Lake Chelan Washington Map

About Lake Chelan, Washington

Lake Chelan is a locality in Chelan County, Washington, United States. It has a population of approximately 3,800. The population density is 120.0 people per km². Lake Chelan is located at 47.9845°N, 120.3154°W. It observes the Pacific Time (America/Los_Angeles) timezone. ZIP code: 98816.

Lake Chelan lies cradled by a landscape sculpted by ancient glacial forces. It lies 28.9 miles north-northwest of Douglas, WA (from Douglas, WA: bearing 330°T), and is situated 17.0 miles northwest of Chelan. The deep, clear waters of Lake Chelan itself stretch for over fifty miles, a sapphire ribbon winding through steep, arid slopes that rise dramatically from its shores. These formidable inclines, dusted with sagebrush and tenacious Ponderosa pines, give way to higher elevations cloaked in the dense evergreen forests of Wenatchee National Forest. The air here carries a dry, sun-warmed scent, a stark contrast to the perpetually damp western side of the Cascade Range, and the light, especially in the late afternoon, possesses a golden quality that seems to ignite the very dust motes dancing in the stillness. Far off, the formidable peaks of the Cascade Range form a distant, majestic horizon, a constant reminder of the wildness that presses in from all sides. The history of Lake Chelan is etched into its very soil, a story of indigenous peoples who navigated its waters for millennia, followed by homesteaders who sought to tame its rugged beauty. The local economy, once heavily reliant on orchards that cling precariously to the hillsides, now thrives on a vibrant tourism industry drawn to the lake's recreational allure and the burgeoning wine culture that has taken root in the sun-drenched valleys. Tiny hamlets dot the shoreline, each with its own distinct character, but all sharing a deep connection to the water and the surrounding wilderness. The Devils Backbone Trailbike Loop Trail offers a glimpse into the challenging terrain, while the distant murmur of Preston Falls hints at hidden cascades within the vast expanse of Wenatchee National Forest, a constant invitation to explore the wild heart of this inland paradise.

About This Lake Chelan Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Lake Chelan, Washington — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 47.984459, -120.315393. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Lake Chelan and Chelan County.

Detailed location data for Lake Chelan includes the ZIP code (98816), telephone area code (509), county seat of Chelan County (Wenatchee), and school district assignment. These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Lake Chelan is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.