Top Seattle Lakes to Visit
The water is abundant in the Seattle area, and you can go fishing, boating, and wakeboarding here. You can also go fishing or water skiing. One of the few reservoirs in the area, Lake Tapps is home to the tiger muskie. Some of these fish grow to more than 50 inches, and you can catch some of these monsters! These are some of the top Seattle lakes to visit.
Anderson + Watson Lakes
If you’re looking for a place to hike, look no further than Anderson and Watson Lakes. These sub-alpine lakes rise 4,500 feet above Baker Lake and can be reached by taking the 6.4-mile Anderson and Watson Lakes Trail. The trail begins at a mossy forest, then ascends to an Alpine meadow and Anderson Butte. From there, you can enjoy panoramic views of Mount Baker and the surrounding region. After hiking around this area, you can head down to Watson Lakes.
While hiking the trails to the lakes, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of Mount Baker. There’s even a trail to take that’s only half a mile long, so you can fit in a bit of extra exercise while enjoying the scenery. Then, if you’re feeling especially energetic, you can take the Anderson + Watson Lakes Trail up to Anderson Butte, a half-mile-long trail that climbs 600 feet. You’ll cross gently flowing streams and hike through heather meadows as you make your way up.
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can also hike the Emmons Moraine Trail to Watson Lake. This trail takes you through mountain rainforest and wetlands. It’s a challenging hike, but it’s worth it when you’re looking for a scenic view. A scenic view of the lake is what you’ll be rewarded with at the end. If you love hiking, you can also take on the Seven Lakes Loop in the park, which is a popular route for campers.
Lake Sammamish
If you’re looking for an area lake with free-form activities, consider Lake Sammamish in East Seattle. The lake is seven miles long and is relatively shallow, but the water can be a balmy 75 degrees in the summer. While Lake Sammamish State Park is a popular swimming spot, a little-known gem is Idylwood Beach Park. Nestled in a forest of tall cottonwood trees, Idylwood Beach Park has a great sand beach, a bathhouse, and is a perfect place to spend a lazy day.
While Lake Sammamish isn’t stocked with hatchery trout, the lake’s resident cutthroat trout make it an excellent fishing spot. Fall and spring are the best times to catch lunkers here. Other species that make this lake a prime fishing spot include smallmouth bass and sockeye salmon. The lake is also home to big yellow perch and a large population of cutthroat trout.
Visitors can explore the natural beauty of Lake Sammamish through its many trails and recreation facilities. Many recreational activities are held here year-round, from fishing to boating and hiking. The lake has several attractions for nature lovers, from hiking and biking to camping. Despite being a popular destination for tourists, the lake is also home to a number of native wildlife, including Kokanee.
Lake Union
For a close-to-city experience and a taste of nature, you’ll want to check out Lake Union, one of Seattle’s premier lakes. The lake is popular for water sports and is the location of several rowing centres. In addition, visitors can explore the lake’s piers and view floating homes from the sky. No matter what you do, you’ll have a great time on one of Seattle’s lakes.
If you’re looking for a fun, easy way to explore the lake and nearby neighborhoods, you should try a boat tour on Lake Union. There are two different boat cruises available from downtown Seattle. Take one of these tours to see the city from a different perspective. You’ll enjoy the view of the Olympic Mountains, the downtown skyline, and the stadiums. If you’re on a tight schedule, consider catching one of these tours to experience the best of both worlds.
Another great lake to visit is Lake Washington, which is also an excellent destination for water sports. You can even catch a floatplane ride over the lake, or a sightseeing cruise. Either way, you’re bound to be amazed at how many activities you can partake in at a lake. Whether you’re a water-sports enthusiast or just want to get away from the hustle and bustle, you’ll find something to suit your needs in Seattle.
Lake Ballinger
If you’re looking for a place to go fishing in the Puget Sound region, Lake Ballinger is a great choice. This urban lake is home to rainbow trout, spotted bass, and cutthroat trout. It is also stocked with native yellow perch and largemouth bass. Lake Ballinger also sits next to the Interurban Trail, a remnant of Ballinger’s industrial past. If you’re on the interurban trail, this lake is a convenient pit stop.
Lake Ballinger is a neighborhood lake located about 11 miles north of downtown Seattle. It is accessible by boat from Lakeview Dr and a small paved boat ramp. Swimming is permitted, but motorboats are prohibited. You can visit the lake’s shoreline with your family or go fishing at a fishing pier. The park has a beach where you can relax and take in the view of the surrounding landscape.
Residents of Lake Ballinger will love the diversity of the neighborhood. The houses should not look alike, and the streets should be well-maintained and safe for children. You may also find a park with MLT Kindness Rocks, tiny painted stones left by previous visitors. Depending on the weather, the shoreline can be slippery and muddy in spring. If you want to play golf on the shore, make sure to plan ahead.
Lake Washington
One of the best things to do in the area is to visit Lake Roosevelt, a 130-mile stretch of water in the Puget Sound region. You can swim, fish for trout, or take a float on the lake. If you don’t want to paddle the water, you can always hike or cycle through the surrounding land. Camping and picnicking are also great ways to enjoy the lake’s scenic beauty.
Another lake that you can visit is Lake Union. You can visit the floating homes that were featured in the film Sleepless in Seattle, filmed in the late 1990s. Although the floating houses aren’t accessible on foot, you can often rent a boat and tour them. You can also rent a houseboat on the lake through Airbnb if you don’t have the budget to buy a boat.
Lake Washington is the state’s second largest lake. It flows between Bellevue and Seattle. Visitors can enjoy several Seattle-area activities here, including hydroplane races and dinner cruises by Argosy Cruises. You can also go fishing throughout the year – you’ll find many species of fish in the lake, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and cutthroat trout.
Lake Boren
One of the top Seattle lakes to visit is Lake Union. This large freshwater lake is located directly in the city. It has plenty of recreational amenities like walking trails, picnic shelters, tennis courts, basketball and sand volleyball courts. You can go for a swim or paddle in the lake. There are also many things to do in the lake, including a seasonal festival called Newcastle Days. It is a great place to go for a midday swim, or even a picnic.
If you want to swim in the lake, make sure to check out the city’s website and park’s website before going. It will have updated information about park rules, conditions, and closures. Remember that it’s important to supervise children who are playing in the water, and always use proper supervision. If you’re looking for a great place to swim, try Lake Boren. Enjoy!
If you’re looking for a lake with plenty of fresh water, Lake Boren is worth the trip. This 16-acre lake near Renton features resident cutthroat trout. Fishing in Lake Boren is best done in cooler water, but you can also catch other types of fish, such as largemouth bass, yellow perch, and brown bullhead catfish. The park is located off Coal Creek Parkway SE. It has a fishing pier. Located close to the downtown Seattle area, this lake is well worth a visit.
Lake Ozette
You may not have known this, but the state of Washington has a natural lake named after it. Located about a mile from the Pacific Ocean, Lake Ozette is the biggest undammed lake in the state. The Makah people called this lake “Kahouk”, which means “big lake.” This scenic lake is home to three islands: Garden Island, Tivoli Island, and Otter Point. Getting to Lake Ozette is not easy, but it’s worth the effort.
A walk along the 1.3-mile Ozette Loop reveals a rocky shoreline that’s surrounded by a lush forest. If you enjoy hiking and exploring, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained. There’s a hiking trail that connects Cape Alava to Sand Point, and there’s an extensive camping area near Cape Alava. You might even spot sea otters, which live in the kelp forest.
If you plan to spend a day or more at Lake Ozette, be sure to plan a picnic lunch. The Lost Resort on Lake Ozette offers fresh, tasty food and coffee. You can even find a kayak rental shop here. During the summer, you can take a boat ride on the lake and see the sun go down from the mountainside. You won’t be sorry!
