The 10 Best Lakes Near Seattle

If you are planning a trip to Seattle, this Pacific Northwest city and the surrounding region offer a wide range of experiences for visitors. Many people are drawn to the area’s scenic landscapes, including its notable lakes, while others come for its well-known music scene or its influence on the culinary arts, including a strong coffee culture. No matter your interests, Seattle provides a variety of opportunities to explore and enjoy during your visit.

With more than 8,000 lakes, reservoirs and ponds woven throughout Washington State, it can be hard to choose where to spend your time. To make your trip easier, we’ve categorised the best Seattle lakes into three types based on their proximity to Seattle and the type of experience they offer:

Dee Liu / Getty Images / CC BY-SA

For those who prefer a lake that is easy to reach and tends to have a more active atmosphere, several options within Seattle offer convenient access without leaving the city. These lakes allow visitors to stay close to local amenities while spending time on the water, making them a practical choice for a day outdoors.

Lake Union is imbued with a vibrant marine culture just steps from the bustling city. This beloved urban lake is a haven for swimmers, paddleboarders, kayakers and sailors. You’ll see seaplanes take off from one of two seaplane bases on the lake and an eclectic lineup of ‘floating homes’ hugging the lake’s east and west shores, including the iconic home in Sleepless in Seattle.

There are plenty of popular tour boats and cruises throughout the summer, including private boat tours, sunset tours and cocktail cruises. Don’t forget to check out the Fountain at Lake Union Park, a favorite spot for kids, the Center for Wooden Boats and Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), one of Seattle's many exceptional museums.

While water lovers flock to this urban gem just north of Seattle’s downtown business sector to swim, paddleboard and sail, Green Lake is also one of Seattle’s top lakes because of its 2.8-mile paved shoreline trail, perfect for runners, cyclists and rollerbladers. Often referred to as Seattle’s ‘Central Park’ because of its popular paddle boats and abundance of greenery, birds and smaller wildlife, Green Lake is a favorite among tourists and locals.

At 8,800 hectares, this stunning lake is the second-largest natural lake in Washington State, bordering Seattle’s entire eastern limits. Lake Washington is popular for fishing, boating, paddleboarding and kayaking, while the numerous trails along the lake attract cyclers and hikers looking for a relaxing getaway mere minutes from the city core.

This scenic lake boasts several parks, including Magnuson Park and Seward Park, where visitors can often catch some of the state's majestic eagles nesting and extraordinary views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range.

Feng Wei Photography / Getty Images / CC BY-SA

If you’re up for a short day trip with the family, hop across Seattle’s famous floating bridges (pontoon bridges) that span Lake Washington from Seattle to Bellevue. While you’re still close to the city, these suburban lakes tend to be warmer and are less hectic than the busier city beaches.

Lake Boren, in Lake Boren Park, is a very family-oriented park with plenty of amenities and activities, including a large playground with plenty of swings, climbing equipment and slides. Just 17 minutes from downtown Seattle, Lake Boren is a popular spot, especially when summer heats up and people are looking for fun ways to cool off. This large, deep-blue lake is perfect for swimming and even has a separate fishing dock for avid fishers. You’ll find well-kept trails that follow the shoreline, tennis courts, a volleyball and basketball court and sheltered picnic areas.

Just 20 minutes east of downtown Seattle, you’ll find Lake Sammamish State Park, which offers two beautiful sand beaches on the lake’s southern shore. Both Tibbetts Beach and Sunset Beach have large green spaces for family picnics or just relaxing with a good book by the water. Bring the kayak, paddleboard or jet-ski or just enjoy a memorable day swimming with family.

If you head to the northern tip of Lake Sammamish, you’ll find Marymoor Park, another large park that has extensive hiking trails, a sandy beach, an area to play sports and an off-leash park where your dog can mingle with the other pups.

A little farther from the city, Lake Tapps is still a short 40-minute trip that is well worth the drive. Public access to the lake is available at North Lake Tapps, at the north-east end of the lake. Lake Tapps reservoir is just south of Seattle and is a favorite spot for water sports, especially if you like jet skiing or water skiing. Enjoy swimming in the warmer water as you gaze at the stunning backdrop of Mount Rainier.

Ian McAdie / Getty Images / CC BY-SA

If you want a more adventurous Pacific Northwest lake experience, these alpine lakes offer the stunning emerald-green water and breathtaking vistas Washington State is known for, but you’ll have to travel a little farther and you’ll want to bring your hiking boots.

While the trails to these two lakes are less daunting than some of the other Alpine lakes on our best lakes near Seattle list, rest assured, the destination is just as breathtaking. The trail to Lake Talapus is wide with a gentle grade, making it a great trail for beginners. It winds through a dense forest of hemlock and cedar trees and eventually opens to reveal a stunning alpine lake, tucked within the eastern edge of Bandera Mountain.

You can stay and swim, camp and enjoy Talapus Lake or hike another 1.5 miles up to Olallie Lake, where you’ll find another exquisite alpine lake and more campsites. There is no wrong choice here; both lakes offer a wonderful respite in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Roughly 2 to 2.5 hours from Seattle, Reflection Lakes provide a scenic alpine setting within Mount Rainier National Park. The lakes are known for their calm waters, which can reflect views of Mount Rainier on clear days, along with surrounding wildflowers, evergreen forests and open mountain landscapes. The area is accessible by road during the warmer months, making it a convenient stop for those who prefer minimal hiking.

Sitting at an elevation of just over 4,800 feet, the lakes connect to nearby trails, including parts of the Wonderland Trail. During summer, visitors may find blooming meadows and a variety of viewpoints nearby, while the area also offers opportunities for photography and short walks along the shoreline.

Once you experience Lake 22 in person, there is no disputing why it ranks among the best lakes near Seattle. Just over an hour outside the city center, the 5.4-mile hike (round trip) leading up to Lake 22 has a moderate elevation gain of 1,500 feet. The area is very dog-friendly, although dogs aren’t allowed in the lake.

There’s a designated swimming area with a lifeguard during peak swimming hours, but the real experience of Lake 22 is being surrounded by a magical mountain wetland with its lush, rainforest vibes and the majestic views of Mount Pilchuck, as you gaze up at its striking, sheer-faced cliffs.

While reaching Lake Serene is a little harder than some of the other alpine lakes on our list, if you’re up for the 8.2-mile hike (round trip) with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet, it’s a must-see among the best Seattle lakes. This deep emerald-green lake, just over an hour outside Seattle, is nestled within a granite basin that sits directly under Mount Index’s north face — one of the most remarkable cliffs you’ll find in the Cascades.

As you sit in the chilly waters of Lake Serene, look across to Mount Index and take a moment to fully enjoy its beautiful 3,000-foot cliffs. The trail to Lake Serene also leads to Bridal Veil Falls, a stunning, veil-like flow of icy mountain water from Lake Serene that cascades over a sheer 100-foot rock face. Together, these two wonders of nature are an unparalleled experience you won’t soon forget.

Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Seattle today. Dream up the perfect trip with AAA Travel and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.