As part of our responsibility as stewards of Chelan County waterways, we own 17 parks covering more than 700 acres. These parks welcome more than 3 million visitors each year. Come see our parks for clear water, clean air and good times.
The parks were developed under recreation plans required by the federal government as part of the PUD's licenses to operate the Rocky Reach, Rock Island, and Lake Chelan hydro projects. Between 1978 and 1995, the PUD spent $67 million developing these 17 recreation facilities.
Ballfield complexes within the parks provide baseball and soccer fields for local teams and also attract regional tournaments to the area.
The Apple Capital Loop Trail is a 10-mile long picturesque loop along the east and west shores of the Columbia River in the Wenatchee and East Wenatchee area. The trail is well used for walking, jogging, skating and riding bicycles.
Reach 1 Trail, completed in 2010, provides a scenic opportunity for local people and visitors to explore the Chelan River Gorge.
The PUD also operates the Rocky Reach Discovery Center, open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Adjacent to the Discovery Center and powerhouse are 17 acres of award-winning lawns and gardens, playground equipment, picnic shelters, arboretum, turbine exhibit, horseshoe pits and pergola, open year round.
Rocky Reach Trail is 5 miles of paved trail starting at Lincoln Rock State Park and tying into the Apple Capital Loop Trail system which allows visitors to enjoy more than 20 miles of paved trail through the Wenatchee Valley.
Both the Columbia River and Lake Chelan are popular for boating and fishing. The PUD gathers information on river flows and water temperatures, lake levels, and fish counts as part of operating PUD hydro projects and provides this information to the public. For all available data, use the links on this page or go to our Fast Facts page.