Best Lakes Near Me in the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest has pretty spectacular lakes, but some stand out from the rest. The lakes on this list are the best in the Pacific Northwest for different reasons because they are all so unique.

[{"selector":"#anim-820b02ac-c9af-4ab4-98fc-74716285c9ae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46b57a57-f470-441e-9eec-6989bc298b89","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

So whether you’re looking to go kayaking, swimming, or want to enjoy some time by the water at a resort with friends, these lakes will not disappoint.

[{"selector":"#anim-7fbc4ccb-febf-4c49-95f5-62835bc10505","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-afcb6ee1-4a4d-4af8-ab29-e8f0edddfb74","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Johnson Lake BC is known as the “Caribbean of the North” and is a popular lakeshore destination for locals and tourists alike. Unfortunately, there are only 12 campsites available, and they are on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to reserve your spot in advance if you plan to take in this gorgeous lake overnight.

[{"selector":"#anim-2d6e85e5-ebe0-44e2-8f9f-bca35efcbe8a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(40.55944%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b8d29649-7183-496a-8909-dd14d8c9822a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e60bf782-d49c-42a4-9e84-4999c4e83ea5","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-404fca76-125a-4eeb-9768-01444e8569c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e39a9ea-7eee-439a-809f-477bbf89bb31","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Lake Chelan is one of the most popular lakes in Washington and attracts visitors from all over. Lake Chelan is a 50-mile long lake located in the North Cascades region of Washington. The glacier-fed lake is known for its clear, turquoise waters and is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and boating.

[{"selector":"#anim-859c16fc-4b3d-4f42-b67f-ed784ad81ce5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(40.55944%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45919f94-4d41-46c0-a37e-81c1db748ed0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-42f56752-5812-4df3-8791-db88fb4efcad","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-151194f8-7fce-406e-a7a1-0db3265dc244","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-276c0cf8-44ce-421e-a165-0c6cf4ad8515","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Pacific Northwest. The deepest lake in the United States and seventh deepest on earth, Crater Lake, was formed from an ancient volcano that collapsed thousands of years ago after an eruption.

[{"selector":"#anim-546aa3b6-ace8-4fbd-a438-2f9c034bae51","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(40.55944%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce2adf3b-0fd6-4477-83fe-e516dc9bc649","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-344d7652-c954-4d98-99c2-acbdccc727b3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4488c2d2-592e-47fe-bd32-15e58a5652de","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bcfb16f6-0445-429d-97a5-6dc5243dc300","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Crater Lake was formed from a collapsed volcano thousands of years ago, making it one of the oldest lakes in North America. If you’re interested in learning more about the history and geology of Crater Lake, be sure to visit the Crater Lake National Park Visitor Center.

[{"selector":"#anim-20f5162a-15cb-45b6-932b-63ac36ac6fdd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(40.55944%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f67b3f8e-7b9f-4668-b38d-96c841aa0dce","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ea820e23-35e4-471b-b37f-0bb16360b5c7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0b40fe72-d235-4ec3-a913-b22c9a1da7ae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62bbb0fc-42e0-461e-b7cd-0a6335074117","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Emerald Lake is the perfect destination, with lush green trees surrounding this pristine body of water. The abundant lakeside activities include hiking, kayaking, and swimming in the crystal clear water. Emerald Lake is located inside Yoho National Park and requires a $19 entry fee to visit.

[{"selector":"#anim-c78ac70d-e7e8-4e93-b041-b8ec892bec07","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(40.55944%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-272bd2e0-eb88-4318-9bd5-f6ac4995aa9f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e5c4111-05ef-4925-b411-a54b2b1378dd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e6c95d1c-bb54-41d8-abe9-a0dfbf9e5885","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-52be5421-45ae-4339-ae8f-535fe8b6bc5f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Swipe up to read more.

[{"selector":"#anim-bc9f031e-a63e-44a0-b490-29186f9f2155","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-16540a38-b1c4-4992-83b6-207f875ccc30","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Best Lakes Near Me in the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest has pretty spectacular lakes, but some stand out from the rest. The lakes on this list are the best in the Pacific Northwest for different reasons because they are all so unique.

So whether you’re looking to go kayaking, swimming, or want to enjoy some time by the water at a resort with friends, these lakes will not disappoint.

Johnson Lake, British Columbia

Lake Chelan, Washington

Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Pacific Northwest. The deepest lake in the United States and seventh deepest on earth, Crater Lake, was formed from an ancient volcano that collapsed thousands of years ago after an eruption.

Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake was formed from a collapsed volcano thousands of years ago, making it one of the oldest lakes in North America. If you’re interested in learning more about the history and geology of Crater Lake, be sure to visit the Crater Lake National Park Visitor Center.

Crater Lake, Oregon

Emerald Lake is the perfect destination, with lush green trees surrounding this pristine body of water. The abundant lakeside activities include hiking, kayaking, and swimming in the crystal clear water. Emerald Lake is located inside Yoho National Park and requires a $19 entry fee to visit.

Emerald Lake, British Columbia

Swipe up to read more.