Travel the stunning 50-mile stretch of Lake Chelan aboard the Lady Express—a 2.5-hour fast boat ride from Stehekin to Chelan with scenic stops and onboard narration. Discover a unique way to reach this remote wilderness and soak in dramatic lake views.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2.5 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness required; suitable for all ages and abilities.
Wildlife
History
Stehekin, accessible only by boat or trail, has a rich history as a gateway to the North Cascades and was a hub for early logging and mining communities.
Conservation
Discover Lake Chelan operates with a focus on sustainable tourism, minimizing impact on the lake’s delicate ecosystems through regulated passenger capacity and educational narration.
Discover Lake Chelan
Travel the stunning 50-mile stretch of Lake Chelan aboard the Lady Express—a 2.5-hour fast boat ride from Stehekin to Chelan with scenic stops and onboard narration. Discover a unique way to reach this remote wilderness and soak in dramatic lake views.
Discover Lake Chelan is a Stehekin, Washington-based tour and shuttle operator that provides scheduled transportation and guided scenic tours throughout the Stehekin Valley. The company runs multiple shuttle services to key trailheads and landmarks, including named departures such as 8AM Shuttle to High Bridge, 11:30 Shuttle to High Bridge, 2PM Shuttle to High Bridge, 5:30PM Shuttle to High Bridge, and evening returns like the 6:15PM Shuttle from High Bridge to Stehekin Landing.
Discover Lake Chelan also offers off-season shuttle options — for example, the 9AM Shuttle to High Bridge (Off Season) and the 2PM Shuttle to High Bridge (Off Season) — that operate by reservation or prior request, giving visitors flexible access when demand is lower. In addition to transfers, the operator leads guided experiences such as the Heart of Cascades Tour and the Rainbow Falls Tour (11:00AM), showcasing local highlights like Rainbow Falls, the Historic Stehekin School, Buckner Homestead Orchard, Stehekin Pastry Company, Harlequin Bridge, and High Bridge.
The company’s clearly named trips and published schedules are geared toward hikers, day visitors, and overnight guests who need reliable connections to trailheads, viewpoints, and village stops such as Stehekin Landing. Reservation-only runs and scheduled departures help visitors plan arrivals, transfers, and sightseeing with predictable logistics. Discover Lake Chelan focuses on practical access and scenic touring within the Stehekin Valley while operating from its Stehekin, Washington base.
Tours Offered
11 Trips
Shuttles and guided tours
Location
Stehekin, Washington
Based in Stehekin, WA
Schedule
Morning–Evening Runs
Multiple daily departure times
Scenic Stops
Rainbow Falls & High Bridge
Historic sites and river views
Book scheduled shuttles, reserve off‑season runs, and join guided tours to Rainbow Falls, High Bridge, and more.
Arrive early for boarding
Boarding starts about 30 minutes before departure; boats leave promptly, so don’t be late.
Bring layers for variable weather
Lake Chelan’s weather can shift quickly on the water—dress in layers to stay comfortable.
Reserve pets ahead and prepare a carrier
Pets are allowed only if contained in a carrier in designated outdoor areas with owners present.
Use the outdoor deck for photography
Step outside onto the open deck for the best panoramic views and lighting for photos.
Layered clothing
To adjust to changing temperatures and breezes on the open lake deck.
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Sunglasses
Protect your eyes from glare reflecting off the water.
summer|spring|fall
Camera or smartphone
Capture the impressive lake vistas and wildlife during the trip.
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Reusable water bottle
Stay hydrated during the 2.5-hour journey.
summer|spring