Lake Chelan State Park
Chelan, Washington · on First Creek · Lake Chelan
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Lake Chelan State Park
Lake Chelan State Park is a 139-acre Washington State Parks property on the southwest shore of Lake Chelan near Chelan, WA, established in 1942. For anyone after a lake to swim in near Chelan, the park's swimming hole is a designated swim area on a gravel beach, offered alongside boating, paddleboarding, and camping.
The park sits directly on the southwest shore of Lake Chelan, a long glacially-carved lake in the eastern Cascades foothills. The official park page describes a gravel beach with a log berm along calm lake water, with dry, tan-colored hills and distant mountains visible across the water.
Swimming at Lake Chelan State Park
Washington State Parks lists Swimming as an official on-site activity, and a park photo caption specifically describes a 'swim area cordoned off' along the beach, indicating a designated, roped-off swimming zone in the lake rather than an open unrestricted shoreline. The park also permits paddleboarding, kayaking, and scuba diving/snorkeling, suggesting calm, clear, swimmable water suited to families and casual swimmers as well as divers.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located at 7544 S Lakeshore Road, Chelan, WA 98816, on the south lakeshore road along Lake Chelan; the official park page provides a direct 'Get Directions' link to this address.
Parking: On-site parking and accessible parking are listed among the park's amenities; a Discover Pass is required for parked vehicles, and an Overnight Unattended Vehicle Fee of $10/night applies.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up state park with on-site parking directly adjacent to the gravel beach and cordoned swim area; no hike is required, just a short walk (well under 5 minutes) from the parking lot to the shoreline.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The official park page describes a designated swim area cordoned off along a gravel beach with calm lake water, which is favorable for kids, but no lifeguards are documented and the park also has a boat ramp, dock, and overnight moorage directly on-site, meaning motorized boat traffic shares the shoreline area. Supervise children closely given the lack of confirmed lifeguards and nearby watercraft activity.
Parking
Paid, Washington Discover Pass required ($10 one-day or $45 annual); accessible parking is also available on-site
A Watercraft Launch Fee of $7/day applies for those launching boats, and an Overnight Unattended Vehicle Fee of $10/night applies for vehicles left overnight.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms and showers, including accessible restrooms, are listed among the park's on-site facilities (Washington State Parks facility list); exact building location within the park is not specified in available sources.
Water clarity
Clear
The regional tourism site lakechelan.com describes Lake Chelan overall as '50.5 miles of crystal clear, glacier-fed lake' with 'blue, pristine waters.' This is a general description of the lake (a very deep glacially-carved lake known for clarity) rather than a site-specific measurement at the state park beach, and it comes from a promotional tourism source rather than a park authority or visitor report, so treat as directionally reliable but not verified on-site.
Hours
6:30 a.m. to dusk, year-round (per Washington State Parks)
On the water
The park has a boat ramp, dock, and overnight moorage (max boat length 18 feet for moorage, campsite reservation required for moorage, no overnight camping aboard boats), and permits paddleboarding, kayaking, and scuba/snorkeling per the official park page. A Watercraft Launch Fee of $7/day applies. No specific no-wake or electric-only restriction for the swim area itself was found in available sources; boaters should keep clear of the cordoned swim zone.
Rentals nearby
Jet skis, boats (Regal LX2, Starcraft 211 SVX, Starcraft 211 SVX w/ tower), pontoons, and paddleboards
Prices: Regal LX2: $215/1hr, $575/half day, $715/full day; Starcraft 211 SVX: $155/1hr, $415/half day, $565/full day; Starcraft 211 SVX w/ Tower: $180/1hr, $480/half day, $620/full day; Pontoon: $180/1hr, $475/half day, $620/full day (prices exclude sales tax and fuel)
Multiple locations around Lake Chelan including Don Morse Park, Chelan Bay, Manson Bay Marina, plus resort locations
Jet skis (Yamaha VX), boats (7-9 passenger), pontoons (14-15 passenger), wakesurf boats (Axis A225), StarCraft boats, and paddleboards
Prices: Jet ski: $85/1hr weekday, up to $359/8hr; Boats: $399-$479/4hr, $599-$619/8hr; Pontoons: $459/4hr, $619/8hr; Wakesurf boat: $299/1hr up to $999/4hr (weekend rates run slightly higher)
1320 W Woodin Ave, Chelan, WA (free parking and on-site gas dock)
High-performance boat rentals (e.g. S23 Nautique, Cobalt CS23 Surf) and boat sales; transient moorage
101 Bass Lane, Chelan, WA 98816
Backstory
According to Wikipedia, the park was established through the state's initial land purchase in 1942 and opened to the public in 1943; it covers 139 acres and is administered by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Lake Chelan State Park: FAQ
Does Lake Chelan State Park charge a fee?
A Washington Discover Pass is required ($10 one-day pass or $45 annual pass). Additional fees: Watercraft Launch Fee $7/day, Trailer Dump Fee $5/use, Overnight Unattended Vehicle Fee $10/night, and boat moorage $12/night (campsite reservation required for moorage, no overnight camping on boats, max boat length 18 feet).
Is Lake Chelan State Park kid friendly?
The official park page describes a designated swim area cordoned off along a gravel beach with calm lake water, which is favorable for kids, but no lifeguards are documented and the park also has a boat ramp, dock, and overnight moorage directly on-site, meaning motorized boat traffic shares the shoreline area. Supervise children closely given the lack of confirmed lifeguards and nearby watercraft activity.
Do I need to hike to reach Lake Chelan State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lake Chelan State Park?
A Watercraft Launch Fee of $7/day applies for those launching boats, and an Overnight Unattended Vehicle Fee of $10/night applies for vehicles left overnight.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Chelan State Park?
The park has a boat ramp, dock, and overnight moorage (max boat length 18 feet for moorage, campsite reservation required for moorage, no overnight camping aboard boats), and permits paddleboarding, kayaking, and scuba/snorkeling per the official park page. A Watercraft Launch Fee of $7/day applies. No specific no-wake or electric-only restriction for the swim area itself was found in available sources; boaters should keep clear of the cordoned swim zone.
What are the rules at Lake Chelan State Park?
Park hours are 6:30 a.m. to dusk, year-round. Dogs are allowed on leash, fires are allowed only in designated areas, and horses are not allowed.
What water body is Lake Chelan State Park on?
Lake Chelan State Park is on First Creek, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
