Key Takeaways

The Rainy Lake Trail is an easily accessible 1.9-mile out-and-back hike in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, suitable for all skill levels.

The trail features scenic highlights including Bridge Creek Falls and a viewpoint of Rainy Lake, known for its turquoise waters and surrounding waterfalls.

Parking is limited and a day use fee applies; dogs are allowed on leash, and the trail is universally accessible.

Rainy Lake Trail

The Rainy Lake Trail in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near Winthrop, Washington is an easy 1.9-mile out-and-back hike that leads to the sub-alpine turquoise-hued waters and thousand-foot tall waterfalls of Rainy Lake within the North Cascade mountains.

Universal Accessibility

This trail follows a smooth, universally-accessible trail from the trailhead all the way out to the viewpoint of Rainy Lake.

Hike to Rainy Lake

The hike to Rainy Lake begins along the North Cascades Highway at the Rainy Lake Trailhead where visitors will find small parking turnouts located along the one-way road at the coordinates provided. The trailhead can be found on the south side of the parking area where hikers will find a smooth, universally-accessible pathway that leads into the forest. Simply follow signs for the Rainy Lake Trail (No. 310) as it winds southbound through the forest.

Bridge Creek Falls - Mile 0.35

As the trail cuts through the dense, evergreen-filled forest, it crosses a footbridge and a small waterfall around mile 0.35. The waterfall here is Bridge Creek Falls. While it's a very short cascade in comparison to the waterfalls that spill into Rainy Lake, it's a scenic stop along the trail and a spot where visitors can practice their waterfall photography or simply enjoy the sights and sounds of the waterfall.

Rainy Lake Viewpoint - Mile 0.93

The trail eventually starts heading southwest as it approaches the last point-of-interest along the hike — the view of Rainy Lake. Around mile 0.93 from the trailhead, the Rainy Lake Trail ends along the northeastern shores of the waters edge. From this viewpoint, you'll find the dark turquoise waters of Rainy Lake, alpine slopes and peaks overhead, and massive thousand-foot waterfalls that pour into the water below. If you show up in the morning or evening, you'll likely find Rainy Lake with clouds hovering overhead and, most-likely, a light rainfall. If you show up without any cloud cover or rainfall, then apologies for the lack of rain at Rainy Lake, but you'll likely find that the water is a more vibrant turquoise color. If you show up during a cloud day, Rainy Lake creates moody alpine scenery that the North Cascades are well-known for. At the viewpoint, you can also read about glacial cirques, which is how Rainy Lake was formed from a receding glacier over the course of a millennia.

Hiking Out - Mile 0.93 to 1.9

The hike back from Rainy Lake to the parking area is easy, just follow the same universally-accessible trail north from where you came. If it's raining, just be thankful for the thick evergreen canopy that kept you mostly-dry (hopefully) on the hike out.

Parking & Fees

Hikers will find small parking turnouts along the entrance road at the coordinates provided. The turnouts are large enough to fit over a dozen vehicles as of June 2025. The parking lot does fill up by mid-day during the summer and warmer months, so most people park along the North Cascades Highway if the parking turnouts are full. Park at your own risk, but from what it seems, this is fine option. A day use fee is applied to all vehicles where you'll find info on how to pay at the trailhead, however, there's no cell service. If you have an Annual National Parks Pass, you can leave that on your dashboard.