I Heart Pacific Northwest

These backpacking trips to mountain lakes range from short and easy trips for relaxing – to tough and challenging treks with stunning scenery.

For more info about backpacking gear and trip planning, visit these posts:

Mount Hood Wilderness – Burnt Lake

The alpenglow on Mount Hood reflected in Burnt Lake is a sight you won’t soon forget. Take this moderately easy hike to a mountain lake and stay overnight to watch the mountain change colors several times in a day.

I Heart PNW trip report: Burnt Lake backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 3.3 miles, 1,400 ft. gain
day hike options: East Zigzag Mountain, Cast Lake
best months: September-October

Mount Jefferson Wilderness – Hunts Cove

Hike in next to Pamelia Creek, past popular Pamelia Lake and up to Hunts Cove to setup camp at Hanks or Hunts Lakes. Access the Pacific Crest Trail via the Old Hunts Cove Trail for outstanding views of Mount Jefferson.

I Heart PNW trip report: Hunts Cove backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 6 miles, 2,230 ft. gain
day hike options: Pacific Crest Trail to Shale Lake
best months: mid-July to September

Mount Washington Wilderness – Tenas Lakes

Located in the Mount Washington Wilderness in Central Oregon, Tenas Lakes are a group of subalpine lakes with rocky shorelines and blue-green water.

I Heart PNW trip report: Tenas Lakes backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 2.5 miles, 600 ft. gain
day hike options: Scott Mountain
best months: August – September (avoid July due to mosquitoes)

Goat Rocks Wilderness: Packwood Lake

Packwood Lake is at low elevation in Goat Rocks Wilderness, so it’s a good early season backpack when the snow levels are above 3,500 ft. Due to the easy access, the lakeside campsites can be heavily crowded, especially in the summer, so go early in the season if you can.

I Heart PNW trip report: Packwood Lake backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 4-6 miles, 400-700 ft. gain
day hike options: continue on the Packwood Lake Trail to the end of the lake
best months: May – June (due to crowds in the summer months)

Three Sisters Wilderness: Doris Lake

The Six Lakes Basin in the Three Sisters Wilderness is full of lakes that are perfect for a relaxing backpacking trip. The trial to Doris Lake is short and fairly flat – a good destination for beginners and families.

I Heart PNW trip report: Doris Lake backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 3 miles, 400 ft. gain
day hike options: visit any of the numerous lakes in this area
best months: August to September (avoid July due to mosquitoes)

Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Rachel & Rampart Lakes

A challenging hike up a steep and rocky trail, Rampart Lakes is a collection of small lakes in a superbly scenic subalpine area in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

I Heart PNW trip report: Rampart Lakes backpacking trips
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 5.7 miles, 2,300 ft. gain
day hike options: Lila Lakes, Alta Mountain
best months: August – September (avoid July due to mosquitoes)

Olympic National Park: Royal Lake

Royal Lake provides access to some of the best subalpine and alpine scenery in the Olympic Mountains. From Royal Lake, it’s a short hike to explore the Upper Royal Basin – which sits just below the Olympic’s second highest peak, Mount Deception.

I Heart PNW trip report: Royal Basin backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 6.5 miles, 2,800 ft. gain
day hike options: Upper Royal Basin
best months: mid-July to September

Eagle Cap Wilderness: Wallowas Lakes Basin

Deep in the heart of the Eagle Cap Wilderness, this trip to the Lakes Basin is scenery packed – with granite boulders and slabs, alpine lakes and meadows scattered throughout and surrounded by peaks. The Two Pan trailhead provides the most direct access into the Eagle Cap Wilderness with shorter mileage and less elevation gain than other options.

I Heart PNW trip plan: Wallowas Lakes Basin
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 7-8 miles with ~2,000 ft. gain
day hike options: Lakes Basin loop, Eagle Cap summit, Glacier Lake
best months: mid-July to September

Olympic National Park: Seven Lakes Basin

The Seven Lakes Basin is accessed via the High Divide loop in the Olympic Mountains. The hike in can be shortened with a stop at Deer Lake for the first night. This area is extremely popular and advance permits are required for all backcountry campsites.

I Heart PNW trip reports: High Divide backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 9.2 miles, 3,070 ft. gain
day hike options: explore the Seven Lakes Basin
best months: August to September

Three Sisters Wilderness: Green Lakes

Located in the Three Sisters Wilderness between the mountains South Sister and Broken Top, the Green Lakes area is a popular backpacking destination that showcases the best of Central Oregon’s Cascades. Advance backcountry permits are required for all campsites.

I Heart PNW trip reports: Green Lakes backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 5.5 miles, 1,100 ft. gain
day hike options: Golden Lake, Park Meadows, meadows below Broken Top
best months: mid-July to September

Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Pete Lake & Spectacle Lake

Spectacle Lake is indeed a spectacle – surrounded by peaks in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. This scenic lake is popular side trip for thru-hikers and section hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail.

I Heart PNW trip report: Spectacle Lake backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 10 miles, 2,260 ft. gain (for a shorter option, spend the first night at Pete Lake before continuing to Spectacle Lake)
day hike options: explore the Spectacle Lake area
best months: July to September

Indian Heaven Wilderness: Bear Lake

Late autumn is the best time to visit Indian Heaven Wilderness. The mosquitoes the area is famous for are gone, and thousands of huckleberry-laden shrubs literally cover the entire area in stunning shades of red, yellow and orange. One of the easiest access points is via the East Crater Trail, providing access to Junction Lake (shown above), Bear Lake, and many other lakes in the area.

I Heart PNW trip report: Bear Lake backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to Bear Lake: 4.2 miles, 800 ft. gain
day hike options: Lakes Basin loop; Lemei Rock
best months: September – October (avoid July and early August due to mosquitoes)

Mount Jefferson Wilderness: Jefferson Park

Jefferson Park is a subalpine basin filled with scenic lakes at the base of Mount Jefferson. Several wildfires have impacted trail access to this area, and advance backcountry permits are required for all campsites in the area. Check with the local ranger station for more info about current conditions.

I Heart PNW trip report: Jefferson Park backpacking trip
distance & elevation gain to campsite: 6 miles, 1,800 ft. gain
day hike options: explore the many lakes in Jefferson Park
best months: mid-July to September

Mountain Lake Backpacking Trips in Oregon & Washington