Paddling & Swimming at Cascade Lake on Orcas Island

Looking for more great things to do in and around Moran State Park?
Check out my guide to the Best of Orcas Island!

SWIM

On a sunny warm day, Cascade Lake is perfect for a swim. Unlike so many Washington lakes, the water isn’t glacially cold, a real treat for us Northwesterners. The water ranges from blue to green, and is reasonably clear. Some areas are a little weedy, but you can easily swim out past the weeds. For young children, the roped-off shallow swimming beach at the day use area is ideal. It offers a sandy beach and clear, pleasantly cool water.

Stronger swimmers will love the Lagoon, located beyond the wooden bridge on the opposite side of the lake. The bridge is also a popular spot for jumping into the lake. The water of the Lagoon is warmer than the main lake, but still refreshingly cool. Be careful getting in and out, as the large rocks on the lake bottom can be quite slippery. Other than the day use areas, you won’t find any beaches on Cascade Lake. Look for small openings along the shoreline where you can pull up your boat for a picnic or swim.

As always, use care in and around the water. A limited number of lifejackets are available to borrow for free at the main day use area in summer. This is a great option for kids who aren’t yet strong swimmers. Keep a close eye on children, stay safe, and have fun!

PADDLE

Cascade Lake allows only human-powered or electric boats, making it a relaxing place to paddle, even for novice boaters. The main road edges along the east side of the lake. On this side, you can launch your boat from the day use area near the Northend campground, a second small launching site by Midway Campground, and a third at Southend. Some waterfront campsites at Midway and Southend also give you the option of launching directly from your site! It’s easy to spend an hour or two exploring the lake and the adjacent Lagoon, or even longer if you take a swimming break or two.

If you don’t have your own boat, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards seasonally from Orcas Adventures. Their Cascade Lake location is found at the main day use area across from the Northend Campground.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Getting to Orcas Island involves a one-hour ferry ride from Anacortes, Washington. Check ferry schedules and reserve your trip in advance on the Washington State Ferries website. Cascade Lake is a half-hour’s drive from the Orcas Island ferry terminal.
• Bring your Discover Pass. Since Moran is a Washington State Park, a Discover Pass is required for parking. Campers at Moran State Park will receive a pass valid for the duration of their stay at check-in. Non-campers can purchase a Discover Pass at Moran State Park or online.
• The Cascade Lake Loop Trail connects all the campgrounds and day use areas along Cascade Lake. It’s a short, easy hike, and pairs well with some paddle or swim time.
• Parking is available at the day use areas near the Northend and Southend Campgrounds, as well as the Lagoon (see map above).
• Restrooms and garbage bins are available at all day use areas and campgrounds. Picnic tables are located at the day use areas near both the Northend and Southend Campgrounds. Be warned: the restrooms and changing rooms can get smelly and dirty during high season. Fortunately, this was not the case during our last visit in September.
• Drinking water is available at all campgrounds and day use areas.

HIGHLIGHTS

Cascade Lake makes for a perfect family day on the lake. Calm water, beautiful scenery, good swimming, and delicious ice cream — there’s something for everyone. I recommend paddling across the lake to explore the Lagoon, even if you don’t plan to swim.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Well, nothing beats an ice cream cone! Paddling Cascade Lake was fun and easy for all, but I was surprised that on a warm June day the kids found the water of the Lagoon “too cold” for swimming. My older son was also concerned about possibly stepping on a snail, but I’d say that’s pretty avoidable. We saw other kids who were definitely enjoying the water, evidently unperturbed by any snails.

When we visited a few years later in September, my younger son was raring to get in the water! The weather was a little too cool for swimming for the rest of us, but it was the perfect chance for my older son and his friend to enjoy a paddle around the lake with the adults.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

There is a wealth of things to do in and around Moran State Park and Orcas Island. For a more secluded experience, go for a paddle on nearby Mountain Lake. Hiking is another great option. You can hike the Cascade Lake Loop Trail, climb to the top of Mount Constitution, visit lovely Cascade Falls, or a take a short hike to the beach at Obstruction Pass.

With so much to see and do, I recommend spending the night. We’ve stayed at Midway Campground a few times, which provides direct access to Cascade Lake. Two other campgrounds, Northend and Southend, are also located along Cascade Lake.

Bursting with small town charm, Eastsound is only a 15-minute drive from Cascade Lake and full of fun shops and eateries. Some of our favorites include Brown Bear Baking, Clever Cow Creamery, and Darvill’s Bookstore (which also features a terrific coffee bar).

After a fun paddle on Mountain Lake the day before, we were eager to check out Cascade Lake. From our campsite at Midway, we drove to the boat launch on the lakeshore. While we could have easily walked such a short distance, we couldn’t have easily carried both our 52-pound double inflatable kayaks, not to mention paddles, life jackets, water bottles, and swim gear. Needless to say, I was grateful for the option to park by the launch.

Michael planned our route. First, we would head to the day use area for ice cream cones from Sugar Shack. Next, we would head across the lake and under the footbridge to explore the Lagoon, keeping an eye out for a good swimming spot. Finally, after our swim, we would head back across the lake and return to the campground.

It all went swimmingly. At our first stop, Sugar Shack, we slurped cones of Lopez Creamery ice cream, the perfect summer treat. Well fortified, we continued our journey to the Lagoon.

While technically part of Cascade Lake, the smaller, cozier Lagoon has its own unique feel. Judging from the number or people lining the bridge and lounging on rocks at the water’s edge, it’s also quite popular. We paddled into various nooks and crannies, looking for a place to safely pull the kayaks onto the shore.

Soon, we found a small, unoccupied rocky embankment that fit the bill. Getting the kayaks on shore was a little tricky, as the boulders below the water’s surface were slick with a thin coating of algae. Michael and I were thrilled to find that the water was pleasantly cool, not cold. Washington lakes are frequently frigid from mountain snowmelt, so the Lagoon was a delightful surprise.

The kids, however, had doubts. T was eager to jump in, but screamed in shock at the cold, clinging tightly to his dad. J tested the water with his feet, and likewise decided it was too cold (although I think his hesitation was partly due to the fact that he spied an underwater snail). I’m not sure how our very own children, Northwest born and bred, developed such a sensitivity to water temperature, but there you have it.

Michael and I finished our swim, while the kids ate snacks on the shore. As we paddled back to the campground, we paused near the bridge to watch a few kids leaping into the deep blue water. I marveled at the beauty of the sun-dappled water dancing in the late afternoon light. With only the lightest of breezes, the paddling was smooth and easy, allowing me to relax and enjoy the moment while T lounged lazily in the front seat, dragging his hand through the water. It was Orcas Island at its most magical, and we were fortunate to be part of it.

Once again, we were at the boat launch at Midway Campground, pumping up our inflatable kayaks and zipping up our life vests as we prepared to launch. This time, the air was crisp as summer leaned into fall, although the sun shone as brilliantly as ever.

Five of us split between two double kayaks, my friends in the first, while I joined the boys in the second. We own two lengthy Aquaglide Chelan 155 kayaks. One benefit to their length is the ability to squeeze a third person into the middle of boat, perched on a small inflatable cushion. I can’t recommend this seat for an adult, but it comes in handy when you have an extra child along for the ride. My son, J, chose the middle seat while his friend, H, took the bow. Pushing the boat further out into the water, I took my usual seat in the stern.

Soon, we were gliding effortlessly across Cascade Lake. J and H swapped off paddle duties, but their main goal was to beat H’s parents in an unofficial race to the wooden bridge at the mouth of the Lagoon. In what seemed like mere minutes, we were at the opposite shore, skirting the rocks at the lake’s edge as we turned toward the bridge.

Once we reached the Lagoon, our pace slowed. We dipped our feet into the water and watched ripples flutter across the surface. We paddled through dense patches of lily pads, hunting for a few last blooms hidden among the flat leaves. At the far end of the Lagoon, we also discovered thick clouds of green billowing just below the surface. Algae! It wasn’t exactly a pretty sight, although it was undeniably fascinating.

Our explorations over, we turned back toward Cascade Lake, crossing beneath the wooden bridge once more. Earlier that same day we had walked across this very bridge as we followed the Cascade Lake Loop Trail. Unlike our June visit, no one was jumping off the bridge today. Indeed, we had the lake virtually to ourselves.

After passing under the bridge, we turned toward the day use area, where Michael and T were enjoying their time at the swimming beach. We beached our kayaks on a small sandy bank near the lawn, then wandered over to find T hard at work digging in the sand, while Michael read a book at a nearby picnic table. The older boys soon joined T in his excavations, while the adults took time to relax under the soft glow of the late afternoon sun.

Eventually, it was time to head back to our campsite at Midway Campground. Dinner was calling! I deflated the kayaks and packed them into the car while the kids gathered up the sand toys. Others, too, were heading out as the air turned brisk and cool. After taking a last look at the lake, I turned to go. No doubt about it, Cascade Lake still had its magic, and we were lucky enough to experience it once again.