Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
20.00 ft (6.10 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
3.90 mi (6.28 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Suttle Lake can function on multiple levels for an outdoor adventure. It's a good casual afternoon destination or a day trip, but the area also has adequate lodging and camping facilities. The loop around the lake can be accessed from multiple points, is hiking, biking, and dog friendly, and has virtually no grade, providing outdoor enjoyment for a variety of people. A lodge and cabins are open seasonally at the east end of the lake. There is also substantial day use and recreation space at various locations along the south shore. Boating is allowed on the west end of lake, and depending on the weather, the lake can serve as a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and swimming destination as well.  

Although the north shore portion of the trail has some road noise due to its close proximity to US-20, it also has some really great viewpoints of Mount Washington and Black Butte. The latter comes into view at the far west end of the lake and only disappears near the lodge. Mount Washington can be seen from portions of the north shore, but it is obscured at both the far east and west ends of the lake. Note that some sources report that this hike is up to 6 miles long; it is far closer to 4 miles long.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Lots of picnic and recreation space. Family friendly. Views of Mount Washington and Black Butte. Nearby camping and lodging.

Cons

Potentially crowded. North side of the lake is close to Highway 20.

Trailhead Elevation

3,350.00 ft (1,021.08 m)

Features

Lodging
Bird watching
Wildlife
Wildflowers
Fishing

Suitable for

Biking

Location

Comments

06/22/2018
This is an easy, flat 4 mile +/- hike, a few miles from our home. But we never tire of its views. There are occasional mountain bikes but mid-week hikes here are usually devoid of much trail traffic.
09/29/2016
With the changing leaves, fall is the perfect time of year to explore around Suttle Lake.
Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.