Last Updated: June 23, 2021
Best Lakes in Washington
Situated in the far northwest corner of the US, Washington is one of the nation’s most stunningly beautiful states. The Cascade Range bisects the state with the western half featuring glaciated mountains, deep fjords, and dense Pacific Northwest forests. East of the Cascades, the land is dry and flat.
Washington’s lakes are a big part of the state’s beauty and provide plenty of outdoor recreation. There are around 8,000 of them, some carved by glaciers and fed by melting ice, snow, and a complex system of underground lava tubes that freeze and thaw. Others are reservoirs created by damming rivers.
The lakes are in scenic settings with waters of varying blue and green hues. Lakes with drive-in campgrounds, remote sub-alpine lakes, and lakes near the city for quick getaways provide an array of outdoor adventure possibilities. Learn about the diverse selection of lakes to explore with this list of the 10 best lakes in Washington.
Lake Crescent
Image courtesy of Flickr
Located within the Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent’s deep blue waters reflect the iconic beauty of the park. The glacially carved lake is officially the second-largest in the state after Lake Chelan with an unofficial depth of 1,000 feet. It has a surface area of 5,127 acres. Located 17 miles east of Port Angeles, Lake Crescent is easy to access from Highway 101 from the south and the Spruce Railroad/Olympic Discovery Trail from the north.
Fairholme Beach on the west end of the lake is a popular family-friendly spot on the lake. It includes a shady day-use area with picnic tables, bathrooms, and an adjacent campground. Visitors can rent kayaks and canoes at the Fairholme General Store and Café. There are two docks for launching small watercraft.
Several hiking trails surround the lake for mountain climbing and exploring the forests and creeks.
Lake Washington
Lake Washington is a city lake adjacent to Seattle. The 15-mile long natural, freshwater lake is narrow and finger-like. It’s surrounded on all sides by city streets, and the lakeside properties are prime real estate However, the shoreline has access points for the public. Several free-to-visit public parks border the 21,745-acre lake offering a popular way to enjoy the lakes. . A view of Mt. Rainer can be seen in the distance.
Great places to explore Lake Washington’s shores include Denny Blaine Park, Madrona Park, and Madison Beach. Seward Park, a sprawling 300-acre green space on the lake’s south end has boat launches and a shoreline beach. Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island has a fishing pier, swimming area, and barbeques.
Banks Lake
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Banks Lake is a huge, manmade reservoir in Eastern Washington with a freshwater shoreline of 50,000 feet. Stretching from Electric City to Coulee City, the reservoir is part of the Columbia Basin Project and provides energy and irrigation across the region.
The 26,888-acre lake is also popular for recreation. Nearby Steamboat Rock State Park is the center of activity. Steamboat Rock is a mammoth monolith rising 800 feet above the water. A popular yet challenging hiking trail leads to the top of the rock for stunning views of the lake below.
Banks Lake is popular for boating and fishing. Seven boat launches stretching across three areas offer access. Anglers can expect to catch Lake Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Panfish, and Kokanee in Banks Lake’s waters. In most winters, the lake freezes over enough for ice fishing.
Colchuck Lake
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Colchuck Lake is an 88-acre backcountry lake located within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest 15 miles from the city of Leavenworth. It serves as a gateway to the Enchantments, a part of the Cascade’s Alpine Lake Wilderness. The Aasgard and Dragontail Peaks soar in the sky above the southern shore to provide a scenic backdrop.
The lake’s deep blue waters turn to an inspiring aquamarine in the sunlight. Several other high alpine lakes and one of the state’s best hiking trails are intertwined in the area. Visitors can access the lake from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. The trail also leads to Lake Stuart, another mesmerizing mountain lake. Experienced hikers can make the eight-mile round trip in a day. It’s a challenging hike with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
Ross & Diablo Lakes
Experience the beauty of the North Cascades National Park with a multi-day paddle on Ross and Diablo Lakes. Situated in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, the twin opal-colored reservoir lakes were created by the Diablo Dam, the Gorge Dam, and the 540-foot tall Ross Dam as a part of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project beginning in 1921 to provide electricity for Seattle.
Measuring 23 miles in length and averaging 1.5 miles in width, the lakes span the US and Canadian border. It’s accessible from Highway 20, also called the North Cascades Scenic Byway.
Entry points to Ross Lake are limited for boaters. To get to the south end, boaters must first launch into Diablo Lake from the Colonial Creek Campground. It’s a five-mile paddle to connect with Ross Lake. Accommodations are available at Ross Lake Resort on the southwest shore. They’re accessible by boat or by hiking. The lake also has boat-in campsites available with permits.
Pearrygin Lake
Image courtesy of Flickr
Pearrygin Lake is a 212- acre reservoir on the eastern side of the North Cascades in the sunny Methow Valley. It lies within the Pearrygin Lake State Park bordering the northern shore of the lake. Visitors enjoy the lake from the park’s campgrounds and 11,000 feet of waterfront.
The East Campground features a boat launch that opens on the first Friday of April each year. It’s used by powerboats, jet skis, and fishing boats. A valid boating permit is required.
The 1,186-acre state park features around 170 campsites with easy access to the water. Two cabins and a vacation house are also available for overnight stays. The park has 6.5 miles of trails for hiking in summer. After November 1, it becomes an area for winter recreation including fat-tire snow bicycling.
Visitors to Pearrygin Lake often visit the nearby western-themed town of Winthrop.
Lake Union
Lake Union is a city lake in Seattle, Washington’s largest metropolis. The 580-acre freshwater lake was carved by the Vashon glacier thousands of years ago. Located in the middle of the city, it’s surrounded by neighborhoods and parks with a view of the cityscape and the famous Space Needle landmark.
Eastlake, Westlake, Northlake, and South Lake Union are the prominent Lake Union neighborhoods, and Gas Works Park is the largest and most popular park. A former coal gasification plant, the park hosts numerous events including the Fourth of July fireworks show.
Lake Union gives the city a unique maritime culture. Visitors and residents enjoy the lake by waterfront dining, hanging out in the parks, and kayaking. The lake has several rowing centers and a couple of seaplane bases. Houseboat rentals are available along the east and west sides of the lake.
Lake Cushman
Image courtesy of Flickr
Located just a couple of hours from Seattle and Portland, Lake Cushman provides city dwellers with a backcountry getaway. The 4,010-acre reservoir lake is located on the north fork of the Skokomish River below the Olympic National Park. The lake was originally formed in a glacial trough and then expanded by building the Cushman Dam.
As a reservoir, Lake Cushman provides electricity for the Tacoma Power Company. As a lake, it’s popular for fishing, boating, kayaking, and nearby hiking trails. The lake is noted for its crystal clear blue water, huge surrounding rocks, and thick forests of evergreen trees. Resorts, cabins, and campgrounds for RVs and tents dot the shoreline for overnight accommodations.
Lake Wenatchee
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Lake Wenatchee lies within the Lake Wenatchee State Park in the central Cascade Mountains. The nearest town is Leavenworth 16 miles to the east. The five-mile-long lake has a surface area of 2,480-acres The lake is fed by glaciers and over 200 miles deep in some places, so the water is very frigid.
Lake Wenatchee State Park is one of Washington’s best parks and is the center of most of the recreation at Lake Wenatchee. Fishing and windsurfing are the most popular activities followed by paddle boarding and kayaking. Paddleboard and kayak rentals are available during the summer. Onshore adventures at the park are as popular as watersports. Visitors come to admire the mountain views and hike the trails around the area.
The park features around 200 campsites. In winter, camping continues with heated restrooms and hot showers. Winter visitors come to experience the cross-country ski routes.
Mowich Lake
Mowich Lake is the largest lake in Mount Rainer National Park’s northwest region. Visitors get to the lake via State Highway 165. The last six miles are rocky and rough, but it’s worth the dusty drive for a picturesque and secluded escape. One of the state’s least visited lakes, it’s never crowded.
As for swimming, the lake is fed by snowmelt making more than a quick dip impossible even in summer. Only non-motorized watercraft are allowed. Anglers fish from personal water vessels or from the shore. A fishing license is required.
Campgrounds with hiking trails encircle the lake with a backdrop of Mount Rainier.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
