Wenatchee National Forest covers roughly 2.2 million acres of the eastern Cascades slopes in central Washington, from the crest of the range down through the rain shadow foothills to the semi-arid terrain above the Columbia River. The forest is the southeastern portion of the combined Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, administered from Wenatchee. It contains some of the most sought-after hiking terrain in the Pacific Northwest, anchored by the Enchantments: a high-alpine lake basin in the Stuart Range that has become the defining wilderness permit lottery of the Northwest.
The eastern Cascade setting gives Wenatchee a different character than the wet west-slope forests. The terrain is generally drier, with ponderosa pine at lower elevations giving way to larch, fir, and finally subalpine terrain at the crest. The Stuart Range's granite peaks rise steeply from the Leavenworth corridor and provide one of the finest alpine landscapes in Washington.
Trails
The Enchantments Trail is Washington's most famous backcountry route, crossing 19 miles through the Core Enchantment Zone. The route passes through a magical above-treeline landscape of granite slabs, tarns, and hanging meadows with peaks rising on all sides. Overnight permits are a lottery; day hiking the full route is a demanding 19-mile undertaking. The shorter Lake Stuart Trail at 8.6 miles provides access to the edge of the Enchantments zone without the permit requirement and delivers comparable rock-and-lake scenery.
Lake Ingalls Trail at 9 miles is the best moderately difficult introduction to the Stuart Range, reaching a high lake directly beneath the imposing east face of Mount Stuart. Colchuck Lake Trail at 8 miles reaches the dramatic cirque lake at the base of Dragontail Peak, one of the most popular day hikes in the Stuart Range.
The Icicle Ridge Trail is a 16-mile ridge route above the Icicle Creek corridor with continuous views across the Stuart Range. Snow Lakes Trail climbs 12 miles to the twin Snow Lakes near the lower Enchantments zone, providing access to the wilderness without an overnight permit.
Wildlife
Black bears are common throughout the forest and are regularly encountered on trails leading to popular destinations including the Enchantments approach. Mountain goats are resident in the Stuart Range and occasionally visible from trails at the Ingalls Lake level. The Wenatchee River system supports significant salmon runs, including chinook and sockeye, which are both ecologically and culturally important to the Wenatchi people whose traditional territory includes this landscape. Wolverine have been documented in the northern portions of the combined Okanogan-Wenatchee unit. Follow USFS guidance for encounters with any large wildlife and store food securely in all backcountry areas.
Getting There
From Seattle, take US-2 east over Stevens Pass, approximately 130 miles to Leavenworth. Icicle Road turns south from US-2 at the west end of Leavenworth and provides access to the Stuart Range and Enchantments trailheads, approximately 8 miles to the main trailheads. From Wenatchee, take US-2 west approximately 15 miles to Leavenworth. From Yakima, take US-97 north to Ellensburg, then US-97A to US-2 west to Wenatchee and Leavenworth, approximately 60 miles.
Seasons
Summer (July through October): Peak hiking season. High-country trails accessible from mid-July in most years. Trailhead parking at the Enchantments approach (Snow Lake and Colchuck Lake trailheads) fills extremely early on summer weekends; arrival before 6 AM is recommended.
Fall (October through November): Outstanding hiking weather with dramatically fewer people. Western larch turns gold in October, providing spectacular fall color in the upper canyons. This is a strong season for the Enchantments day hike.
Winter: Leavenworth is a popular Nordic skiing destination with groomed trails at the Golf Course and Fish Hatchery areas. Stevens Pass ski area is accessible from US-2.
Spring (May through June): Larch Creek and lower trails accessible in May. High-country terrain holds snow through late June or early July.
Nearby
Leavenworth (population around 2,000) is the primary gateway, offering Bavarian-themed lodging, restaurants, and a full-service outdoor recreation town atmosphere. The town is well set up for outdoor visitors, with gear rentals and knowledgeable local outfitters. Wenatchee (population around 33,000) is the regional city with an airport, hospital, and full commercial services 15 miles to the east. See our national forest camping permit guide for Enchantments permit strategy guidance. Review Leave No Trace principles before any wilderness trip in this intensely used landscape.
Planning and Resources
The Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day or $30/year as of 2026) is required at most developed trailheads in the Wenatchee section. America the Beautiful passes substitute for the Northwest Forest Pass. Veterans and permanently disabled individuals may qualify for federal discount passes. The Leavenworth Ranger District manages Enchantments permits and can provide current trail conditions and closure information. The Enchantments lottery applications open in February through Recreation.gov; apply early and have alternative destinations in mind given the low acceptance rate for popular dates. Wildfire closures are an increasing concern in the eastern Cascades and can affect access to any part of the forest during fire season; check conditions before you go. The dispersed camping guide covers applicable rules for the non-wilderness portions of the forest where dispersed camping is permitted.
