Best Lakes in Washington

512-acre park with ample waterfront access & boat launch, plus seasonal kayak rentals & picnicking.

34.9(857)

Lake Crescent

Glacial mountain lake with trout fishing, forests, hiking trails, picnicking, camping & boat launch.

44.8(546)

Lake Chelan

Nature-lovers' resort destination in the mountains with water sports, hotels, hiking & local wine.

54.8(305)

Lake Cushman

Outdoor activities, like fishing & paddling, are showcased at this scenic lake with mountain views.

64.7(270)

Lake Washington

The 2nd largest natural lake in Washington, this lake provides sport fishing opportunities.

74.8(238)

Snow Lake

Panoramic alpine lake mirroring its mountain backdrop with a 7-mile-long hiking trail & campsites.

84.5(231)

Lacamas Lake

Scenic lake edged by dense woods, features hiking trails birding watching areas & a playground.

94.8(207)

Baker Lake

Lake · Bellingham, Washington

This large, picturesque lake surrounded by forest & mountains offers fishing & boating.

104.8(196)

Lake Padden

Camping nearbyDog-friendly

Hiking, angling & boating at a woodland lake with popular picnic spots & sports fields.

4.6(195)

Lake Tapps

A 2,880-acre man-made lake & recreational area constructed in 1911 with a dam & dikes.

4.5(194)

American Lake

Lake · Seattle, Washington

Lake featuring boating, swimming & fishing, plus adjacent parks with tennis & a boat launch.

4.8(189)

Lake Union

Dog-friendly

Picturesque freshwater lake providing a popular boating spot & an annual wooden boat festival.

4.8(180)

Franklin D Roosevelt Lake

Big, recreational lake featuring a historic dam & boating, fishing, swimming & camping options.

4.8(178)

Lake Wenatchee

Picturesque glacier-fed lake & 489-acre park & campground offering recreational activities.

4.7(171)

Alder Lake

Seven-mile long reservoir for kayaking & angling with mountain views, plus a campground.

4.3(157)

Vancouver Lake

Lake · SeaTac, Washington

Shallow lake for swimming, kayaking & fishing, with a small beach & adjacent park for picnics.

4.5(153)

Angle Lake

Site for year-round fishing, with a shoreline park offering a boat launch, picnic areas & swimming.

4.7(143)

Lake Sammamish

Parkland surrounds this freshwater lake with boating, waterskiing, picnic shelters & hiking trails.

4.4(141)

Moses Lake

Sinuous reservoir offering fishing, boating & water sports, plus shores with sand dunes & camping.

4.8(137)

Lake Quinault

Picturesque lake with a lush, alpine setting offering hiking, boating, camping & other activities.

4.3(123)

Lake Meridian

Lake · Kent, Washington

Scenic lake offering a beach with a designated swimming area, plus trout fishing & a boat launch.

4.8(106)

Yale Lake

This 3,780-acre reservoir on the Lewis River features boating & other recreational activities.

4.7(95)

Round Lake

This glacial lake, a popular fishing spot, is surrounded by a forested park with hiking trails.

Trip packing checklist

Gear for Lakes in Washington

Useful gear categories for this kind of water trip. These links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options before you go.

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Inflatable Paddleboard

Useful for calm-water exploring without roof-rack logistics.

Day Cooler

Keeps food and drinks together for longer waterfront stays.

Fishing Rod Combo

A starter combo is often enough for casual lake fishing.

UPF Sun Hat

Open shorelines and boats can mean hours of direct sun.