Rattlesnake Lake

Rattlesnake lake is one of the most beautiful places in Western Washington and Puget Sound. Come to rattlesnake lake to picnic kayak on the lake stand up and paddle on the lake bicycle or just walk around. Anyway, you get around you will enjoy the beauty, the majesty, the greatness of the area. For those that are hiking and bicycling, the views are amazing. The rides are amazing. The trails are amazing. Just a wonderful place to spend an entire day. Rattlesnake lake has restrooms, has handicap parking, and is very easy to get around . The area is excellent for people with kids elderly people who might have a difficult time getting around parking is easy to get around. To fantastic place to bring anyone and to get a sense of how beautiful the area is.

The lake felt shallow and full of flies. That’s expected at the end of the season with less rain and the way it sits between the mountains. The hike was nice, but I wouldn’t come here just for paddle boarding. People still swim, so it depends on your tolerance. I might get dragged for saying this but it feels overhyped. It’s a good spot, just not the “one of the best in Washington” people make it out to be.

Beautiful place to chill and hike. Viewing the lake requires no hiking, and no matter the weather it’s always worth seeing. The hike itself is moderate, about 1000 feet elevation and takes about 2 hours or 4 miles round trip.

This lake is absolutely worth a visit. It offers plenty of space for swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Exploring the hidden corners of the lake was both a delightful mystery and a joyful adventure. The water is clear, though not perfectly crystal clear, which adds to the charm of the location. I’m definitely looking forward to returning!

It was a perfect day for a walk by the lake. The area is peaceful, quiet, and a great place to relax or just enjoy nature. The scenery is lovely, and it’s an ideal spot to hang out, clear your mind, or spend some quiet time with friends or family. I really enjoyed the calm atmosphere

Stunning views, beautiful water, large trails and fresh air!

A really good lake to swim. Was surprised to see plenty of parking lots on Sunday afternoon.

If you don't want to hike up to the trail, just take a super easy walk around the lake for young kids. Peaceful, beautiful, relaxing, as PNW nature always is.

This review is for the hiking trail to the first ledge. It's been years since my last hike here. The continually growing crowds with the limited parking spaces kept me away for a while, but sometimes a trail just calls you back. It was a typical spring weekday with clouds and some rain, but the number of folks on the trail seemed minimal? Don't get me wrong, it's still a very popular trail with plenty of people on it. But we lucked out a bit today and had some parts of the trail to ourselves. It was shorter than I remembered. At about 4 miles up and back with about 1200 feet elevation gain, it was a nice introduction back to spring hiking.

It's one of my favorite places to hike with a view of some amazing colors. This is the fourth time in less than a year I've visited the lake and this time we were shocked to see the lake is a POND! Albeit we didn't do the hike since it was so cold and the wind was whipping at us... we could walk into the middle of where the lake usually is- truly shocking. I pray we get enough rain this winter to fully replenish the lake and return it to the majestic beauty it can be.

A local secret: Drive past the Rattlesnake Ledge trailhead. This fills up super quickly. Instead, go further to the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area. You can park for 2 hours at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center. We were there for more than 2 hours and there was no issue. Alternatively, you can park in the overflow lot right past the Education Center. We got here at 1pm on a Sunday and there was still 1 spot left. From here you walk maybe a couple hundred feet down the trail, through some overgrown bushes, and come upon an awesome creepy beach with tree stumps sticking out of the water. It's way less crowded here than the main beach. You can paddleboard or swim up to the tree stumps and use them as diving boards! The water is blue and clear. Note it is not a sand beach. It is small rocks and dirt, but soft enough for us to go barefoot.

Such a nice refreshing place to cool off. Just a side note. Check your GPS is telling the correct way to go. If you aren't accessing it off i90 you're going an hour out of your way in the wrong direction.

A friend wanted to go walking around so we looked up a place and were both surprised by finding out Rattlesnake Lake was so close. Neither of us had heard of it before. It's a stunning lake with trails into the woods and by the park, with restrooms, and picnic areas. There's grass out to the edge of the lake, where we saw a lot of people were laying out in the sun or having a picnic. Swimming and fishing are allowed here. There's a boat launch, of course. This is for day-use only; rangers will ask you to leave once it hits dusk. No camping or fires allowed here, and you can't have more than 30 people in your group. No parking fee!

Beautiful scenery and place for a hike even on a cold and grey day. The stumps in Rattlesnake Lake are a good reminder of what logging has done to the natural landscape and the previous expanse of forests. Signs around the lake provide information about the naming of the lake and the area's importance to Native Americans. The trail system has paths to various peaks/points. I took the trail nearest to the parking lot and the closest peak/ridge overlooking Rattlesnake Lake when I visited with a friend on the 25th of August 2018. The path to the peak and area overlooking Rattlesnake Lake is well maintained and a good climb/hike. There are some crevices at the top of the hike at the overlook area, so make sure to be careful where you step. It was foggy the morning we visited and visibility was so little we couldn't even see the neighboring mountain. Eery feeling to know there is a mountain there and not be able to see it. The weight of the fog starts to press in. Saw a few people on our way up the mountain and the parking lot was filling up, foot traffic continued to pick-up while we hiked. There were also restrooms (port-a-potti's) available for use when we visited.

If you are ever in the Seattle area, this is a must see Lake and hiking trail up the mountain. The hike up was not to bad at all. I forgot how long it took for us to hike up the mountain. Great view from the top many of picture opportunities and relaxing a bit before hiking back down. At the bottom of the lake there are large field of grass where you could actually bring a blanket and relax there and have a picnic. It's a bit rocky so you can't walk barefoot near the lake. Nice parking area and there are restroom, which isn't the best. Overall great experience and will be back here when I am in Seattle area again!

A friend brought me here on a Sunday afternoon in October 2018 for a quick break from the city. The lake and mountains are just an hours' drive from Seattle (the views on our drive over were pretty spectacular). It was a nice, if somewhat chilly and drizzly, day; there were some other hikers around at the same time as us, but it wasn't too busy and we were able to have a pretty calm and peaceful hike that afternoon. The lake is a really beautiful place to view the mountains and take pictures. The water was a lovely shade of blue. My friend told me the water level was very low compared to normal, as we were able to see a lot of the tree stumps that I understand are usually submerged in the water. These made for great pedestals to stand on for pictures, and were just really neat to look at in general. We also hiked to the top of the Rattlesnake Ledge trail. I'm not very athletic (and I have asthma), and was able to complete the trail at a pretty good pace, with minimal breaks along the way. I would definitely recommend bringing water and wearing lots of layers. I started the hike off feeling a bit chilly at the bottom, then warming up a lot as I exerted myself climbing uphill and took off a lot of my layers along the way up. But at the top of the mountain, after I'd rested a bit, the wind was pretty frigid and I had to put all my layers back on before we descended. The views from the top are really amazing, especially when you look down on the lake below. It's definitely worth the climb. Our phones had a pretty good signal at the top of the mountain, but we didn't have service at the bottom or by the lake, so if you're using your phone as a GPS, you might have to get away from the lake a bit before the data kicks back in. There were portapotties available near the lake, but they were rank and I wound up not using them at all the whole time I was there. It was easy to park. Overall, definitely worth a visit if you're willing to get out of the city for a few hours and want some breathtaking views.

Rattlesnake Lake is a beautiful alpine lake that is not too far of a distance from Seattle if you have a car. The sign out front says there are no rattlesnakes, but we did see 1-2 other snakes minding their own business around the lake. There are hikes of varying degrees of difficulty, and the area close to the lake is perfect for picnicking. Highly recommend.

Gorgeous spot that's easy to get to. There's a few short walks around the lake and if the water is down there's plenty of "shore" and rocks to play on. Our son loves scrambling to the top of several big rocks and I saw several others doing the same. It is also a great spot to have a picnic at during the warm months.

While the trail is closed due to covid, the lake itself is a great place to bbq and picnic. It would be better to go there on a weekday to avoid the throngs of crowds that flock the lake. Huge parking lot. I didn't check the facilities but they looked good enough from the outside.

A second time hiking at this trail and enjoyed it very much! What a scintillating view on top! Amazing views and well worth the hike. About an hour and a half each way, round-trip. So, 3 hours for a leisurely hike up and down. Ain't too bad. Great scenery and a breath of fresh air out in nature. Take a hike!!!

Great hiking Even for kids but bring some snacks and water the view it is magnificent.

Too over crowded now way to many visitors and that's taking the fun out of the hike or visiting the lake.

One of the prettiest lakes we've been able to swim in. It was a HOT day so jumping in this lake after our beautiful hike to rattlesnake ledge was absolutely perfect. We were so hot and sweaty. Lake was so cold that things down low were really shrinkin if you catch my drift wink wink lol really though, it was ice. So refreshing. It must be from snow pack or something. It's doesn't get very deep. Very clean and clear water. Would be nice to bring tubes rafts or paddle boards to float out into the middle of it. There was a lot of people there but it really wasn't crowded. If you wait a minute you can find close parking spots that open up often. Lots of space along the beach to lay out blankets and hang out. It's not sandy, there are a lot of smaller rocks to walk on. Did I mention how green and pretty it is? This place is a must on a hot day!

Beautiful lake! The trail is awesome and breathtaking! There is a nice put in spot for boats, kayaks, paddle boards, etc. Being ON the lake is even more gorgeous as the water is so pretty! Sometimes when the water is low enough, you can see the "stump graveyard" at the back end of the lake. Surrounded by views of the mountains, you'll definitely come back.

What a tini-tiny lake! We went in the winter, so there weren't so many people and the snow did make it quite magical, albeit a wintry kind of enchanting. Of the people that were there, were quite a few people with dogs and very small children. It is a level walk, so it's great for weak knees, wobbly toddler legs and a short outting to get the blood moving.

I don't know about majestic or invigorating (I want to hike with the chick that said that) but it's a really beautiful little lake outside of North Bend/Snoqualmie. It's not close to Seattle, by the way...but if you have a dog or little kids who love exploring it could be totally worth spending a day up there. On sunny days and weekends it's extremely crowded, but the walks around the lake, the rocky shore when the water level is down and the hike up to the ledge makes it a lot of fun to explore. Putting kayaks in would also be lovely. I think as a Seattlite I prefer something with the same features a little closer to town, but if you're closer it is highly suggested. Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds!

This place has it all....water, plenty of trails to hike, bbq pits, and plenty of places to hammock. It's only about an hour from Seattle and offers so much. Highly recommend bringing family and friends if they've never been. We were able to spend the entire day playing with our dog, put up our hammock, and hike. Definitely recommend going during the week because the weekends are like being at Disney World with tons of people.

Gorgeous scenery, ambitious hiking, lake activities, and picnicking. What more could you want? What's even better is that it's just about a 30-45 minute drive outside of Seattle, so it makes a great idea for a day trip. I visited Rattlesnake for the first time over a particularly warm weekend in Seattle, and it was CROWDED! Not so much that you couldn't find a place to sit but enough that it wasn't a quiet/peaceful experience. Parking was outta control, but if you are patient and follow people, you can find a spot that's not too far of a walk from the main trails and lake area. I did not hike, I actually came here for a picnic, but it looks very popular here. There are adequate grassy areas for staking a claim with a blanket, and I did notice some BBQs scattered around. Some people really get into it with hammocks, tents, etc. It is very dog-friendly, which is cool, and there are lots of people who swim, boat, fish, and paddle board here. Fun fact: In May 1915, the community of Moncton, located along the northern shore of Rattlesnake Lake, experienced one of the slowest floods in King County history. There's actually an underwater village! Pretty neat. Must visit Rattlesnake if you're into the outdoors and want to make the most of the Seattle summer sunshine. Even if you're a vampire such as myself, you can find a nice patch of shade, read a book, and people watch.

I went here on a fishing trip with some friends. The lake didn't really have a lot of fish where we were at though. You can always see people at the peak of the mountain looking down. Maybe next summer we'll attempt hiking to the top, but not because everyone else is doing it, but because it's literally a hike -- a good challenge. This spot is amazing to bring family for just about anything. Whether it's fishing, hiking, or kayaking, it has something for everyone. Do note: this year, and I'm not certain if it's every year, but the water level does seem to go down a lot.

This review is for the education center at Rattlesnake Lake. The center has a bunch of rooms, some of which you can rent for picnics and private events. We had one of those rooms for a day time get together. It was great because people could go on the hike and have a place to call homebase. There is refrigeration in your private room and of course you can bring your own food. They have electrical outlets, bathrooms, and tables and chairs for your party to enjoy. The whole area is quite nice and there are lots of educational, fun things for kids to do. It feels a bit like summer camp!

Wonderful place to bring kids and dogs. The rocks suck but that's the only thing that does. Great to BBQ and relax trees to climb shade and lots to do.

Gorgeous lake. We got there early, parked and stayed until after lunch. Didn't do the hike because it was a 90 degree day and I didn't want to deal with the heat and a toddler on my back! Perfect place for a day trip to the lake though. Awesome for the kids with shallow shores. We were there during a weekday, but it seemed to be a big enough area to not feel too crowded. Lots of room to spread out. Definitely bring water shoes or sandles. The lake is pretty rocky.

Gorgeous park with a beautiful lake and some bike trails. I love all of the trees and trails. There's also a lot of places to park. I love it!

One of the best times of my life! Despite the nightmare parking and very crowded park, rattle snake lake is a big slice of heaven in summer months. I had a beautiful pick nick and grill out with some of my favorite people while leisurely resting under tall shady trees. The scenery surrounding rattle snake lake is so invigorating, majestic, organic. It makes me feel like part of the nature, like a budding flower sipping the melted glacial water that bleeds down the mountain in crystal beams, like a blossom dancing in the sunbeams catching photosynthesis. And swimming. I never knew that I was the little mermaid! We were "floating" on our blowup chairs and felt just like blissful children at Disney world. Everything here is clean, natural, and enjoyable. The outhouses weren't bad when I visited. We stayed until dusk, and it never became "hoodsy" or shady. I felt safe.

The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because you have to park on the street if it's a sunny day. The lake has a shallow end that gets really warm on sunny days. The lake is cradled in mountains, so the view is awesome. It was pretty crowded when we went but the lake is big enough that you don't really notice!

A friend took us here on a cloudy day and we weren't impressed. We decided to go back and give it another try on a clear, beautiful day...it was amazing! From the parking lot, follow the signs for the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail. You will arrive at the lake and have access to clean bathroom facilities (port-a-potties!). The climb was strenuous for us (casual hikers) but we saw a variety of people (older people, kids, and tiny dogs) hiking it so we know it is probably rated easy/moderate. The trail is well-kept with sections that have built-in stairs. Most of the trail is wide enough so two people can pass each other with ease. It took us about an hour to climb, but when you get to the top it is well worth it! The view of the "Issaquah Alps" and Rattlesnake Lake are beautiful, so make sure you bring a camera. Before you go, search a bit on the internet and to find info about the hike. Here is one website to use for info on directions to get there: http://www.gonorthwest.com/Washington/Activities/Hiking/rattlesnakeridge.htm

Beautiful place to go with kids. Don't forget your flip-flops​ or shoes for the water, its rocky and if you go barefoot it really hurts (and there's some duck poop around as well)! We went on a Friday morning, arrived around 10 am and the parking was full. It's small, though and it seems like part of it was closed due to some road working​. But we parked in the street and it was fine. Just try to park in the shade.

Really need to watch where you step on this one because this trail is one of those where there are rocks and roots all over the place. The trail isn't difficult or too easy. When you reach the top, there was a nice overlook to the lake below. This isn't a state park or national forest park, no parking pass required. Thus arrive early.

Great spot for either hiking or kicking it on the water. Being from the east cost was surprised that it was cool people where allowed to grill and drink by the water. Weather you are getting in the water, or going on a hike it's a gorgeous spot.

Came here for a hike with some out of town friends, and it was the most gorrgeous sunny Seattle day that one can wish for. The lake is amazing and the water is calm. The hike was more on the moderate side for me, but I absolutely LOVED it. And when you reach the ledge it's like you're on top of the world and noone can get to you. Definitely recommended!

Rattlesnake Lake is beautiful, and it's nice for swimming in on a hot day because the water is very cold. Since it's only 40 minutes to an hour from the Seattle area, it's well worth checking out when the weather is nice. Be warned, though, that since it's so easily accessible it also gets very, very busy. There are port-a-potties available, but on a busy day you will want to avoid them if at all possible. If you come to the lake, be sure to try the Rattlesnake Ridge hike as well. It has its own Yelp page, so you can search for it to read reviews of the hike.

Great Place. did not have a chance to do the hike but hopefully soon. The overall lake is nice to explore. As for fishing I can't say but seems that most people go out on the lake but for kids shore fishing should be fine. If it was closer I would head out there more often. If you have kids they also have the interpretive center which is suppose to be good.

Just an absolutely beautiful place for a hike, short or long along a beautiful lake. Take the walk around the lake for an easy stroll or hike up the mountain for a bit more strenous one. Great walk with kids or dogs.

nice and beautiful place! little hard to find a parking space on the weekend but you can figure it out! nice view and the water is not so far! absolutely great and beautiful lake

This is an awesome place to visit if it's for a holiday picnic or if you want to try some good hiking. I did my first hike here and throughly enjoyed.

5 stars for the lake and hike, 1 star for the tourists and uninformed locals who don't know that dogs are allowed off-leash here. PLEASE DO NOT COME HERE IF YOU - OR YOUR DOG - ARE AFRAID OF OR DON'T LIKE DOGS. We locals have loved this hike for years because it's one of the only actual hikes that dogs can run free all the way up the trail. It used to be awesome. Lately there have been so many people, mostly unprepared for an actual HIKE in the WOODS, and I have had to grab my very friendly dog several times after being yelled at by people obviously scared or annoyed or cautioned that "my dog doesn't like other dogs!" Then go somewhere else. There are plenty of other similar hikes in the area. And enjoy those.

Great place, wonderful place to float on the lake and beat the summer heat wave. Only knocking it down a star due to the cleanliness of the port-o-potties, but that is to be expected. The parking can get crazy but there is lots of places to park within a short walk to the water, highly recommended!

Take the hike up to Rattlesnake Ledge. It's an moderate hike, but the view is amazing.

This is a perfectly nice lake to relax next to in the summertime. You'd be more likely to find me climbing up the trail to the Ledge though. The lake is surrounded by trees, and has picnic tables interspersed, as well as free parking.

This is a decent hike. The view at the ridge is really nice. The trail is quite crowded. It is reasonably maintained but could have better footing especially with all the traffic here. It's a good hike for a beginning hiker.

This is such a beautiful lake ... I only wish the porta potty was a bit more clean and that the parking was a bit better but other than that you cant deny the beauty of this lake.

Amazing is the word! Truly one of the best attraction in Washington. Mother nature has done this lake justice! I do recommend you come during the weekday because this place can get crowded and parking will be BAD!

love this place, you can walk your dogs on the trail without a leash, as long as they are under voice control, been coming here for years... they can go swim in the lake, and run on the sands at the north end. note: sept 2015...the lake this year is so low, you can actualy see remains of the town of Moncton that rattlesnake lake used to be..... chimneys, walls, a door way, foundations, and small red bricks all over. Moncton was up the north end of the lake, so you have to either park as far up as you can (near the gate to cedar river watershed) or you can walk down to the very end along the trail. you have to walk amongst the tree roots, and you will find whats left of the old ghost town!

What a wonderful, utterly bucolic place to spend time fishing with your grandson! That's what we did last week. We visited the lake on a Tuesday afternoon so it wasn't overly crowded. After we fished for a while we found some really big rocks to dive off of into the water -- I was reminded of a similar scene in the movie "Grownups" -- lot's of fun!

Great day, easy walking, and nice little lake. I did lose my GoPro camera though, so if someone has it please let me know! It is in the sportsman case and I have a lot of hunting and fishing videos on it.