15 Spectacular Lake Hikes Near Seattle (For All Skill Levels)
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Hikers in Seattle are fortunate to live near many amazing lake hikes.
I’ve put together this list of lake hikes that are less than 2 hours away from Seattle to make picking your next trail even easier.
The trails range in difficulty from kid-friendly to strenuous. There’s a lake hike for everyone on this list.
This list is organized into the regions where many trails in western Washington are located: Snoqualmie Pass, Mountain Loop Highway, and Highway 2.
Ready to pick a trail? Here are 15 spectacular lake hikes near Seattle.
Click on these links to navigate to the lake hikes in a specific region:
Related: 10 Best Lakes With Campgrounds In Washington
Lake Hikes Near Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass is at the southwest corner of Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Therefore, there are many easy-to-access alpine lakes in this area along I-90.
Annette Lake
- Distance: 7.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,800 feet
Annette Lake is 45 minutes from Seattle, making it one of the closest lake hikes to the city.
Along the way to the lake you’ll walk through old-growth forest, passing a waterfall at one point. You’ll emerge from the woods a few times to see pretty mountain views (and wildflowers if they’re in bloom).
Once you reach Annette Lake you’ll be treated to a splendid view of Annette Lake’s blue-green water with Abiel Peak and Silver Peak in the background.
Camping is allowed at Annette Lake so this lake hike can be done either as a day hike or a quick backpacking trip close to home.
Lodge Lake
- Distance: 3.75 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 950 feet
Lodge Lake is one of the easier lake hikes near Seattle.
It makes for a great quick day hike since it’s just under 4 miles roundtrip and less than an hour from downtown Seattle.
You’ll reach the aptly-named Lodge Lake by taking a short section of the Pacific Crest Trail that begins at The Summit at Snoqualmie.
Part of the trail you’ll be taking goes through the woods, but the tree cover is interrupted as you cross the ski hill. Prepare to hike through a mix of sun and shade on this trail.
Once you’re back in the forest, you’ll continue hiking until you see the sign for Lodge Lake on a tree.
There isn’t a lot of good space around the lake to sit and enjoy a snack. But luckily this lake hike is short enough that you can wait until a post-hike meal to refuel.
Talapus and Olallie Lakes
- Distance: 6.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,220 feet
The trail to Talapus and Olallie Lakes makes for a wonderful lake hike because you’ll see two beautiful lakes on one easy hike.
These lakes are about an hour from Seattle.
This is a very enjoyable lake hike because the trail isn’t very steep. The gentle slope of the well-maintained trail makes this a great lake hike for beginners.
The ease of this trail and its proximity to the city also makes it a busy lake hike. Try to hit the trail early if you want some solitude.
On this trail you’ll trek through old-growth forest with the sounds of Talapus Creek as the soundtrack to your hike. This cool forest is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in nature on a warm summer day.
You’ll arrive at Talapus Lake first. There isn’t much of a beach to hang out on, but it’s worth taking a long break here to soak in the view before continuing on to the next lake.
About a mile and a half past Talapus Lake you’ll reach Olallie Lake. Enjoy the view of Pratt Mountain reflecting off the lake’s smooth surface as you rest along the shore.
Both Talapus and Olallie Lakes have campsites for backpackers to take advantage of.
Note that the road to the trailhead has lots of potholes. Prepare for a bumpy ride to access this trail.
Ira Spring Trail to Mason Lake
- Distance: 6.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,420 feet
The Ira Spring Trail is about an hour away from Seattle. This trail leads to several destinations including the beautiful Mason Lake.
Taking the Ira Spring Trail to Mason Lake provides hikers with a beautiful experience along the whole trail, not just at the end destination. But be prepared to work hard for these magnificent views because this trail is steep!
The hike begins in the forest. Eventually you’ll emerge from the trees and hike along the ridge line through an alpine meadow.
Indulge in plenty of breaks to take in the scenic mountain views along this wide-open section of the trail. On a clear day you may even get to see Mount Rainier.
Your final reward for trekking up this steep trail is the pretty view of Bandera Mountain behind the sparkling water of Mason Lake.
There are campsites at Mason Lake so you have the option to see this lake on a day hike or a backpacking trip.
Note that this trail is very popular. You’ll likely see a line of cars parked along the road to the trailhead so head out at a less busy time if you want a spot in the parking lot.
Snow Lake
- Distance: 7.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,800 feet
Snow Lake is one of the most popular lake hikes near Seattle.
It gets a lot of traffic because it is one of the most doable hikes in the Alpine Lake Wilderness and it’s just under an hour from the city.
Plus, the views around the lake are spectacular! In my opinion, the view makes Snow Lake one of the best lake hikes near Seattle.
To get to Snow Lake, start by parking at the main parking lot for the Alpental Ski Area.
Once you reach the lake, there are a few amazing views to check out.
You’ll first come to a side trail that leads to the edge of the lake. Take this detour to admire Snow Lake’s deep blue water and the jagged peaks that surround it from the lake’s shore.
You can also view Snow Lake from a higher vantage point if you head back to the main trail and continue hiking for another half a mile.
If you’re up for more hiking, a second alpine lake lies ahead. Continue on to Gem Lake for a total hike of 10 miles roundtrip with 2,200 feet of elevation gain.
Melakwa Lake
- Distance: 8.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,700 feet
Melakwa Lake is an hour away from Seattle in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
This trail actually leads to a pair of breathtaking turquoise lakes surrounded by the mountains towering above them.
Early on in the hike you’ll cross Denny Creek at a spot known as the Denny Creek Water Slide. Look forward to cooling down here on your way back down from this difficult hike.
If this trail is longer than you want to fit in a day hike, consider camping by the lake overnight.
Rachel Lake
- Distance: 8 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,600 feet
Rachel Lake is a popular lake hike just over an hour from Seattle.
Reaching Rachel Lake requires taking numerous stream crossings and traversing uneven terrain. Come prepared with good waterproof hiking boots and consider bringing a second pair of shoes to change into after your hike.
You can walk up to the edge of Rachel Lake, but you’ll get a better view of the lake from up on the trail if you keep hiking past it.
Once you’ve reached Rachel Lake, you have the option to return to the trailhead, camp around the lake, or continue hiking up to Lila Lake. Extending your hike to Lila Lake will increase the hike to 11 miles roundtrip with 2,800 feet of elevation gain.
Margaret Lake
- Distance: 6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,800 feet
Margaret Lake is an hour and a half from Seattle in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Since Margaret Lake is a bit further from the city than most of the other popular lake hikes near Snoqualmie Pass, you may see fewer hikers out on the trail.
The trail to Margaret Lake is not quite as nice as some of the trails to other lakes in the area. It’s well-maintained, but it’s steep and dusty and doesn’t provide much tree cover.
It also isn’t well-marked. The trailhead isn’t right at the parking lot and the trail eventually splits to reach different destinations. Download a Margaret Lake trail map from an app like AllTrails and check trip reports for other hikers’ recommended directions before you head out.
However, as long as you know what to expect on the trail to Margaret Lake, it’s still a worthwhile lake hike. Margaret Lake is a pretty alpine lake and the trail has beautiful displays of color in the fall.
Margaret Lake is a short enough lake hike to complete in a day. Camping is allowed at the lake, though, if you want to spend the night. Just make sure to fill out a wilderness permit at the trailhead.
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
Mirror Lake is the easiest lake hike near Snoqualmie Pass. I’d argue it’s one of the best easy hikes in the entire state.
It’s a short hike that’s great for all ages and skill levels. It also makes for a great backpacking trip for beginners since camping is allowed around the lake.
The Mirror Lake trailhead is an hour and a half away from Seattle.
You’ll get the chance to see two lakes along this trail if you take a short detour to Cottonwood Lake, but Mirror Lake is the main attraction here.
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.
Lake Hikes on Mountain Loop Highway
Mountain Loop Highway is a popular area for hiking north of Seattle. Some of the easiest (and most heavily trafficked) lake hikes near Seattle are found here.
Lake 22
- Distance: 5.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,350 feet
Lake 22 is just over an hour from Seattle in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
The trail to Lake 22 makes for a great day hike because it’s just challenging enough without being too strenuous.
This is the most popular lake hike on Mountain Loop Highway. It gets insanely crowded on weekends, so consider saving this lake hike for an off-peak time.
In my opinion, Lake 22 is a great lake hike but it isn’t worth it if you go at a busy time.
Heather Lake
- Distance: 4.6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,034 feet
Heather Lake is a fantastic lake hike for beginners.
This hike is an hour and a half from Seattle in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
The trail has all of the best features of a lake hike for much less effort than is required to reach most lakes in western Washington. The hike will take you through a forest to a crystal clear lake surrounded by towering mountains that reflect off the water’s surface.
There are plenty of rocks on the edge of Heather Lake that you can rest on. Sit and stay a while to have a picnic lunch or just admire the scenery.
Since this is one of the easier lake hikes near Seattle, keep in mind that the trail will get busy on nice weekends during peak hiking season.
Boardman Lake
- Distance: 2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 300 feet
Boardman Lake is a very easy lake hike on Mountain Loop Highway.
It’s a family-friendly hike that’s great for all ages and skill levels.
This trail is an hour and a half away from Seattle in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
You’ll actually get to see two lakes on this hike. Lake Evan will appear shortly after you leave the parking lot.
A word of caution: the road that leads to the trailhead is full of huge potholes. But if you’re willing to navigate this bumpy road, you’ll be rewarded with fewer crowds on this worthwhile lake hike.
Gothic Basin
- Distance: 9.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,840 feet
Gothic Basin is one of the more difficult lake hikes on this list.
But it also offers one of the most spectacular endpoints compared to other lake hikes near Seattle. The extra effort is worth the reward!
Gothic Basin is less than 2 hours away from Seattle.
The trail starts off easy with a road walk. After that, the trail becomes very steep in places and requires scrambling at a few points.
Trudging up this difficult trail will be completely worth it when you reach the magnificent landscape in Gothic Basin.
Gothic Basin contains a beautiful alpine ecosystem with flowers and waterfalls surrounded by rugged mountain peaks.
There are two lakes up in the basin: Gothic Lake and Foggy Lake. Hopefully you’ve reserved enough energy after your hike to wander to both lakes.
Backpacking is allowed in Gothic Basin. While this hike can definitely be done as a day hike, consider backpacking in so you can enjoy the scenery for even longer.
Lake Hikes on Highway 2
Highway 2 borders the northern edge of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. I’ve only included a few lakes that can be reached via trails that are well-maintained, easily-accessible day hikes within a short drive of Seattle.
Lake Serene
- Distance: 7.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,000 feet
Lake Serene is an awesome lake hike near Seattle.
This hike is just over an hour from the city near Index, WA.
The trail is the same one that leads to Bridal Veil Falls. You’ll add about an extra mile to your hike if you take the side path to see the waterfall, but you can skip it and head straight to Lake Serene.
When you arrive at the lake you’ll be treated to the sight of Lake Serene’s beautiful blue water below Mount Index.
This fantastic viewpoint makes the trail to Lake Serene a busy one. Head to the trailhead early in order to get a parking spot.
Wallace Lake
- Distance: 8.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,500 feet
If you’ve been hiking near Seattle for a while, you’ve probably hiked to Wallace Falls before.
Since most hikers flock to the falls, Wallace Lake is a great place to avoid the crowds in Wallace Falls State Park.
Wallace Falls State Park is just over an hour away from Seattle.
Once you arrive at the park, take the Greg Ball Trail to reach Wallace Lake.
The trail takes you to the southern end of Wallace Lake. For a better view, keep walking around the lake to the northern end.
Camping is allowed at Wallace Lake. If you’d like to camp here, make sure to call the park to get a permit beforehand.
A Discover Pass is required to park in Wallace Falls State Park. You can purchase a day pass online or at the park if you don’t already have an annual pass.
Know Before You Go: Tips for a Perfect Lake Hike
Now that you’ve identified lake hikes in the Seattle area, here are a few things to keep in mind before heading to the trail:
- All of these trails (except for Wallace Lake) require a Northwest Forest Pass. If you don’t already have an annual pass, you can purchase and print out a day pass online.
- Lakes make a great habitat for bugs. Add bug spray to your list of things to pack for your hike.
- Before you set out on your hike, check the Washington Trails Association web page for the trail you’re interested in. You can read recent trip reports from other hikers to get recent updates on the trail’s conditions.
- Learn the leave no trace seven principles to avoid harming the local ecosystem and fellow visitors during your hike.
Looking for more trails in Washington? Check out these related articles:
- 6 Spectacular Sunrise & Sunset Hikes Near Seattle
- 17 Best Easy Hikes In Washington State (According To A Local)
- 18 Great Fire Lookout Hikes In Washington
- 12 Amazing Lake Hikes In Washington
- 9 Beautiful Waterfall Hikes In Washington
- 5 Must-Do Hikes In North Bend (Easy To Hard)
- 8 Fantastic Hikes On Orcas Island: A First-Timer’s Guide
- Best Easy Day Hikes In Mount Rainier National Park
As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.
