Rainy Lake Trail #310


This forested trail is fully accessible. This is an easy, paved trail with no elevation gain. The trail leaves the parking lot and contours around a sidehill to reach the north end of Rainy Lake, where the trail ends at the paved picnic spot with benches. High cliffs surround the lake, with waterfalls cascading down to the lake. In the fall, the golds and reds of the changing shrubs and trees are spectacular. The walk to the lake takes only 20 minutes and is a refreshing break for those driving the North Cascades Highway. This trail gets heavy use. Visitors should be careful to stay on the trail to avoid damaging fragile areas.

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Current conditions.
Area Amenities: Interpretive Site,Accessible,Fee charged for some activities,Picnic tables,Toilets,Drinking water,Parking
Fees: A recreation pass is required for parking. (A $5/vehicle/day Northwest Forest Pass can be purchased from a self-pay station provided at the trailhead).
Permit Info: Washington State fishing license is required for fishing and all state game laws apply.
Open Season: Late June
Usage: Heavy
Best Season: August-September
Busiest Season: August-September
Restrictions: Not open to horses, bicycles, or motorized vehicles. No camping allowed at the lake.
Closest Towns: Winthrop, WA
Water: In summer months
Restroom: Vault Toilet Wheelchair Accessible
Passes: A recreation pass is required for parking. (A $5/vehicle/day Northwest Forest Pass can be purchased from a self-pay station provided at the trailhead).
Operated By: Forest Service
Information Center: Methow Valley Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From Winthrop drive State Route 20 west, about 35 miles, to Rainy Pass. Park in the south parking lot on the left side of the highway.


Accessibility:

This forested trail is fully accessible, suitable for wheelchairs. This trail is an easy, paved trail with no elevation gain.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Lake and Pond Fishing

There are cutthroat trout in the lake and fishing is allowed with a Washington state fishing license.

Day Hiking

This trail gets heavy use. Visitors should be careful to stay on the trail to avoid damaging fragile areas.

Viewing Plants

In the fall, the golds and reds of the changing shrubs and trees are spectacular.

Viewing Scenery

High rugged mountains surround most of  Rainy Lake creating steep cliffs with a waterfall cascading down to the lake. 

Interpretive Areas

Paved trail has many interpretive signs.

Picnicking

Nice picnicking area.

Amenities

Interpretive Site: interpretive information
Picnic tables: available
Fee charged for some activities: Day use self pay station
Parking: paved
Toilets: Accessible vault toilets
Accessible: This forested trail is fully accessible, and suitable for wheelchairs. This trail is an easy, paved trail with no elevation gain.
Drinking water: in summer months