Looking for more great things to do in and around Moran State Park?
Check out my guide to the Best of Orcas Island!
LOCATION
- Mountain Lake is located in Moran State Park on Orcas Island, Washington, half an hour’s drive from the Orcas Island ferry terminal off Mount Constitution Road.
CURRENT INFO
- General information about Moran State Park, including Cascade Lake, is found on the Washington State Parks website.
- Visit the Orcas Adventures website for information about boat rentals.
- For more info, I recommend the wonderful guidebook Swimming Holes of Washington by Shane Robinson and Anna Katz, which covers swimming spots at nearby Cascade Lake.
WE WERE THERE
- June 2020, spending about two hours kayaking and enjoying lunch on one of Mountain Lake’s islands
SWIM
OK, full disclosure: we didn’t swim in Mountain Lake. While the lake water isn’t freezing cold, it isn’t exactly warm, either. We visited on a somewhat cloudy, moderate day, so didn’t feel the urge to jump in. Because of its higher elevation, Mountain Lake tends to be cooler than nearby Cascade Lake.
With that said, I would absolutely love to swim here if the day were hotter. The water is emerald green with good visibility, and even though you won’t be completely alone, it has more of a secluded wilderness feel to it than Cascade Lake. Wander the lakeside trail to find a good spot for a dip. You may spy a long rope swing on the upper west side of the lake, across from the northernmost island. I can’t vouch for its safety, but check it out if you’re so inclined.
PADDLE
Mountain Lake is a serene and beautiful place to paddle, surrounded by deep green waters and forests. There are no busy roads nearby, no services other than a somewhat primitive campground, and only human-powered and electric boats are allowed on the water. The varied shoreline and a handful of rocky islands provide great opportunities for boaters of all levels to explore.
If you don’t have your own boat, you can rent kayaks and paddle boards seasonally from Orcas Adventures at Mountain Lake, or look into other rental companies on the island offering drop-off services. Paddle boards are a good option if you’re looking for something easy to transport by car.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Mountain Lake lies within Moran State Park, so be sure to hang your Discover Pass in your car window, or a campground receipt if you’re staying overnight.
- The small boat launch area, including several parking spots, lies just past Mountain Lake Campground.
- A nice vault toilet is available.
- If parking is unavailable at the launch site, look for additional parking spots nearby.
- If you want to rent a kayak, Orcas Adventures offers limited seasonal boat rentals at Mountain Lake. Some kayak agencies on the island also offer drop off and pick up services; check around if you’re interested.
HIGHLIGHTS
Simply put, Mountain Lake is gorgeous. If you’re looking for a peaceful paddle in a beautiful forested setting, this one’s for you.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
Getting to explore the islands felt like a real adventure! After all, it isn’t every day you get to eat lunch on your own private island. J especially liked playing pirate, off to explore parts unknown.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
For a quiet, secluded camping experience, stay overnight here at Mountain Lake. Trails lead around the lake itself, or further afield to Twin Lakes or Mount Constitution. Hikes to Cascade Falls and Obstruction Pass are also close by.
If you prefer a campground with more amenities, check out Midway Campground or one of the other options along nearby Cascade Lake. This is also a great place to paddle and swim, or enjoy an ice cream cone from Sugar Shack on the beach.
Our Experience
We spied Mountain Lake for the first time the day before as we hiked to the summit of Mount Constitution. It was clear from one glance that we had to take a closer look. So here we were, inflatable kayaks and a packed lunch in tow, ready to ply its glassy blue-green waters.
The kids and I didn’t make it far before reaching the first island (an island within an island, imagine!), where we disembarked to explore further. This proved a bit more cumbersome than I expected, as we clumsily maneuvered over the rocks while trying to lift the kayak onto shore before it floated away. Michael took advantage of the opportunity to paddle around on his own while we checked out what the tiny island had to offer.
Soon, all of us were back in the boats again, paddling further north. Coming to another island, we decided it would make the perfect lunch spot. Now, if only we could figure out where to dock – the west side was very rocky, while on the east side, floating logs made it difficult to reach the shore. We finally decided that we could manage the rocks on the southwest tip. Getting the boats on land here was an even bigger challenge than the first island had been, but once it was done, the inviting picnic spot atop the island made our efforts worthwhile.
After lunch, we meandered back down the lake, paddling to the opposite shore and down to the southernmost tip before returning to the launch. A few drops of rain fell, and I could tell the boys were feeling tired (adventuring has a way of wearing one out). As we packed up the boats, sunshine again peeked through the clouds, and Mountain Lake shimmered in farewell.
