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Getting to Holden

An Exceptional Journey

How to get to Holden Village

Located in the heart of Washington’s North Cascades Mountains near the beautiful Glacier Peak Wilderness, Holden Village is an iconic retreat center that is accessible only by a multi-stage journey. On this page, you will find more information about the location and how you can get there. Start planning your visit today and make a reservation if you haven’t already.

Map artwork by Elizabeth Person

Where Is Holden Village Located?

Holden Village is a remote wilderness retreat center that sits in the mountains on the north end of Lake Chelan. The town of Chelan, Washington is the closest community (an approximately 4-hour drive from Sea-Tac airport in good weather), but no roads connect Chelan directly to the Village.

The Village is accessible only by boat or foot!

This gives visitors the chance to take a scenic two-to-four hour ferry boat ride or hike in via the Cascade Mountains. Boat passengers land at Lucerne, The Port of Holden Village and finish their journey with an 11-mile ride (40 minutes) in a Holden Village vehicle. Please note that Holden Village transportation meets the boat only on days when pre-registered visitors arrive or depart.

Throughout the year, the schedule for Holden Transport from Lucerne, The Port of Holden Village changes with the seasonal ferry boat schedule.

See Seasonal Transport Schedules for Arriving and Departing the Village for more information.

See Seasonal Transport Schedules for Arriving and Departing the Village for more information.

Select Your Mode of Transportation

By Car Then Boat

Whether you’re taking your own car or renting one, the first step you’ll need to take is to drive to one of two boat docks. Click here for driving directions and parking information.

Learn more

Public Transport (Planes, Trains, Buses) Then Boat

Traveling from far away? Looking for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way to reach Holden? Find what you need to know here.

Learn more

By Hiking

If not traveling by boat, the only other way to get to Holden Village is to hike. Get information on popular hikes and other important hiking information here.

Learn more

Winter Travel

Holden Village is a remote wilderness destination. Winter travel can be affected by snow. Click here to get important information you’ll need if traveling to Holden in the winter.

Learn more

Seasonal Transport Schedules for Arriving and Departing the Village

Throughout the year, the schedule for Holden Transport to and from Lucerne changes with the seasonal ferry boat schedules. There are two companies (Lake Chelan Boat Company and Stehekin Ferry) operating multiple vessels on Lake Chelan. 

Holden transport departs the Village at 10 a.m., with departing guests, and arrives at Lucerne around 11 a.m.. At 11:45 a.m., Holden transport returns from Lucerne, bringing new arrivals to the Village. Check the graphic below to see what days of the week Holden transport runs throughout the year.

Are you visiting Holden Village this summer? We look forward to welcoming you when you disembark at Lucerne!

Arrivals are on

  •  Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Book Transport in Advance:

Lady of the Lake boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company
We strongly recommend that you book an uplake ticket on the Lady of the Lake boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company on Fridays and Sundays. We will meet the uplake Lady of the Lake when you arrive. Board the Lady of the Lake at Chelan or Field’s Point and disembark at Lucerne.

Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company
You also have the option to book an uplake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company on Fridays and Sundays. However, please note that you will arrive at Lucerne earlier than Holden Transport and you will have to wait approximately 40 minutes for Holden Transport to pick you up. Please note there is no available shelter or potable water at Lucerne. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and clothing layers for the wait. Outhouse restrooms are available at Lucerne.

We do not meet the boat after its 90-minute layover in Stehekin. We do not meet the Stehekin Ferry for arrivals.

View Lake Chelan Boat Company Schedules here.

When it’s time to conclude your wilderness retreat, it’s time to head back downlake. Departures take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays.

For departures on Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday you have two options:

  1. Book a downlake ticket with the Stehekin Ferry. This option has the least wait time, but the boat only goes as far as Field’s Point. 
  2. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and wait until 12:50pm at Lucerne* for the boat to make its way back downlake from Stehekin to pick you up.

For departures on Friday and Sunday, you have three options:

  1. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company which arrives at 2:30pm at Lucerne.* 
  2. Book a downlake ticket with the Stehekin Ferry and wait until 11:10am at Lucerne* for the boat to make its way downlake to pick you up.
  3. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and board the boat as soon as it arrives at Lucerne (12:50pm). 

Holden encourages you to take advantage of the unique opportunity to visit historic Stehekin! You can hop on the Lady Express ($9 extra fee) on its way uplake to have a quick visit during their 90 minute layover. Learn more about food options and things to do in Stehekin. 

*If you choose to wait at the Lucerne boat dock for the return downlake trip of either the Lady of the Lake or the Lady Express, please note that Holden is unable to provide services or amenities to you while you wait. There is no available shelter or potable water at Lucerne. Outhouse restrooms are available at Lucerne. Be sure to fill up your water bottles before you leave the Village and have clothing layers and sunscreen accessible. You will have the option to pack a sandwich before departing the Village to enjoy a nice picnic lunch by beautiful Lake Chelan!

View Lake Chelan Boat Company schedule here.

View Stehekin Ferry schedule here.

Please note that all transportation services listed above operate independently of Holden Village. If you have specific questions about boat tickets we encourage you to contact the boat companies directly. Holden Village does not coordinate boat tickets for guests. Be sure to check out transportation links in advance and make reservations when necessary. Reference herein to any specific commercial products or services does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Holden Village.

As the seasons transition, the boat schedules change to reflect a slowdown in visitors to the area.

Holden Village Transport will run on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You may arrive or depart on any of these days! Use the information below to help you decide which boat tickets to purchase for your travels.

Arrivals

For arrivals on Mondays and Wednesdays:

For arrivals on Fridays and Sundays:

  • We strongly recommend that you book an uplake ticket on the Lady of the Lake boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company.
  • You also have the option to book an uplake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company on Fridays and Sundays. However, please note that you will arrive at Lucerne earlier than Holden Transport and you will have to wait approximately 40 minutes for Holden Transport to pick you up.

Please note there is no potable water at Lucerne. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and clothing layers for the wait. Outhouse restrooms are available at Lucerne.

Departures

For Departures on Mondays and Wednesdays, you have three options:

  1. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and board the boat as soon as it arrives at Lucerne (no wait). This will bring you uplake to Stehekin where you can enjoy a 90-minute layover, then back downlake. You will have to pay a “hopper fee” of $10 on top of your ticket price, which cannot be purchased in advance.
  2. Book a downlake ticket with the Stehekin Ferry and wait ~40 minutes at Lucerne* for the boat to make its way downlake to pick you up.
  3. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and wait ~2 hours 20 minutes at Lucerne* for the boat to make its way back downlake to pick you up.

For Departures on Fridays and Sundays, you have four options:

  1. Book a downlake ticket with the Stehekin Ferry. This option means you will get picked up right away from Lucerne (no wait).
  2. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and wait ~1 hour 40 minutes at Lucerne* for the boat to make its way back downlake from Stehekin to pick you up.
  3. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady of the Lake boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and wait ~3 hours 20 minutes at Lucerne* for it to make its way back downlake from Stehekin to pick you up.
  4. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady of the Lake boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and board the boat as soon as it arrives at Lucerne (~30 minutes wait). This will bring you uplake to Stehekin where you can enjoy a 90-minute layover, then back downlake. You will have to pay a “hopper fee” of $10 on top of your ticket price, which cannot be purchased in advance.


*If you choose to wait at the Lucerne boat dock for the downlake trip of the Stehekin Ferry, Lady of the Lake or the Lady Express, fall and winter guests may wait in the A-Frame cabin at Lucerne where you can build a fire to stay warm. Outhouse restrooms are available at Lucerne. Be sure to fill up your water bottles before you leave the Village and have warm clothing layers accessible. You will have the option to pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and snacks from the Island before departing the Village.

View Lake Chelan Boat Company Schedules here

View Stehekin Ferry Schedule here

As the seasons transition, the boat schedules change to reflect a slowdown in visitors to the area.

Holden Village Transport will run on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You may arrive or depart on any of these days! Use the information below to help you decide which boat tickets to purchase for your travels.

Arrivals

For arrivals on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays:

 

Departures

For all departures (Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), you have three options:

  1. Book a downlake ticket with the Stehekin Ferry and board the boat as soon as it arrives at Lucerne (no wait).
  2. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and board the boat as soon as it arrives at Lucerne (~30 minute wait). This will bring you uplake to Stehekin where you can enjoy a 90-minute layover, then back downlake. You will have to pay a “hopper fee” of $10 on top of your ticket price, which cannot be purchased in advance.
  3. Book a downlake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and wait ~2 hours 50 minutes at Lucerne* for the boat to make its way back downlake to pick you up.


*If you choose to wait at the Lucerne boat dock for the downlake trip of the Stehekin Ferry, Lady of the Lake or the Lady Express, fall and winter guests may wait in the A-Frame cabin at Lucerne where you can build a fire to stay warm. Outhouse restrooms are available at Lucerne. Be sure to fill up your water bottles before you leave the Village and have warm clothing layers accessible. You will have the option to pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and snacks from the Island before departing the Village.

View Lake Chelan Boat Company Schedules here

View Stehekin Ferry Schedule here

Need More Info?

Please let us know if you need more information or help planning your journey to Holden Village. Email registrar@holdenvillage.org

Please note that all transportation services listed above operate independently of Holden Village. If you have specific questions about boat tickets we encourage you to contact the boat companies directly. Holden Village does not coordinate boat tickets for guests. Be sure to check out transportation links in advance and make reservations when necessary. Reference herein to any specific commercial products or services does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Holden Village
View the 2024 Annual Report
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Education

Holden Village is a community where your questions are valued and encouraged. Most programs led by visiting teaching faculty occur during the summer months. However, Holden also invites faculty to teach sessions for special events and retreats throughout the rest of the year.
Check out a list of the 2024 Summer Faculty.