A Pristine Turquoise Lake In Washington's North Cascades Has Camping, Easy Trails, And Kayaking

Washington State boasts a multitude of exciting destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, and one of its best — and least visited — is North Cascades National Park. This 500,000-acre preserve is one of the most rugged spots in all of North America. It's also home to glaciated peaks, deep forests, alpine meadows, mountain rivers, and plenty of pristine bodies of water.

One such gem is Baker Lake. Though situated just outside of the park itself, this nearly 9-mile long stretch of water is known for its plethora of campsites and outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, swimming, boating, and fishing. Like other lakes in the region, it's also blessed with brilliant blue water due to a fine rock sediment called glacial flour, which perfectly compliments the deep green hues of the forest blanketing the shoreline and surrounding foothills.

Baker Lake is served by well-maintained country roads that make it easy to get to. It's only two and a half hours from Seattle and just an hour and a half from the cozy European charms of Bellingham, a town beloved by Rick Steves, which means that it's a very popular spot in the summer months. However, despite the fact that it draws crowds for part of the year, the lake is big enough to more than accommodate large numbers of people, so finding peace and quiet shouldn't be too mighty a task.

Baker Lake is actually a reservoir of the Baker River, which tumbles down from the snowy heights of the North Cascades. The lake sits in the shadow of several imposing glacier-covered peaks, including Mt. Blum, Bacon Peak, Mt. Shuskan, and Mt. Baker — a 10,781-foot stratovolcano and the third-highest mountain in the state.

These majestic surroundings make Baker Lake an idyllic place with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, which for most people means camping. The lake and feeder creeks are home to more than 15 campgrounds which range from the massive 100-spot Kulshan to more secluded areas with basic amenities that you have to hike into, like Anderson Point. The variety of options can accommodate anything from large groups to couples and solo campers, so do a bit of homework to see which campground is best for you. And if you're keen to stay at one of the established campgrounds on the lakeshore, it's best to reserve your spot ahead of time.

The best time, weather-wise, to visit Baker Lake is in the summer, when temperatures range from the mid 70s during the day to the 40s at night. However, for more solitude, consider visiting in the late spring or early fall. Winter is almost always cold and somewhat snowy, and only the Kulshan Campground is open year-round.

While it's tempting to just relax beneath the Douglas firs during your time at Baker Lake, there are loads of activities that let you immerse yourself in nature. The lake and surrounding area are home to an array of hiking trails offering spectacular views of the reservoir and beyond.

The Baker Lake Trail follows the eastern lakeshore for 14 miles, accessing a number of campsites along the way. Though not a short path, it comes with little elevation gain, making it a popular choice for hikers of all levels. For more adventurous trekkers, the local peaks offer numerous opportunities for mountaineering, though traversing the numerous glaciers requires technical know-how and experience. The lake is also popular with fishermen who cast a line in pursuit of trout, bass, and especially kokanee salmon in the spring and fall.

The placid surface of Baker Lake also makes it an ideal spot for canoeing and kayaking, where you can cruise along its sparkling azure waters on a short jaunt or multi-day journey. There are plenty of spots to launch and take out, just watch out for hidden logs and rocks and most importantly, motorized boats, as the lake is also popular with power cruisers. For more outdoor glory in the North Cascades, check out this underrated lakeside village where peace and quiet reign.