Camp, hike, or sample fresh-from-the-orchard apples near this Central Washington city.
Central Washington’s compact city of Wenatchee claims to be the "Apple Capital of the World," and for good reason. The surrounding valley is full of apple orchards, with fruit stands hawking all sorts of apple varieties in late summer. Wenatchee also provides easy access to the nearby community of Cashmere, where Liberty Orchards has produced Turkish delight-style Aplets and Cotlets for over a century. And while apples are big business, Wenatchee offers plenty more, with ample opportunities for outdoor fun throughout the year. You can even camp right in town, at Wenatchee Confluence State Park.
Just east of Wenatchee, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offers alpine lakes, dense forests, and plenty of campgrounds and backcountry camping options. The forest extends all the way up to Canada, and borders the expansive North Cascades National Park to the northeast.
Running alongside the western side of the Cascade Mountains, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is the most visited national forest in the country. It boasts an extensive network of rivers and offers ample opportunities for winter sports. Almost half of the forest is designated wilderness area, and is inaccessible by motorized vehicle, but there are plenty of developed campsites for those who aren't up for backpacking.
You’ll find some of Washington's most celebrated wine-growing areas just south of town, and the Wenatchee itself is right in the heart of the Columbia Valley AVA. The highest concentration of wineries and vineyards are found in and around Walla Walla, Yakima, and the Tri-Cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland.
Wenatchee is at its most pleasant in July and August, when the weather is warm and generally dry. This is the best (and busiest) time for camping in the region, though the weather is generally favorable well into September. Winter is also worth considering if you're fond of outdoor snow sports, and December, in particular, draws visitors looking to take advantage of the festive cheer at the nearby Bavarian-inspired town of Leavenworth.