What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Enchantments
The Enchantments, in the Washington Cascades above the mountain town of Leavenworth, are one of the most captivating places in Washington State. This area, part of the Alpine Lakes wilderness is noted for its high craggy peaks, spectacular alpine lakes, and picture-perfect scenes. Its popularity, and the fact that it is in a wilderness area, make it essential that you know-before-you-go and plan your visit carefully. Their very popularity makes visiting this area a challenge for both day use and overnight trips.
Sunrise in the Enchantments. Photo credit Jose
Getting There:
The Enchantments are divided into five zones. The easternmost zone is Eightmile/Caroline, which is accessed from the Eightmile Lake Trail and Trailhead or Eighmile Creek Trail. The Stuart Zone, with Stuart and Horseshoe Lake, and Colchuck, that includes Colchuck Lake, are both accessed from the Stuart Lake Trail and Trailhead, with a side trail to Colchuck Lake. The Core Enchantment, with a chain of small Alpine Lakes, and Snow, with the Upper and Lower Snow Lake and Nada Lake, are accessed from the Snow Lakes Trailhead and Trail.
Before you hit the trail, make sure to get the free Outdoors NW App for Apple and Android and download the Chelan-Kittitas Region for offline navigation. Cell service is very limited in the deep valleys of the Enchantments.
Map of the Enchantments: Northwest Portal
Day Hikes and Parking
For day hikes, the good news is that, although you need a free permit, there is no limit on the number of permits available. The bad news is that there are not nearly enough parking spots for everyone who wants to go, particularly on summer weekends, so get to the trailhead early, carpool or bike if possible, and do not park illegally. If there isn’t enough parking, pick a different destination for the day. In addition to parking in the parking lots, you can also park along the right side (going up) of FS RD 7601. A Northwest Forest Pass or similar is required for parking on the road or in the parking lot. Day hikers should leave the designated overnight parking spots for permit holders.
Colchuck Lake: Photo Credit Joshua
Camping
Camping overnight in the Enchantments is like winning the lottery; in fact, you have to win an actual lottery (see below for details) if you want to spend the night. The Enchantments are divided into five zones: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core Enchantments and Snow. Permits are allocated by a lottery system: 75% are assigned in an early season lottery with the remaining permits assigned in a “walk-up” lottery. Most of the zones assign permits by group, with the maximum group size of 8, but the Core Enchantment zone has a maximum number of individuals who can visit (single permits). For the 2024 season, the early season lottery allocates 2 group permits/night for Colchuck and Eightmile/Caroline, 3 group permits for Stuart, 4 group permits for the Snow zone, and 16 single spots for the Core Enchantments. The “walk-up” lottery, held the day before the visit, allocates eight single permits for the Core Enchantments and one group permit for each of the other zones. Be prepared for disappointment. In 2023, almost 40,000 groups applied for permits in the pre-season lottery and only 2,558 permits were awarded, and up to 50 or more people sometimes show up for the “walk-up” lottery.
Camping in the Enchantments. Photo credit Image Source
Lottery Details
For overnight trips, permits are required between May 15 and October 31. There are two ways you can get a permit: you can apply through pre-season lottery, held from February 15-March 1 of each year, which allocates 75% of the permits; or you can try your luck for one of the remaining 25% of permits and see if you can get a “walk-up” permit the day before your planned trip. To participate in the lottery, you must sign up between February 15 and the end of the month. Permits are randomly drawn in mid-March and you must confirm your award by March 31, or your permit will be reassigned. A $6 non-refundable application fee is required to enter the lottery, and your application must include the entry date, group size, alternate group leader (optional), and permit zone. If you are approved, you will have to pay an additional $5/person/day to secure the award. If you do not secure an advanced permit, you can try your luck with the daily “walk-up" permit lottery. This lottery will take place at 8:30am from Monday to Saturday, and to be eligible, you must have the permit mobile app installed on a phone with geolocation turned on and you must be within 1 mile of the Wenatchee River Ranger District Office in Leavenworth at the time the lottery takes place. More information about the permit system can be found here.
Wildlife Safety
Remember that wild animals are WILD. Species in this area include mountain goats and bear. The mountain goats have become habituated to people (and the food that they bring) and can be aggressive. Stay at least 50 yards away from wildlife and use toilets where available, so that goats don’t enter camping areas seeking salt. If they follow you, chase them off. Black bears can also be found in this area, but sightings are uncommon. More information about the wildlife and wildlife safety can be found here.
Mountain Goats in the Enchantments. Photo Credit: Bala Sivakumar
Other Rules
There are a number of rules that you need to be aware of before entering this area. Dogs and all other pets are not allowed anywhere in the permit zone, with a narrow exception of Service Dogs as defined by the Justice Department; emotional support animals are not allowed; fires are prohibited above 5,000 feet or within ½ mile of the lakes (which covers most of the zone); drones are not allowed within this area or any wilderness area; you must travel and camp in groups of 8 or less, and camp at established campsites. Find more information about the regulations that apply to this area here.
