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.
Artwork by Elizabeth Person
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, giving 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.
Get ready for an adventure unlike any other! Holden Village is excited to welcome you into the wilderness for rest and relaxation, community and connection, and wilderness adventures in all forms. Travel to such a remote location may seem overwhelming, but not to worry – check out this video where we show you step-by step how to plan your journey!
No roads lead directly to Holden Village, which makes your journey exceptional. To get to such a remote location, it takes a few steps and a little planning, but we promise it’s worth it!
Learn more about your options to travel to Holden Village depending on your starting location and your preferred modes of transportation.”
Lake Chelan Boat Company Dock
1418 W Woodin Ave, Chelan, WA 98816
OR
Field’s Point Landing
South Lakeshore Road (Hwy 971), Chelan, WA 98816
We recommend that you park at Field’s Point Landing, which is supervised by Holden Village staff members and includes restrooms and limited concessions. For summer cohort guests, parking at Fields Point is included in your reservation payment.
Plan to arrive 30 to 40 minutes before the boat departure time so you have time to take your luggage to the dock, get a parking permit, and park your car.
If you are traveling with a group, please consider carpooling!
Use your favorite map app for directions to the dock. Since the boat to Holden leaves early in the morning, most people arrive in Chelan or Wenatchee and find overnight lodging a day prior to their arrival in the Village. The Holden Bed & Breakfast offers comfortable accommodations with Holden-style hospitality three miles uplake from Field’s Point Landing.
Once you arrive at the boat dock, find a parking spot and make your way inside to pay for parking.
For summer cohort guests, parking at Fields Point Landing is already included in your reservation. All Holden Village volunteers and employees also receive free parking at Fields Point. Simply stop in at the office to receive your parking pass.
Then, double check that you have everything you need from your car, and make your way down to the dock to await the next portion of your journey!
Please email fieldspoint@holdenvillage.org for a complete list of rates.
For the next phase of your adventure to Holden Village, you will board the ferry and enjoy a scenic 2-4 hour boat ride up Lake Chelan, enjoying beautiful surroundings and potential wildlife sightings along the way!
Please book your own boat tickets. We highly recommend that you book your tickets far in advance. Note that Holden transport does not meet the boat every day that the boat operates, so please be sure to plan your visit according to Holden transport dates. View Seasonal Transport Schedules for Arriving and Departing the Village for more details.
Holden Village transport schedule aligns with the Lake Chelan Boat Company’s Lady of the Lake on days when it runs, and with the Lady Express the other days. We only run one transport per day. A separate boat company, the Stehekin Ferry, may also be an option for your departure – please see our Seasonal Transportation Schedule.
View the Lake Chelan Boat Company website for schedule details. Select “Up one day and back on a different day” to book uplake tickets for the day of your arrival to the Village and downlake tickets for the day of your departure from Holden Village. When the boat reservation form asks you “Where would you like to be dropped off?” for your uplake trip, select “Lucerne/Holden Village.” After adding your uplake trip to your cart, you will be prompted to book your downlake trip to return to the dock where you parked your car.
Clearly label all of your luggage with your name and destination, Holden Village. Holden Village luggage tags are available in the Fields Point Concessions office.
Traveling from far away? Looking for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way to reach Holden? Although there are a few additional steps involved, traveling by public transportation can be a rewarding and convenient way to access Holden Village.
Amtrak to Wenatchee Columbia Station
Seattle/Tacoma Airport (SEA)
Spokane Airport (GEG)
Wenatchee Pangborn Memorial Airport (GET)
If you rent a car from the airport, please see the steps for traveling By Car Then Boat above.
If you fly into Seattle or Spokane, you’ll first need to travel to the Wenatchee Columbia Station in Wenatchee.
Once you arrive at the Wenatchee Columbia Station via bus, train, or plane, you’ll then need to get to Chelan.
LINK Bus – provides local bus service between Wenatchee Columbia Station and Chelan. Take Route 21 from Wenatchee directly to the Lake Chelan Boat Company Dock. Because LINK is largely a commuter service, bus times are more frequent on weekdays and during working hours, so be sure to check the schedule while making travel plans. If you are traveling with a large group they ask to be notified in advance.
If you are taking public transport for your journey, you will most likely travel to the dock in Chelan. When booking your ticket uplake, be sure to confirm which dock you are being picked up at, and note the departure times!
Lake Chelan Boat Company Dock
1418 W Woodin Ave, Chelan, WA 98816
Since the boat to Holden leaves early in the morning, most people arrive in Chelan or Wenatchee and find overnight lodging a day prior to their arrival in the Village. Some hotels in Chelan may provide a ride to the Chelan boat dock in the morning for those without a car. Inquire with the hotel upon reservation.
For the next phase of your adventure to Holden Village, you will board the ferry and enjoy a scenic 2-4 hour boat ride up Lake Chelan, enjoying beautiful surroundings and potential wildlife sightings along the way!
Please book your own boat tickets. We highly recommend that you book your tickets far in advance. Note that Holden transport does not meet the boat every day that the boat operates, so please be sure to plan your visit according to Holden transport dates. View Seasonal Transport Schedules for Arriving and Departing the Village for more details.
Holden Village transport schedule aligns with the Lake Chelan Boat Company’s Lady of the Lake on days when it runs, and with the Lady Express the other days. We only run one transport per day. A separate boat company, the Stehekin Ferry, may also be an option for your departure – please see our Transportation Schedule.
View the Lake Chelan Boat Company website for schedule details. Select “Up one day and back on a different day” to book uplake tickets for the day of your arrival to the Village and downlake tickets for the day of your departure from Holden Village. When the boat reservation form asks you “Where would you like to be dropped off?” for your uplake trip, select “Lucerne/Holden Village.” After adding your uplake trip to your cart, you will be prompted to book your downlake trip to return to the dock where you parked your car.
Clearly label all of your luggage with your name and destination, Holden Village. Holden Village luggage tags are available in the Fields Point Concessions office.
If not traveling by boat, the only other way to get to Holden Village is to hike. Popular routes into Holden include passing over Spider Gap from the Phelps Creek Trailhead, over Cloudy Pass from the Pacific Crest Trail/Darrington/Stehekin areas, or over Hilgard Pass from Stehekin.
Learn more on our Outdoor Recreation page. For maps, route information, and reports on trail conditions, visit:
If you are planning to stay at Holden Village as a guest, be sure to Make a Reservation before you arrive. If you are passing through as a backpacker, climber, or thru-hiker, learn more about Hiker Services we offer.
Check mountain pass information and Washington State travel alerts before winter travel to Holden. Please note that there is an increased risk of avalanche danger throughout winter, which may cause Holden to cancel transportation. Have readily at hand (not tucked away in your luggage) cold-weather clothing for the 40-minute bus ride between Lucerne and Holden Village.
Learn more about what time you’ll arrive in and depart from the Village and which boat to take.
Throughout the year, the schedule for Holden Transport to and from Lucerne changes with the seasonal ferry boat schedules. There are two ferry boat companies (Lake Chelan Boat Company and Stehekin Ferry) operating multiple vessels on Lake Chelan.
We provide you with multiple ferry boat options so you can make the best decision for your budget and amount of time you want to spend traveling.
Are you visiting Holden Village this summer? We look forward to welcoming you when you disembark at Lucerne!
Arrivals are on Fridays (for weekend guests, new staff, and faculty) and Sundays (for week-long Cohort guests).
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.
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, and Sundays.
For departures on Sunday, Monday, or Friday, you have four options:
Holden encourages you to take advantage of the unique opportunity to visit historic Stehekin (option 4)! Learn more about food options and things to do in Stehekin.
For departures on Wednesdays, you have three options:
*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.
s 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.
For arrivals on Mondays and Wednesdays, book an uplake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company.
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.
For Departures on Mondays and Wednesdays, you have three options:
For Departures on Fridays and Sundays, you have four options:
*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.
For all arrivals (Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), book an uplake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company.
For all departures (Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), you have three options:
*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.
For all arrivals (Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), book an uplake ticket on the Lady Express boat of the Lake Chelan Boat Company.
For all departures (Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), you have three options:
*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
