The Best Lakes for Boating in Washington State

Chelan, Washington.
Chelan, Washington. Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful parts of America, with mountains, glaciers, forests, and of course, lakes. If your preferred method of enjoying nature is rowing to the middle of a big, peaceful lake, then this area is a great option for your next getaway. Since you may not want to bother with bringing you passport, here are some beautiful lakes in Washington State where you can enjoy the Pacific Northwest without crossing the border

Lake Chelan

This lake’s 50.5-mile stretch is flanked by two towns on its north and south ends— Chelan, which is very tourist-friendly, in the south, and Stehekin in the north, which is only reachable by boat, seaplane, or ferry. In between the towns, the lake draws water adventurers every year and has lots of opportunities for different sports.

Pearrygin Lake

Pearrygin Lake in the Methow Valley is bordered by a state park named for the lake. From the state park, there is a large boat launch available throughout the boating season, and lots of campgrounds to boat to. There’s also swimming and fishing available to anyone who wants to take part.

Mowich Lake

The largest lake in Mount Rainier State Park, Mowich is fed mostly by snowmelt and is incredibly cold year-round. You can get there by driving all the way to the end of State Highway 165, and boating is only available to non-motorized boats but is a lovely experienced for canoers and kayakers among others.