The Enchantments is a region in Washington State, located about 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute German-themed town. This area is known for its alpine lakes, rocky peaks, and breathtaking views.
Over the years, hiking here has become extremely popular, and a permit is required to access the zone. In my case, we didn’t have to enter the lottery because my friend Sabrina had won one of the permits and invited us.
🛣️THE ROUTE:
We chose the Eightmile Caroline Zone route. The terrain is a mix of regular soil and rocks. If you’re not comfortable scrambling over rocks, this hike might not be for you.
Enjoying time with "Julie" the marmot:
OBTAINING A PERMIT
Here’s the tricky part: only about 4% of applicants succeed in getting a permit. Crazy, right?
The permit system is a lottery that typically runs from February 15 to March 2. On March 20, you find out if you’ve been selected.
If you’re one of the lucky few, you’ll need to log in to choose your start date and group size (up to 8 people) and pay the permit fee, which is $5 per person per day.
⛰️MY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Start early: The sooner, the better—especially for long day hikes. This also ensures you’ll find parking.
- Always carry your permit!
- Use the Alltrails for digital maps (works offline).
- After a long day of hiking, nothing beats a hot meal. I’m a big fan of homemade food. On this trip, I brought pre-cooked pasta with cream and sausages from home—saving time and enjoying a well-deserved treat.
-
Mountain weather changes rapidly—always bring a rain jacket and pants. If it’s hot, pack a swimsuit for a dip in one of the lakes!
- GOAL ZERO VENTURE 30 power bank (7800 mAh) for charging devices.
- PETZL SWIFT TL headlamp: Essential for dawn hikes or midnight bathroom trips.
- HYDRAPAK SEEKER 3L hydration bladder: Lightweight and practical for these trips.
- PLATYPUS GRAVITYWORKS 4.0 water filter: Filters water quickly and is incredibly easy to use.
I hope this information helps you plan your trip to The Enchantments. We truly had an amazing weekend exploring this beautiful region of Washington State.