How and Why to Get Married in Stehekin
What and where is Stehekin?
Stehekin is an incredibly gorgeous small town at the base of the North Cascades National Park. It’s located on the north end of Lake Chelan and is extremely remote – only accessible by ferry, foot, or plane. There is one road through town, a handful of vehicles there, and 85 permanent residents. Quaint? Yes. Beautiful? Shockingly so.
Who would love Stehekin?
If you love being unplugged, immersed in nature, and yet still have all the comforts of modern life, you’ll love Stehekin. Lake Chelan looks like a fjord out of Norway, has the most beautiful green rivers, forests, and is the most relaxing place I’ve been to in Washington. Even though my own trip there only lasted four days, it made me feel as if I was on “island time” in Hawaii, which is something I’ve never experienced off the islands before.
Ways you can reach Stehekin
Catch the Stehekin Ferry or Lady of the Lake on the shores of Chelan and depending on the boat you choose your scenic ride there will last anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours
Charter a private plane leaving from the SeaTac
Charter a private helicopter leaving from Chelan
Ferry to a point along the Lakeshore Trail and backpack the trail to Stehekin (between 7 to 18 miles, rated intermediate, April - November)
Backpack from Rainy Pass following the Pacific Crest Trail to Stehekin (18 miles, rated expert, July - September)
When to visit?
Stehekin is a year-round destination. Peak season is during the summer months but visit in the spring or fall for more moderate temperatures or in the winter for lots of snow. Regardless of when you visit, it shouldn’t be too crowded considering most visitors come via the ferry.
Lodging
There is a variety of lodging available, from cabins, pet-friendly lodges, a ranch, and plenty of campsites. Sizes of accommodations vary so you could plan an intimate elopement for just the two of you or bring along guests. Amenities do tend to book up between spring and fall, so plan your lodging and travel in advance.
Activities
Stehekin is the outdoorsman’s paradise. There are over 400 miles of hiking trails nearby, kayaks, bikes, and UTV’s to rent as well as bus tours (either the Stehekin Shuttle or Red Bus tour), fly fishing tours and massages available. Do check out the 300-foot waterfall and pet the goats in the community garden. Your unplanned time will be spent watching hawks fly over the lake, chatting with backpackers on their thru hikes, and eating treats from their infamous bakery. It’s the perfect place to intentionally slow down and start a new chapter of life.
Where would you have your ceremony?
Have I mentioned that the town is surrounded by gorgeous 7000-foot-tall mountains, lake, rivers, and forests yet? With proper permits, you could have your ceremony in the surrounding Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, North Cascades National Park, or, with permission, wherever you’ve booked lodging. Washington’s wilderness makes for an incredible backdrop!
Bonus: helping you navigate permits and figure out exactly where you should elope is part of my services!
Where would you host a reception?
I’d suggest hosting a reception at the lodge, the Stehekin Valley Ranch, or the bakery. All three are surrounded by nature — the lake, mountains, and forest, respectively. Each offers lodging and catering making for easy planning.
Browse the archive or search for specific topics (try “North Cascades National Park”, “mountains” or “LGBTQ+”).
