Lakeside Vacations Near Seattle | Seattle Met

Lina Portman2 days ago

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North of the towns surrounding its southern tip, Lake Chelan opens up to nature.

We are people of the lake. Our city is full of them: Washington, Union, Green, Bitter. And when it’s vacation time, there’s nothing quite like a calm, sunny lake. We’ve rounded up the best places to sit on a dock, float on a paddleboard, or swim—without all those pesky ocean waves.

Lake Chelan

Washington Center

The platonic ideal of a vacation lake. Its eastern location allows for constant sunshine, and the rolling hills around the southern end of the 50-mile lake are dotted with orchards and vineyards. This youthful-minded town offers plenty of boating, jet skiing, and even surfing, as well as a few sandy beaches.

Looking for some greenery? Lake Quinault is full of Olympic Peninsula forest.

Lake Quinault and Lake Crescent

Olympic Peninsula

Some lakes are national park icons. Both wooded areas are home to a historic inn, each with a large lawn that abuts their respective shores. And both are close to spectacular hiking in Olympic National Park. How to choose between them? Lake Crescent is great for paddling, though the water is pretty damn cold year-round, while Lake Quinault is for anyone who wants a taste of the forest (record-breaking giant trees grow nearby). And a bit of beach (Pacific and Tree of Life beaches are only half an hour away).

Lake Cushman

Olympic Peninsula

Although one end dips into Olympic National Park, this body of water is very different from Quinault and Crescent. It’s a great place to rent a vacation home and enjoy a blissfully empty route, though hikers with dogs will find trails outside the national park that allow pets. Weather can be unpredictable in the forested Olympic foothills surrounding Cushman, so pack the Terrace Uno and extra whiskey.

Lake Tapps is home to many water sports.

Lake Whatcom and Lake Tapps

Western Washington

Think of them as the neighboring lake. Both are suburban, though Whatcom has a more natural feel; both are water reservoirs for the surrounding communities. And both are surrounded by large, expensive Airbnbs for a family reunion. The calm waters are ideal for jet skiing and water skiing, but since both spots are popular with all forms of boaters and swimmers, careful motorized use is essential.

Fishermen flock to Riffe Lake in southwest Washington state.

Riffe Lake

Southwest Washington

The waters of the southern half of Washington state tend to be a little less crowded, but that also means fewer rental homes and hotels. Located on State Route 12, the highway that connects Yakima to I-5, Riffe Lake is mostly served by campgrounds, with the nearby town of Morton hosting a few motel rooms. (Mayfield Lake, just up the road, is home to a state park with simple cabins.) Fishing is available year-round, both by boat and from a fishing bridge, and the waters are home to smallmouth bass, coho, chinook salmon, and trout.

Lake Wenatchee

Washington Center

Make no mistake: Lake Wenatchee isn’t particularly close to its namesake town. Instead, it’s just northwest of Leavenworth, surrounded by the eastern flank of the Cascade Mountains. With a massive state park featuring campgrounds, playgrounds, trails, horseback riding, boat rentals, and more, it’s a one-stop shop for outdoor recreation. There are also plenty of rental homes along the lake.

Lake Roosevelt

Eastern Washington

Can you call it a lake when it’s actually a section of the Columbia River backed by the Grand Coulee Dam? Everyone thinks so, including the federal government, which named it a national recreation area. Houseboat rentals are a popular way to enjoy this long, scenic stretch of eastern Washington, but there are plenty of bring-your-own-boat options. For all the nature to see, it’s a place to soak in history: Fort Spokane (no, not that close to Spokane) and the Grand Coulee Dam both have visitor centers.