North Cascades National Park guide · 1 min read
Stehekin: Reaching the Ferry-Only Village
A few hundred people live in Stehekin, a village tucked at the top end of Lake Chelan. No roads reach it, so visitors arrive only by boat, on foot, or by plane.
It ranks among the most isolated villages in the lower 48 states.
The Lake Chelan passenger ferry sails each day from the lake's south end, and it is the way to reach the village without a full-day hike. Only passengers can board, since vehicles are not carried. Many visitors count the crossing itself as a highlight, with mountains rising along the water. Lake Chelan ranks third among the deepest lakes in the country.
After landing, you can ride the Stehekin Valley Shuttle, which covers the 10 miles of Stehekin Valley Road from the ferry terminal up to High Bridge. Along the way it makes stops at many of the trailheads and sights. The bus turns back at High Bridge, so that is as far as it goes.
Roughly 18 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail run through the park. Stehekin serves as both the first and final resupply point on that route, and thru-hikers often pause there in summer and early fall. Trailheads near the village lead to short day hikes or to longer backpacking trips into the park's backcountry. Overnight backcountry camping requires a permit.
Lodging options include North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin, a basic property, along with several campgrounds. Keep food and anything with a scent stored securely whenever you aren't using it; many camps provide bear boxes for that purpose.
