10 Best Things To Do In Chelan 2026

Q: What are the top activities in Chelan?

Top activities in Chelan include: 15 Mile Jet Boat Ride & Media Package ~30-50+ Min. Wenatchee, WA North Cascades Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Year-Round Columbia River Boat Cruise & Drift in Wenatchee, WA Wenatchee River Family Float Trip Whitewater and Wine: Wenatchee River Whitewater Rafting and Winery Tour Discover top tours and activities in Chelan →

Q: What are the top things to do near Chelan?

Check out things to do near Chelan: Things to do in Washington Things to do in Leavenworth Things to do in Mt Rainier National Park Things to do in Seattle Things to do in Fraser Valley

Q: What do I need to know before visiting Chelan?

Check out these top Chelan travel ideas: Chelan Foodie Tours Family-friendly Chelan Tours The best tours and activities for culture lovers in Chelan Things to do in Chelan this summer Top 10 Chelan 2026 Discover more Chelan trip ideas →

Welcome to Chelan

Chelan Washington, on the southeast end of glacier-fed Lake Chelan, has been a resort area known for its natural beauty since the late 19th century. The narrow, 50-mile-long canyon lake originates among the peaks of the North Cascades and is joined to the Columbia River by the short Chelan River running through town. Chelan offers a historic main street, dining, shopping, wineries, golf, and great boating, fishing, and watersports opportunities. The Chelan Riverwalk Park covers 12 acres and includes a one-mile river loop with great fishing holes. The nearby Wenatchee River, Washington’s most popular whitewater rafting destination, has some of the best Class III whitewater in the Pacific Northwest.

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Things To Do In Chelan

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North Cascades Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Explore the breathtaking North Cascades with this self-guided driving tour. This drive through Washington’s mountains includes snow-capped peaks, rushing rivers, and lush forests, but that’s...

4 to 5 hours • Free Cancellation

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$17

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15 Mile Jet Boat Ride & Media Package ~30-50+ Min. Wenatchee, WA

Have a ball with dynamic drifting fish tale turns and the thrilling "Hamilton Spin," where the boat spins within its own length, echoing the exhilaration...

45 minutes • Free Cancellation

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$74

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Year-Round Columbia River Boat Cruise & Drift in Wenatchee, WA

Just a short drive from Leavenworth, WA, experience the natural beauty of the Columbia River on a relaxing two-hour cruise and drift through the heart...

2 hours • Free Cancellation

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$120

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Whitewater and Wine: Wenatchee River Whitewater Rafting and Winery Tour

Whitewater river rafting and wine tasting - why wouldn't we? We have combined 2 of our favorite things - whitewater and wine tasting! We start...

1 day

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$239

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Paddles and Pints: Brewery Tour and Whitewater Rafting on the Wenatchee River

We have combined 2 of our favorite things; rafting and beer! Let us take you on an adventure on the river and then take you...

10 hours

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$239

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Wenatchee River Family Float Trip

The lower Wenatchee river is a perfect adventure for those looking for a trip on the river minus the whitewater. We float past apple, pear,...

4 hours

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$109

Recent Chelan traveler reviews

New York City

15 Mile Jet Boat Ride & Media Package ~30-50+ Min. Wenatchee, WA

Travel36059601883, Sep 2026

Awesome boat ride

Awesome boat ride with Capt Wiley! Quick turnaround on pics and video from adventure. Definitely recommend!

New York City

North Cascades Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

rememberscreenname, Sep 2026

Great trip

We absolutely loved the audio tour of the North Cascade national Park, it was great how the tour was able to work with our GPS to tell stories that totally fit into the timeline of the drive. The stories were entertaining and educational while being easy to understand and enjoy. Great to hear how long the hikes would be so we could choose along the way. At one of the suggested stops we even saw a bear😄 super thrilled with that, we probably would have missed it if he didn't suggest the stop!

New York City

15 Mile Jet Boat Ride & Media Package ~30-50+ Min. Wenatchee, WA

debbietL1099BY, Aug 2026

Great experience!!

It was so much fun. We had a blast! Would highly recommend it!

New York City

North Cascades Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

PHN74, Nov 2025

Best road trip with sights and sounds.

The best way to do a road trip. My sister and I love road trips, but most of the time you enjoy the scenery, but never really know anything about where you are. With this self-guided road trip tour you get to here and enjoy not only what you’re seeing, but about the history of the area. We plugged my phone into the car radio so all of us could hear all the stories, history and lots of other tidbits. Now I want more for our next road trip.

New York City

Year-Round Columbia River Boat Cruise & Drift in Wenatchee, WA

D8478QWronniem, Oct 2025

Great tour of the river

Beautiful afternoon on the river, with a lot of information from Wiley about the river and the area. We really enjoyed it.

New York City

Year-Round Columbia River Boat Cruise & Drift in Wenatchee, WA

Ellette G, Aug 2025

Relaxing float on the Columbia River

We VERY much enjoyed our relaxing Monday afternoon float with Wiley. Exactly what we hoped for. Wiley took us to the dam on his beautiful boat then a relaxing float back to Wenatchee. Beautiful scenery, great conversation and again so relaxing. Thank you Wiley. Did I mention Wiley also spotted a bald eagle for us!!!

New York City

Wenatchee River Family Float Trip

X7817DNcrystalm, Jul 2024

Amazing Rapids Experience!

Trip was great! Right after booking, they called asked why we were doing that tour, and after a few questions they rebooked us for a lil’ more adventurous tour. Our guide was Delaney, she had facts for everything and kept the trip fun and made you feel safe throughout. We did some great rapids and we knew the company was very safe. Would definitely do it again even move up to the next level rapids. An experience you will enjoy.

New York City

Wenatchee River Family Float Trip

64evys, Jul 2024

Family Fun at its Finest!

This was an exceptional trip! Our guide Adrian was so awesome and made the trip so fun for us and the kids. Just the right amount of rapids to be exciting, but some leisure time to enjoy the spectacular scenery and play on-board water games too!

New York City

Whitewater and Wine: Wenatchee River Whitewater Rafting and Winery Tour

D8533QDtiffanym, Jul 2023

Best girls getaway….. Rafting and Wine!

Amazing! Much more than I expected. All the staff was incredibly knowledgeable on and off the river! Thanks for making my bestie’s birthday memories incredible. Shout out to our guide on the water Keelan and our guide off the water Don. Definitely coming back.

New York City

Whitewater and Wine: Wenatchee River Whitewater Rafting and Winery Tour

715elizat, Jun 2023

Highly recommend!

We had the most wonderful time our of the river! Our guide Skyler was very enthusiastic about his job, which made it more fun for us! Such beautiful scenery to enjoy and lots of fun rapids. Prepare to get wet!We were pretty worn out from traveling all day the day prior and then rafting, so I would recommend adding the wine tour if you know you are able to rest before and after! The stops were great, and we enjoyed the wine!

New York City

Paddles and Pints: Brewery Tour and Whitewater Rafting on the Wenatchee River

scottbX9783QF, May 2021

GREAT DAY!

Absolutely phenomenal! Crazy fun (and WET) day on the river with exceptional guides, followed by an awesome afternoon with our team and the crew over beers. Excellent venues - great beer and snacks. Topped off with dinner, a big fire, and more exceptional comradery. Outstanding day with outstanding people. Worth every penny!

New York City

Paddles and Pints: Brewery Tour and Whitewater Rafting on the Wenatchee River

195ceciliak, Jul 2020

Long river

My favorite part is Don. He is supper nice guy. He tell us all about the history of the river and the local area. We did had a great time.

New York City

15 Mile Jet Boat Ride & Media Package ~30-50+ Min. Wenatchee, WA

Jen Z, Jun 2026

Fantastic Fun!

Wiley was super personable and delivered an exceptional experience for our family!

New York City

15 Mile Jet Boat Ride & Media Package ~30-50+ Min. Wenatchee, WA

Jennifer M, Jun 2026

Fun Boat Ride

We thoroughlyenjoyed the experience onthe boat tour. Lots of funwith the spins and theinformation we learned.

New York City

Wenatchee River Family Float Trip

T9813OFterryt, Jun 2024

Best in class for fun and friendliness.

Best experience! After going with other companies 3 prior times, we tried rafting with Rive Recreation. The owner and staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. After several calls from our group, it was evident that River Recreation was the BEST at customer service. While on the trip, I felt the guides were best in class for fun and friendliness.

New York City

Wenatchee River Family Float Trip

I3294UFheatherc, Jul 2023

Fabulous rafting experience!

This was our first time booking with river recreation and it did not disappoint! Our family had the most wonderful time. Our guide Ahmed was AMAZING! He made it fun, but was also incredibly safe and highly skilled. He knew I was a little nervous and I could tell that he made extra effort to give me peace of mind. I was relaxed and had a blast. I didn’t worry once!! The owner Don was so nice to work with and the whole group was super fun and friendly. We are already planning to return next year. Thank you!Jarvis Family (John,Heather,Kaiden and Brooklynn

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Free Cancellation

You'll receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of most of our tours.

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