Lake · William O. Douglas Wilderness
American Lake
11 mi round trip1,865 ft gainHardDay hike: Free self-issueOvernight: Free self-issue
Get alerts for this hikePermits and reservations
Day hikeFree self-issue
Fill out the free wilderness permit at the trailhead kiosk.
OvernightFree self-issue
No reservation. Use the same free permit, keep groups to 12 or fewer, and camp at least 200 ft from water.
William O. Douglas Wilderness rules from the Forest Service. Matched from official wilderness boundaries. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Distance11 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain1,865 ftTotal climb, round trip
Lake elevation5,270 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
American Lake is a lake reached by a 11-mile round trip from Swamp Lake Trailhead. The route follows Swamp Lake Trail, then American Ridge Trail to the shore.
Photos from hikers
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What you need
Parking and passes
Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).
Buy a Northwest Forest PassGetting there
The hike starts at Swamp Lake Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.