Lake · Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
Howard Lake
2.1 mi round trip418 ft gainEasyDay hike: No permitOvernight: Reservation
Get alerts for this hikePermits and reservations
Day hikeNo permit
Day hikes in the national park need no permit or reservation.
OvernightReservation
Every overnight stay needs a wilderness permit, year-round. Reserve on Recreation.gov or walk up in Marblemount.
Permit calendar
Early-access lotteryEarly March
Winners bookLate March to April
General reservationsLate April
Walk-up permitsMid-May to early October
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area rules from the National Park Service. Exact dates are set each year; past years followed this pattern. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Distance2.1 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain418 ftTotal climb, round trip
Lake elevation2,231 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Howard Lake is a lake reached by a 2.1-mile round trip from Trailhead on Stehekin Valley Road. The route follows Pacific Crest Trail, then McGregor Mountain Trail to the shore.
Photos from hikers
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What you need
Parking and passes
National park trailheads here have no entrance fee. Check posted signs for any parking rules.
Getting there
The hike starts at Trailhead on Stehekin Valley Road. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.