Beat the Heat: Cooling Off with Water Adventures Around Lake Chelan
Summer in Chelan runs warm and sunny, which is a big part of why people keep coming back. The lake is 50-plus miles long, crystal clear, and cold enough to actually cool you down. And depending on what kind of day you're after, there are a lot of ways to get into it.
Echo Valley Resort + Cabins sits about 15 minutes from downtown Chelan and Manson. Close enough to get out and do everything, far enough that you come home to mountain air and a cabin instead of a crowded parking lot. Here's how to make the most of a summer day on the water!
Hit the Beaches
Lake Chelan has some great beaches, scenic, and spread out enough that you don't have to fight for a towel-sized patch of ground. Some are better for swimming, some are better for launching a kayak or paddleboard, and a few are worth visiting just for the view.
We put together a full rundown of our favorites if you want somewhere to start: The Best Lake Chelan Beaches.
Don Morse Park in Chelan, WA
Get Out on the Water
Kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, boating, oh my! Chelan has rental options for all of it, and most of them are easy to find right in town or along the north and south shore. A morning on a paddleboard in calm water feels completely different from an afternoon on a jet ski, and both are worth doing at some point during your stay.
If you've never paddleboarded before, it's more intuitive than it looks. Start in the morning before the wind picks up, stay close to shore until you get your balance, and you'll be fine. Kayaking is a great option for families or anyone who wants to cover more water at a relaxed pace. And if you just want to go fast and get wet, a jet ski does both.
Boat rentals let you explore parts of the lake you'd never reach on foot. Pack a cooler, find a cove, and spend a few hours off your phone. That's about as good as a summer afternoon gets.
Slidewaters and Lakeside Surf
If you're traveling with kids, a day at Slidewaters is pretty much non-negotiable. The water park has been a Chelan staple for decades: waterslides, a lazy river, a kids' pool area, and a 60-person hot tub, all set on nicely landscaped grounds with mountain views in the background. It runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Connected to Slidewaters is Lakeside Surf, which is worth knowing about even if you've never surfed a day in your life. It's home to the world's largest standing wave, a 54-foot wide stationary wave that can be adjusted for any skill level from total beginner to someone who knows what they're doing. Sessions are booked in advance and coaches are on hand to actually get you riding. Even watching from the spectator area is free and pretty entertaining. It's one of those things that's genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the country.
The Pool at Echo Valley
After a full day out, sometimes the best swim of the day is the one closest to your cabin. Echo Valley's seasonal pool is right here on the property: low-key, easy, and exactly what you need when the kids still have energy but nobody wants to get back in the car. You’ll love our new pool deck addition, new pool furniture with umbrellas and an outdoor shower!
It's a good spot to decompress at the end of a long day, or to start the morning before heading out. Either way, you won't have to go far.
Summer in Chelan moves fast! The days are long, the lake is refreshing, and there's always something worth doing. Whether you spend your time paddling, sliding, surfing, or just floating, Echo Valley is a good place to come back to at the end of your water adventures.
