Leavenworth, Washington:
Not just a vacation, an adventure!
Leavenworth, Washington is a year-round sports and recreation destination. The village provides easy access to world-class rock climbing, hiking, white-water rafting, golfing, boating and mountaineering. You’ll enjoy family-oriented activities and festivals throughout the year.
Located on the east slope of the central Cascade Mountain Range, Leavenworth is a village of less than 2000 year-round residents. In the mid-sixties Leavenworth, then a dwindling logging town, began the transformation that made it the Bavarian themed village you see today. Its elevation, only 1200′, makes it a perfect base for enjoying all the outdoor activities your family loves.
Leavenworth Is For LoversIn the months of May-September Leavenworth enjoys daytime highs between 70-90° and night time lows between 40-55°. The days are usually clear and dry though you should expect an occasional mountain rain shower. As soon as the sun sets over the surrounding mountains the temperatures drop, so have a sweater handy if you’re in town, and extra socks if you’re camping. For links to weather forecasts and webcams throughout the area see our Weather page.
Leavenworth is part of the North Cascades Scenic Loop, consistently named one of the country’s most scenic drives. US Highway 2 is the main route to Leavenworth, both from the west through Stevens Pass and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and from the east via the Columbia Gorge and Wenatchee fruit country. You can also arrive in Leavenworth via I-90, taking US-97 from Cle-Elum and Blewett Pass. Check out our Getting Here page for more route information and links to resources such as the Washington Department of Transportation.
Leavenworth is a remarkable location for hiking and climbing. Here are several links to hiking areas in the area:
Washington Trails Association
Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
All Trails
To find out what’s going on while you’re in Leavenworth, check our TNBT page, where we list The Next Big Thing happening in the area. You can also look for Events by month or check out our Festivals page to see what the community is celebrating next. If Live Music is your thing, check the Live Music page, where we list those places with regular live music and special events that the locals give us to list.
You’ll need a place to stay in Leavenworth or the surrounding area. Fortunately, Leavenworth has hotels, motels, cabins, condominiums and bed and breakfast inns to fit every taste and budget. Stay in the heart of the village along Front Street or off the beaten path in a cabin along the Wenatchee River or Icicle Creek.
If you’re making Leavenworth your base of operations, check out all the great places to eat in the area. You’ll find everything from hearty German fare to fast food. If bistro food is your taste you’ll find that here too. On our Eat page you can check out the food by category or just let your nose lead you. Some of our favorites are Rudloof’s Pizza and Brats (try the sausage sampler and the mustard bar), Andreas Keller for authentic German with huge portions, SOUTH for fresh, regional Mexican (try the Enchilada Mole), and München Haus (an outdoor grill and biergarten).
If your family is a hardy bunch then camping in the Leavenworth area is probably right up your alley. Near Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee State Park is a 489 acre park with more than 12,000 feet of water-front recreational area and almost 200 campsites. See their website for information on camping reservations and on park accessibility at different times of the year. Besides camping, Lake Wenatchee State Park offers swimming and day-use picnic areas, guided horse rides, and hiking trails.
The Woods BeckonLeavenworth is blessed to be located on the edge of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The forest encompasses over 4 million acres on the east slope of the Cascade Mountain Range from the Canadian border on the north to the Yakima River Valley 180 miles to the south. Because of its huge area the forest is incredibly diverse with elevations ranging from 1000-9000′. Check out the website to find out more about the forest, recreational opportunities, camping and cabin rentals, mushrooming, rock and mineral hunting, nature viewing, fishing, and hiking, check out this camping page and click on the lefthand menu.
Leavenworth is the location for the Wenatchee Ranger District and is where you’ll need the permits and maps you’ll use to explore by backpack the Alpine Lakes Wilderness that’s a part of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. More than 700 lakes and mountain ponds dot the 394,000 acres of glacier carved terrain. The Enchantment Lakes area within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is rugged back-country and requires special permits. Some visitors have been less than kind to this magical place, so restrictions are often placed on the area. Check the Wenatchee Ranger District webpage for day-hikes and backpacking trails throughout the district.
