Lakeshore Trail #1247

The trail follows the shore of Lake Chelan, and most of it is in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness. Hikers may begin at the National Recreation Area trailhead in Stehekin, at Prince Creek, or as a shorter hike from Moore Point. 

• The trail may be hiked as early as April 1 and is usually maintained by early May. Spring is the busiest time for use of the trail. It is an especially nice hike in the spring and fall as it can get hot and dusty mid-summer.
• Rattlesnakes and ticks are common along the trail (but not frequent).
• Camping facilities (table, fire grates, and toilets) are provided at Prince Creek, Meadow Creek Shelter, and Flick Creek.
• Cascade Creek and Moore Point campgrounds are closed to overnight use (see Alert below).
• Do not camp on private land which is usually signed.
• No permits are needed to hike or camp along the Lakeshore Trail. However, camping within the National Recreation Area may require a permit (except Flick Creek). If you plan to camp near Stehekin, you need to book a campsite on recreation.gov before your arrival.
• Access to water is not a problem, but water should be treated.
• Stream crossings can be hazardous during peak runoff in the spring.
• This trail is only accessible by boat or ferry. There are two commercial ferry services available. Contact the ferry companies before your trip as they may not stop at a location unless previously requested.
• Using a personal boat is another option to get to this trail by docking at Prince Creek or Moore Point Forest Service Docks. There is a fee for using these docks.

LAKESHORE TRAIL ALERT:  

There are two overnight camping closures in place along the trail. Moore Point and Cascade Creek Campgrounds are CLOSED to overnight use. Day use is permitted; however, we recommend that trail users avoid the area if rain is predicted. The campgrounds are situated on an alluvial fan, and there is a potential risk of debris flows or flooding from burn scars up drainage, not from fire damage within the campground itself. 

Above (southeast) Moore Point (off the alluvial fan) there is a primitive “Orchard Camp” with dispersed camping that is OPEN to overnight camping. Wallowa (pit) style toilets will be installed but people will need to bring their own toilet paper. There are no other amenities (picnic tables, established tent pads, etc.), in the dispersed area. Be aware of overhead hazards when choosing campsites. 

Cascade Creek has no camping options outside the closure area or nearby.

The only other camping option along the trail is the Meadow Creek Shelter (7.6 miles from Prince Creek), but it is very limited and will likely fill up fast with the other campgrounds being closed. 

It’s about 11 miles from Price Creek to Moore Point, so please plan accordingly!