Trail · Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Thornton Lakes Trail
9.1 mi round trip2,947 ft gainHardDay 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
Distance9.1 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain2,947 ftTotal climb, round trip
High point4,997 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Thornton Lakes Trail is a 9.1-mile round trip, out and back from Trailhead on Thornton Lakes Road. The route follows Thornton Lakes Trail.
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 Thornton Lakes Road. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.