site for great photos and maps. (Note the mapped route takes you to the Butte summit. Elephant Head is a third of the way up.) Also, my own blog post on Elephant’s Head has good maps.

September Boating

September may be the best time to boat on Lake Chelan. Temperatures can push into the eighties. The lake is essentially deserted. And the rental companies are vying for your business, especially mid-week. Bargain. Bargain.

Recently we loaded up all four generations of the family on a Sunday afternoon for a leisurely pontoon-boat cruise around lower Lake Chelan. Pontoon boats may be one of the best evolutions in boating. (I'm sure some would say just the opposite!) They hold an army of people, are easy to drive, and have enough power to take the kids tubing.

Never rented a boat before on Lake Chelan? Here is a “Boating Basics” guide to get you on the water in minutes.

Fishing at Frank’s Pond

Frank Clark has a passion for fishing. He helped create a fishing pond near Chelan for kids. The pond is a short ten-minute drive from downtown Chelan and is stocked every spring with some of the biggest rainbow trout you’ve ever seen.

Kids under fifteen are free to fish until October 31st every year. Two fish per day per kid limit.

There are also walking trails to be enjoyed along the river. Look for a large stone monument with some nice words about my late grandfather, “Toad” O’Neal. Grandpa O’Neal and Frank – along with countless others – worked to create the Beebe Springs Wildlife Area that contains Frank's Pond.

The trout are tasty, especially pan-fried, so bring a pocket-knife and be ready to clean some fish for dinner!

Mountain Biking at Echo Ridge

Echo Ridge is well-known for its litany of mountain bike trails. The Echo Ridge Mountain Bike Map suggests a few of the great options for novices, beginners, and intermediate bikers.

For the most approachable trails, follow directions to either the Upper or Lower trailhead. The upper trailhead is at 3490’ elevation. Views of the Cascades, Chelan Butte, Waterville Plateau, and Lake Chelan abound.

If your kids are more experienced, park just past the Echo Valley Ski Hill and look for signs to Waterbar Heaven. This trail offers a 1000’ elevation gain over 3.5 miles. Climb until the troops get tired, turn around, and then fly back to the car.

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Start your day with a little exercise and a lot of fun at the Lookout’s Turkey Trot. The 2-mile course begins at The Lookout Barn located at 203 Bighorn Way, just off Highway 150.

Runners, walkers, and four-legged trotters will travel up Bighorn Way to The Lookout’s Hilltop neighborhood and then wind their way down to the waterfront. The final stretch leads participants to the finish at the event park to celebrate with hot chocolate and a selection of seasonal pies from our friends at Deb’s Delights.

The race organizers also host a food drive. Help make someone’s holiday a little brighter by donating non-perishable food items on race day. Items collected will be delivered to the Chelan Valley Food Bank.