Three Lakes Trail

This 12-mile out-and-back trail leads to three high-alpine lakes in a basin at the very edge of the park border.

Plan Around Three Lakes Trail

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Three Lakes Trail Details

This 12-mile out-and-back trail leads to three high-alpine lakes in a basin at the very edge of the park border, due east of the Stevens Canyon Entrance. It begins at a parking lot one mile north of Ohanapecosh on State Route 123 (park on the west side of the road at Laughingwater Creek and find the trailhead across the road). The trail follows Laughingwater Creek as it gently ascends for the first mile and then becomes steeper. At 3.5 miles, it angles away from the creek and begins an even steeper ascent until it eventually meets the East Boundary Trail on a small ridge. From here, the trail drops for about .5 mile, and soon reaches the Three Lakes. Trail stats: 12 miles; 2,700 feet of vertical gain; 6 hours.

Difficulty

High

Distance

12 miles

Estimated time

6 hours

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Three Lakes Trail

Compare nearby parks around Three Lakes Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

8.8 mi away

Mount Rainier

National Park · WA

127.6 mi away

Olympic

National Park · WA

133.0 mi away

North Cascades

National Park · WA

267.8 mi away

Crater Lake

National Park · OR

372.8 mi away

Glacier

National Park · MT

398.0 mi away

Redwood

National Park · CA

Nearby Points of Interest Around Three Lakes Trail

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Three Lakes Trail while the map context is still fresh.

0.1 mi away

Silver Falls

The trail to pretty Silver Falls starts in Ohanapecosh Campground.

0.4 mi away

Grove of the Patriarchs

The easy, 1.3-mile Grove of the Patriarchs Trail begins just northwest of the Stevens Canyon Entrance on the park's southeast side.

0.4 mi away

Grove of the Patriarchs

Grove of the Patriarchs is home to some of the park's grandest and oldest trees.

1.0 mi away

Ohanapecosh River

The 16-mile-long Ohanapecosh River begins near the Ohanapecosh Glacier on Mount Rainier's southeast side.

1.1 mi away

Silver Falls Trail

The moderately difficult Silver Falls Trail has three access points.