Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Washington, US.

Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness is a protected area that spans across national forests and holds numerous alpine lakes set amid dense evergreen forests. The terrain features jagged ridgelines, deep valleys, and elevated plateaus that create a complex landscape.

This wilderness area received its formal protection in 1984 when Congress passed the Washington Wilderness Act. The act preserved land that had previously been managed as part of a forest reserve.

The name comes from Lake Chelan, the third-deepest lake in the United States, which lies along the wilderness's southern edge. Because every trailhead on that south side can only be reached by scheduled ferry or private boat, hikers begin their trips with a crossing of the lake itself.

Visitors must obtain permits for overnight camping and can reach the southern section by scheduled ferry service or private boat. Hikers should prepare for changing weather and steep trails, especially at higher elevations.

The wilderness holds 63 lakes, many so small they were never named, and most sit in high basins with no trail access. Snow usually covers much of the area from mid- or late October until late June, so the open season is short.