15 Paddling Adventures in Washington
My friend Caroline paddling at Blue Lake, located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, located along Highway 20.
I’ve always wanted to write a post on where you can go paddling in the summertime. It is indeed unfortunate that we are experiencing hotter and drier summers and warmer temperatures arriving as early as mid-March. However, with summer officially just around the corner (only a few months away!), I thought it would be appropriate to share some of my favorite places to go paddling. I always find it somewhat difficult to look for a list of places to go on Google. Even though technically, anywhere you can walk or drive to that’s near a lake, you can probably go paddle. But I wanted to create one single post that includes all of the amazing places you can explore in the Pacific Northwest.
This is obviously a growing list and I am sure there are many more places out there that are super fun to take your watercraft to. This list also includes a few hiking and backpacking destinations. In 2021, I purchased my first packraft from Kokopelli. For the purpose of this post, I refer packrafting as carrying a lightweight packraft to an alpine lake. You can read more about what packrafting is over here.
I absolutely love incorporating paddling into my backpacking trips even though it means adding about 8-10 lbs onto my pack plus all the gear I carry for myself and my dog. Without further ado, let’s dive into these places!
Start here 👇🏼
On this map, I’ve included all of the places mentioned in this post. Feel free to bookmark for future planning purposes!
This map includes spots:
Please note that the map on the left doesn’t necessarily point you to the actual trailhead for some of these places. So make sure to plug it into the dedicated map app you use!
*Some folks don’t appreciate it when others launch their recreational kayaks or canoes. I suggest finding an open spot away from the boat launch when you clearly see boaters looking to launch or when it’s a busy day.
Spots with a Dedicated Boat Launch
Takhlakh Lake
Mount Adams sitting behind the trees at Takhlakh Lake.
Season:
July to September
Reservations:
Recreation.gov
Pass:
NW Forest Pass
Area:
Mount Adams Wilderness
The lake is only located 7.3 miles (11.7 km) northwest of Mount Adams. The campground has 53 sites that attract campers in the summer and early fall, along with hikers exploring trails such as the Takhlakh Loop Trail, Takh Takh Meadow Trails, and other paths within the Mount Adams Wilderness. Takhlakh Lake is one of five lakes in the Midway High Lakes Area, all located within a seven-mile radius and overseen by the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
I was planning a road trip down to Oregon because I was finally ready to experience Mount Hood in the summer. Those who know me also know that I do try to visit new places whenever I think. I was mapping out my route and looking for campgrounds along the way and stumbled upon Takhlakh (tak-a-lak) Lake. I was specifically looking for campgrounds that are situated near a lake because I wanted to paddle as much as possible. I rarely spend time near Mount Adams but this is a gem you can’t miss.
I stayed at Site 40. The site itself wasn’t really within walking distance to the lake due to my inflatable kayak still weighing about 30 lbs along with all the gear I was hauling plus my dog, Tex. There is a small parking area near the lake where I’ve seen several people launch their canoes and kayaks. Motorboats are allowed but only with an electric motor.
Baker Lake
Mount Baker in the distance while paddling on Baker Lake
Carrying my Hornet Lite and paddles on the Baker Lake Trail
Season:
July to September
Reservations:
Recreation.gov
Pass:
NW Forest Pass
Area:
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Baker Lake is a great place to explore if you're looking to spend some time outdoors this summer. The whole area has seven campgrounds, and some of them have a designated boat launch for motor boats, kayaks, and canoes. There are also several hiking trails that you could explore as a day hike or as a quick overnight trip. This area offers a "choose your own adventure" experience, and it's not surprising that Baker Lake is usually crowded during the summer months. If you're looking for solitude, I suggest you find another place. But if you're seeking an area that offers it all, including camping, paddling, fishing, and hiking, then Baker Lake is the perfect place for you.
I have been to Baker Lake on several occasions. I have gone there to paddle on the lake, and I have also done part of the Baker Lake Trail twice. During my second time on the trail, my group and I pitched our tents at Maple Grove. This was the first backpacking trip where I took my Kokopelli Hornet Lite with me. The Hornet Lite weighs about 5 lbs without the paddles, making it one of the lightest inflatables that you can take on a backpacking trip.
Trip ideas:
💡 If you’re just looking to paddle on Baker Lake:
I would suggest that you park your car either at Swift Creek Campground or Panorama Point Campground if you're planning to launch your kayak. Both of these campgrounds offer sufficient parking and have a dedicated boat launch. Swift Creek has a larger boat ramp as well as several smaller docks that are suitable for launching smaller boats and kayaks.
These options are still viable even if the campgrounds are not reservable for the season. In fact, it might be even better because there would be less crowd.
💡 Extend your trip:
I recommend doing the Baker Lake Trail. If you’re looking to try packrafting (in this post, it simply means hauling your inflatable kayak or paddleboard up to a lake on the trail), then the Baker Lake Trail is the perfect trail to get your hands dirty with it. The grade of the trail is gentle and never seems to feel like you’re gaining too much elevation.
To make your trip even more adventurous, drive beyond the parking area for the Baker Lake Trail and hike up to Anderson and Watson Lakes.
Cascade and Mountain Lakes (Moran State Park)
Most people find it hard to believe - I’ve lived in Washington state for about 15 years now and last year was the first time I ventured out to Moran State Park. The main reason being this state park is almost impossible to reserve at any time of the year. That being said, I decided to take a trip up to Orcas Island because I’ve never been there and I’ve always been mesmerized by photos I see online. I knew I had to try to reserve a campsite here and I scored one of the best campsites ever. I almost don’t want to share this but there’s no reason to gate keep this because even on the Washington State Parks website, they will tell you which ones are the most popular campsites when you’re trying to book a site.
I stayed at Site 9 in the South End Loop. I personally think this is the best loop out of the 3 campgrounds that surround Cascade Lake. Cascade Lake is the first and main lake you come across when arriving at Moran State Park. When you drive past the South End loop, you will arrive at Mountain Lake Campground - which offers more solitude and a more barebones camping experience. From the photos, you can see that I basically get my own personal launching spot for my kayak. It also served as my view as I enjoyed dinner with my dog. But you can also find other launch sites that are closer to the other campground loops where there is a semi large beach and even a shack that rents out kayaks and paddle boards during summer.
‘Parked’ my kayak on the island at Mountain Lake
Dinner with a view overlooking Cascade Lake during sunset
Diablo Lake
Tex and I on our first kayak camping trip on Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park
Season:
July to September
Reservations:
Recreation.gov
Pass:
America the Beautiful
NW Forest Pass
Area:
North Cascades National Park
Similar to Baker Lake, Diablo Lake is rarely a destination on its own or perhaps it could be if you are dedicated to see the turquoise blue lake from the viewpoint. Diablo Lake is located within the North Cascades National Parks Boundaries. The park itself is massive and is considered to be one of the least visited parks in Washington due to most of it being extremely inaccessible by driving, To explore the park, I suggest spending a couple of days camping at Colonial Creek South Campground. This is also where the main boat launch area is to get into Diablo Lake.
This lake is known for its unpredictable weather. When winds do pick up, it can be highly dangerous to paddle in this lake. The only two times I’ve paddled in Diablo Lake were 1) a kayak camping trip to Thunder Point and 2) a sunset paddle on a random weekday. I like to stop by the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount prior to heading out because they can give you some tips on how the weather has been and when is the best time to paddle on the lake.
A general rule of thumb is to paddle before 11am. When I did the sunset paddle, the winds were really starting to pick up and the calm lake suddenly turned rather violent. So do keep in mind if you are simply looking for a leisure paddle and check the weather before heading out. Even a sunny day could be a turbulent ride on the water.
A rather calm afternoon paddle on Diablo Lake
Take my Kokopelli Moki-Lite for a ride!
Camping at Thunder Point
💡 Extend your trip:
There are many beautiful hikes near Diablo Lake and within North Cascades National Park. I personally also opted to try out my first kayak camping trip at Diablo Lake mainly because it felt more safe to do so. The boat-in campsites are considered backcountry so you would need a backcountry permit and reservation to stay at one of those. Prior to getting into the water, don’t forget to pick up your permit at the Wilderness Information Center, generally open from 7am to 4pm daily in the summer. This is also a good time to ask the rangers any questions you have!
Rattlesnake Lake
People have a love-hate relationship with Rattlesnake Lake. Perhaps it’s due to the trail, Rattlesnake Ledge Trail that shares the same parking lot. But you can indeed find some solitude here in the early season and at sun down. I used to spend quite a lot of time hanging out at Rattlesnake Lake. Despite it being an overly popular place in the summer time, I never had a problem finding parking on a late afternoon/evening weekday. This area is one of the easiest places you can get close to nature without driving more than an hour away from Seattle. There is a boat ramp but there are also numerous spots on the beach where you can launch your kayak, paddle board or floats. I personally do enjoy this area even though it can seem to be overrun by crowds. However, you can definitely do your part and leave no trace - pack it in, pack it out.
💡 Extend your trip:
Hike the Rattlesnake Ledge Trail! I get it, this trail is way too popular on the weekends. I’ve done this trail a total of 4 times despite not enjoying the crowds. But it’s hard to stay from this trail when the payoff at the end is so worth it compared to how much work you’re putting in on the hike up.
Nolte State Park
My friends and I were camping nearby at Kanaskat Palmer State Park. Unfortunately, that state park doesn’t have access to a lake. It does have access to a trail to the river. So after we packed up camp, we drove over to Nolte State Park. There are a good amount of picnic tables and grills and a large lawn area to just hang out. We took our packrafts and doggos out on the water to enjoy a fantastic day in the summer. The parking area is relatively small and there is no camping in this park either. This park requires a Discovery Pass and has a large area to launch your kayaks, paddle boards and floats!
Hike-in and Backpacking Lake Adventures
Here is a short list of hikes that has either a lake at the end of the trail or a lake on the way to camp. Remember, these do require a hike in but most of these are considered as easy to moderate.
I started bringing my Kokopelli Hornet Lite with me because it’s lightweight and tracks relatively well compared to a lot of other lightweight inflatables out there. It is a packraft that only weighs about 5 lbs. Along with that, I bring my Werner Skagit FG paddles with me which weighs about 2.5 lbs. This post is not sponsored but I highly recommend checking out the various products that Kokopelli offers. They make a line of packrafts, kayaks and paddle boards that are meant to be taken with you on multi-day adventures.
Blue Lake
Blue Lake, located along the North Cascades Highway offers impressive views and is a popular destination for larches in the fall.
Distance:
4.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain:
1050 feet
Area:
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
North Cascades Highway - HWY 20
Pass:
NW Forest Pass
America the Beautiful
People generally rush to Blue Lake in the fall to see the larches but that’s not to say that this hike isn’t popular in the summertime either. Blue Lake is generally regarded as an easy to moderate trail. The trail is mostly maintained which makes it a relatively accessible destination for a packrafting adventure. My friend Caroline and I had been doing a couple of backpacking trips with our packrafts and we both though, what would be a better way to end the season with? Paddle on Blue Lake to get even closer to the larches. While larches are situated along the later part of the trail, with a packraft, you can paddle right next to it without an obstructed view. What made this trail even more special was the sunset we saw when we were hiking back down to our cars. Liberty Bell illuminates in shades of pinks and purples and oranges, making it the perfect way to end the hike.
Parking near the Blue Lake Trail can be cumbersome. I suggest either arriving super early or arrive later than usual. Not a whole lot of folks see this as a sunset hike since the neighboring Maple Pass Loop is the one that generally steals the show.
Goat Lake (Mountain Loop Highway)
Two of my friends in their Kokopelli Hornet Lite packrafts paddling on Goat Lake
Distance:
10.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain:
1637 feet
Area:
Mountain Loop Highway
Pass:
NW Forest Pass
Goat Lake, situated along the Mountain Loop Highway was an absolute banger for taking your packrafts, kayaks or paddle boards up to. Don’t let the distance or the elevation gain deter you, most of the trail felt flat and even with a good amount of elevation gain, it didn’t feel hard until the last 0.5 miles up to the campsite. And let me tell you, this will all be worth it when you reach Goat Lake.
I went on this backpacking trip with a few of my friends, the main purpose was to help my buddy take some photos for his company - he had just started a company that rents out packrafts and he acts as a guide taking folks up to amazing places like this. We all had a blast just floating on the water and the fall colors were just beginning to come out.
Mirror and Cottonwood Lakes
Caroline and Millie on a nice day out on Mirror Lake, located near Snoqualmie Pass.
Distance:
2.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain:
870 feet
Area:
Snoqualmie Pass
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Pass:
NW Forest Pass
Mirror and Cottonwood Lakes is a super easy hike located just past Snoqualmie Pass. I found out about this hike from Instagram and thought this would be a great, introductory backpacking trip for my friend Caroline to bring her Kokopelli Rogue Lite up for a quick overnight trip in the mountains. Mirror Lake is considered an alpine lake even though it doesn’t share the same prestige as Colchuck Lake or Molwich Lake. However, this was an easy and fun trail to do since elevation gain is very minimal. There were a good amount of campsites situated along the lake but I would advise you to get there early. The parking area was small and most vehicles would not be able to make it up to the upper parking lot - the road was quite literally filled with rocks shooting from the ground.
Pete Lake
Our campsite for the night - you don’t get views until you are out paddling on the water but this was a cool point of view!
Distance:
9 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain:
400 feet
Area:
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Pass:
NW Forest Pass
I am not sure why, but Pete Lake felt a lot more difficult than the stats suggest. This lake is located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and requires no advanced backpacking permit registration. You self register at the trailhead and hang the permit on your pack and you are good to go. A lot of people prefer to hike up to Spectacle Lake but that ends about another 5 miles to the already rather long trail with our backpacks. From photos, I do know that Spectacle Lake is considered the more picturesque lake. However, both my friend and I felt extremely exhausted while doing this hike.
There are a few campsites that hugs the lake but most of them were already taken by the time we got there. We hiked to the other side of the lake and managed to find a quiet spot on a rocky beach. There was a small section of water crossing to get to our campsite but easily doable with sturdy shoes and trekking poles. I recommend wearing shoes because even though the rocks were small and mostly smooth, you will feel it on your feet!
Paddling Adventures Close to Seattle
These lakes are either located within Seattle city limits or they’re located not too far from Seattle, which includes a few spots on the eastside across the 520 or I-90 bridge. These places are perfect if you’re looking for a quick spot to launch your kayak or paddle board for those longer summer days.
Cottage Lake Park
Distance from Seattle:
About a ~30 minute drive
Boat Launch/Ramp:
Yes
Pass:
No pass required, free parking
Cottage Lake Park is a little gem located near Woodinville, Washington. This place seems to always have an event or concert on a summer weekday or weekend. This place never feels too crowded, however parking could be a problem when there is an event going on. I found out about this cute little spot through my friend Caroline. So, if you ever find yourself heading up north or somehow near the Bothell/Woodinville area, head over to Cottage Lake! This location does have a small beach and a dock to launch your kayak or paddle board and has a small area that fits 5 cars to make it easy to unload and pack up.
Lake Sammamish State Park
Distance from Seattle:
About a 25-30 minute drive
Boat Launch/Ramp:
Yes
Pass:
Discover Pass
Lake Sammamish State Park really be popping off sometimes. This is a popular park located near Issaquah, Washington. Parking never seems to be a problem though because this park is massive. There are a few entrances to Lake Sammamish State Park but it is quite obvious to find the spot you need to get to. I forget the exact directions, but there will be signs that point you to the beach and boat launch. I never had problems finding parking but sometimes you could end up parking rather far from the area where you can launch your kayak or paddle board.
Since this is a Washington state park, there are lots of amenities here which includes picnic tables and grills so you can really make this is an all-day hangout and head out to the water whenever you want to. I find the waters to be slightly choppy sometimes because motor boats are allowed on this lake. Also, this lake gets loud and crowded so if you’re looking for peace and solitude, this is not the place for you.
Washington Park Arboretum
Distance from Seattle:
About a 10-15 minute drive
Boat Launch/Ramp:
No
Pass:
No pass required, generally free parking
I actually haven’t paddled in the Washington Park Arboretum for a while. The only times I have gone were when I bought my first inflatable kayak (the Intex Challenger that everyone had at some point in their lives). However, I was still living in the University District at that time and this seemed to be the closest and easiest spot to launch my new inflatable kayak. There are a few different parking areas you can park in. I stumbled upon a random one back then and hiked a few feet to find a suitable spot for launching. What I like about the arboretum is the quietness you can still find with it being so close to the city. I think it eventually connects with Lake Washington but when I paddled here, I just allowed myself to float and had no expectations.
Lake Union Park
Distance from Seattle:
About a 10-15 minute drive
Boat Launch/Ramp:
No
Pass:
No pass required, paid and free parking
In the summertime, you will find lots of people hanging out at Lake Union Park.
There are many different places you could launch from that would eventually take you onto Lake Union but I found Lake Union Park to be the easiest spot to launch due to parking nearby and a short walk to the ‘beach’ area where you will find tons of people swimming and just hanging out in their floats. I’ve paddled on Lake Union starting at various locations when I didn’t own my own inflatable kayak yet. I know you can also launch from Gas Works Park or Aqua Verde, which is near the University of Washington. Again, this is a choose your adventure type of paddling adventure - paddle as far out into the lake as you want or chill out and hang out by the boats and docks nearby.
Warren G. Magnuson Park
Distance from Seattle:
About a 20-25 minute drive
Boat Launch/Ramp:
No
Pass:
No pass required, generally free parking
Lake Washington is massive but I enjoy launching my inflatable kayak at Magnuson Park, specifically the area near the cafe and the brewery. I am always able to find parking near the brewery and find it pretty easy to launch from here as well. I know there is also a dedicated beach where folks would hang out and have picnics and whatnot. However, having a reactive dog generally means that I do need to find a less distracting and quieter place to launch my inflatable kayak! The last time I paddled on Lake Washington was an overcast/cloudy day so I didn’t get any nice views of the mountains. But I have been here when the skies are sunny and clear, and the views surrounding the lake are amazing!
Conclusion
That was a lot of places to cover but I certainly hope you are able to find the spot that fits what you’re looking to do at one of these locations mentioned in this post! As always - please remember to review the leave no trace principles especially if you’re heading out on a hike or a backpacking trip. Most of the larger parks do have the capacity to accommodate larger crowds but a few of these places mentioned here are not.
Resources
🌲 Wilderness Regulations - USFS resource on wilderness regulations
🌲 The 7 Leave No Trace Principles - always good to brush up on this before heading out
🌲 Finding a Good Campsite from the PCT Association - helpful when it comes to areas without designated campsites
🌲 REI Expert Advice: Kayaking Checklist - a good starting point to learn about kayaking
