Lake · Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Ross Lake
18.9 mi round trip4,528 ft gainVery hardDay 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
Ross Lake 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
Distance18.9 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain4,528 ftTotal climb, round trip
Lake elevation1,434 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Ross Lake is a lake reached by a 18.9-mile round trip from East Bank Trailhead. The route follows East Bank 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 East Bank Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.