East Wenatchee

Travel Guide

Living in the middle of a rainforest for the last three decades has made me a huge fan of -- the desert. Actually, anywhere east of the Cascades where the predominant climate veers towards the dry and ascetic, and the colors come in ranges and not a single verdant hue. Don't get me wrong, I do not think I could live without the mountains and the forests and the alpine meadows. It's just that, come winter, the sponge-bath they provide can become a little wearisome. If you want the colors of the desert and the high plains, head East from the mountains and you won't have far to travel. The general demarcation point in Washington for that switch in climate is probably Wenatchee. It's a pleasant town, with all the amenities, and East Wenatchee is its next-door neighbor. As you can see from this view, the landscape has completely transformed from the wetter, greener, and more mountainous terrain in the West to the austere pattern you see here. There are plenty of places to hike on this side of the Cascades, including a set of very respectable mountain peaks. But the sun actually makes an appearnce from time to time in the winter months. And a face full of sunshine can change your outlook almost in an instant.
Living in the middle of a rainforest for the last three decades has made me a huge fan of -- the desert. Actually, anywhere east of the Cascades where the predominant climate veers towards the dry and ascetic, and the colors come in ranges and not a single verdant hue. Don't get me wrong, I do not think I could live without the mountains and the forests and the alpine meadows. It's just that, come winter, the sponge-bath they provide can become a little wearisome. If you want the colors of the desert and the high plains, head East from the mountains and you won't have far to travel. The general demarcation point in Washington for that switch in climate is probably Wenatchee. It's a pleasant town, with all the amenities, and East Wenatchee is its next-door neighbor. As you can see from this view, the landscape has completely transformed from the wetter, greener, and more mountainous terrain in the West to the austere pattern you see here. There are plenty of places to hike on this side of the Cascades, including a set of very respectable mountain peaks. But the sun actually makes an appearnce from time to time in the winter months. And a face full of sunshine can change your outlook almost in an instant.
Winter closes in on the head of Lake Chelan at Stehekin. The Lake level is 22 feet below summer time levels for electrical generation purposes.
Wenatchee - Lake Chelan featuring a lake or waterhole, railway items and mountains
Wenatchee - Lake Chelan which includes a lake or waterhole, railway items and mountains
Cedars Inn

Cedars Inn

3 out of 5
80 Ninth Street NE East Wenatchee WA
The price is RM297 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
RM297
RM333 total
16 Feb - 17 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in East Wenatchee. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,303 reviews)
Staff is always friendly and happy to see you. Really good breakfast and cookies at night.

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Cedars Inn
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Wenatchee

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Wenatchee

2.5 out of 5
201 Valley Mall Parkway East Wenatchee WA
The price is RM395 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
RM395
RM451 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in East Wenatchee. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
It’s clean, it’s convenient. It’s 10 minutes to the airport so it’s an excellent place to stay if you’ve got to catch a 5 AM plane out of paying born airport.

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Wenatchee
SureStay Hotel by Best Western Wenatchee

SureStay Hotel by Best Western Wenatchee

2.5 out of 5
580 Valley Mall Parkway East Wenatchee WA
The price is RM213 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
RM213
RM239 total
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in East Wenatchee. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (909 reviews)
Staff is always so friendly

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2026

SureStay Hotel by Best Western Wenatchee
See all 1,458 properties in East Wenatchee
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Bavarian Lodge Suites

Bavarian Lodge Suites

4 out of 5
827 Front St Leavenworth WA
Stay at this aparthotel in Leavenworth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and in-room massages. Popular attractions Front Street Park and Leavenworth Nutcracker ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
This was a "layover" for us, after a week long cruise and before a week long road trip back to California. We came in Sunday afternoon, as Oktoberfest was wrapping up, so we ended up having a very quiet stay! This was a perfect place to reset; do laundry, watch some Netflix, get good sleep and not ...

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2025

Bavarian Lodge Suites
Water Street Retreat

Water Street Retreat

2 out of 5
110 Water St Chelan WA
Stay at this apartment in Chelan. Enjoy free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Slidewaters at Lake Chelan and McKellar Cabin Trail are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Donna was great to work with. Quick reply and very accommodating. We love the location due to the little beach across the street!

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Water Street Retreat
Desert Canyon Golf Resort

Desert Canyon Golf Resort

4 out of 5
1030 Desert Canyon Blvd Orondo WA
Stay at this golf aparthotel in Orondo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Desert Canyon Golf Resort and Daroga State Park ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (20 reviews)
The staff was amazing. Our room was ready early which meant a lot to us. We were photographing a wedding in Chelan and its always nice to leave our stuff in a room and not in the car. The grounds were beautiful and it was nice to come back after a long day and relax in a wonderful and quiet room. ...

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2025

Desert Canyon Golf Resort
See all properties in East Wenatchee
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Outstanding aerial photography of picturesque Lincoln Rock State Park and beautiful Lake Entiat and Swakane Canyon in Douglas County East Wenatchee Washington State

Lincoln Rock State Park

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Lincoln Rock State Park during your travels in East Wenatchee? Stroll along this family-friendly area's riverfront or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Lincoln Rock State Park

Martin Scott Winery

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Martin Scott Winery during your travels to East Wenatchee. Amble around this family-friendly area's riverfront and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Martin Scott Winery

Highlander Golf Course

Enjoy a round of golf in East Wenatchee at Highlander Golf Course. Stroll along the riverfront or visit the shops in this family-friendly area.

Highlander Golf Course

Things to do

Year-Round Private Columbia River Boat Cruise

Year-Round Private(2 Per. Min) Columbia River Boat Cruise & Drift

RM593
per adult
Year-Round Private(2 Per. Min) Columbia River Boat Cruise & Drift
See all activities in East Wenatchee