Holden is a great base camp for adventures in Washington’s North Cascade Mountains. Make Holden part of your backpacking or climbing route!
Located just miles east of the Pacific Crest Trail, Holden Village offers access to this stunning national scenic trail as a starting point or a great place to end your trip.
Other popular backpacking routes that you can connect with Holden Village include:
The information on this page is for backpackers, climbers, and thru-hikers who plan to pass through Holden Village. If you’ll be at Holden Village as a registered guest, learn more about day hikes and other outdoor activities here.
Holden is a great base camp for adventures in Washington’s North Cascade Mountains. In addition to short day-hikes in the mountains surrounding the Village, thru-hikers are able to enter the Village on foot from several routes:
For maps, route information, and reports on trail conditions, visit:
If you would like to take Holden transport to or from Lucerne, please register in advance online.
Whether you start or end your backpacking or climbing route at Holden Village or make a loop, you must check in at the Registration Office (or with an on-call Registration staff member) upon arrival so that we can keep you safe, and offer you the following services.
In case of an emergency, we need to have an account of each individual in the Village. If you are a thru-hiker staying for any length of time at the Holden ball field or Forest Service campground west of the Village, please also check in with Registration.
If you do not check in at the Registration office, the only service we can offer you is to refill your water vessels at the potable water spigot to the west of the Hike Haus.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: 7:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 9:00am – 2:00pm
A list of on-call registration staff members is posted in the Village if you arrive when the office is closed.
The following services are available to thru-hikers who have checked in at the Registration Office upon arrival in the Village.
Catch a ride on Holden’s transport to and from the Lucerne landing on Lake Chelan, subject to space available.
Thru-Hiker transport is available Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from May 29th through September 29th, 2023.
To take the bus from Holden to Lucerne Landing, check in with Registration in the Hotel (open 7am – 7pm) as soon as you arrive to make reservations.
Bus Departure Times
(Leaving Holden Village towards Lucerne Landing) – Meet on Main Street
10:10am Monday, Friday, Sunday
9:10am Wednesday
Bus Pickup Times
(Leaving Lucerne Landing towards Holden Village)
12:00pm Monday, Friday, Sunday
11am Wednesday
You are only guaranteed access to transportation if you submit a transportation request online in advance and receive confirmation. Holden Registration will confirm your transport by reply email. Please allow up to 7 days to receive a reply as our staff processes a high volume of emails.
Transport is free, with the option to make a donation to support the mission, programs, and operations of Holden Village (suggested amount of $10 per person each direction).
Enjoy a break from trail food with home cooked meals featuring local and organic produce, whole grains, legumes, and occasional fish & meat options. Meals can be purchased at the Registration office. Learn more about Food at Holden Village.
All meals are covered in the price of an overnight stay in Holden lodging.
However, if you wish to camp and purchase meals separately, you can pay for meals at Registration or at the cash box outside of Registration.
Breakfast: $10 per person
Lunch/Brunch: $12 per person
Dinner: $15 per person
All-day Meal Option: $35 per person
Sunday – Friday
Breakfast 7:30am – 8:30am
Lunch 11:45am – 1:15pm
Dinner 4:45pm – 6:15pm
Saturday
Brunch 10:00am – 11:00am
Dinner 4:00pm-5:00pm
There are only 2 places to camp near the Village:
Outhouse toilets are available at the campground.
Camping is not permitted on Village grounds.
If you would like to request lodging in a Village building and access to showers, you must book a reservation ahead of your arrival and follow the same schedule as all other guests:
Weekend Visit
Arrive on Friday
Depart on Sunday (2-night stay) or Monday (3-night stay)
Cohort Visit
Arrive on Sunday
Depart on Wednesday (3-night stay), Friday (5-night stay) or the following Sunday (7-night stay).
Enjoy ice cream, shakes, and malts at a charming old fashioned soda fountain called “The Snack Bar” or lattes and cappuccinos at Beanie’s Coffee. Hours vary; check the Kiosk.
You are welcome to use bathrooms in public Village buildings. We cannot provide access to showers for thru-hikers.
Purchase candy, snacks, and souvenirs, and send outgoing mail. Holden Store hours vary; check the Kiosk when you arrive.
Free laundry is available at Guest Laundry in the Hotel and soap is provided.
There are two computers in the Holden Village Library that you may use to access the internet. Please limit use to 20 minutes per session so that other guests can access this shared resource.
The Holden Village Wi-Fi network is not available for your personal devices, as it is intended for the operations and business of the Village. Learn more about Holden’s Technology Policy
Holden Village gathers daily for a time of reflection that echoes the tradition of early monastic communities. While Holden is rooted in the Lutheran Christian tradition, all faith traditions are celebrated and welcomed into this community. All are welcome! Read more about Faith & Spirituality.
We cannot offer overnight lodging in a building, showers, or programs (teaching sessions, art classes, bowling, etc.) to thru-hikers.
We welcome you to book a reservation as a paying guest in advance of your arrival in the Village if you would like access to these aspects of Holden Village.
Garbage – Please sort your trash in Garbo Central (located in the basement of the Hotel).
Smoking/Fire – Marijuana use is not permitted anywhere. To prevent setting off our sensitive alarm system, smoking tobacco and e-cigarettes are only permitted near the basketball court. No open flames or campfires.
Quiet Hours – 10:30pm – 6:00am
Hand Washing – Please wash hands thoroughly to prevent the spread of illness, especially in the Dining Hall.
Learn more about Holden Village’s community health and wellness protocols for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases on our Health and Safety page.
