Top 20 Lakes in Kittitas County

Kittitas County offers several family-friendly lakes. Gold Creek Pond is particularly notable for its ADA-accessible paved loop, perfect for strollers and young children. Lake Easton State Park provides a wide array of activities including picnicking, camping, swimming, and a children's play area. Speelyi Beach is also a popular family-friendly swim spot, and Pete Lake is known for its family-friendly environment.

Yes, Gold Creek Pond is an excellent choice, featuring an ADA-accessible paved loop trail that accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. Additionally, Lavender Lake offers disabled accessibility, particularly for anglers.

Kittitas County is a prime fishing destination. Cle Elum Lake is known for a diverse range of species including rainbow, cutthroat, kokanee, and large mackinaw. Cooper Lake consistently produces brook and rainbow trout, as well as small kokanee. Lake Kachess is popular for year-round fishing for rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Lavender Lake offers good fishing for rainbow and brown trout, and Lake Easton is stocked with planted rainbows.

Many lakes in Kittitas County are great for water activities. Lake Kachess and Keechelus Lake are popular for swimming and paddleboarding. Cle Elum Lake and Lake Easton are excellent for boating, though Lake Easton has a 10 horsepower limit. Cooper Lake allows boating but prohibits gasoline motors, ensuring a quieter experience. Speelyi Beach is a designated swim spot.

Yes, the region offers numerous hiking opportunities. You can find easy hikes like the Pete Lake Trail and Cooper River Trail. For more challenging options, consider the Kendall Peak Lakes Trail or the Gold Creek Trail to Alaska Lake. The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, accessible from Lake Easton and Keechelus Lake, also offers extended hiking and biking. For more details on routes, explore the easy hikes in Kittitas County guide or the running trails guide.

Cycling is a popular activity, especially along the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, which runs near Lake Easton and Keechelus Lake. This trail offers routes ranging from easy to difficult, such as the Hyak to Easton section. Other options include the Coal Mines Trail and Yakima Canyon Road. For more information, refer to the cycling in Kittitas County guide.

The best time to visit depends on your desired activities. Warmer months are ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and general water activities. Fishing is popular year-round on many lakes. In winter, areas around Lake Kachess and Lake Easton transform into havens for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Hiking is generally best in spring, summer, and fall.

Yes, camping is available at several locations. Lake Easton State Park offers a nice campground with amenities. Lake Kachess also has campgrounds with restrooms, picnic tables, and boat ramps. Cooper Lake is known for walk-in camping, providing a more serene experience. Mirror Lake also offers nice campsites along its shore.

Yes, Kittitas County features several high-alpine lakes. Cle Elum Lake is a large high Cascade lake. Rampart Lakes are a popular overnight backpacking destination, offering stunning views for energetic dayhikers as well. Cooper Lake is another high lake located above Salmon-La-Sac, accessible by road.

The lakes are set amidst diverse natural landscapes. Lake Kachess is known for its crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches within the Wenatchee National Forest. Keechelus Lake offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Mirror Lake is situated directly along the Pacific Crest Trail, offering picturesque scenery. Ridge Lake is a great spot for a break with nice water sources.

Many areas around Kittitas County lakes are dog-friendly. Keechelus Lake, for example, is noted as being dog-friendly. It's always recommended to check specific park or trail regulations for leash laws and any restrictions before visiting, especially in state parks or wilderness areas.

During winter, the areas around lakes like Kachess and Easton transform. Lake Kachess is a haven for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, with the nearby Summit at Snoqualmie offering downhill skiing. Lake Easton State Park also provides opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.