Alpine lakes, ice-cold lakes that are perched at high elevations, are popular destinations to visit, especially in the summer. Hiking to alpine lakes is especially rewarding because, after your grueling hike, you can cool off in a chilly body of water that feels just so refreshing on aching muscles.
Alpine lake hikes aren’t limited to summer, though! While you can certainly dip in a refreshingly chilly lake in the dog days of summer, you can also snowshoe around a frozen sheet of ice in the winter, or circumnavigate a lake framed with fiery aspens or colorful wildflowers in the fall or spring.
You can paddle on them, float on them, or even fish, depending on the location! Possibilities at alpine lakes are truly endless.
In this guide, I’ll share seven hikes that lead to epic alpine lakes. I’ll reveal info about location, elevation, difficulty, pet-friendliness, swimming, and more!
And since these seven alpine lake trails in the USA range from flat, accessible, and easy to long, steep, and strenuous, I am confident at least one of these hikes will satisfy your needs!
Who’s ready to hike to an epic alpine lake?!
7 Epic Alpine Lake Trails in the USA
1. Emerald Lake Trail
- Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Alpine Lake(s): Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake
- Lake Elevation: Nymph: 9,475 feet. Dream: 9,905 feet. Emerald: 10,110 feet.
- Distance: 4.1 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 744 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Pet-Friendly: No
- Swimming Allowed: Yes, in all three lakes!
- Permit Required: National Parks Pass
- Road Access: Paved, suitable for all vehicles
- Trailhead: Bear Lake
Emerald Lake is a quintessential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Beginning at the Bear Lake trailhead, this fairly short trail takes hikers to three alpine lakes (five, if you take the Bear Lake and Lake Haiyaha trails too).
NYMPH LAKE
Nymph Lake is the smallest of the three; some say it’s also the least impressive as it resembles more of a pond than a lake, but that’s for you to decide!
The best view of Nymph Lake, in my opinion, is from above.
As you make the ascent from Nymph up to Dream, you’ll pass an overlook of Nymph and the surrounding peaks. Since the trees tend to hide the peaks behind this lake at the water level, the views from a higher vantage point are much better.
DREAM LAKE
Dream Lake was my favorite of the three.
There is only about a half-mile between Nymph and Dream Lakes, but this section is quite steep.
Once you arrive at Dream Lake, you will be greeted by a stunning sapphire lake framed by trees and peaks.
Since this lake is filled with a plethora of boulders to sit on, this is a great spot to enjoy a snack either on the way there or on the way back. Privacy is available on this lake, unlike the other two, which was another reason why this one was my favorite.
EMERALD LAKE
The ascent to Emerald Lake is the toughest in terms of elevation gain and altitude level.
You’ll pass 10,000 feet of elevation on the way to Emerald, which for some, can cause breathlessness, especially if you’re not used to the altitude.
Just like Dream, Emerald Lake is quite stunning. With Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain shadowing the lake from the sun in the early morning hours, the water quite literally resembled the color of a vibrant emerald jewel.
→ Read my detailed Emerald Lake trail guide here!
2. Reflection Lakes Trail
- Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Alpine Lake(s): Reflection Lakes
- Lake Elevation: 5,890 feet
- Distance: 2.75 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 850 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Pet Friendly: No
- Swimming Allowed: No
- Permit Required: National Parks Pass
- Road Access: Paved, suitable to all vehicles. Stevens Canyon Road is only open in the summer months!
- Trailhead: Reflection Lakes
There are many trails that intersect around Reflection Lakes.
If you’d prefer, you can simply drive down Stevens Canyon Road, park in the small lot right off the road, and glimpse the lake without doing any walking at all. Or, you can park and hike the trail around the lake until you’re ready to turn around.
Those who have the time or who want to hike a little bit longer can hike in either direction around the lake and up the ridge, totaling about 2.75 miles.
For an even longer hike, begin at the Paradise Visitor Center, take the Skyline Loop, and follow the trail to Reflection Lakes.
3. Maple Pass Loop With Lake Ann Spur
- Location: North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake Recreation Area, Washington
- Alpine Lake(s): Lake Ann, Rainy Lake
- Lake Elevation: Lake Ann: 5,480 feet. Rainy Lake: 4,795 feet.
- Distance: 8.2 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Pet Friendly: Yes
- Swimming Allowed: No
- Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass or National Parks Pass
- Road Access: Paved, suitable for all vehicles
- Trailhead: Rainy Pass
You have a couple of options for this hike!
You can hike to Lake Ann from the Rainy Pass trailhead, which would involve a roundtrip hike of about 3.5 miles.
Or, you can hike the entire Maple Pass Loop, which is my recommendation. This is an iconic hike in the Cascades, one that shouldn’t be missed on your visit to North Cascades National Park!
The spur to Lake Ann adds about a 1-mile roundtrip from the Maple Pass Loop trail branch.
The initial section of the Maple Pass hike is forested, but once you pass the Lake Ann spur and the trees begin to thin, you’ll start to see why this trail is so spectacular and beloved.
Lake Ann will come into view first; the higher you climb, the more picturesque the views become.
Heather Pass and ultimately, Maple Pass, reveal even more stunning peaks in every direction with the lakes becoming tinier and tinier in your rearview.
→ Read my detailed Maple Pass trail guide here!
4. Bear Lake Trail
- Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Alpine Lake(s): Bear Lake
- Lake Elevation: 9,449 feet
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 20 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Pet Friendly: No
- Swimming Allowed: No
- Permit Required: National Parks Pass
- Road Access: Paved, suitable for all vehicles
- Trailhead: Bear Lake
This is a popular hike to complete either before or after hiking to the other three lakes – Nymph, Dream, and Emerald – on the Emerald Lake trail.
To hike around Bear Lake, follow the signs at the trailhead.
The trail around the lake is easy, mostly flat, and wheelchair-accessible. There are plenty of spots around the lake to rest, enjoy the views, and munch on a snack.
We hiked this trail before Emerald Lake; we arrived around 7:00 AM. The parking lot was already filling up, so it’s important to arrive as early as you can.
Remember: You have to have two permits to enter the area because of how popular it has become – one for the park entrance and another for entrance into the Bear Lake Corridor.
You can read more about current reservations required in the National Parks here.
5. Rainy Lake Trail
- Location: Ross Lake Recreation Area, Washington
- Alpine Lake(s): Rainy Lake
- Lake Elevation: 4,795 feet
- Distance: 2.0 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 70 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Pet Friendly: Yes
- Swimming Allowed: Yes
- Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass or National Parks Pass
- Road Access: Paved, suitable for all vehicles
- Trailhead: Rainy Pass
Rainy Lake is another easy, fairly flat, and wheelchair-accessible trail.
The trail is one mile to the lake and one mile right back to the parking lot.
Many choose to add this spur to their Maple Pass Loop trail as it begins from the same trailhead. We chose to hike Rainy Lake after the loop; it was the perfect “cool down” hike.
If you’ve just hiked the Maple Pass loop counterclockwise, turn right to reach Rainy Lake. After another half-mile, you’ll reach the sparkling, frigid lake!
At the viewpoint, you’ll see mountain peaks framing the water, and you might even catch sight of a waterfall cascading off the mountain as we did! The snow was actively melting right before our eyes, rushing down the side of the granite mountain, and pooling into the crystal-clear water.
Since the water at Rainy Lake is so clear (as are most alpine lakes), you’ll most likely witness fish swimming beneath the surface. I encourage you to dip your toes in, especially if you are hiking on a hot summer day!
This is the perfect way to cool off, especially if you have just hiked the grueling Maple Pass Loop.
6. Cleetwood Cove Trail
- Location: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
- Alpine Lake(s): Crater Lake
- Lake Elevation: 6,178 feet
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 700 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Pet Friendly: No
- Swimming Allowed: Yes, only at the base of Cleetwood Cove Trail
- Permit Required: National Parks Pass
- Road Access: Paved, suitable for all vehicles
- Trailhead: Cleetwood Cove
The Cleetwood Cove trail is the gateway to the only legal, unguided swimming spot in Crater Lake National Park.
The descent is steep; it drops 700 feet in just one mile through a series of sharp switchbacks so don’t attempt the descent if you’re not prepared to make the journey back to the top.
The NPS compares the ascent from the lake to the trailhead to 65 flights of stairs. Toss in air temperature, potential wildfire smoke clouding your vision and clogging your throat, and trail dust swirling around the air, and the challenge suddenly heightens astronomically.
→ Read my detailed Cleetwood Cove Trail guide here!
The trail itself – mostly the descent – is super enjoyable. As you make your way to the bottom, the lake will slowly come into view. You’ll know exactly how much further you have left to go based on how close you are to the lake.
Once you’re at the bottom, you’ll glimpse the dock where the Wizard Island boat tours and shuttles take off.
Continue to the left past the boat dock and navigate the rock scrambles until you find a spot where you’d like to swim, sunbathe, take photos, or simply enjoy a nice view of an active volcano. Keep going past the crowds; the “beach area” is seemingly endless!
Even though the water at Crater Lake is quite cold, I’d strongly recommend at least dipping your toes in to say you were in an active volcano!
If you’re feeling extra brave, consider plunging beneath the surface or jumping off the famous rock; the feeling will be exhilarating!
7. Sprague Lake Trail
- Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Alpine Lake(s): Sprague Lake
- Lake Elevation: 8,688 feet
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 10 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Pet Friendly: No
- Swimming Allowed: No
- Permit Required: National Parks Pass
- Road Access: Paved, suitable for all vehicles
- Trailhead: Sprague Lake
This is an easy, flat trail that boasts proud views of the mountain peaks from the Continental Divide.
One of the things that I love most about trails that circumnavigate alpine lakes is that each spot around the lake offers a unique perspective. This trail is no different.
Make sure to take a pit stop at each bench, each log, or each rock, and marvel at the distinctive beauty that surrounds you.
There isn’t a bad angle around the lake!
Summary
Obviously, there are thousands of spectacular alpine lakes around the USA. The reason I selected these seven for this blog is that I wanted to share a variety that could suit every hiker’s needs, skills, and abilities. With varying lengths and difficulties, I’m confident that you’ll find yourself enjoying at least one of these alpine lakes this year.
What is your favorite alpine lake in the USA? I can’t wait to hear your answers in the comments below so that I can add them to my ever-growing bucket list!
