Approximately 27 miles on U.S. Route 101 west of Port Angeles, in Clallam County, Washington, and close to the small town of Piedmont, is Lake Crescent, a deep lake that is wholly inside Olympic National Park.

It is officially the second deepest lake in Washington with a maximum depth of 190 meters. A lake-wide bathymetric survey was carried out between 2013 and 2014 by Eian Ray and Jeff Enge, which disproved unofficial depth values of more than 300 m that had long been reported in the area. The maximum depth was determined by this survey to be 596 feet. This scan also revealed that the lake has roughly 0.5 cubic miles of fresh water, according to statistical GIS analysis.

Because there isn't enough nitrogen in the water to support the growth of algae, Lake Crescent is renowned for its stunningly clear waters and dazzling blue color. The Spruce Railroad Route, the Pyramid Mountain Trail, and the Barnes Creek trail to Marymere Falls are among the trails in the area, which is a well-liked recreational area. Along the lake's shoreline, the Spruce Railroad Trail follows the grade of what was formerly a logging railroad's rails. Following this path on the lake's northern shore will lead to "Devils Punch Bowl," a well-liked swimming and diving spot, as well as the entrance to a former railroad tunnel.

Location: Clallam County, Washington

One of the most beautiful lakes in Washington is lake Chelan. A stunning lake, Lake Chelan spans 50.5 miles and extends into the North Cascades' eastern slope. Visitors and boaters come from all across the state to this body of water that is fed by glaciers. At the southern end of the lake is the tourist-friendly city of Chelan. It makes for a great starting point for getting on the water.

Everything from stand-up paddleboards to powerboats can be used on the lake. On the water, popular pastimes include waterskiing and wakeboarding. Near Chelan, the southern end is surrounded by a number of boat and watercraft rentals. Along this portion of the lake, there are also numerous marinas, public boat launches, and day-use parks.

On the lake's northern shore, the little alpine community of Stehekin serves as the entry to the North Cascades National Park Complex. Stehekin doesn't have any roads, so the only ways to get there are by boat or seaplane. Between May and October, a daily ferry service across the lake is provided by the magnificent Lady of the Lake.

Location: Chelan County, Washington

16 miles west of Leavenworth on Highway 2 is Lake Wenatchee State Park, which is located on the eastern side of the central Cascade Mountains. This five-mile-long lake is fed by glaciers and is surrounded by stunning mountains. One of Washington's premier parks, Lake Wenatchee State Park, serves as the focal point of a lot of the leisure at Lake Wenatchee.

A public boat launch is available at Lake Wenatchee State Park to access the water. In some places, the lake is nearly 200 feet deep, and the water is extremely chilly. The most popular water sports are fishing and windsurfing. Every now and then, a Jet Ski will show up. Throughout the summer, the state park rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

At Lake Wenatchee State Park, shoreline activities are also well-liked. The trip would be worthwhile just for the vista from the state park beach looking across the lake toward the large mountains in the distance. Numerous miles of hiking trails as well as groomed cross-country ski trails wind through the region in the winter.

The state park features two campgrounds, North and South, with a total of about 200 campsites. Additionally, heated bathrooms and hot showers are close by for winter camping. Further west on the southern shore, the U.S. Forest Service manages Glacier View Camping, an alternate campground.

Location: Chelan, Washington

The next position on the list of the most beautiful lakes in Washington is lake Washington. A sizable freshwater lake named Lake Washington is located close to Seattle. After Lake Chelan, it is the second-biggest natural lake in the state of Washington and the largest lake in King County. It surrounds Mercer Island and borders the cities of Seattle on the west, Bellevue, and Kirkland on the east, Renton on the south, and Kenmore on the north. At its northern and southern ends, the Sammamish River and Cedar River respectively feed the lake.

On Seattle's north side, Madison Beach, Denny Blaine Park, and Madrona Park are all great areas to enjoy the coastline. On the southern end of the lake sits Seward Park, one of the biggest public parks that border the water. Boat launches and a lovely beach are characteristics of this vast 300-acre park.

The most well-liked way to enjoy Lake Washington is in one of these lakeshore parks. The history of the body of water and the growth of the city are intertwined. Chittenden Locks, also known as Ballard Locks, is a fascinating place to discover more. This clever structure keeps the saltwater of the Sound from contaminating the freshwater of the lake. On-site interpretive materials are available.

Location: King County, Washington

A sizable reservoir called Ross Lake can be found in the North Cascade mountains in both southwest British Columbia, Canada, and northern Washington, USA. The lake is 37 km long, up to 2.5 km wide, and sits at a full reservoir elevation of 1,604 feet above sea level. It runs roughly north to south (489 m).

Ross Lake National Recreation Area is where the American portion of the lake is located. The Pasayten Wilderness is to the east of the lake, while North Cascades National Park is to the west and south. The lake is a component of Skagit Valley Provincial Park in British Columbia, while Manning Provincial Park lies close by to the east.

The Ross Lake Overlook on Highway 20 provides a clear view of the vast reservoir's azure waters. About 60 miles west of Winthrop is where you'll find this beautiful vantage point. Nearby views of Diablo Lake compete for attention in a similarly spectacular manner. One of the most common ways to take in the scenery is to stand above these two lakes and gaze at the noteworthy mountain backdrops.

There are many chances for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking at Ross Lake, a popular recreation area in the North Cascades. In particular, trout fishing is well-known. Anadromous species like salmon and steelhead trout are not found in Ross Lake because the Skagit River's natural barriers prohibited them from moving upstream more than a few miles above the Gorge Powerhouse. Numerous boat-in and hike-in locations surrounding the lake allow camping. Permits for backcountry camping are necessary and can be obtained through the National Park Service in Marblemount.

Location: Ross Lake National Recreation Area, Whatcom County, Washington

In the North Cascade highlands in northern Washington state, there is a reservoir called Diablo Lake. The lake, which was formed by Diablo Dam, is situated on the Skagit River between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake at a height of 366 meters above sea level. Seattle City Light is in charge of managing Diablo Lake, which is a part of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. The 6.12 km Diablo Lake Trail, which was named a National Recreation Trail in 1981, follows the lake's northern coast.

Rainbow, coastal cutthroat, brook, and the nationally endangered bull trout are all present in the lake. It is a well-liked destination for kayakers and canoeists to unwind. The nearby glaciers, which reduce nearby boulders to a fine powder that is then pushed into the lake by creeks, are said to be responsible for the lake's distinctive, bright turquoise color. The lake's beautiful color is caused by the glacial flour, a fine powder that remains suspended in the water.

The Diablo Lake Trail is a great option all year round, but it's especially great for a hike in the magnificent North Cascades National Park in the early going since so much of it is inaccessible in the winter and early spring. Diablo Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Washington.

Location: Ross Lake National Recreation Area, Whatcom County, Washington

One of the numerous things to do in Winthrop, Washington, is to visit Pearrygin Lake, which is located in the bright Methow Valley on the eastern side of the North Cascades. The 200-acre reservoir's northern bank is bordered by Pearrygin Lake State Park. There are numerous options to enjoy the water at the park's campground.

On the first Friday in April, a boat launch in the East Campground opens for the year. Powerboats, Jet Skis, and fishing rigs are among the boats that use the boat launch. Anyone intending to launch a boat onto the water must have a current boat launch permit.

With a sandy beach and 60-foot dock, the park also offers other activities like swimming and shoreline fishing. With over 170 sites close to the sea, lakeside camping is also accommodated. Two cabins and a vacation home are also available for overnight stays in the state park. The lake is situated in a small, glacially carved valley, facing a forested hillside to the south and an open shrub-steppe environment to the north. It is oriented from northwest to southeast.

Location: Okanogan County, Washington

The less frequented but nonetheless well-liked northwest section of Mount Rainier National Park has Mowich Lake. State Highway 165 connects to it; the final six miles are difficult and rocky and should be driven slowly. But do the dusty trip and take in Mount Rainier National Park's biggest lake.

Mowich Lake Campground, one of Mount Rainier's greatest campgrounds, is located close to the water at the end of State Highway 165. The neighboring lake and mountain activities can be explored for several days at this basic, first-come, first-served campground.

Mowich Lake is extremely cold and is primarily fed by snowmelt. Swimming is, at most, a fleeting exercise in these chilly temperatures. Still, some daring folks plunge into the water while hiking the shoreline. Only non-motorized boats are permitted on Mowich, as they are on all of the park's lakes. Those who possess fishing licenses take pleasure in casting from the shore or from personal watercraft.

The lake and campground are also the starting points for some of Rainier's top hiking routes. The view of Eunice Lake with Mount Rainier in the background is the reward for the journey up to the Tolmie Peak Lookout, which begins at Mowich Lake. Along with skirting the lake, the Wonderland Trail also extends from the campground to other hiking spots like Spray Falls.

Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington

In Chelan County, Washington, on the western side of The Enchantments, there is a freshwater reservoir lake called Colchuck Lake. The lake is situated on the southeast corner of the Icicle Creek subbasin, about 15 miles from Leavenworth, Washington. It may be reached through a 4-mile route that begins at USFS Road 7601, crosses Eightmile Creek, and then turns towards the Stuart and Culchuck Lake Trailhead, which is where the road comes to an end.

Beyond the southern shoreline, Dragontail and Aasgard Peaks jut into the sky beyond Colchuck Lake. Hikers can observe the difficult Aasgard Pass from here, which goes into the wilderness's Core Enchantment region. This center area of unadulterated mountain grandeur is laced with a number of fascinating high alpine lakes and one of Washington's top hiking trails.

Camping in the Enchantments or at Colchuck Lake requires a permit. The eight-mile roundtrip hike to Colchuck Lake is frequently completed in one day. With a nine-mile roundtrip distance, the Stuart Lake Trailhead also connects to Lake Stuart, another stunning lake.

Location: Chelan County, Washington

In Eastern Washington, there is a sizable artificial reservoir called Banks Lake that stretches from Coulee City to Electric City. This distinctive lake is a component of the much bigger Columbia Basin Project, which supplies energy and irrigation to this area.

Another well-liked destination for recreation in Eastern Washington is Banks Lake. Steamboat Rock State Park, which lies close to the lake's north side, serves as the hub for activities. The park is called after an 800-foot-high rock monolith that is difficult to miss. This imposing plateau covers more than 600 acres.

To get a great perspective of the water, hikers can ascend Steamboat Rock through a challenging but well-traveled trail. More than 50,000 feet of freshwater beachfront can be found in the state park. There are seven boat launches available at this Banks Lake entry, distributed among three locations.

Visitors to Banks Lake can take in the distinctive scenery, which is dominated by moss-draped cypress and encircled by water lilies, while fishing, canoeing, or simply watching the sunset from the pier. Banks Lake is best experienced from the water, and each season has a different mood that it imparts to the lake. Look at each tree closely. As they emerge from the water, dragonfly nymphs shed their larval skeletons on the cypress bark. On a misty morning, spider webs shimmer with dew drops.

Location: Grant / Douglas counties, Washington

In the US state of Washington, Kachess Lake is a lake and reservoir that runs alongside the Kachess River. Little Kachess Lake is the name of the upper section of the lake north of a narrows. Both from the north and south, the Kachess River empties into the lake. The third and largest of the three sizable lakes that cross Interstate 90 north of the Yakima River in the Cascade Range is Kachess Lake.

The Kachess Campground on the northwest shore serves as the primary entry point. There are plenty of lakeside campsites available at this Forest Service campground for tent campers and RVs. The campground also has a picnic area, two boat launches, and a lovely sandy beach that is ideal for swimming. Not simply overnight visitors are permitted to use these campsite amenities.

One of the most well-liked watercraft sports on the lake is fishing. In addition to many other species, anglers frequently cast for the plentiful rainbow and cutthroat trout that swim in the water. Another well-liked activity at the campground is launching a kayak or canoe into the water.

Location: Kittitas County, Washington

The next position on the list of the most beautiful lakes in Washington is Baker Lake which is a lake located in Washington's northern region. The Baker River, together with a number of minor tributaries, feeds the lake, which is located southwest of North Cascades National Park in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The lake is located roughly 16 kilometers north of the Washington town of Concrete.

Baker Lake is a well-liked location all summer long and is within a two-hour drive from Seattle and even closer to Bellingham. However, the lake's enormous expanse and amenities help to keep things fairly dispersed. The developed side of the lake lies on its western bank, where a number of campgrounds are located.

Fishermen, campers, and boaters from nearby Whatcom and Skagit counties frequent Baker Lake as a recreational destination. Swift Creek Campground, which has 55 private campsites for tents or RVs, two group sites, a boat ramp, and a marina, is also located near Baker Lake. About halfway up Mt. Baker Lake, across from Park Creek, is where you'll find the camping. formerly known as Tarr's Resort and Baker Lake Resort. The Mount Baker National Recreation Area encompasses the entire area.

Location: Concrete, Washington