12 Amazing Lake Hikes in Washington
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There are lots of factors to consider when selecting a hiking trail. How strenuous is it? How far away is it? How crowded can it get?
And of course: what’s the view at the end? Though hiking can be fulfilling enough just to get some fresh air and spend quality time alone or with friends, it’s always nice to have a great view to reward you at the other end of a trail.
It’s hard to be disappointed by the view when you arrive at a lake, so I often find myself seeking out lake hikes. Luckily, there are plenty of lake hikes in Washington state.
Below is a list of lake hikes in Washington that are suitable for day hikes. I’ve listed them from shortest to longest distance. Scan through the list to find a difficulty level that matches your abilities, or look forward to a variety of hikes as you cross each one off your list!
1. Mirror Lake
- Distance: 2.2 miles roundtrip (+0.5 mile each way to walk from lower parking area to the trailhead)
- Elevation gain: 870 feet
The trail to Mirror Lake is an excellent choice for a beginner day hike. It’s an easy trail that rewards hikers with not just one but two beautiful lakes (take a small side trail to view Cottonwood Lake along the way).
It’s also a great option for an introductory backpacking trip since you can camp around the lake.
Mirror Lake is located near Snoqualmie Pass along I-90. Note you will have to drive on an unpaved forest road for a few miles before reaching the lower parking area, but any passenger vehicle should be able to make it. Make sure to purchase a Northwest Forest Pass before heading out on this lake hike.
Related: 17 Best Easy Hikes In Washington State (According To A Local)
2. Bench and Snow Lakes
- Distance: 2.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 610 feet
The trail to Bench and Snow Lakes can be found in the southwest area of Mount Rainier National Park. The trailhead is easily accessible; the parking area is right off of Stevens Canyon Road just a few miles east of the Paradise area.
This is another bang-for-your-buck hike that takes hikers to two lakes on one short trail. Bench Lake comes first three-quarters of a mile into the hike, followed by Snow Lake.
I didn’t know about this hike before stumbling upon it at the national park, and I’m so happy I did! I was really jealous of the campers who were staying at the sites right at the edge of Snow Lake.
Despite the relatively short distance and elevation gain, this hike felt more strenuous than I expected. Maybe this trail felt surprisingly difficult because we had already done several hikes during our trip to this park, but there are easier hikes in Mount Rainier National Park if you’re not set on hiking to a lake.
3. Thunder Knob
- Distance: 3.6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 425 feet
Thunder Knob is a popular trail in North Cascades National Park, as it’s a relatively easy hike that leads to views of Diablo Lake’s turquoise water.
If you’re heading to this trail and aren’t already camping in Colonial Creek campground, park at the Thunder Knob trailhead along Highway 20 right outside the entrance to the campground.
4. Cutthroat Lake
- Distance: 3.8 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 400 feet
The trail to Cutthroat Lake is the most level hike on this list. It’s not quite flat, but certainly doable for a variety of ability levels.
It also doesn’t provide much coverage from the sun – make sure to pack a hat and sunscreen! (Which I hope you pack anyway – check out my list of things to pack on every day hike.)
If you’re navigating using Google Maps, search for Cutthroat Trailhead (we were very confused when the phone announced we had “arrived” at the lake when we were still driving along the highway). The turnoff to the trailhead is located off of Highway 20 a bit east of North Cascades National Park.
Bring a Northwest Forest Pass or pay for a day pass in cash at the trailhead.
5. Blue Lake
- Distance: 4.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1050 feet
Blue Lake is also located just east of North Cascades National Park in northern Washington. The trail winds through forests and meadows with wildflowers up to the aptly named mountain lake that seems to appear out of nowhere. It’s a very easy hike for how beautiful of a view you get at the end!
The trailhead is really easy to access as well; the parking lot is located right off of Highway 20. Since this hike is located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, you will either need to bring a Northwest Forest Pass or pay $5 in cash when you arrive at the trailhead.
6. Mink Lake
- Distance: 5.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1450 feet
Mink Lake is in the Sol Duc area of Olympic National Park. While I wouldn’t take a trip to the national park purely to see this lake, I do recommend it if you’re looking for a solid day hike to mix in with seeing the park’s highlights.
Park in the back of the parking lot for Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort to find the trailhead. Remember to add bug spray to your list of things to bring on your hike because there are mosquitoes at the lake.
7. Lake 22
- Distance: 5.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 1350 feet
Lake 22 is a great moderate option located along the Mountain Loop Highway in the North Cascades area of Washington. By taking this trail, hikers will not just experience the beauty of Lake 22 but also wander through mountain rainforests and wetlands.
It’s a very popular hike that gets crowded on the weekends. I recommend getting to the trailhead as early as possible.
The trail is rocky in some sections so make sure to wear sturdy shoes.
This is another hike that requires a Northwest Forest Pass.
8. Anderson and Watson Lakes
- Distance: 6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1100 feet
The trail to Anderson and Watson Lakes offers an almost choose-your-own-adventure type of experience. Hikers will have an option to veer off the main trail to head up to Anderson Butte, and will later have to choose whether to end at Anderson or Watson Lakes.
This is another trail that has been recommended to me for a beginner backpacking trip as there are campsites at both lakes.
Whether you embark on a day hike or a camping trip, you’ll definitely want to pack your bug spray and Northwest Forest Pass.
Note that accessing the trailhead requires driving on a forest road for about ten miles, with the last mile or so being particularly rough.
9. Snow Lake
- Distance: 7.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1800 feet
Not to be confused with Bench and Snow Lake (lake hike #2 above). Snow Lake is located in Snoqualmie Pass not too far off of I-90. The trailhead is accessible by parking at the Alpental Ski Area parking lot (you’ll still need a Northwest Forest Pass).
Since this trail is one of the most doable in the area, this is one of the most popular hikes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. You’ll want to get there early to snag a parking spot.
10. Chelan Butte
- Distance: 7.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2500 feet
While you don’t have to do any hiking in order to see Lake Chelan, hikers will get quite a view of the lake and surroundings from the top of this trail.
This trail is REALLY steep and has no shade, so bring plenty of water. But if you push through and make it all the way to the radio tower at the top of Chelan Butte, you’ll get sweeping views of Lake Chelan, the Columbia River, and snow-capped peaks off in the distance.
The Chelan Butte Trailhead is located in Chelan, WA, near the southern tip of Lake Chelan.
Start your hike on the jeep trail across the street from the Chelan Butte Trailhead parking lot.
After about two miles, you’ll reach an unlabeled fork in the path. The end of the Elephant Head trail is to the left and the remainder of the Chelan Butte trail is to the right. The end of the Elephant Head trail is not far from the fork, so you could end your hike there or take a quick detour to the viewpoint before heading back to the fork and continuing on to Chelan Butte.
11. Hidden Lake
- Distance: 8 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 3300 feet
Some argue that Hidden Lake is one of the best hikes in the state of Washington.
The trail takes you through forest, open meadows with wildflowers, and all the way up to not just Hidden Lake but 360 degree views of surrounding peaks.
You won’t get to these views easily though; the trail is moderately strenuous and often still has snow well into summer.
To get to the trailhead, turn off Cascade River Road at the dirt road that points to Hidden Lake Trail.
This dirt road, which is steep in sections and is filled with huge potholes, runs for four miles before reaching the Hidden Lake trailhead. We did not feel comfortable taking our rental car up this road, but we were later told that the first mile of road is the worst part and that even a Prius was spotted at the trailhead earlier that day.
12. Surprise Lake
- Distance: 11 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2700 feet
There’s nothing quite like feeling worn out from a hike and then – bam! – a beautiful blue-green lake appears seemingly out of nowhere. Surprise! It makes all the miles totally worth it.
Make sure to factor in plenty of time to rest and soak in the gorgeous lake views before heading back down the trail.
Surprise Lake is located along Highway 2 in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Get that Northwest Forest Pass back out because you’ll need it here too.
Looking for more trails in Washington? Check out these related articles:
- 17 Best Easy Hikes In Washington State (According To A Local)
- 15 Spectacular Lake Hikes Near Seattle (For All Skill Levels)
- 9 Beautiful Waterfall Hikes In Washington
- 6 Spectacular Sunrise & Sunset Hikes Near Seattle
- 5 Must-Do Hikes In North Bend (Easy To Hard)
As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures
