Lake Chelan

Best Lake Vacations in the U.S.

"A 50-mile-long lake bookended by snow-tipped Cascades with hundreds of miles of hiking trails; highlights include the Chelan Lakeshore Trail (doable as an out-and-back day hike from the Golden West Visitor Center or as a 17-mile overnight backpack to Prince Creek in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest) and historic rides on the Lady of the Lake steamer." - Joe Yogerst Joe Yogerst Joe Yogerst is a writer, editor, and photographer with over three decades of experience covering travel. His articles have appeared in The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Time, and he has worked on more than 40 books for National Geographic. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines