Fall in Chelan County. Meet Me There This Fall.
What does fall look like in Chelan County? It’s golden and glowing, wrapping the valley in vibrant colors and crisp air. Whether you’re sipping, hiking, or picking apples straight from the tree, fall here hits all the senses and makes it easy to slow down and stay present.
Views Worth Stopping For
If you’re coming for the colors, you won’t be disappointed as fall paints everything from the lake to the mountain ridges in shades of gold, scarlet, and amber. Favorite leaf-peeping zones include the Lake Chelan shoreline, the hills above Leavenworth, and the Wenatchee River Valley, where the tamaracks, maples and cottonwoods go full show-off mode.
Hop in the car and explore the Cascade Loop, or head up Blewett Pass for a scenic drive that turns every mile into a photo stop. Bring a camera, or don’t. The views will linger in your memory either way.
Fall’s Favorite Flavors: Farms, Orchards & Cider Stands
Out here, harvest isn’t just a season, it’s a lifestyle. Chelan County is filled with roadside fruitstands, farmers markets, U-pick farms, pumpkin patches, and orchards that practically beg you to stop. Fill a basket with apples, pears, or peaches. Get your hands on local cider, and sample produce that still smells like the sun.
From the Stutzman Ranch to Chelan Valley Farms to the Manson Growers Cider Press, fall agritourism is an experience you can taste, walk, and wander through. And don’t even get us started on the cider donuts: warm, flaky, and ready to make your fingers sticky.
Wine, Cider, and the Good Stuff
With more than 30 wineries in the Chelan Valley alone, the wine scene in fall is as rich as the reds being poured. Harvest season stretches from late August into November, and with it comes grape stomps, barrel tastings, and seasonal releases you’ll want to write home about.
Not into wine? Try local cider, grab a fall flight at a tasting room, or just cozy up on a patio with views of turning vines and crisp skies. It’s all about pairing the moment with the season. And we do have award winning breweries here too so include that in your plans.
Get Outside: Adventure Comes in Layers
Cooler temps make fall one of the best times to get out and explore. Hike Echo Ridge, paddle the calm edges of the lake, or ferry up to Stehekin for waterfalls and rugged beauty. Bikers, climbers, fishers, and casual wanderers all get their fix here. Whether you’re chasing a sunrise, finding your pace in the leaves, or letting the kids burn off cider-fueled energy, the outdoors in Chelan County opens wide out here.
Events, Oktoberfest & Small-Town Charm
Fall weekends are built for celebration. You’ll find harvest festivals in Chelan, Cashmere and Wenatchee, packed with local eats, music, and firepit-style fun. And yes, Oktoberfest in Leavenworth is the real deal, with bratwurst, beer steins, and Bavarian vibes so strong you’ll forget you’re not in Munich. Looking for something quieter? Stroll a farmers market, sip hot cider during a craft fair, or wander through a town square glowing with pumpkins and porch lights.
Plan Your Fall Escape Now
From golden trails to grape stomps, orchard stands to Oktoberfest steins, fall in Chelan County is full of flavor, color, and connection. However you like to spend the season, it’s all here waiting. Let’s make it a fall to remember.
